Israel Tel Aviv + Tiberias + Nazareth + Jerusalem 10-Day 7-Night Independent Travel Guide (Focus on Transportation and Accommodation)
Booked a 10-day 7-night independent tour of Israel Tel Aviv + Tiberias + Nazareth + Jerusalem on Ctrip, including round-trip airfare (with a domestic transfer in Chengdu) and accommodation at three hotels, from January 7 to January 16, 2020. When booking, please note that the Sabbath in Israel starts around 4:00 PM on Friday and ends around 5:00 PM on Saturday. During this time, almost no transportation or dining services are available. It is recommended not to schedule visits to attractions or travel during the Sabbath; it's best to stay at the hotel or take a walk nearby.
From Shanghai Pudong International Airport T2 to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport T1, collect luggage and prepare for the transfer to Israel.
Arrived at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport T3 (Terminal 3 of Ben Gurion International Airport) in the morning. Exchanged for Israeli currency (generally 300 USD is enough for a week), then went to the information center (green counter) outside the arrival hall to purchase a yellow transportation card (valid for buses, trains, trams, and light rail in Israel). It can be recharged, but the balance is non-refundable. I loaded 100-150 shekels, and they gave a 25% bonus on the fare.
Followed airport signs to the train station. The hotel for the day was Crowne Plaza Tel Aviv City Center. I asked the staff how to take the train to Ha-Shalom station in the city center. After arriving, I walked through the Azrieli Center (which has a food court for lunch) and then walked to the hotel. The trip from the airport to the hotel took about 30 minutes. There is also an express train to Jerusalem that takes about 40 minutes to Jerusalem Central Station; ask the service desk for specific schedules.
If you only have half a day in Tel Aviv, I recommend visiting the Old City of Jaffa (approximately 3 hours). Take bus 40 or 42 from the bus stop opposite the hotel; the exact stop name can be found on Google. Jaffa is located south of Tel Aviv, by the Mediterranean Sea, and is a classic Tel Aviv landmark. According to the Bible, the timber used to build the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem was shipped from here. Looking south from the Tel Aviv coast, you see a hill covered with houses, topped by a clock tower—that's Jaffa. The stone houses and alleys are now a picturesque artists' quarter and tourist center.
Leaving Tel Aviv for Tiberias. Walked to the bus stop two minutes from the hotel (no need to cross the overpass) and took bus 836. Check Google for the exact time. It goes to Tiberias Central Bus Station (about 2.5 hours, 40 shekels). Usually it's a green bus, but sometimes there are private yellow minibuses. Arrived around noon. Since Tiberias is mountainous, if Google shows a 10-minute walk, you can walk to the hotel; otherwise, I recommend taking a taxi (steep roads, and hotel addresses are hard to find). Leave luggage at the hotel (check-in is at 2-3 PM). This time I stayed at Lake Mansion (actually a guesthouse) and needed to bring my own toiletries; the conditions were basic.
After dropping off luggage, walked to the Central Bus Station. Checked Google for the bus, noted travel time (about 20 minutes) and return time (it gets dark around 5 PM in Israel, so better to return by 5 PM), and the stop name (Google shows it, and the driver charges based on destination). The half-day itinerary was to visit the Mount of Beatitudes.
Still at Tiberias Central Bus Station, took a bus to Nazareth. Entered the destination "Church of the Annunciation" on Google; it required one transfer, about 1 hour one way. Check the return time (Friday is Sabbath, and there is almost no public transport after 4-5 PM). The route passes Cana (Wedding Church).
Tap the card when boarding; the driver deducts the fare based on your destination (as shown on Google). Press "Stop" or ask the driver to remind you when getting off. Wave to stop the bus when boarding.
About 4-5 PM, the Sabbath began.
It was the Sabbath, so no public transport. I took a walk by the Sea of Galilee and returned to the guesthouse.
Around 5 PM, the Sabbath ended, and shops gradually opened.
From Tiberias Central Bus Station, took a bus (about 15 minutes) to Yardenit, the Jordan River baptism site. Returned to the Central Bus Station, then took another bus (about 15 minutes) to Tabgha (the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes). There is no direct stop name; get off at the nearest one shown on Google. Exited Tabgha, turned right, and walked 2 minutes to the Church of Peter's Primacy. From there, turned right and walked 20 minutes to Capernaum.
At 1 PM, returned to the guesthouse to pick up luggage, then took a long-distance bus 962 from Tiberias Central Bus Station to Jerusalem Central Station (2.5 hours). The long-distance bus terminated at Jerusalem Central Station. Following navigation, I went down steps and walked 5 minutes to the station for city buses, light rail, and airport express (all in one place). This transportation hub is very convenient. Took the light rail about 30 minutes to Herbert Samuel Hotel Jerusalem, near Jaffa Gate.
Started the day's itinerary. Entered the Old City through Jaffa Gate. Prepared a map of the Old City of Jerusalem to always know where I was. The Old City is divided into four quarters, with eight gates along the walls. There is no transportation inside the Old City; you must walk (about 30,000 steps in one day to cover it all), but buses and light rail run around the city (stops are usually named after the gates). I recommend walking the first day and taking transportation the second day.
From Jaffa Gate, walk about 50 minutes toward the Mount of Olives:
Mount of Olives (requires climbing), Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations, Dominus Flevit Church, Chapel of the Ascension.
Damascus Gate:
Took a bus 10 minutes from the Chapel of the Ascension to Damascus Gate, then walked 5 minutes to the Garden Tomb.
From the bus stop at Damascus Gate, took a bus 10 minutes toward the Tomb of David, then walked 10 minutes to the Cenacle (Last Supper Room) and the Tomb of David, then walked 15 minutes to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. From the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, walked 15 minutes to the Western Wall and the Temple Mount.
Morning: The 14 Stations of the Cross
Entered the Old City through Jaffa Gate, entered "VIA DOLOROSA" (Latin for "Way of Sorrow") into navigation. Walked about 20 minutes to find the Church of the Condemnation, where there is an explanation of the 14 stations. Then follow the 14 stations marked with Greek letters and icons along the Via Dolorosa. There is a memorial in the Church of the Condemnation and the Church of the Flagellation where you can learn about the 14 stations.
Follow "VIA DOLOROSA" and the icons; the endpoint is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Afternoon: Bethlehem
Took bus 231 at Damascus Gate (6.8 shekels) to the terminus in Bethlehem (walk to Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity). Return on the same bus from the stop where you got off. Since Bethlehem is under Palestinian control, try not to go elsewhere; just walk to Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity.
On that day, you could still stay in Jerusalem, or return to Tel Aviv (to make it easier for the return flight the next day). If returning to Tel Aviv, the route back is as follows:
Take Line 1 light rail from the hotel entrance to Central Station, then use the transportation card to buy a ticket for the express to Tel Aviv city center (first stop Hanagana, passing the airport, about 30 minutes). At Hanagana station, transfer to the opposite platform for a train toward Hafa Center. Get off at the first stop, Ha Shalom, then walk into the shopping center to reach the Crown Hotel (total about 1.5 hours).
Walk 5 minutes from the hotel to the second floor of the shopping center, buy a ticket to Airport T3 (about 15 minutes).
The airport starts check-in three hours before departure; arriving 3.5 hours early can reduce waiting time. Before check-in, staff will ask in detail about your personal and passport information.
Left Israel and started the return flight to China.
From Chengdu back to Shanghai, a smooth trip.
