Tel Aviv is a fairly compact city and does not have the extent of public transportation options of larger cities. There’s no metro, tram or train service, but the city does have a decent bus system and plenty of taxis. There’s also the sheruts, a kind a minivan which operates like a shared taxi and will take you wherever you wish. Most visitors arrive in Tel Aviv at the Ben Gurion International Airport, about 20kms southeast of the city.

The majority of visitors to Tel Aviv will fly directly into the city’s modern Ben-Gurion International Airport, which is located 20kms from the city and just 50kms from Jerusalem. With the recent opening of its third terminal, the airport is equipped to handle more 16 million passengers a year. Each of the three terminals have all the facilities anyone would need. There are 24 hour banks, currency exchange bureaus, a post office and plenty of restaurants. Terminal 3, which handles all of the international flights, has a large shopping mall and duty-free shops.

Other facilities include a 24 hour emergency first aid clinic, a child care centre and a synagogue. The airport has two VIP lounges for travellers who wish to relax before their flight. El Al airline passengers can use the King David Lounge, while all other passengers can access the Jet Set Club Lounge, which is open 24 hours and has internet and fax services. Airport information desks are can be found in the main halls and Departure areas of all terminals (tel: +972 3 972 3344).

There are short-term parking lots near the entrances of all three terminals and the airport’s long-term car park is located farther away at a remote site but is clearly signposted. A free shuttle bus runs between the long-term car park and all of the terminals 24 hours a day.

Buses are the cheapest way to get from the airport to Tel Aviv. Bus number 475 departs every 10 minutes to the central bus station in the city. The trip takes 30-40 minutes. Bus number 222 goes to the Tel Aviv central train station before continuing on to all the major seaside hotels along Hayarkon Street. These buses operate between 06:00 and 24:00. Tourbus also operates a bus service to the main hotels along the beaches. All buses depart from outside gate 7 at Terminal 1 and at gates 21, 23 and 24 on level 2 at Terminal 3.

There is a rail service which links the airport with Tel Aviv from 03:00 until 24:00. The journey takes about 15 minutes. Taxis are the most convenient way to get to your destination and are located near the airport reception hall. Hadar Lod Taxis is one of the main companies and can take you anywhere in the region (tel: +972 3 971 1103). Several reputable car hire companies have offices at the airport. To get into Tel Aviv by car, simply follow route 1 which runs directly from the airport to Tel Aviv and on to Jerusalem.

The public bus system in Tel Aviv is very convenient, punctual and cheap. Buses run everywhere you would want to go, stopping at over 300 stops. Most of the bus lines follow circular routes around the city which begin and end at the central bus terminal on Levinski Street. Buses in the city operate every day except Shabbat from 05:30 until 24:00. Several ticket options exist for the buses. A regular ticket is good for a one way trip anywhere within the city. Multiple entry tickets give you 10 rides for a reduced price and the best deal is the kartissiya ticket, which gives you 25 rides for the price of 23. It’s not much of a savings, but the convenience of not having to dig out change for the fare each time is worth it.

Another unique transportation option in Tel Aviv is the ‘sherut’. This minivan is the equivalent of a shared taxi and usually holds up to 10 people. The fare is about the same as the bus but you can have the driver drop you off exactly where you want to go. The sheruts are usually coloured red and white and most of them follow a general path along the fixed public bus routes trawling for passengers. Beware when you get on board a sherut, as the driver will immediately speed off. Unlike the buses, sheruts operate on Shabbat.

Private taxis are certainly the most convenient way to get around, but they’re also the most expensive. All taxis are metered with two rates: Tariff 1 (05:30 to 21:00) and Tariff 2 (21:00 to 05:30 and Shabbat). Tariff 2 rates are 25 percent higher. Taxis can be hailed along most of the major roads and at taxi stands in the main areas of town. They can also be called for hire. Your driver should turn on the meter when you start off, and if he doesn’t your fare is likely to be higher than normal.

The extensive and cheap service of the city’s buses and sheruts, along with the close proximity of Tel Aviv’s main attractions, means that it’s not necessary to rent a car when you visit this city. This is good news for visitors, as Tel Aviv drivers are notoriously aggressive, impatient and not above using the sidewalks to get a little farther ahead in traffic. Parking in the city is strictly controlled and very limited.