By Train in Jerusalem

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By Train

Suspended in 1998, the train service between Jerusalem and the coast was revived in the spring of 2005. The comfortable ride takes about an hour and 20 minutes -- a good alternative at rush hour, but almost half an hour slower than the bus at other times. Many just do it for fun, or for the attractive scenery. The train leaves the Malcha Station (near the big Jerusalem Mall) almost every hour, with a first stop very close by at the Biblical Zoo. It terminates at Tel Aviv Hashalom Station, with connections to Haifa and the north. Service ends midafternoon on Friday (because of the Sabbath), and resumes after dark on Saturday. (A similar schedule applies to Jewish religious holidays.) The fare to or from Tel Aviv is NIS 19 one-way, and NIS 34.50 return, for any passenger over 10 years old.

Contacts

Hashalom Station (Derech Hashalom, Tel Aviv. 03/577-4000; *5770 from any phone in Israel). Israel Railways (03/577-4000; *5770 from any phone in Israel. www.israrail.org.il/english). Malcha Station (Yitzhak Modai St., Malcha. 03/577-4000; *5770 from any phone in Israel).