Since most
Israeli cities are small, you can walk most places you need
to go. You'll see a lot and have more opportunities to interact
with the people. If you're on your own, get a map from a hotel
or tourist office and you'll be in good shape.
You can rent a car, but driving in Israel is
not for the faint of heart. The roads are probably the most
dangerous places in Israel and the traffic, especially in
and around Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, is terrible.
Taxis are a common mode of transportation,
but, as in most places, drivers are not always honest. They
will frequently try to take you for a ride without using their
meter. NEVER let them do this. Always ask before you get in
the cab how much the fare should be and insist they use a
meter. The one exception is for long trips, such as between
Tel Aviv and Jerusalem (and from the airport) where the fares
are usually set before you leave. For those longer trips,
it is usually more inexpensive, though less comfortable and
convenient, to take a group taxi or sherut. You
can also learn a lot about Israel by talking to cab drivers;
they're usually not shy about offering their opinions. You
do not have to tip cab drivers.
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