If I were a tourist from abroad visiting Israel I absolutely would not rent a car. I am going to list the reasons:
Blood Pressure.
Rental cars are expensive, Israeli drivers are wild, you can’t find a parking space in cities, if you put the smallest scratch on the rental, the rental company charges like a wounded elephant. You feel obliged to pile-up the mileage (because it’s generally unlimited) and this will surely bring you to the edge of exhaustion.
Chill.
- The train service is limited but buses go everywhere. There are bus stops everywhere and in the middle of nowhere.
Buses are cheap, reliable, safe.
In buses you get to meet Israelis. Strike up a conversation with the person sitting next to you and you will get a stream of unsolicitated advice, some of which may be helpful.
You will only manage two destinations per day which is more than enough.
Coming to Krivine Guesthouse by Bus
From Beer Sheva, numbers 60, 64 and 65; you never have to wait more than one hour for a bus to and from Midreshet Ben Gurion (most of the time less). From Dimona and Yeruham, number 55. From Eilat 392 (twice daily) From the Midrasha to Tel Aviv direct at 6am, returning direct at 4pm. We will always try and collect you from the bus stop (otherwise a ten minute walk).
They belong to two bus companies:
And if you come to us by bus, these are the activites open to you:
- Six beautiful trails directly from the guesthouse from two km to 25 km (Ben Gurion’s grave and sculpture park, Mount Tzaror, Ein Avdat, Ein Akev, Nahal Haverim, Nahal Karkash).
- Horse riding with Arthur
- Rent a mountain bike with helmet and maps (Ben Gurion’s house, Lost City, Nahal Hatzatz become easy to reach. There are many other bike trails)
- Jeep tours all over the Negev
- Eateries and supermarket five minutes walk from the guesthouse
NB.
When you are coming to Krivine Guesthouse by bus be sure to get off at Midreshet Ben Gurion and not Kibbutz Sde Boker. Tell the bus driver, tell the person sitting next to you so that even if you fall asleep on the bus you won’t miss the stop. And call to tell which bus you are on so that we can collect you and your luggage from the bus stop.
Important things to take into account if you chose to travel by bus
- Public transportation in Israel doesn’t run on Shabbat (from Friday afternoon till Saturday evening) and Jewish holidays.
- The city of Avdat and Mitzpe Ramon will be accessible by bus. But some of the most beautiful places in and around the crater won’t be accessible (such as Borot Lotz, Mount Ramon, Mount Ardon, Ein Saharonim…)
- Unless you have a lot of time, more remote places like Nitzana area and the Big Crater won’t be accessible.
- When you plan your itinerary, getting from or to the Dead Sea from the Negev Highlands will be very time consuming.
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