Getting to the Old City
There are a number of ways to get to the Old City. The Old City consists of very narrow streets and alleyways, therefore most transportation stops outside the walls and gates of the Old City and visitors are required to walk between 2-15 minutes to their final destination within the Old City walls.
There are four main entrances to the Old City. The closest entrance to the Jewish Quarter and Mount Zion is Zion Gate. There you will find a public parking lot and from there it is a short 10 minute walk to the Western Wall through the Jewish Quarter. You can also park at the Givati parking lot, which is near Dung Gate in front of the City of David.
Or, you can enter via Jaffa Gate (parking either at Mamilla Avenue or at Karta parking lot, which is closer to Jaffa Gate). The Jaffa Gate entrance will lead you to the Armenian Quarter, Christian Quarter or Muslim Quarter (descending east). Although you can head to the Jewish Quarter via Jaffa Gate, it is not the nearest option.
The Christian Quarter is ideally accessed via the New Gate on Jaffa Street (just in front of Notre Dame Church), and the Muslim Quarter via Damascus Gate, just steps away from the bustling marketplace in East Jerusalem and Rockefeller Museum.
Please see details of transportation to the Old City, including parking details below.
Transportation
Private cars
Private cars are not allowed into the Old City between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm. For those who choose to go to the Old City by car, there are a handful of parking options just outside of the Old City (see details below).
Free shuttle from the First Station
If you’re coming to Jerusalem by car, this is a great option for you. Park at the First Station, pay a flat rate for the whole day, and take a free shuttle to the Old City. They leave every 20 minutes from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm most days of the week. For exact details go to the shuttle page.
Please note that the shuttle service is temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Buses
Several bus lines reach the Old City. Two lines enter the Old City and reach the Western Wall (1 and 3) and some buses reach Jaffa Gate or the Jewish Quarter (2, 38, 83).
Since the bus schedule changes periodically, it is best to contact Egged (details below) for details of specific lines.
Egged
Phone: *2800 or +972-2-530-4704
Website: www.egged.co.il
Superbus
Phone: 1-700-700-181
Website: www.superbus.co.il/
Light Rail
One of the closest light rail stations to the Old City is just outside Jerusalem’s City Hall (Municipality). From there, it is a 10-15 minute walk to Jaffa Gate or five minutes to New Gate.
From Damascus Gate Station you can walk directly into the Old City via Damascus Gate. Please see contact details for the light rail below.
CityPass
Phone: *3686
Website: www.citypass.co.il
Taxis
There is no permanent taxi station within the Old City, but taxis can enter the Old City all through the day. Taxis can be found along the roads of the Old City for those who are looking for one. Alternatively, if you walk just outside of the Old City, you should be able to find one easily. They generally congregate outside Jaffa Gate, The Western Wall, and Dung Gate. Please visit our travel by taxi page for further information.
Parking
Mamilla Parking
Address: 17 Kariv Street, Jerusalem
Hours:
- Sunday-Thursday from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm (cars must exit by 2:00 am)
- Fridays and holiday eves, entrance from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm (cars must exit an hour before Shabbat starts)
- Saturdays and holidays from after Shabbat/holiday until 12:00 am (cars must exit by 2:00 am)
Cost: 48 NIS per day. The first hour is free, after which it is 12 ILS per hour (3 ILS per quarter hour)
Phone: +972-2-636-0000
Karta Parking
Address: 1 Kariv Street, Jerusalem
Hours: 7:00 am to 1:00 am
Cost: 10 NIS per hour; 50 NIS per day; Jerusalem cardholders: 20 NIS per day
Phone: +972-2-625-3270
Safra Parking – Jerusalem Municipality
Address: Shivtei Yisrael Street, Jerusalem
Hours: 5:00 am to 11:00 pm
Cost: 12 NIS per hour (discounted price from 4:05 pm); parking on Saturday night after Shabbat ends is free of charge
Phone: +972-2-629-6080; +972-2-625-0894
Mount Zion Parking
Just outside the Old City Walls behind Zion Gate. To access this parking lot, drive outside the walls until reaching Mount Zion. An entrance fee is charged.
Givati Parking
Near Dung Gate in front of the City of David. To reach the parking lot drive to Damascus Gate, around Temple Mount, and turn left before the incline to the Western Wall. An entrance fee is charged. Also, parking meters can be found along the road going from Zion Gate to the Jewish Quarter and along the road going from Dung Gate to Mount Zion.