Jan 7, 2015, 6:33 am
Last edit by: joshwex90
TLV Airport Delays
Lightning struck the control tower at the airport. Delays are expected
Travel Issues: Israel
Driving
As of now, the main routes into Jerusalem from Tel Aviv (1 and 443) are closed. Highway 6 (the "Toll Road") is closed between Nachshonim (intersection with 471) and Ben Shemen (interchange with 1). Highway 1 is closed up until Latrun.
Public Transportation
Egged has canceled ALL BUSES TO/FROM JERUSALEM!
Israel Rail Changes
*Most recent update*
Trains from Malha to Tel Aviv (and beyond) are still running. Egged have added bus route 501 and 502 from the Central Bus Station, and route 503 from Light Rail stop Givat haMivtar direct to Malha.
For those who read Hebrew, stay apprised of all changes via the Israel Rail website and Facebook page. You can also call *5770 from any phone.
Note to non-Israelis
Israel doesn't deal well with snow. Roads shut down and bad driving gets significantly worse. Although this storm may seem like nothing if it happened abroad, you're in Israel! Be very careful and if in snowy areas (Jerusalem, Gush Etzion, Modiin now, Golan, Galil) don't go outside unless really necessary!
In the Center, be very careful as the hail has left icy and very slippery roads.
Be careful and stay warm and safe!
Lightning struck the control tower at the airport. Delays are expected
Travel Issues: Israel
Driving
As of now, the main routes into Jerusalem from Tel Aviv (1 and 443) are closed. Highway 6 (the "Toll Road") is closed between Nachshonim (intersection with 471) and Ben Shemen (interchange with 1). Highway 1 is closed up until Latrun.
Public Transportation
Egged has canceled ALL BUSES TO/FROM JERUSALEM!
Israel Rail Changes
*Most recent update*
- Herzilya-Beit Shemesh is running on schedule for now, but this may change. Check the Israel Rail website, app, Facebook page, or call to check for changes.
- Beit Shemesh-Jerusalem is running (for now). They've added seats and trains, running once an hour. This may change if/when the snow intensifies.
- Tel Aviv-Rishon and Tel Aviv-Rechovot have been canceled
Trains from Malha to Tel Aviv (and beyond) are still running. Egged have added bus route 501 and 502 from the Central Bus Station, and route 503 from Light Rail stop Givat haMivtar direct to Malha.
For those who read Hebrew, stay apprised of all changes via the Israel Rail website and Facebook page. You can also call *5770 from any phone.
Note to non-Israelis
Israel doesn't deal well with snow. Roads shut down and bad driving gets significantly worse. Although this storm may seem like nothing if it happened abroad, you're in Israel! Be very careful and if in snowy areas (Jerusalem, Gush Etzion, Modiin now, Golan, Galil) don't go outside unless really necessary!
In the Center, be very careful as the hail has left icy and very slippery roads.
Be careful and stay warm and safe!
2015 Winter Storm: Updates
Jan 7, 2015 | 6:57 am
#3
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Pray heavily. The roads into/out of Jerusalem are all closed. The snow is only meant to intensify and they've been speaking about this for a while.
Do you read Hebrew? If so, I recommend staying appraised of Hebrew media.
Regardless, if I were you, I'd be ready to leave right now and get ready to go the moment the roads open up (if they do), because no one knows if that will stay. If need be, try to find a place to stay tonight.
What airline are you flying? There's a good chance they will have a waiver in place to allow you to change your ticket for free if needed.
I remember the storm from last year, and was in Jerusalem and Gush Etzion for it. Unfortunately, I don't have high hopes that it will open soon
Do you read Hebrew? If so, I recommend staying appraised of Hebrew media.
Regardless, if I were you, I'd be ready to leave right now and get ready to go the moment the roads open up (if they do), because no one knows if that will stay. If need be, try to find a place to stay tonight.
What airline are you flying? There's a good chance they will have a waiver in place to allow you to change your ticket for free if needed.
I remember the storm from last year, and was in Jerusalem and Gush Etzion for it. Unfortunately, I don't have high hopes that it will open soon
Jan 7, 2015 | 7:08 am
#4
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Trains from Jerusalem should still be running - it's a bit of a shlep as you have to go to Tel Aviv by train and then transfer to a Modiin train, but when the roads are closed this may be your only option.
Jan 7, 2015 | 7:31 am
#5
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yes, I just spoke to rakevet yisrael (in my basic hebrew) they told me that there are trains, but the last one leaves tonight at 9.17pm, so i'll have to take that train, and be in ben gurion the whole night...
Its very strange that everything stops here - everything shuts down...
Its very strange that everything stops here - everything shuts down...
Jan 7, 2015 | 7:32 am
#6
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It's a long way round, but I did it in the snow last year: If you can get to French Hill in Jerusalem, drive past Maale Adumim, through the Jordan Valley (road 90) then via Beit Shean, Afula, Road 6 South and to the airport.
Jan 7, 2015 | 7:34 am
#7
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Jan 7, 2015 | 8:39 am
#8
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About 2 1/2 hours ... but I did get home to Maale Adumim - without even seeing a snowflake!
I arrived from London after the snow started last year. I was thinking of going to my wife's family not far from the airport when one of our sons phoned me and suggested going via Road 6 etc. Sounded like a good idea so I did it!
I arrived from London after the snow started last year. I was thinking of going to my wife's family not far from the airport when one of our sons phoned me and suggested going via Road 6 etc. Sounded like a good idea so I did it!
Jan 7, 2015 | 8:57 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2008
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yes, I just spoke to rakevet yisrael (in my basic hebrew) they told me that there are trains, but the last one leaves tonight at 9.17pm, so i'll have to take that train, and be in ben gurion the whole night...
Its very strange that everything stops here - everything shuts down...
Its very strange that everything stops here - everything shuts down...
A couple of years ago I spent the night in TLV. Wasn't so terrible as I just stayed in the landside בית כנסת.
Going via the 90 is an expensive gas bill, even with the rates as 'low' as they are now. Instead I spent part of yesterday taking friends out of j'lem so that they'd get their flights today.
Jan 7, 2015 | 9:02 am
#10
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You don't need to get to the airport though. You can try going to Tel Aviv and get to the airport in the morning. Maybe try a hotel for a night?
If you don't have checked luggage, I'd maybe even recommend checking in online, printing boarding pass, and paying for KDL access.
Its very strange that everything stops here - everything shuts down...
Snow flakes hit the road? Close the capital for 5 days.
Still p*sses me off and still don't get it. They don't salt the roads and they don't have more than one plow. But whatever - I don't make the rules here (yet)
Jan 7, 2015 | 11:28 am
#11
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Thanks all. I took a taxi to malcha train station, then train to beit shemesh, now waiting for connection train to tel aviv, where I'll get train to airport. So 3 trains to airport, as all direct trains were cancelled!!
When checking status of flight, the lady in the airport didn't believe that there was any way I could be on my way to the airport from jerusalem, even train
When checking status of flight, the lady in the airport didn't believe that there was any way I could be on my way to the airport from jerusalem, even train
Jan 12, 2015 | 2:34 am
#14
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We have a hotel booking in the David Le Meridien Dead sea Hotel from yesterday - Sunday 11 jan until Tuesday 13th, we left from jerusalem by bus trying to get to Ein Bokek. However the driver told us that the buses are only going to Ein Gedi due to floods between Ein Gedi and Ein Bokek, so the road was closed. So we took the bus until Ein Gedi, and started walking the 21km from Ein Gedi till Ein Bokek. Some cars (4x4s) did go past but none of them stopped to give us a ride. After 8 km (2 hours) and wading through some rivers flowing over the road, we came across some workers who agreed to take us the rest of the way to Ein Bokek for 100 shekel (after some bargaining). Boy, was it worth it...
We heard other people had the same problem, so others went to Arad, then from there to Ein Bokek.
We heard other people had the same problem, so others went to Arad, then from there to Ein Bokek.
Jan 12, 2015 | 6:40 am
#15
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