Jerusalem - Bethlehem

Jan 13, 2013 | 9:18 am

I am going on a tour of Israel and just discovered that it does not go to Bethlehem. Can anyone advise on the logistics of going from Jerusalem? My hotel is at the Damascus Gate and was wondering if this is a logistical problem since Bethlehem is in Palestinian Territory (West Bank).

Is this not advisable to do on one's own? Can you just take a cab?

Are tours/tour companies readily available to go since this is only 5 miles/8 km away? I figure I need about a half day and will alter my tour program to do this sidetrip.

Any advice or insights would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Jan 13, 2013 | 9:42 am

TWA884

Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew14302

According to the Bethlehem Visitor Information Center, there is a bus that goes from the Damascus Gate to within walking distance of Manger Square and the Basilica of the Nativity.

Jan 13, 2013 | 12:17 pm

dls25

You can take Bus 21 from Damascus Gate to Bethlehem. I just did it today although the checkpoints do slow things down on the return. It is also a great way to meet Palestinian locals...

Jan 13, 2013 | 12:21 pm

dls25

If you want to do an organized tour I can recommend this one...

http://www.abraham-hostel-jerusalem....-Half-Day.aspx

I did their Hebron tour and it was excellent (although Hebron is an absolutely insane place)...

Jan 13, 2013 | 10:17 pm

keisari

I assume you are not an Israeli citizen, right?
Israeli citizen's entry to Bethlehem is limited.

Make sure you take your passport with you and include any documentation of your tour and the purpose of your visit to Israel. Checkpoints are sometimes cumbersome and the military/security tend to ask lots of questions.

Jan 15, 2013 | 10:28 am

awayIgo

If you look at the Trip Advisor site you will see many many people go to Bethlehem and it is not a big deal. The checkpoint ( singular) is essentially a border between PA and Israel. If you are going as a tourist there should be no problem and you should not have lots of questions.

Jan 16, 2013 | 3:29 am

dannybhoy

Quote:

Originally Posted by keisari

Depends on the checkpoints. As a furriner, I found the Bethelehem checkpoint the least problematic to enter Jerusalem compared say to Qalandriya.

Jan 19, 2013 | 2:30 pm

oldtirednbusy

we stayed at Harmony hotel in Jerusalem and the concierge arranged for a guide with car who took me to Jericho and Bethlehem. The guide was an Arab whose family had lived in Jerusalem for 900 years.

Jan 20, 2013 | 6:31 am

Andrew14302

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldtirednbusy

we stayed at Harmony hotel in Jerusalem and the concierge arranged for a guide with car who took me to Jericho and Bethlehem. The guide was an Arab whose family had lived in Jerusalem for 900 years.

Can you advise what the cost of this was?

Jan 20, 2013 | 6:37 am

#10

Andrew14302

Security and Safety

Thanks everyone for the replies so far. I understand that the checkpoint appears to be a likely bottleneck. I would welcome further comments about the overall safety and security of taking a public bus versus going on a tour or taking a hired taxi.

Jan 20, 2013 | 7:29 am

#11

rankourabu

Suspended

If you are going to go with a tour - excellent tours are provided by Green Olive tours (joint Jewish-Arab company) Just double check with them a couple days before if the tour is operating. The tours are an amazing insight at life on the other side of the wall, and you get much more than the typical coach tour tourist site experience. Their tour of Hebron was an amazing eye-opener.

Otherwise, bus 21 departs from just outside Damascus Gate, if you are a foreigner and white, you are not gonna get hassled at the checkpoints. As for security, I dont know exactly what you are worried about???

Jan 20, 2013 | 8:08 am

#12

dls25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew14302

I am brown (people kept assuming I was Egyptian) and did not have any hassles going by myself. I felt completely safe on the bus. I thought that the people (especially the police) in the West Bank were significantly nicer than those in Tel Aviv They seemed to genuinely appreciate that I was spending time and money there instead of viewing it as some sort of no go war-zone. I stopped in Ramallah on the way back and the guards actually opened up Arafat's tomb just for me, which most a very nice unexpected gesture.

FYI

Jan 20, 2013 | 8:40 am

#13

rankourabu

Suspended

Quote:

Originally Posted by dls25

They seemed to genuinely appreciate that I was spending time and money there instead of viewing it as some sort of no go war-zone. I stopped in Ramallah on the way back and the guards actually opened up Arafat's tomb just for me, which most a very nice unexpected gesture.

FYI

I am guessing you are talking about PA police - indeed very helpful and polite

By hassles, I meant at the checkpoint coming back, the people on the bus itself are very friendly.

Jan 20, 2013 | 9:25 am

#14

adampenrith

How easy it is to pass the checkpoints depend on how the profiling works for how you present. So its not easy to say how it will go.

Jan 20, 2013 | 3:11 pm

#15

awayIgo

Quote:

Originally Posted by rankourabu

Be aware that Green Olive Tours is a company that provides tours presenting a very distinctive political POV. they make no attempt to be neutral and do everything to push their version of the truth. The "amazing insight" is carefully selected to show you what they want you to see, as is the "eye opening view" presented of Hebron.

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