Most of the travellers arrive to Bethlehem via Jerusalem. Bethlehem is administered by the Palestinian Authority and Israeli military checkpoint stands on the road connecting the two locations.

Take a bus:

The buses run every 30 minutes approximately, from 6 am till 6 pm in the winter time and until 9 pm in the summer time. However, there is no exact schedule.

Bus  no. 321 runs from the Damascus Gate Bus Station in East Jerusalem via Beit Jala to Bethlehem. The average trip length is 40 minutes and costs 7.5 NIS. Note that this bus does not go through the main “checkpoint 300” (Rachel’s Tomb crossing). The bus will drop you of on Bethlehem / Beit Jala intersection (“Bab el-Zkak”) which is 1 km away from the Manger Square. You can easily follow the Pope Paul VI Street to get to the Manger Square and the Basilica of the Nativity in 15 minutes. You can also get a taxi to the Manger Square, It will cost you around 15-20 NIS per drive not per person. You are allowed to bargain.

Bethlehem is a safe place and surely your visit will be very enjoyable!

image001

Bethlehem Pope Paul IV Streetor the other option:

Bus no. 324 also leaves from the Damascus Gate, it costs around 5 NIS and runs directly to the Bethlehem Checkpoint – “checkpoint 300” (Rachel’s Tomb crossing) and back. You would have to walk through the checkpoint as you enter and exit Bethlehem.

Make sure to bring your passport. From the checkpoint, you can either walk half an hour or take a taxi (15-20 NIS) to the center of Bethlehem (Manger Square), which is about 2.5 km away.

On Foot:

Devoted pilgrims often prefer to walk, at a brisk pace the trip is doable in 2 hours from Jerusalem to Bethlehem but there are plenty of ups and downs along the way and remember about summer’s heat.🙂

Rent a Car:

While renting your car make sure that it is going to have an insurance for both Israeli and Palestinian areas. Find car rental companies here: Car Rental.

Visit Palestine Center wishes you a great time in Bethlehem! Contact us at info@visitpalestine.ps if you need more information.