Shuttle Bus from Tel Aviv to Eilat

The Tel Aviv to Eilat shuttle leaves at two in the morning from the Textile Building on Kaufmann Street and reaches the Red Sea around eight, crossing the Negev while you sleep. At $80 per person it undercuts the flight once baggage and airport transfers are counted, and it runs seven days a week, including Friday and Saturday when the trains stop. The return leaves Eilat at 19:30 from the Arava border and reaches Tel Aviv around midnight, so a weekend with both directions booked needs no car at all.

Highlights

• Depart Tel Aviv at 02:00 and arrive in Eilat around 08:00
• Cross the Negev overnight instead of losing a day to travel
• Travel on Friday and Saturday when trains and most buses stop
• Pay $80 per person, one way, with no baggage fees
• Board in central Tel Aviv at the Textile Building on Kaufmann Street
• Catch the evening return from the Arava border at 19:30

Good to know

The bus leaves at 02:00 sharp: be at the Textile Building fifteen minutes early. Bring a light jacket for the air conditioning and something to sleep on, since the seats recline but the road is long. Timings are approximate, and the return from Eilat leaves at 19:30, arriving in Tel Aviv around midnight. Each direction must be booked separately.