Jerusalem Old City TourJerusalem and Bethlehem Tour from Tel Aviv
This Jerusalem and Bethlehem tour from Tel Aviv packs two cities into one 10-hour coach day. Bein Harim Israel Tours picks you up at one of nine Tel Aviv hotels, drives about an hour along highway 1 to Jerusalem for a Mount Scopus overlook and roughly 2.5 hours in the Old City, then crosses to Bethlehem with a Palestinian guide for the Church of the Nativity. It costs $121 per person, entry fees are included, and it is the most reviewed listing in the comparison of Jerusalem Old City tours. The trade-off is Old City time. Bethlehem takes a large part of the day, so if you want a longer Jerusalem-only day, look at the alternatives linked below. Compare it with the other Old City Jerusalem tours.
About This Tour
Bein Harim Israel Tours runs this 10-hour coach day trip from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The itinerary covers a panoramic overlook from Mount Scopus, a drive along the Kidron Valley, then about 2.5 hours in the Old City with the Western Wall square, the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Byzantine Cardo. After an optional lunch stop in the Christian Quarter, the group changes to a Palestinian guide and vehicle at the border post for Bethlehem.
In Bethlehem the itinerary covers the Church of the Nativity with a guided visit of about an hour, then 30 minutes of free time and shopping, and St Catherine Church. An overview of the Shepherd's Fields comes on the return drive. The listing carries a 4.3 rating from 1,340 reviews, which makes it the most reviewed listing on this site.
The honest note first: because Bethlehem takes a large part of the day, your Old City time is about 2.5 hours, shorter than on a Jerusalem-only day trip. If you want more depth in the Old City, the Jerusalem Old City Tour from Tel Aviv gives a 3.5-hour guided walk there, and the Jerusalem Boutique Tour from Tel Aviv runs a small-group day with a Temple Mount visit on days it is open.
$121 per person, booked on GetYourGuide. Reserve now and pay later is available.
10 hours in total, including about 1 hour by coach to Jerusalem and a 1.5-hour return leg with the Shepherd's Fields overlook.
Hotel pickup and drop-off at 9 named Tel Aviv hotels, including Sheraton Tel Aviv, Dan Panorama Tel Aviv and Dan Tel Aviv Hotel. No meeting point to find.
Group size is not stated. Live guide in English, with French, Spanish and German also offered. A Palestinian guide takes over at the Bethlehem border post.
Mount Scopus overlook, Kidron Valley, Western Wall square, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Byzantine Cardo, Church of the Nativity, Manger Square and St Catherine Church. Entry fees are included in the price.
Food and drinks are not included. Lunch in the Christian Quarter is optional and costs extra. Tips are recommended. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.
Check Dates and Availability
Starting times and the exact pickup window are shown at booking, so check your date on the booking panel. Languages offered include English, French, Spanish and German.
Quick answer The short answer
This Jerusalem and Bethlehem tour from Tel Aviv costs $121 per person, lasts 10 hours and includes hotel pickup, entry fees, a coach and a professional guide.
Key takeaways
- You get about 2.5 hours in the Old City, roughly an hour at the Church of the Nativity and a 30-minute Mount of Olives stop.
- Bethlehem needs a change of guide and vehicle at the border post, and the visit to the Grotto of the Nativity might not be possible when it is crowded.
- If you want a full Old City day without Bethlehem, compare the Jerusalem Old City Tour from Tel Aviv or the small-group Jerusalem Boutique Tour from Tel Aviv.
- See how all listings stack up in the Jerusalem Old City tour.
What the Price Actually Covers
The $121 fare bundles transport, guiding and site entry. Here is what the listing includes, what it leaves out, and where you may still spend money on the day.
Included in the $121
The listing includes hotel pickup and drop-off at the 9 named Tel Aviv hotels, transport by air-conditioned coach, a professional live guide, and entry fees. A Palestinian guide and vehicle take the group into Bethlehem. A mobile ticket is issued immediately after booking.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off at 9 Tel Aviv hotels
- Air-conditioned coach transport
- Professional guide, plus a Palestinian guide in Bethlehem
- Entry fees
What You Pay on the Day
Food and drinks are not included. Lunch in the Christian Quarter is an optional 1-hour stop at extra cost. Tips are recommended by the operator, so carry some cash for the guide.
The 30-minute Bethlehem break is listed as free time and shopping, which is optional. There are no other stated mandatory extras.
| Line | In the price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel pickup and drop-off | Yes | 9 named Tel Aviv hotels on the listing |
| Coach and guide | Yes | Air-conditioned coach, live guide, Palestinian guide at the border |
| Entry fees | Yes | Covered by the operator |
| Lunch | No | Optional 1-hour Christian Quarter stop, extra fee |
| Drinks | No | Food and drinks not included |
| Tips | No | Recommended by the operator |
| Cancellation | Free | 24 hours before departure for a full refund |
Sources: Western Wall Heritage Foundation, Christian Information Center opening hours, Jerusalem tourism office
The silver star marking the birthplace of Jesus in the Grotto of the Nativity, Church of the Nativity. Photo: David Holt London, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
What the Day Is Really Like
The listing's own itinerary runs from hotel pickup in Tel Aviv to drop-off at the same hotels about 10 hours later. Here is the day in order.
Pickup and the Drive to Jerusalem
The coach collects you at one of 9 Tel Aviv hotels, including Alma Hotel, Grand Beach Hotel, Sheraton Tel Aviv, Dan Panorama Tel Aviv and Dan Tel Aviv Hotel. The drive along highway 1 to Jerusalem takes about 1 hour. The first stop is a 30-minute Mount of Olives stop with photo time and a guided look at the panorama over old and new Jerusalem and the Temple Mount Esplanade.
- About 1 hour by coach from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem
- 30 minutes at the Mount of Olives overlook
Into the Old City
A 15-minute bus tour along the Kidron Valley passes views of the Garden of Gethsemane and the city walls. Then comes the main block: about 2.5 hours in the Old City on foot. The route enters through the Armenian Quarter, reaches the Western Wall square through the local bazaar, walks the Christian Quarter and the Stations of the Cross on the Via Dolorosa, visits the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and follows the 1700-year-old Byzantine Cardo through the renovated Jewish Quarter.
- 15 minutes by bus through the Kidron Valley
- 2.5 hours guided in the Old City across the Armenian, Jewish and Christian quarters
Lunch Stop and the Crossing to Bethlehem
There is an optional 1-hour lunch in the Christian Quarter at extra cost. A 30-minute coach transfer follows to the border post, where the Palestinian guide meets the tour and the group changes vehicle for entry to Palestinian Authority territory. A change of vehicle may be required, so keep your passport handy.
- Optional 1-hour lunch, extra fee
- 30-minute transfer, then guide and vehicle change at the border post
Bethlehem and the Ride Home
The guided visit to the Church of the Nativity takes about 1 hour and covers the church, the cave where Jesus was born according to Christian tradition, and Manger Square. Note that the descent to the Grotto of the Nativity might not be possible when visitor numbers are high, because of the tour time schedule. A 30-minute break with free time and shopping follows, and St Catherine Church, a Roman Catholic church, is visited before the tour completes.
The return coach leg is 1.5 hours and includes an overview of the Shepherd's Fields, ending with drop-off at the same Tel Aviv hotels.
- 1 hour guided at the Church of the Nativity
- 30 minutes free time and shopping in Bethlehem
- 1.5-hour return drive with a Shepherd's Fields overlook
Who This Tour Rules Out
The listing states its limits plainly. Check them before booking.
Ages, Wheels and Steps
The tour is not suitable for children under 4 and not suitable for wheelchair users. The Old City part is a guided walk and no difficulty level is stated. If you want a Jerusalem-only walk instead, the Jerusalem Dual Narrative Tour meets at Jaffa Gate and caps groups at 20, but it prices only ages 8 and up and does not state wheelchair access.
- Not suitable for children under 4
- Not suitable for wheelchair users
- Group size not stated by the operator
Dress Code, Passport and Border Rules
A valid passport is required on the day. Modest dress is required and shorts are not allowed. The tour is subject to Palestinian Authority regulations, the Palestinian guide meets the group only at the border post, and a change of vehicle may be required.
Bring sunglasses, a sun hat and sunscreen.
- Passport mandatory on the day
- Modest dress, no shorts
- Vehicle change possible at the Bethlehem border
If the Pace Does Not Suit You
About 2.5 hours in the Old City is a highlights pass, not a deep walk, and the Grotto of the Nativity may be skipped when crowded. Travelers who want the Old City only should look at the Old City Half-Day Tour at $39, or the 4-hour Old City Walking Tour at $57. For a full day from Tel Aviv without the border crossing, the Jerusalem Old City Tour from Tel Aviv gives a 3.5-hour guided walk through all four quarters.
Manger Square in Bethlehem with a Christmas tree and the minaret of the Mosque of Omar. Photo: Grant Barclay, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Getting There and What to Add
If you would rather skip the organized day, here is how to reach Jerusalem from Tel Aviv on your own, and what to add around the sites this tour covers.
Getting to Jerusalem Without the Coach
The train from Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon station to Tel Aviv takes about 30 minutes, and bus 480 from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv's Arlozorov station takes about 50 minutes and runs roughly every 20 minutes. In Jerusalem, the light rail Red Line has stops named Jaffa Center, City Hall and Damascus Gate around the Old City. Buses do not run on Shabbat, from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening, so plan around that.
At Jaffa Gate, the tourist information centre at 1 Omer Ben el-Hatab St gives free maps and brochures and is open Sunday to Thursday and Saturday 8:30 to 17:00 and Friday and holiday eves 8:30 to 13:30. The Tel Aviv to Jerusalem guide has the full route breakdown.
- Train between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon: about 30 minutes
- Bus 480 to Arlozorov station: about 50 minutes, roughly every 20 minutes
- No buses on Shabbat, Friday afternoon to Saturday evening
Add Sites the Tour Does Not Cover
The tour sees the Western Wall square but not the Western Wall Tunnels, the underground course of the wall along Wilson's Arch and Warren's Gate. The Tunnels run on their own timed-entry booking and their own price, so reserve ahead. The Ramparts Walk starts at Jaffa Gate, costs ₪25 for adults and ₪12 for students, retirees, children and soldiers, and lets you walk the wall top on the Northern or Southern Promenade.
The Tower of David museum by Jaffa Gate charges ₪55 for adults, ₪35 for children and ₪44 for students. For the church itself, entry to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is generally free, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre guide and Via Dolorosa guide cover both in detail.
- Ramparts Walk from Jaffa Gate: ₪25 adult, ₪12 reduced
- Tower of David museum: ₪55 adult, ₪35 child, ₪44 student
- Western Wall Tunnels: timed entry, book ahead
The Day, Step by Step
Times below come from the listing's itinerary, which notes it is for reference and subject to change.
-
Start
Hotel pickup in Tel Aviv
Pickup at one of 9 named Tel Aviv hotels, then about 1 hour by air-conditioned coach along highway 1 to Jerusalem.
-
30 minutes
Mount of Olives stop
A photo stop, coffee and guided viewing over old and new Jerusalem and the Temple Mount Esplanade.
-
15 minutes
Kidron Valley bus tour
A 15-minute drive with views of the Garden of Gethsemane and the Old City walls.
-
Main block, 2.5 hours
Guided Old City walk
On foot through the Armenian Quarter to the Western Wall square via the bazaar, then the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Byzantine Cardo in the Jewish Quarter.
-
Optional, 1 hour
Lunch in the Christian Quarter
An optional lunch stop at extra cost, then a 30-minute coach transfer to the Bethlehem border post where the Palestinian guide and vehicle take over.
-
1 hour, then 30 minutes
Church of the Nativity and Manger Square
A guided visit of about 1 hour at the Church of the Nativity, then 30 minutes of free time and shopping, and St Catherine Church.
-
Last 1.5 hours
Return drive to Tel Aviv
An overview of the Shepherd's Fields on the way out of Bethlehem, then the coach back to drop-off at the same 9 Tel Aviv hotels.
Pros and Cons
A straight read of what works and what does not on this listing.
What we genuinely like
- Hotel pickup and drop-off at 9 Tel Aviv hotels, so no early scramble to a meeting point
- Entry fees included in the $121 price, which the other two Tel Aviv day trips here do not list
- Jerusalem and Bethlehem highlights in one day, with a Palestinian guide for Bethlehem
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve now, pay later
- The most reviewed listing here, with a 4.3 rating across 1,340 verified bookings
The honest downsides
- Only about 2.5 hours in the Old City, less than the 3.5-hour walk on the Jerusalem-only Tel Aviv day trip
- The border crossing means a guide change and a possible vehicle change mid-day
- The Grotto of the Nativity visit might be dropped when the site is overloaded
- Lunch costs extra and no group size is stated
- Not suitable for children under 4 or wheelchair users
Who it's NOT for: Travelers who want a slow, deep Old City day, families with toddlers, wheelchair users, or anyone who would rather avoid a border crossing should book a Jerusalem-only listing instead.
Questions About This Tour
How much time do I actually get in the Old City of Jerusalem?
About 2.5 hours of guided walking, covering the Western Wall square, the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Byzantine Cardo. If that sounds short, the Jerusalem Old City Tour from Tel Aviv gives 3.5 hours on foot.
Is lunch included in the $121 price?
No. Food and drinks are not included, and the 1-hour lunch stop in the Christian Quarter is optional and costs extra, as do the recommended tips. For context on the sites you pay nothing extra to enter, see the Church of the Holy Sepulchre guide.
What documents do I need for the Bethlehem part?
A valid passport is required on the day, because the tour crosses into Palestinian Authority territory, changes to a Palestinian guide at the border post and may change vehicles. The Tel Aviv to Jerusalem guide covers the logistics of the route.
Can I bring young children or a wheelchair?
The listing states the tour is not suitable for children under 4 and not suitable for wheelchair users. For a Jerusalem-only walk, the Dual Narrative Tour is a 4.5-hour walk from Jaffa Gate with groups capped at 20, but it does not state wheelchair access and prices only ages 8 and up.
What happens if the Grotto of the Nativity is too crowded?
The listing warns that because of visitor overload, the descent to the Grotto might not be possible within the tour schedule. The itinerary also lists Manger Square and St Catherine Church.
What should I wear and bring?
Modest dress is required and no shorts are allowed. Bring your passport, sunglasses, a sun hat and sunscreen.
Can I cancel if my plans change?
Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. To weigh this against other options, browse the full Jerusalem Old City tour.
What Travelers Said
This was an amazing tour. Yuval was a fantastic guide. Very funny, knowledgeable and really brought the sights to life. Definitely would recommend this tour if you want to see both Bethlehem (for example the Church of the Nativity), and Jerusalem.
We had a beautiful one day trip and the guide, Itamar, was the best, a professionist who give us a lot of informations all day long. 👏👏👏
Fantastic communication from tour operator Bein Harim, WhatsApp group set up 2 day's before which included the guide Itamar. Itamar was fabulous, very knowledgeable and explained things so well. Issa the guide in Bethlehem was exactly the same and the combination of both guides made for an unforgettable experience.
Prices, availability and terms are set by the operator and confirmed at checkout.
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