Internet Access: The cheapest connections are found mostly in the Muslim Quarter.
Mike's Center, 172 Khan al-Zeit St. , at the turn-off for the 9th Station
of the Cross, boasts "the fastest line in Israel." NIS12 per hr. Freeline Internet Cafe
, on St. Francis St. around the corner from the 7th station, offers free tea
and coffee while you work. NIS13 per hr. Open daily 9am-midnight.
Post Office: , inside Jaffa Gate, across from the Tower of David, marked
by a red sign. Open Su-Th 7:30am-2:30pm, F 8am-noon. Smaller branch in the Jewish
Quarter down Plugat Ha-Kotel St.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
WEST JERUSALEM
TOURIST AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
Tourist Information: MTIO, 3 Safra Sq. , in the City Hall complex off Jaffa
Rd. From behind the large water fountain in the municipal plaza, the entrance is on the
right. Excellent computerized information. Offers pamphlets and maps, but doesn't have
Carta's Map (NIS36), the best of the city, available at Steimatzky's (see Bookstores,
). MTIO open Su-Th 8:30am-4pm, F 8:45am-lpm.
Religious Information: See Old City Special Interest Tourist Offices,
Tours: The municipality sponsors a free Shabbat walking tour in English
from 32 Jaffa Rd. near Zion Sq. (2Vihr. Sa 10am, rotates among several routes). This
Week in Jerusalem lists guided tours throughout the city (also posted at the MTIO
office). Sunrise tours to Masada and the Dead Sea (NIS90) and day tours to the Galilee
(NIS120) are available through most hostels in the area, or by contacting Alternative
Tours. Society for the
Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI), 13 Heleni Ha-Malka St. , runs
expertly guided but relatively expensive tours throughout Israel and Sinai. Tours range
from half-day explorations of Jerusalem to 15-day Israel odysseys. Office open Su-Th
9am-6:45pm, F 9am-12:30pm.
Budget Travel: Mazada Tours, 19 Jaffa Rd. the street
behind the main post office at Jaffa Rd. Guided trips to Jordan (starting from 2 days,
US$270) and Egypt (starting from 4 days, US$104) and transportation service to Cairo
(daily 7:30am; Su, Tu, and Th also at 7:30pm; morning bus US$35, evening bus
US$40; round-trip good for 40 days US$50 for morning bus, US$60 for evening bus).
Prices 25% higher in Aug. and Dec. Reserve at least 2 days in advance; they can help
with getting visas. Open Su-Th 9am-6pm, F 9am-3pm. Better Travel Connections
(B.T.C.), 2 Ha-Soreg St. off Shlo-
mtzion Ha-Malka St. on the 5th floor. Offers numerous trips around Israel, ranging from
a variety of half-day tours (US$26) to an 8-day "biblelands" tour (US$787), plus 2- to
3-day trips to Jordan (from US$145, not including visa and taxes) and 4-day jaunts to
Egypt (from US$169). Open Su-Th 9am-6pm, F 9am-lpm. Neot Ha-Kikar, 5 Shlomtzion
Ha-Malka St. Specializes in 1-
to 6-day Sinai tours from Eilat (US$59-US$290). Open Su-Th 9am-5pm, F 9am-
12:30pm. ISSTA, 31 Ha-Nevi'im St. ISIC cards NIS40; bring photo and
proof of student status. Student discounts on airfare, car rentals, and Eurail passes.
Open Su-Tu and Th 9am-7pm, W and F 9am-lpm. Additional offices inside La-metayel
camping store and at Hebrew University campuses on Mount Scopus
.