Traveling alone in Palestine: Hopeful visitors to Palestine often find the prospect of solo travel daunting. Visas, transport, accommodation, and the infamy of Israeli security and checkpointing may seem insurmountable.

But rest assured, like many things in Palestine, there are no more difficulties in Palestine than in any other country. Various efficient transportation services can be found all around the West Bank, and the infamously rigorous security is often a breeze for internationals.

Navigating Palestine is a Painless and Convenient Experience

Whether an experienced traveler or a novice, navigating Palestine is a painless and convenient experience; geographically, Palestine is a very small country. Visitors will never face the daunting train trips or long bus rides one might find in Europe or America. 

Rather, Palestine has serviced a network of local and commercial taxi services. These bright yellow taxis can often be seen darting around the tight streets of Hebron and flying down the freeways towards Jerusalem.

Smaller Taxis Can Be Hired for Private Trips in Palestine 

These smaller taxis can be hired for private trips or be shared with locals at a lower cost. They are best suited for local trips. Trips around Hebron or Bethlehem can cost only a few Shekels. Visitors have to hail the taxi and give them the destination like they would in any other country or even at home.

Most drivers speak a bit of English, which is enough to help you get to the right destination and have some conversation. Palestinian taxi drivers are always excited to speak with visitors. While these smaller cabs will service inter-city and certainly inter-town routes, they are not always the best or cheapest option for these longer trips. Long trips (by Palestinian standards – such as Jerusalem to Hebron) can become costly.

And while a friendly taxi driver would be all too happy to take you alone for a comparatively larger fee or with some locals for a slight reduction, the larger shared taxis are the most cost-effective option.

Shared Taxis Can Be Found Around Palestine

Shared taxis can be found around Palestine with almost as much frequency as their smaller, nibbler counterparts. Shared taxis are larger, bright yellow mini-van taxis that can be found stationed outside highly populated areas, tourist areas, and bus stations.

They can be heard shouting al-Khaleel (Hebron), al-Quds (Jerusalem), or Bethlehem. These taxis will cover the larger inter-city routes for only a few shekels. Simply board the correct taxi, pay the small fee, and wait for the taxi to fill. Once there are enough passengers, the taxi will depart.

Bus Transport Can Be Found Departing From the City Centers

While taxis are fast, nimble, and service almost anywhere in Palestine, more traditional bus transport can depart from the city centers of Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Ramallah, and many of Palestine’s larger cities. When arriving in Hebron, one might choose to cover some of the distance (but unfortunately not the whole distance) on a bus.

This is perfectly fine and still quite competitively priced. Buses will often be listed in Arabic, Hebrew, and English if departing from Jerusalem or any tourist-centric area. To get to Hebron, one can ride the bus to Bethlehem, depart, and take a taxi/shared taxi the rest of the way to Hebron.

But What About Security in Palestine and Israel?

Checkpoints built and manned by the Israeli Defence Forces can be found all over Palestine, often outside settlements, some Palestinian villages, and heavy transit points or places of earlier conflicts. To many Palestinians, these checkpoints are a dire and impenetrable blockade.

They heavily restrict their ability to move around Palestine. On the other hand, these checkpoints are relatively easy to navigate for an international. Often internationals will be waved through without any issue.

The forces that man the checkpoints are used by tourists. At most, internationals may be stopped and asked for their passport. They might be asked their reason for the visit, especially in Hebron, a less common tourist destination for most international tourists.

This is, though, the worst you will face as long as you follow common sense. Taking photos or being overly vocal will draw unnecessary attention. Remaining calm and truthful will make the whole process, as an international, a breeze.

Anywhere in Palestine, you find friendly, helpful locals

You can be guaranteed anywhere in Palestine to find friendly, helpful locals. After travel and security, many solo travelers might find the prospect of being alone in a foreign country with a foreign language equally daunting. Where are the best places to eat? Where is the market? Would you like to talk? These are all questions any Palestinian will be happy to answer.

Many Palestinians Know a Basic Conversational English

Many Palestinians know a basic conversational level of English or will know someone close by who does. Many will even bail internationals up in the street to welcome them to Palestine. Prospective travelers will quickly find that the people of Palestine are very friendly and talkative.

Final Remarks 

Internationals in Palestine will never find themselves at a loss for conversation socialization or helpfulness. Potential visitors to Palestine should rest assured that whether traveling in a group or by themselves, traveling alone in Palestine the territories is quick and easy.

The key to traveling alone in Palestine is to view the experience as an adventure. As long as you allow plenty of time to reach your destination and are prepared for your plans to change, traveling alone in Palestine is exciting and enjoyable. Traveling alone offers the opportunity to engage with locals and foreigners on a deeper level and truly experience the flavor of your destination.

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