Public transport in Ashkelon 2026: buses, routes to Tel Aviv, and how to check the schedule
Ashkelon's city and regional transport is run by five operators — Egged, Dan South, Metropoline, Galim and Electra Afikim — with roughly 79 routes passing through the city in total. Direct intercity lines 302 and 304 run to Tel Aviv, while line 31 goes to the Malachi junction.
Unlike large cities where a single operator usually dominates, public transport in Ashkelon is split between five companies at once: Egged, Dan South, Metropoline, Galim and Electra Afikim. That's good for competition, but it means the schedule for the same route can differ by operator — worth checking on that specific company's site rather than from memory.
City routes connect Ashkelon's neighborhoods, while intercity lines run to nearby towns and Tel Aviv. Direct intercity routes include lines 302 and 304 to Tel Aviv and line 31 to the Malachi junction; several routes have recently had their frequency increased, which is worth factoring into trip planning.
If a bus doesn't arrive on schedule, or you need general advice regardless of which of the five operators runs the line, there's a single Ministry of Transport information line — *8787. It answers questions about any route, not just one company's.
How to check the exact schedule and route
- On the operator's website (e.g. egged.co.il) — by line number or end stops
- In the Moovit app — door-to-door routing including transfers
- In the Bus Nearby app — real-time arrival for the nearest bus at a specific stop
- On busstation.co.il — a combined list of city routes and stops
Saturday (Shabbat) is a separate case: most city and intercity routes don't run that day, and the schedule shifts on Fridays and Saturdays generally. Before a weekend trip, check the operator's website in advance rather than relying on the weekday timetable.
FAQ
- How many bus routes serve Ashkelon?
- About 79 lines from five different operators connect Ashkelon to the city's districts and neighboring towns.
- How do I get from Ashkelon to Tel Aviv by bus?
- Direct intercity lines 302 and 304 run without a transfer; check the exact schedule on the operator's site, such as egged.co.il.
- Which app shows real-time bus arrivals?
- Moovit and Bus Nearby show how many minutes until the next bus reaches a specific stop.
- Who do I contact if a bus doesn't show up on schedule?
- The Ministry of Transport's single information line, *8787 — it covers routes from every operator, not just one.