Egged Bus No. 485

Bus 485 to Jerusalem used to run every 30 minutes

Egged Bus No. 485 was the old airport–Jerusalem workhorse for budget travelers, running roughly every 30 minutes with a 40–50 minute ride in light traffic. It linked Ben Gurion Airport (mainly Terminal 3) with Jerusalem Central Bus Station before the rail line opened. Older posts from around 2016–2018 still describe it as the default cheap option.

The route is now discontinued and replaced in practice by the high‑speed train from TLV to Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon, which sits next to Jerusalem’s Central Bus Station. Recent Reddit threads from 2019 onward are unanimous: people arriving at Terminal 3 who go hunting for 485 only find train signs and waste extra time asking staff or checking forums.

Why old guides still send people to 485

Several blogs and TripAdvisor replies dated 2016–2018 still say “take Egged 485 from Ben Gurion to Jerusalem,” often quoting a 40–50 minute ride and half‑hourly frequency. Those posts rarely mention the later rail opening, so anyone reading them in 2024–2026 shows up at TLV expecting a bus bay instead of following airport signs to the underground train platforms beneath Terminal 3.

Regulars who used 485 before the train launched say it was cheap, but not worth it during rush hour; the 40–50 minute timetable could easily double when Highway 1 clogged up. Today those same commenters say they “switched almost entirely” to the rail line because the train keeps its published times far better than the old bus ever did on weekday mornings.

What to do now instead of 485

• Step 1: Land at TLV and follow “Trains” signs in Terminal 3 down to the Israel Railways station.
• Step 2: Buy a ticket or load a Rav‑Kav at the machines by the platforms; fares change, but they’re in the same low range that once made 485 attractive.
• Step 3: Board the airport–Jerusalem train; scheduled travel time is about 25 minutes, shorter than the old 40–50 minute bus on a clear road.
• Step 4: Get off at Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon station, directly across from Jerusalem Central Bus Station for city buses and intercity connections.
• Step 5: On the way back to TLV, leave at least 90 minutes before your check‑in cutoff from central Jerusalem, giving room for the 25‑minute train ride plus station walks.

Practical tip: if any blog or guide tells you “Egged 485” from Ben Gurion to Jerusalem, check the publish date; if it’s before 2019, ignore the bus advice and follow the train signs instead.