Can I make it to Jerusalem ontime for Shabbat?

Question

I arrive at Ben Gurion at 15:05 on a Friday afternoon. I'm sure there's going to be crazy immigration procedures (never been to Israel before). And I really want to go to a Shabbat service in Jerusalem THAT EVENING. The projected sunset that day is at 17:55. Is it possible? If so, how?

The date is March 23.

Answer 1

Its is very possible that you will go through immigration very fast
if your visit is as a tourist and you do not look like a terrorist (joking) you might make it very easily. Lets assume you are out of the immigration by 4 p.m. outside there are sherut taxis (remember the name "sherut", you do not want a special but a sherut this means several people will go with you together to Jerusalem) it will take less than an hour on Friday afternoon.
Either ask the taxi to put you down near the synagogue if its not in the ultra religious quarters of Jerusalem, or a bit further away and you'll make the service in due time. Good luck.

Answer 2

your going to need to be out of the Airport about 16:00.

I think a shirut will not be the best option if your pressed for time.

better to take a taxi even if it will cost three to four times as much. It should be about 150 INS but being as they are they might only take 200 INS being so close to Shabbat.

as a backup though if you do not make it out in time find a place in the tel aviv area that you can go.

Answer 3

Consider leaving your luggage at the airport, to be picked up after Shabbat.

This means that you must pack everything for Shabbat in your carry-on luggage.

To be double-sure, ask your airline if they can do that for you, and if as a courtesy, they can bring your luggage to you after Shabbat. (That may not be possible because of customs.)

The best course would be to take a flight that gets in earlier.