Lod

Lod is a small city in central Israel, between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Understand

The city's name is pronounced like the English word "load". Some locals will pronounce it like "lude".

Lod has a long history, and is mentioned briefly in the Bible. Today it has a mixed Arab and Jewish population of 72,000 people.

Lod is best known for its proximity to Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV IATA), previously known as Lod Airport. Lod, in the past, was also known to Israelis as being run-down and crime-ridden, and the old central city was quite dilapidated. Nevertheless, Lod is prospering and the crime percentages are significantly lower thanks to the police in the city. Thus, visitors will be safe in the city and will enjoy to see the harmony between the Jewish and the Arab population.

Get in

By car

This is the most convenient way. From Tel Aviv or many other locations, take route 1 to the Lod interchange (just east of the airport turnoff). Turn off to route 40 south, which then passes along the outskirts of Lod.

By train

There are frequent, quick trains from Tel Aviv to Lod.

Since 2020 there is no direct train to Jerusalem, and travelers must transfer in Tel Aviv.

  • 🌍 Lod train station. On the western edge of the city. It is a long walk to the sites of interest in Lod. You can take a taxi or local bus though. 
  • 🌍 Lod Ganei Aviv Railway Station. Train station service only for Ganei Aviv neighborhood. 

Although Lod is known for its close proximity to Ben Gurion Airport, Lod's train stations are in the city itself, so do not use them to reach the airport, which has its own train station.

By bus

There are frequent buses to Lod from Tel Aviv. The buses make a number of stops in the city center.

From Jerusalem, there is a direct bus (408) only in rush hours. The rest of the time, use one of the following two options:

  • Take route 950 to Tzomet El Al (north of Lod; this is where people get off for the airport) and transfer to a Lod bus (routes 23, 239, 244, 249, 475, 479).
  • Take route 403 or 433 to Ramla, and transfer to a local bus to Lod, or else you can walk to Lod.

The first option (route 950) is probably faster.

By plane
  • 🌍 Ben Gurion Airport (TLV IATA). Israel's main international airport was once known as Lod Airport due to its closeness to the town. It is a hub for flag carrier El Al and served by numerous airlines from all over Europe and some other countries. There is a train station in the lower level of Terminal 3. 

Get around

Inside Lod, Kavim operates 5 local bus lines that serve all neighbourhoods of the city (1, 2, 3, 6, 9). The average frequency of each line is every 30 minutes.

Kavim also operates 4 bus lines to Ramla - lines 5, 11, 13, 15.

Line 249 of Egged also can be used to travel within the city limits.

See
  • 🌍 Baybars Bridge (Close to Lahav 433 police unit HQ). A bridge built by the Sultan Baybars in the year 1273. It is still used for road traffic. On either side of the bridge, there are beautiful Arabic inscriptions and carvings of lions. Just north of the bridge, a dirt track branches off from the road - the bridge carvings are best seen from this track. (updated Jul 2016)
  • 🌍 Hilo Khan (Khan Hilo). A travelers' lodge dating to the Mamluk period. It forms a large stone square: animals were left in the central courtyard, and people slept in buildings around the edge. The building is in bad condition, but some work has been done on restoring it. Be careful around the ruins, they are prone to collapse. The gate at the entrance is made of nicely carved stone. (updated Jul 2016)
  • 🌍 Lod Mosaic Center (Lod Mosaic Museum), He'halutz street, ☏ +972 8 6737794. 9AM-16PM. Several stunning mosaics were found here, part of a bathhouse built in the Byzantine period. A museum was built at the site and opened in 2022. Recommended to buy tickets for a specific time before arriving. (updated Aug 2022)
  • 🌍 Museum of Jewish Heritage in Israel, 20 Sderot Hamelech David, ☏ +972 8 924-4569. A little-known but recommended museum with a large collection of exhibits from Jewish diaspora communities. Each room is full of artifacts from a different diaspora community - Tunisia, India, Ethiopia, Bulgaria, and others. Call before arriving, as there are some doubts whether the museum is still open on a regular basis. (updated Jul 2016)
  • 🌍 Well of Peace (Be'er HaShalom). A well on the ancient road which passed through Lod (now a main modern road). The current building atop the well likely dates to the Mameluk period. It is a square stone building, with a dome atop, and interesting designs at the top of the walls. In past centuries, people would camp here, tie up their animals, and stay for the night. The social atmosphere between them may be what led to the name "Well of Peace". (updated Jul 2016)

Eat

Go next
  • Ramla is a similar city bordering Lod. Sometimes they are together referred to as "Ramlod".
Routes through Lod
Kfar Saba, Petah Tikva, Ben Gurion Airport ←  N  S  → Beer Sheva, Rahat, Sde Boker
Jaffa (Tel Aviv) ← Holon ←  W  E  → Ramla, Beit Shemesh
Tel Aviv, Haifa ←  N  S  → Beer Sheva
Tel Aviv ←  W  E  → Ramla, Beit Shemesh → Jerusalem


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