There are no train connections between Tel-Aviv and the Dead Sea so unless you want to go on a very round-about route via Be’er Sheva by train and from there by bus, the road route is the only option. There are two recommended road routes from Tel-Aviv to the Dead Sea – one via Jerusalem and the other via Be’er Sheva and Arad. From Tel-Aviv to the Dead Sea will take you about 2-3 hours. The distance between Tel-Aviv and the Dead Sea, Ein Bokek is 110km.
You can catch buses to the Dead Sea from Tel-Aviv Merkaz Railway Station, also called Arlozorov Terminal or from the Tel-Aviv New Central Bus Station. Note that there are two bus terminals at the Tel-Aviv railway station. You want the one on your left as you stand facing the railway station entrance.
Route 421 from Tel-Aviv Arlozorov Terminal to Dead Sea, Khamei Zohar. Cost 47NIS, time of journey 3.05.
Route 389 from Tel-Aviv New Central Station to Dead Sea, Ein Bokek and Khamei Zohar. Cost 47, time of journey 2.14hrs.
Route 421 from Tel-Aviv Arlozorov Terminal to Dead Sea, Ein Bokek. Departs 08:45 only. Cost 47NIS, time of journey 3.02hrs.
Route 370 from Tel-Aviv New Central Station to Be’er Sheva; Route 393/397/394 from Be’er Sheva to Ha-Aravah Junction; Route 444 from Ha-Aravah Junction to Dead Sea, Ein Bokek. Cost 71NIS, time of journey 2.46hrs.
Route 380 from Tel-Aviv Arlozorov Terminal to Be’er Sheva; Route 393/397/394 from Be’er Sheva to Ha-Aravah Junction; Route 444 from Ha-Aravah Junction to Dead Sea, Ein Bokek. Cost 71NIS, time of journey 2.45.
Route 389 from Dead Sea, Ein Bokek to Tel-Aviv New Central Station. Departs only at 07:45. Cost 47, time of journey 2.55hrs.
Route 421 from Dead Sea, Ein Bokek to Arlozorov Terminal Tel-Aviv. Departs only 14:07. Cost 47NIS, time of journey 3.37hrs.
Route 389 from Dead Sea, Ein Bokek to Tel-Aviv New Central Station. Departs only 07:45. Cost 47NIS, time of journey 2.55hrs.
Route 486/444 from Dead Sea, Ein Bokek to Jerusalem Central Station; Route 480 Jerusalem Central Station to Tel-Aviv Arlozorov Terminal. Cost 60NIS, time of journey 3.17hrs.
Route 486/444 from Dead Sea, Ein Bokek to Jerusalem Central Station; Route 405 from Jerusalem Central Station to Tel-Aviv New Central Station. Cost 60NIS, time of journey 3.13hrs.
Traveling by bus will limit the amount of time you spend in the south but if you drive you can fit in a visit to Masada, the Dead Sea and the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. There is a route via Jerusalem and another route via Be’er Sheva and Arad. From Tel-Aviv take Route 1 onto Route 6, which is a toll road, where Route 6 finishes it becomes Route 40 and you continue on. Where Route 40 becomes 406 turn left onto Route 31 and continue on through Arad. Route 31 will take you all the way down to Route 90 which runs along the Dead Sea coast. Alternatively you could drive to Jerusalem and from there take Highway 1 all the way down to Route 90 along the Dead Sea coast.
A taxi from Tel-Aviv to the Dead Sea hotels costs between 794NIS and 97NIS; to Ein Gedi a taxi would cost you 1002NIS-1237NIS. If you want the taxi to wait to bring you back it is an additional 94NIS per hour. These prices are taken from IsraeliTaxi.com.
There are regular organized tours from Tel-Aviv to the Dead Sea. They pick you up from your hotel and return you at the end of the day. These tours often take in a few of the local sites like Masada as well as the Dead Sea, on the same tour.