Atomic shelter
Update: As of 28-03-2026, the state of the atomic shelter has been improved greatly, and its open to the public 24/7. While the station itself operates as usual from 05:00 to 00:00, the path to the shelter remains open after hours. During these hours, the only entrance is through Entrance 45, located on the east side of the station, section B, along Tsemach David Street.
Tel Aviv’s New Central Bus Station contains one of the largest atomic shelters in Israel. Located on Floor 0, approximately 15 meters below street level, the shelter spans about 5,000 square meters, includes public toilets and emergency water reservoirs, and is built entirely from reinforced concrete-like the rest of the station.
Constructed during the Cold War, it was designed to shelter up to 16,000 people in the event of a nuclear attack. During normal times, it was intended to serve a secondary purpose as a parking lot.
The shelter can be accessed from the first floor (currently abandoned but not sealed) in Section A, or directly from the floors above it in Section B.
In Section B, Floors 1 and 2, together with the shelter on Floor 0, form a multi-level parking structure, with car ramps and stairways connecting all three levels. Currently, only Floor 2 is used for active parking; Floor 1 is abandoned but not closed.