I made a day trip to Ein Gedi, Dead Sea, from Jerusalem. It was the independence day of Isreael, so I checked in advance in internet (egged.co.il), that buses are operating.
A path leading to Ein Gedi beach.
It takes about one hour 15 minutes from Jerusalem bus station to Ein Gedi. I left the bus when the driver announed “Ein Gedi Beach”. The ticket cost 7,50 euros one way.
Floting was nice and the water was very warm, I stayed in water about half an hour.
Some of the bathers had mud, that they rubbed into themselves. You must take a shower before entering the Dead Sea.
It is only 15 km to the other side of the Dead Sea, Jordania. In the bus my phone connected to the Jordanian network. There is free wifi in Israeli buses, not bad.
The amount of water has diminished threateningly during last decades. There is a plan to build a tunnel from Red Sea to Dead Sea.