Tel Aviv urban street with public transport and city skyline

Getting Around Israel

Trains, buses, cars, and sheruts — how to move between cities in a country you can cross in 6 hours.

Israel is tiny — just 424 km north to south and 114 km at its widest. Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is 1 hour, Tel Aviv to Haifa is 1.5 hours, and even Eilat is "only" 4.5 hours from Tel Aviv. Public transport is decent for intercity travel, but a rental car gives the most flexibility, especially for the Dead Sea, Negev, and Galilee.

🔑 The Rav-Kav Card

The Rav-Kav is Israel's universal public transport card. Works on all buses, trains, and light rail. Two types:

Anonymous Rav-Kav (tourists)

Buy at train stations, central bus stations, or ask your hotel. Load NIS credit. Tap to ride. No registration needed. Card costs ₪5.

Personal Rav-Kav (residents)

Requires ID registration. Offers daily/weekly pass discounts. Not practical for tourists on short visits.

Transport Options

🚂 Israel Railways

Modern, comfortable, and cheap. The train network connects Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv (4 stations), Haifa, Netanya, Herzliya, Beer Sheva, and Jerusalem. The new fast train to Jerusalem (30 min from TLV) is a game-changer. WiFi on most trains. Buy tickets with Rav-Kav or the Israel Railways app.

Key Routes & Prices

Ben Gurion → Tel Aviv: ₪14 (20 min)

Tel Aviv → Jerusalem: ₪25 (30 min fast)

Tel Aviv → Haifa: ₪35 (1 hr)

Tel Aviv → Beer Sheva: ₪32 (1.5 hr)

Tel Aviv → Netanya: ₪18 (25 min)

Haifa → Acre: ₪15 (25 min)

Shabbat: Trains stop Friday ~3 PM and resume Saturday ~7 PM. Plan accordingly.

🚌 Buses (Egged, Dan, Kavim)

Buses reach everywhere the train doesn't — including the Dead Sea, Eilat, Negev towns, and Galilee villages. Egged is the main intercity operator, Dan covers Tel Aviv metro, and Kavim runs some suburban routes. Intercity buses are modern with A/C. City buses are frequent (every 5-20 min in Tel Aviv).

Key Bus Routes

TLV → Jerusalem (Bus 405): ₪16 (1 hr)

TLV → Eilat (Bus 390): ₪70 (4.5 hr)

Jerusalem → Dead Sea (Bus 486): ₪38 (1.5 hr)

Tel Aviv city bus: ₪5.50 per ride

App: Use Moovit (best for Israel) or Google Maps for real-time bus routes and schedules.

🚗 Rental Car

Best for: Dead Sea, Negev, Galilee, and anyone who wants flexibility. Israel drives on the right. Roads are excellent. Highways have toll roads (Route 6 is electronic — rental companies handle billing). Parking in Tel Aviv is brutal and expensive (₪20-40/hour). Gas is pricey (~₪7.5/liter, ~$7.50/gallon).

Car Rental Prices

Economy car: ₪150-220/day ($40-60)

SUV: ₪300-500/day ($83-140)

Companies: Eldan (local, recommended), Avis, Hertz, Budget, Sixt

Pickup: Ben Gurion Airport or city locations

Compare Car Rentals →

🚕 Taxis & Ride Apps

Gett is Israel's equivalent of Uber (Uber doesn't fully operate in Israel). All taxis must use a meter ("moneh") — insist on it or use the app. Yango (by Yandex) is cheaper for some routes. Taxis are available 24/7, including Shabbat (when buses/trains stop).

  • • Flag drop: ₪12.10, then ₪3.46/km
  • • 25% surcharge: nights (9 PM-5:30 AM), Shabbat, holidays
  • • Tip: not expected, but rounding up is appreciated
  • • Apps: Gett (best), Yango, inDriver

🚐 Sherut (Shared Taxi)

Sheruts are shared minivans that follow bus routes but are faster (fewer stops) and run on Shabbat. They depart when full (10-12 passengers). Catch them at central bus stations or flag them on the street. The famous Nesher sherut connects Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem (₪64, door-to-door). Sheruts on intercity routes cost about the same as buses.

City-by-City Transport

Tel Aviv

Bus, scooters (Bird/Lime), bikes (Tel-O-Fun), Gett. Light rail (Red Line) under construction.

Jerusalem

Light rail (1 line, crosses city), bus, Gett. Walking in Old City. Cable car to Mt of Olives (planned).

Haifa

Carmelit (underground funicular!), bus, cable car. Very hilly — public transport essential.

Eilat

Small and flat — walkable. Local buses, taxis. Rent a bike.

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