Israel Railways train at a station

Getting around Israel

Complete guide to Israeli trains, buses, sheruts, taxis, rental cars, and border crossings to Jordan and Egypt.

Read the guide

Israel has excellent public transportation β€” much better than most first-time visitors expect. Israel Railways runs frequent trains along the coast and to Jerusalem. Egged and Dan buses cover virtually every village and town. The Tel Aviv Light Rail opened in 2023. Sheruts (shared taxis) provide affordable inter-city travel and crucially run on Shabbat when most public transport stops. Gett (Israel\'s Uber alternative) handles in-city rides. For most first-time visitors covering Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Dead Sea, and Eilat, you don't need a rental car at all. This guide covers everything: how to get the Rav-Kav universal transport card, train and bus routes, sherut hubs, taxi apps, rental car pros/cons, and crucially β€” how to cross the border to Jordan or Egypt.

S

By Sebastian Β· Travel Writer

πŸ“ Based in Tel Aviv, Israel Β· Last updated

πŸ’³ The Rav-Kav card (essential)

Rav-Kav is Israel's universal public transport card. It works on:

  • All buses nationwide (Egged, Dan, Metropoline, Superbus, Kavim)
  • Israel Railways (trains)
  • Tel Aviv Light Rail (red line)
  • Jerusalem Light Rail (green and red lines)

How to get one: Available at Ben Gurion Airport train station counter (open during train hours), any Israel Railways station, central bus stations (Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Be'er Sheva), and many convenience stores. The card itself is free. You can also use the Rav-Kav Online app β€” register with your passport.

How to load it: Insert the card into a "Rav-Kav" machine at any train station, central bus station, or many bus stops. Pay with cash or card. Choose "load credit" (Χ€Χ¨Χ™Χ§Χͺ גרך) for stored value, or "load multi-ride pass" for discounts. Multi-ride passes give 20% off vs single-rides.

Important: Many buses no longer accept cash. You MUST have a Rav-Kav card or the Hop On app on your phone. Don't board without it.

πŸš† Israel Railways

Israel's modern train network connects the coast (from Nahariya in the north through Haifa, Tel Aviv, all the way to Be'er Sheva in the south) and runs the new fast line to Jerusalem (Yitzhak Navon station). Frequencies are 20–30 minutes during the day on main routes.

Key routes for tourists:

  • TLV β†’ Jerusalem: 30 minutes, $7, every 30 min. Fast underground line.
  • Ben Gurion airport β†’ Tel Aviv: 20 minutes, $4, runs until 11:30 PM
  • Ben Gurion airport β†’ Jerusalem: 25 minutes, $7
  • Tel Aviv β†’ Haifa: 1 hour, $10. Uses 4 main TLV stations: HaShalom, Savidor (Central), University, HaHagana
  • Tel Aviv β†’ Be'er Sheva: 1 hour, $9. Gateway to the Negev.
  • Tel Aviv β†’ Akko (Acre): 1.5 hours, $11

Shabbat: Trains stop running Friday afternoon (~3 PM) and resume Saturday evening (~8 PM). The exact times vary by season and route.

Use the official "Israel Railways" app for live schedules, prices, and platform info. Available in English.

🚌 Buses (Egged, Dan, and others)

Buses cover every corner of Israel β€” including places trains don't go (Eilat, Mitzpe Ramon, Galilee villages, Dead Sea Ein Bokek). Egged is the largest national operator. Dan operates Tel Aviv local buses. Metropoline operates Haifa region. All accept the Rav-Kav.

Key intercity routes:

  • Egged 480 (TLV β†’ Jerusalem): 1 hour, $4.50. Departs every 10–15 min from TLV Central Bus Station.
  • Egged 394 (TLV β†’ Eilat): 5 hours, $20. Several daily.
  • Egged 444 (Jerusalem β†’ Eilat): 4.5 hours, $20.
  • Egged 486 (Jerusalem β†’ Ein Bokek/Dead Sea): 1.5 hours, $12. Scenic descent.
  • Egged 947 (Tel Aviv β†’ Tiberias): 2.5 hours, $14. Sea of Galilee.

Use the "Moovit" app β€” works perfectly in Israel for live bus arrivals and route planning. Better than Google Maps for local routes.

Shabbat: Most buses stop Friday afternoon and resume Saturday evening. Sheruts (next section) are the workaround.

🚐 Sheruts (shared taxis) β€” the Shabbat workaround

A sherut (also called monit sherut) is a 10-seat minivan that runs fixed inter-city routes for slightly more than a bus. It has no schedule β€” it leaves when full (usually every 10–20 minutes during the day). Crucially, sheruts run during Shabbat when buses and trains don't, making them the savior for weekend travel.

Major sherut hubs:

  • Tel Aviv: Levinsky Street (next to Central Bus Station) for sheruts to Jerusalem, Haifa, Be'er Sheva.
  • Jerusalem: King George Street near the Central Bus Station for sheruts to Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak.
  • Haifa: Hadar district for sheruts to Tel Aviv, Galilee.

How to ride: Walk to the hub, find the sherut going to your destination (drivers shout the destination), get in, pay the driver in cash (~$8 TLV–Jerusalem). Tell the driver where you want to get off β€” they'll stop anywhere along the route.

Pro tip: Sheruts are faster than buses (no scheduled stops) and almost always have seats. A great way to experience local life. Just don\'t expect anyone to speak English β€” bring the destination written in Hebrew or English on your phone.

πŸš• Taxis and the Gett app (no Uber)

Uber doesn\'t operate in Israel. Use Gett instead β€” it's Israel's equivalent. Download the Gett app, register with your phone number and credit card, and request rides exactly like Uber. All Gett taxis are licensed yellow cabs and metered.

Pricing: Day rates start at ~$3 base + ~$0.30/km. A typical city ride in Tel Aviv is $8–17. Airport to Tel Aviv is $35–50. Night rates (9 PM – 5:30 AM) are 25% higher. Friday night and Shabbat are 25% higher.

Hailing on the street: Yellow taxis can be hailed. Insist on the meter ("monitor please") β€” never agree to a fixed price for an in-city ride. Tipping is not required but rounding up is appreciated.

πŸ›‚ Border crossings to Jordan and Egypt

πŸ‡―πŸ‡΄ Israel β†’ Jordan: Three crossings

1. Allenby Bridge / King Hussein Bridge (West Bank, near Jericho)
The closest crossing to Jerusalem (~45 min). Used for day trips to Petra from Jerusalem area. Open Sun–Thu 8 AM–4 PM, Fri–Sat 8 AM–1 PM (limited). You CANNOT get a Jordan visa at this crossing β€” you must arrange it in advance OR have a Jordan Pass. Israel exit tax: ~$30.

2. Sheikh Hussein / Jordan River Crossing (north, near Beit She'an)
Best for Galilee β†’ Amman travel. Open Sun–Thu 6:30 AM–9 PM, Fri 8 AM–8 PM, Sat 8 AM–8 PM (closed Yom Kippur and some holidays). Jordan visa available on arrival ($56). Israel exit tax: ~$30.

3. Wadi Araba / Yitzhak Rabin Crossing (south, 10 min from Eilat)
Quickest for Petra day trips from Eilat. Open Sun–Thu 6:30 AM–8 PM, Fri–Sat until 4 PM. Jordan visa available on arrival ($56). Israel exit tax: ~$30. This is the most relaxed crossing.

πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡¬ Israel β†’ Egypt: One crossing

Taba Border Crossing (10 min from Eilat by taxi)
Open 24/7 (brief Friday prayer closure ~12:30–1:30 PM). For travel to Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, Mt Sinai, and other Sinai destinations. Free 14-day Sinai-only permit available at the border (covers Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba, Mt Sinai). For travel beyond Sinai (Cairo, Luxor), you need a full Egyptian visa arranged in advance ($25 e-visa). Israel exit tax: ~$30.

⚠️ Important tips for all crossings

  • Bring your passport plus a backup printed copy
  • Have cash in USD for visa and exit fees (cards often don't work)
  • Allow 1–2 hours minimum for the crossing
  • Arrive at least 1 hour before closing time
  • Check current border hours before going β€” they change for holidays
  • Israel doesn\'t stamp passports β€” you get a small blue paper card. Keep it.
  • Some Arab countries refuse entry if you have an Israel stamp β€” Israel\'s no-stamp policy solves this

Transport prices reference

All major routes verified April 2026.

Category πŸ’° Backpacker budget conscious πŸ’°πŸ’° Mid-range comfortable πŸ’°πŸ’°πŸ’° Luxury premium
🚌 Single bus ride (Tel Aviv) $1.60 $1.60 $1.60
πŸš† Train TLV β†’ Jerusalem $7 $7 β€”
πŸš† Train TLV β†’ Haifa $10 $10 β€”
πŸš† Train Ben Gurion airport β†’ TLV

Runs until 11:30 PM

 $4 (20 min) $4 β€”
🚌 Bus TLV β†’ Eilat (Egged 394) $20 (5 hr) $20 β€”
🚌 Bus TLV β†’ Jerusalem (480) $4.50 (1 hr) $4.50 β€”
🚌 Bus Jerusalem β†’ Dead Sea (486) $12 $12 β€”
🚐 Sherut TLV β†’ Jerusalem $8 (Levinsky to King George) $8 β€”
🚊 Tel Aviv Light Rail $1.60 $1.60 β€”
πŸš– Gett taxi (city ride) $8–17 $15–25 $25–50
✈️ Domestic flight TLV β†’ Eilat $50–100 $70–130 $200+

Updated April 2026 Β· prices in USD

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Rav-Kav card and where do I get one?
The Rav-Kav is Israel's universal public transport card. It works on all buses (Egged, Dan, Metropoline), trains (Israel Railways), and the Tel Aviv Light Rail. Get one at Ben Gurion Airport (train station counter), any major train station, or central bus stations. The card itself is free; you load it with shekels at machines or at counters. Some buses won't accept cash anymore β€” Rav-Kav is essential.
Can I use Uber in Israel?
No. Uber doesn't operate in Israel. Use Gett (formerly GetTaxi) β€” it's Israel's equivalent and works exactly the same way. Download the Gett app, register with your phone, and request rides. All Gett taxis are licensed and metered.
How do I get from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv?
The fastest and cheapest way is the Israel Railways train: 20 minutes, $4, runs every 30 minutes from 5:30 AM until 11:30 PM. The station is right at the airport (follow signs). After 11:30 PM use a Gett taxi (~$45) or Nesher shared shuttle (~$18, but slower).
What is a sherut and how does it work?
A sherut is a shared minivan taxi that runs fixed routes between cities for slightly more than a bus but with no schedule β€” they leave when full (usually every 10–20 minutes). Crucially, sheruts run on Shabbat when buses and trains don't. The most popular route is Tel Aviv (Levinsky St) to Jerusalem (King George St), $8, ~1 hour.
Should I rent a car in Israel?
Only if you're going to the Negev, the Galilee, or remote desert areas. For Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, the Dead Sea (Ein Bokek), and Eilat, public transport is excellent and parking in cities is a nightmare. Rental cars cost $35–60/day. Drive on the right. Israeli drivers are aggressive β€” be ready.
How do I cross the border to Jordan?
Three crossings: (1) Allenby/King Hussein near Jerusalem β€” most popular, only crossing for the West Bank β€” used for Petra day trips from Jerusalem area, ~$30 exit tax + $56 Jordan visa. (2) Sheikh Hussein/Jordan River near Beit She'an β€” for Galilee/Amman travel, full visa available at border. (3) Wadi Araba/Yitzhak Rabin near Eilat β€” quickest for Petra day trips from Eilat, full visa available. All crossings: bring passport, exit tax cash, allow 1–2 hours. Hours vary by day; check before going.
Can I cross to Egypt from Israel?
Yes, only at the Taba crossing south of Eilat (10 min by taxi from Eilat). It's open 24/7 (with brief closures for Friday prayers). Egypt charges a visa or grants a free 14-day Sinai-only permit if you're staying in Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, or the Sinai coast. To go beyond Sinai (e.g., to Cairo), you need a full Egyptian visa.
Is public transport safe?
Yes, public transport in Israel is very safe β€” buses and trains are clean, modern, and frequent. There's visible security at major stations (bag checks at central bus stations are normal). The main risk is pickpocketing at busy markets, not transport-specific.

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