Practical Tips
Everything you need to know before you land in Tel Aviv — from airport transfers to Shabbat survival to the Hebrew phrases that will make locals smile.
- Airport
- TLV
- Ben Gurion, 20 min
- Currency
- NIS (₪)
- New Israeli Shekel
- Power
- Type H
- 220V, 50Hz
- Transport
- Rav-Kav
- Tap-to-ride card
- Tap Water
- Safe
- Drink freely
- Timezone
- IST (UTC+2)
- UTC+3 in summer
Getting from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv
Ben Gurion (TLV) is just 20 km southeast of Tel Aviv. Three main options to reach the city:
Train (Israel Railways)
Best ValueThe fastest and cheapest option. Trains run every 20-30 minutes from the airport station (located below Terminal 3) to four Tel Aviv stations: HaHagana (south/Florentin), HaShalom (business district/Sarona), Savidor-Central (city center), and University (north). The ride takes 15-22 minutes depending on your stop.
₪14
~$4 USD
20 min
travel time
Every 20m
frequency
Until 11:30 PM
last train
Important: No trains on Shabbat (Friday 2-3 PM through Saturday ~7:30 PM). Buy a Rav-Kav card at the airport station or use contactless credit card.
Taxi via Gett App
Most ConvenientOrder a licensed taxi through the Gett app for a metered, fair-price ride directly to your hotel. Download Gett before you land and have your Israeli phone number or eSIM ready. The ride takes 20-40 minutes depending on traffic and your destination within Tel Aviv. Tipping is appreciated but not expected (round up or add 10%).
~₪150
~$42 USD
20-40 min
travel time
24/7
availability
Door-to-door
convenience
Warning: Never take an unmarked taxi or agree to a flat rate without the meter. Licensed taxis are white/silver with a roof sign. Use the Gett app for guaranteed fair pricing.
Nesher Sherut (Shared Shuttle)
Good CompromiseNesher operates shared minivan shuttles (sherut) from the airport to any address in Tel Aviv. The van seats 10 passengers and departs when full (usually a 10-20 minute wait). You will be dropped at your hotel or accommodation door. It is the classic Israeli airport transfer — cheaper than a taxi, more convenient than the train, and operates 24/7 including Shabbat.
₪64
~$18 USD
30-60 min
depends on drops
24/7
incl. Shabbat
Door-to-door
convenience
Tip: Book return trips (hotel to airport) at least 12 hours in advance by calling Nesher at *5765. They will pick you up at your hotel.
Shabbat Survival Guide
Every Friday afternoon to Saturday evening, Israel observes Shabbat (the Sabbath). Here is what it means for your trip.
The Key Hours
Shabbat begins on Friday around 3-4 PM (earlier in winter, later in summer — it follows sunset) and ends on Saturday around 7:30-8:30 PM (after three stars appear). During this time, public transportation (buses and trains) stops completely. Most shops close. Many restaurants close on Friday evening but reopen for Saturday brunch/lunch.
What Closes
- Buses & trains: Stop completely from Friday ~3 PM to Saturday ~7:30 PM
- Most shops & malls: Close Friday afternoon, reopen Saturday evening or Sunday
- Supermarkets: Chain stores (Shufersal, Rami Levy) close; some mini-markets stay open
- Banks & offices: Closed from Friday midday through Saturday
- Carmel Market: Closes Friday afternoon, closed Saturday, reopens Sunday
What Stays Open
- Many restaurants: Especially in Jaffa, Neve Tzedek, Florentin, and the port area
- Cafes & bars: Most cafes open Saturday morning; bars open Saturday night
- Beaches: Always open, and extra busy on Shabbat
- Taxis: Available 24/7 via Gett or street hail (prices may be 25% higher)
- Scooters & bikes: Electric scooters (Bird/Lime) and Tel-O-Fun bikes operate normally
The Silver Lining: Shabbat Is Actually Amazing
Shabbat in Tel Aviv is one of the best travel experiences you will have. With no buses or traffic, the streets become eerily quiet and bike-friendly. Rent a bike or scooter and cruise empty boulevards. The beaches are packed with families and picnickers. Saturday brunch culture is a Tel Aviv institution — restaurants like Benedict, Cafe Puaa, and Hotel Montefiore do legendary Shabbat brunches. Friday evening pre-sunset is magical: families strolling, the golden light, the smell of fresh challah from bakeries. Embrace the slower pace.
Mobile & eSIM Options
Stay connected in Tel Aviv. An eSIM is the easiest option — buy before you fly, activate on landing.
Airalo — Israel eSIM
The world's largest eSIM marketplace. Buy before you land, activate on arrival. Israel plans start at 1GB/7 days. Works on all modern iPhones and most Android flagships. No physical SIM swap needed.
Holafly — Unlimited Israel eSIM
Unlimited data eSIM for Israel — no throttling, no caps. Perfect for heavy users who want to stream, video call, and use maps without worrying about data limits. 5-day and 10-day plans available.
Local SIM at Airport
Buy a prepaid SIM card at the arrivals hall of Ben Gurion Airport. Vendors include Cellcom, Partner, and Pelephone. Plans typically include unlimited local calls + 10-50GB data. Requires unlocked phone and passport.
WiFi Availability
Free WiFi is widely available at cafes, restaurants, hotels, and many public spaces in Tel Aviv. The city offers free municipal WiFi (FREE_TLV) in some areas along the beach promenade and major squares. Most accommodations have reliable WiFi. That said, having mobile data for maps, Gett, and Moovit while walking around is very much worth the small investment in an eSIM.
Getting Around Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is compact and very walkable, but these options make it even easier.
Rav-Kav Card
Israel's contactless transit card, used for buses and trains. Buy a reloadable card at any train station or select kiosks. Load NIS credit and tap to ride. A single bus ride costs ₪5.50 (~$1.50). Daily and weekly passes available. The card also works on intercity trains to Jerusalem, Haifa, and Ben Gurion Airport.
New: Contactless credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) now work on most buses and trains — tap directly at the reader.
Electric Scooters
Bird, Lime, and Wind scooters are everywhere in Tel Aviv. Download the app, scan the QR code, and go. Cost: ₪3 unlock + ₪0.50/min (~$1 + $0.15/min). Helmet not required by law but recommended. Ride in bike lanes (not sidewalks). Maximum speed: 25 km/h. A great way to cover the beach promenade or get between neighborhoods.
Warning: Scooters on sidewalks are illegal and fined. Use bike lanes and roads.
Tel-O-Fun Bikes
Tel Aviv's public bike-sharing system with stations across the city. Sign up via app or at any station kiosk. Daily pass: ₪17 (~$5), weekly: ₪48 (~$13). First 30 minutes of each ride are free, then ₪6 per additional 30 minutes. Excellent for the beach promenade and flat central areas. Docking stations are plentiful.
Tip: Tel Aviv is flat — cycling is easy and the bike lane network is expanding rapidly.
Gett & Yango (Taxis)
Gett is the dominant ride-hailing app (Israel's Uber). Yango (by Yandex) is a cheaper alternative. Both connect you with licensed taxi drivers who use meters. A typical cross-city ride costs ₪35-60 (~$10-17). Night surcharge (25%) applies 9 PM - 5:30 AM. Tipping: round up or add 10%. Both apps accept credit cards.
Note: Uber does not operate in Israel. Gett and Yango are the local equivalents.
Tipping Guide
| Service | Standard Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10-15% | Service charge is NOT included. 12% is standard, 15% for great service. Leave cash even if paying by card. |
| Taxis | Round up | Round up to the nearest ₪5 or ₪10. For example, ₪47 ride = give ₪50. Not expected but appreciated. |
| Bars | Not expected | Tipping at bars is not customary in Israel. You can leave a few shekels for exceptional service but it is not expected. |
| Hotels | ₪10-20/day | Leave for housekeeping daily. Concierge: ₪20-50 for special help. Bellhop: ₪10-20 per bag. |
| Tour guides | ₪50-100/person | For a full-day tour. ₪30-50 for a half-day. Tips are a significant part of guides' income. |
| Delivery (Wolt) | ₪5-10 | Optional but kind. You can tip via the app or in cash at the door. |
Essential Info
🔌 Power & Plugs
Israel uses Type H plugs (three-pronged, uniquely Israeli). Voltage is 220V, 50Hz. Most European two-pronged plugs (Type C) fit into Israeli sockets without an adapter. UK and US plugs need an adapter — buy one at the airport or any convenience store for ₪15-30.
Tip: Most modern hotels have universal sockets. Bring a small multi-adapter to be safe.
💧 Tap Water
Tel Aviv tap water is safe to drink. Israel has one of the world's most advanced desalination systems. The water tastes fine and is heavily tested. Skip the bottled water and save your money and the planet. Carry a reusable water bottle — refill stations are increasingly common.
Summer tip: Drink more than you think you need. Dehydration sneaks up fast in the Israeli heat.
💰 Currency & Payment
The currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS / ₪). As of April 2026, roughly ₪3.55 = $1 USD. Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted virtually everywhere — even at market stalls and food trucks. Contactless payments are universal. ATMs are plentiful. Most restaurants show prices in NIS only.
Tip: Always pay in NIS, not USD/EUR. "Dynamic currency conversion" at card terminals is a ripoff — always choose to pay in local currency.
Dress Code
Tel Aviv is one of the most casually dressed cities in the world. Locals wear shorts, sandals, and t-shirts to restaurants, bars, and even some business meetings. There is essentially no dress code anywhere in Tel Aviv — flip-flops are acceptable at nearly every restaurant, and you will see people grocery shopping in swimsuits after the beach.
The only exceptions are religious sites. If you visit a synagogue, mosque, or church (more common on day trips to Jerusalem or Jaffa's churches), dress modestly: cover shoulders and knees, and women may need a head covering at some sites. Carry a light scarf in your bag for these occasions.
For nightlife, the same casual approach applies. Some high-end rooftop bars might appreciate a slightly elevated outfit, but nobody will turn you away in clean casual clothes. This is not Ibiza or Dubai — Tel Aviv celebrates the effortlessly casual Mediterranean vibe.
Essential Hebrew Phrases
English is widely spoken in Tel Aviv, but a few Hebrew words will earn you smiles and respect. These ten phrases cover 90% of daily interactions.
Toda (תודה)
toh-DAH
Thank you
Bevakasha (בבקשה)
beh-vah-kah-SHAH
Please / You're welcome
Slicha (סליחה)
slee-KHAH
Excuse me / Sorry
Kama ze ole? (כמה זה עולה?)
KAH-mah zeh oh-LEH
How much does this cost?
Ken (כן)
ken
Yes
Lo (לא)
loh
No
Shalom (שלום)
shah-LOHM
Hello / Goodbye / Peace
Yalla (יאללה)
YAH-lah
Let's go / Come on (from Arabic, used constantly)
Sababa (סבבה)
sah-BAH-bah
Cool / Great / No problem
L'chaim (לחיים)
leh-KHAH-yim
Cheers! (literally: to life)
Language Tips
Almost everyone under 50 in Tel Aviv speaks conversational English. Restaurant menus are typically bilingual. Google Translate works well for Hebrew signs and menus — use the camera feature to translate text in real time. Don't worry about learning Hebrew for your trip, but dropping a "toda" (thanks) and "sababa" (cool) will delight locals.
Best Apps for Tel Aviv
Download these before you land — they will make your trip significantly smoother.
Moovit
TransportBest public transport app for Israel. Real-time bus/train tracking, route planning, step-by-step navigation. Essential.
Gett
TaxiIsrael's Uber equivalent. Metered taxi rides ordered via app. Fair pricing, professional drivers, works everywhere.
Yango
TaxiYandex-powered ride-hailing. Often slightly cheaper than Gett. Good alternative to compare prices.
Wolt
FoodThe dominant food delivery app in Israel. Restaurants, groceries, and convenience stores delivered to your door.
Google Maps
NavigationWorks excellently in Israel with real-time traffic, transit directions, and walking routes. Download offline maps as backup.
Bird / Lime / Wind
ScootersElectric scooter rental apps. Download at least one before arrival. ₪3 unlock + ₪0.50/min. Scooters are everywhere.
Practical FAQ
Do I need a visa to visit Israel?
What is the best time to visit Tel Aviv?
Is Tel Aviv safe?
Can I drink the tap water?
How much cash should I carry?
What happens if I arrive during Shabbat?
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