Israel’s public transport is modern, affordable and easy once you have a travel card. Here’s how the pieces fit together.
The Rav-Kav card
The Rav-Kav is a rechargeable smart card that works across trains, intercity and city buses, and light rail nationwide. Pick one up at Ben Gurion Airport, any train station or a bus hub, then load either pay-as-you-go credit or a daily/period pass. Tap on each journey. There’s also a mobile app if you prefer your phone.
The card costs ₪5 and requires no ID — the anonymous card tourists buy works identically to the registered version for all travel. One key rule: buses need a tap on boarding only; trains and light rail need a tap on and off at each journey end, or the system charges you the maximum fare. See the complete Rav-Kav guide for buying locations, loading options, fare ranges, the 90-minute transfer rule and the full tap-on/tap-off breakdown by vehicle type.
Trains
Israel Railways runs a fast, comfortable network along the coast and inland. The flagship line links Ben Gurion Airport to central Tel Aviv in about 20 minutes and to Jerusalem (Yitzhak Navon station) in about 30. Trains also reach Haifa, Akko, Beer Sheva and the coastal towns. Trains do not run on Shabbat.
Buses and light rail
Buses cover everywhere the trains don’t, from intercity Egged and Metropoline coaches to dense city networks. Jerusalem and Tel Aviv both have light-rail lines that are quick for getting around the centre. All take the Rav-Kav.
The Tel Aviv Red Line — Israel’s first metro-style rail, opened 2023 — runs 24 km from Bat Yam south through central Tel Aviv to Petah Tikva northeast, with 10 underground stations. Key tourist stops: Jaffa area, Carlebach (city centre), Habima (White City / culture), and Arlozorov (intercity rail interchange for the airport). Contactless bank cards accepted at all validators. See the Tel Aviv Light Rail guide for station-by-station breakdown, ticketing options and the airport connection.
The Jerusalem Light Rail network covers the key tourist stops in Jerusalem: Damascus Gate (Old City Muslim Quarter entrance), Jaffa Gate/City Hall (Old City Jaffa Gate, Mamilla), Ben Yehuda (city centre), Mahane Yehuda market, and Mount Herzl/Yad Vashem. The Red Line is the main tourist artery; the Blue Line (opened 2024–2025) adds the Hebrew University Givat Ram campus and western residential areas. A third line — the Green Line — is now opening in stages: the first section (Malha Mall to Binyanei HaUmah/Convention Centre) opened in July 2026, with the full 19.6 km line to Gilo expected in 2027. See the Jerusalem Light Rail guide for stop-by-stop breakdown, how to connect from Ben Gurion Airport and Shabbat schedule details.
Shared taxis (sheruts)
Sheruts are shared minibuses that run fixed routes, leaving when full. Israel’s major intercity sherut operators — the Nesher service (Ben Gurion Airport → Jerusalem) and Amal service (Ben Gurion Airport → Haifa) — discontinued services in 2026; trains now cover those airport-to-city routes directly. In some cities, local intra-city sheruts still run on fixed routes, including on Shabbat when trains and most buses pause; check locally for current services.
Taxis and ride apps
Metered taxis are widely available; insist on the meter or agree a price first. Ride-hailing apps operate in the main cities and are the simplest option late at night or on Shabbat.
Cycling
Tel Aviv is one of the most cycle-friendly cities in the Middle East — 150km+ of marked bike lanes, a continuous beachfront promenade path and the Yarkon River park all allow car-free cycling. The Tel-O-Fun city bike-share runs docking stations across the city. See the full cycling in Israel guide for routes, the Tel-O-Fun scheme, Sea of Galilee loop and Negev mountain biking.
Renting a car
You don’t need a car for the Tel Aviv–Jerusalem–Haifa triangle. But for the Galilee, Golan Heights and Negev, where sights are scattered and buses are sparse, a rental transforms the trip. Drive on the right; an international licence alongside your home one is recommended.
On Shabbat
Plan ahead for Friday afternoon to Saturday night: rely on taxis, ride apps or a rental car. See our Shabbat guide for the full rhythm of the week.
Transport cost estimator
Unsure whether to rent a car or rely on public transport for your itinerary? Our Israel transport cost estimator compares the total cost of a rental car (including fuel and tolls), intercity bus and train, and a mixed approach — for your exact trip length, number of city hops, and group size.
Popular routes compared
Planning a specific hop? We compare every option — train, bus, tour, taxi and driving — with real durations and costs for the routes travellers ask about most: