Israel has a reasonably well-developed public transport network covering buses, trains, and urban light rail. For new Olim, getting oriented with the system takes a week or two, but once you understand how the Rav Kav card works and which apps to use, getting around becomes straightforward. This guide covers everything you need to know to use public transport from your first days in Israel.
The Rav Kav Card
The Rav Kav is Israel’s national public transport smart card. It works across buses, trains, and light rail throughout the country. You tap it on the reader when boarding and the correct fare is deducted automatically. Without a Rav Kav, you can pay cash on buses, but it costs more per trip and is less convenient. Getting a Rav Kav should be one of the first practical tasks on your list after arriving.
There are two types of Rav Kav. The anonymous card can be purchased at any post office, train station, or from bus drivers, and is loaded with credit without being linked to your name. The personalised card is registered in your name and is useful because if it is lost or stolen, the remaining balance can be transferred to a replacement card. You can apply for a personalised card at post offices with your Teudat Zehut, or via the Rav Kav website.
Loading Credit and Monthly Passes
You can load credit onto your Rav Kav at post offices, at train station vending machines, at some supermarkets and kiosks, and online through the Rav Kav website or app. Monthly passes (kartisiyot) are also available for specific routes or for unlimited travel within a zone or across the whole network. Monthly passes are significantly cheaper than paying per trip if you are a regular commuter. Student discounts, child fares, and senior discounts are also available and are loaded onto a personalised Rav Kav linked to your identity.
One useful feature of the Israeli fare system is the transfer discount. If you board a second bus or train within 90 minutes of your first journey (or in some cases, within a longer window depending on the fare zones), you pay a reduced connecting fare rather than a full second fare. This makes multi-leg journeys significantly cheaper than paying separately for each vehicle.
Buses
Buses are the backbone of Israeli public transport, serving routes that trains and light rail do not reach. Several companies operate bus services across the country. Egged is the largest, covering intercity routes and many city services. Dan operates primarily in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. Metropoline, Kavim, and other operators cover suburban and regional routes. In practice, you do not need to know which company operates which route. The Moovit app (described below) handles all of this for you and shows you the correct bus regardless of operator.
Board the bus at the front door, tap your Rav Kav on the reader near the driver, and take a seat. Announcements are in Hebrew, Arabic, and sometimes English on intercity routes. Bus stops in cities often have digital displays showing estimated arrival times. In smaller towns and on rural routes, information at stops can be more limited.
Israel Railways
Israel Railways (Rakevet Yisrael) operates a national train network connecting the main population centres. The network runs from Nahariya and Haifa in the north through Tel Aviv and down to Beer Sheva, Dimona, and Ashdod in the south, with branches to Jerusalem, Ben Gurion Airport, and other destinations. The Tel Aviv to Jerusalem route via the fast line takes under 30 minutes and is a major convenience for those living between the two cities.
Trains are generally comfortable and punctual. You tap your Rav Kav at the entry gates at the station before boarding. If your Rav Kav does not have sufficient credit, you will need to top it up before passing through. Train tickets can also be purchased in advance through the Israel Railways website or app, which allows you to choose specific departure times, though for most commuter routes, trains run frequently enough that advance booking is not necessary.
Light Rail
Tel Aviv’s light rail system is the newest addition to Israeli urban transport. The Red Line, running from Petah Tikva through central Tel Aviv to Bat Yam, opened in 2023 and transformed commuting across the metropolitan area. Additional lines are being added to the network over time. Jerusalem has had a light rail line for over a decade, running through the city centre and connecting the central bus station to the main residential and commercial areas.
The light rail uses the Rav Kav in exactly the same way as buses and trains. Tap on at the platform validator before boarding. The platforms have clear signage and electronic displays showing approaching trams.
The Moovit App
Moovit is the app to use for navigating Israeli public transport. It covers all buses, trains, and light rail across the country, gives real-time arrival information, and plans multi-leg journeys automatically. The app is in English (and Hebrew) and is intuitive to use. When you enter a destination, it shows you the fastest route, which buses or trains to take, where to change, and how long each leg takes. Google Maps also covers Israeli public transport reasonably well, but Moovit is more accurate for local bus routes and is the standard tool used by most people in Israel.
Shabbat and Jewish Holidays
Public transport in most of Israel largely shuts down from Friday afternoon until Saturday night. Egged intercity buses stop running, Israel Railways suspends most services, and city buses in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem stop running for Shabbat. There are some exceptions: certain cities such as Haifa maintain limited bus services on Shabbat, and some private bus operators run intercity routes on a paid basis. Jerusalem’s light rail also does not run on Shabbat. Planning around Shabbat is something new Olim quickly learn to factor into their schedules.
The same near-complete shutdown applies on Jewish holidays (Yom Kippur being the most complete, where essentially all motorised transport stops). If you need to travel on Shabbat or a holiday, private taxis, rideshare apps such as Gett and Yango, and shared taxis (sherut) that run on fixed intercity routes are the main alternatives.
Shared Taxis (Sherut)
Sherut taxis are shared minivans that run on fixed routes between cities at set prices. The main intercity sherut routes (particularly Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to Haifa) run seven days a week including Shabbat, making them the most practical option for intercity travel on a Friday night or Saturday. You pay cash or by card, take a seat, and the driver leaves when the van is full. Sherutim depart from fixed spots near the central bus stations in major cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rav Kav and how do I get one?
The Rav Kav is Israel’s national public transport smart card, used on buses, trains, and light rail. You tap it on a reader when boarding and the fare is deducted automatically. Get one at any post office or train station. Anonymous cards are available immediately with no registration. Personalised cards are linked to your Teudat Zehut and allow balance recovery if the card is lost. Load credit at post offices, train station machines, or online through the Rav Kav website or app.
Which app should I use for public transport in Israel?
Moovit is the standard navigation app for Israeli public transport. It covers all buses, trains, and light rail in real time, plans multi-leg journeys, and gives walking directions to the nearest stop. It is available in English and is accurate across the whole country. Download it before you need it, as it also works well offline for pre-planned routes.
Does public transport run on Shabbat in Israel?
Most public transport stops from Friday afternoon to Saturday night. Israel Railways suspends most services, and city and intercity buses in most cities stop running. Sherut shared taxis on fixed intercity routes (Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv to Haifa) continue to run on Shabbat and are the main alternative for intercity travel. Haifa maintains some city bus services on Shabbat. Private taxis and rideshare apps (Gett, Yango) operate throughout Shabbat at normal rates.
How much does a bus or train ride cost in Israel?
Fares are set nationally and vary by distance. A single urban bus journey (within a city or a short zone) costs approximately NIS 5 to 6. Intercity bus and train fares depend on the route. A Tel Aviv to Jerusalem train ticket is around NIS 18 to 20. Monthly passes for commuters on regular routes can save significant money. Student, child, and senior discounts are available on personalised Rav Kav cards. The transfer discount system means connecting journeys within 90 minutes are cheaper than paying two full fares.
Can I get from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem by public transport?
Yes. Ben Gurion Airport has a train station (Terminal 3) with direct services to Tel Aviv (approximately 20 minutes) and connections to most other cities. Trains to Jerusalem via the fast rail line take under 30 minutes. The train does not run on Shabbat, in which case taxis or sherut services are the alternatives. Bus services to and from the airport are also available, though the train is faster and more convenient for most destinations.
What is a sherut taxi and how does it work?
A sherut is a shared minivan taxi running on a fixed route between cities at a set price. You pay per seat (not the whole vehicle) and travel with other passengers going the same way. Sherut taxis on intercity routes run all week including Shabbat. They depart from fixed locations near central bus stations when full (usually 8 to 10 passengers). No advance booking is needed. Common routes include Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to Haifa. The price is usually similar to the bus fare on the same route.