Transportation
Schedules and fares are subject to change.
Airport to City Access
Train, bus, taxi, and other options to the city center
From Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV), Israel Railways runs directly to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and sherut (shared vans) and taxis are also available. Important: on Shabbat (Friday evening to Saturday evening) the train and many buses do not run, so plan for a taxi or sherut during that window.
- Fastest
- Israel Railways to Tel Aviv/Jerusalem
- Other
- Sherut vans, taxis
- Shabbat
- Trains/buses stop
- Train links the airport to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem
- On Shabbat rely on taxi or sherut
Public Transportation
Metro, bus, tram, and how to use them
Israel has Israel Railways plus city and intercity buses run by operators such as Egged and Dan, the Jerusalem Light Rail and Tel Aviv's light rail (Red Line). Fares are paid with the nationwide Rav-Kav travel card. Note that most public transport stops on Shabbat (Friday evening to Saturday evening).
- Rail
- Israel Railways
- Bus/Tram
- Egged, Dan, light rail
- Shabbat
- Most services stop
- Pay with the Rav-Kav card
- Plan around Shabbat closures
IC Cards & Travel Passes
Discount passes and rechargeable transit cards
The Rav-Kav is Israel's nationwide travel card, used on buses, trains and light rail across the country. Load it with credit or period passes, and tap on and off. It is available at stations, ticket machines and via a mobile app, making transfers between operators easy.
- Card
- Rav-Kav (nationwide)
- Use on
- Bus, train, light rail
- Get it
- Stations, machines, app
- Load credit or period passes on the card
- One card works across operators
Car Rental & Driving
License requirements and traffic rules
Israel drives on the right. An International Driving Permit alongside your home licence is recommended, and drivers are usually 21 or older. A car is handy for the Dead Sea, the Negev and the Galilee, but city traffic and parking in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem can be tough. Remember that Shabbat affects fuel stations and traffic patterns.
- Drives on
- The right
- Licence
- IDP recommended
- Good for
- Dead Sea, Negev, Galilee
- City parking can be difficult
- Shabbat affects some services
Intercity Travel
Long-distance buses, trains, and ferries
Israel Railways links Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and Beersheba, and intercity buses (Egged and others) plus sherut shared vans cover routes the train does not. Distances are short, so day trips are easy. Plan carefully around Shabbat, when most trains and many buses do not run from Friday evening to Saturday evening.
- Rail
- Tel Aviv/Jerusalem/Haifa/Beersheba
- Bus
- Egged, sherut vans
- Shabbat
- Most services stop
- Distances are short, day trips easy
- Plan around Shabbat closures
Domestic Flights
Budget airlines and booking tips
Israel is a small country, so domestic flights are limited. The main useful route is between the Tel Aviv area and Eilat on the Red Sea, which saves several hours over the long drive south. Elsewhere, trains and buses are usually just as quick for the short distances involved.
- Main route
- Tel Aviv area–Eilat
- Reason
- Saves the long southern drive
- Otherwise
- Trains/buses fine
- Flights mainly worthwhile for Eilat
- Short distances suit ground transport
Transportation Tips
Advice for safe and efficient travel
The single most important tip is to plan around Shabbat: from Friday evening to Saturday evening most trains and many buses do not run, so line up a taxi, sherut or rental car for that window. Get a Rav-Kav card for buses, trains and light rail, use Gett for taxis, and Moovit for routing. Distances are short, making day trips between cities easy.
- Shabbat
- Plan alternative transport
- Card
- Get a Rav-Kav
- Apps
- Gett, Moovit
- Taxi/sherut/rental cover the Shabbat window
- Short distances make day trips easy