Israel is a fascinating blend of ancient history and modern innovation, where millennia-old religious sites meet vibrant contemporary culture. From the golden Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem to the bustling beaches of Tel Aviv and the otherworldly landscapes of the Dead Sea, this small Mediterranean nation offers extraordinary diversity.
- Public
- Israel has an excellent public transport network for a country its size. Trains connect major cities efficiently (Tel Aviv-Jerusalem in 32 minutes), and bus networks serve everywhere. The Rav-Kav smart card makes using multiple modes seamless. Shabbat limitation is the main drawback.
- Taxi
- Licensed yellow taxis are metered, regulated, and reliable. The Gett app is the most widely used ride-hailing service in Israel, equivalent to Uber. Sherut (shared taxi) services offer fixed-price shared rides on popular routes.
- Rental
- Car rental is excellent for exploring outside major cities - the Galilee, Negev, Golan Heights, and Dead Sea region are best by car. Israeli roads are well-maintained and English-signposted, but city driving is chaotic and parking expensive.
- Walking
- Jerusalem's Old City and Tel Aviv's center are walkable, but the two cities are very different in scale. Tel Aviv's beach promenade and White City are excellent for walking. Hilly Jerusalem requires fitness.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Train to Tel Aviv: 13 minutes, 13.50 ILS (~$3.65)
- Shuttle
- Sherut (shared taxi) to Tel Aviv: 30 minutes, 35 ILS (~$9.50)
- Bus
- Sherut to Jerusalem: 60 minutes, 60 ILS (~$16)
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Extensive bus networks in all cities. Main operators: Egged, Dan, Metropoline. Fare: 5.90 ILS (~$1.60) for city buses. Get Rav-Kav card for discounts and convenience. Buses don't run on Shabbat (Friday evening to Saturday evening) except in Haifa and Eilat.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Metered taxis widely available. Base fare ~12 ILS, then 2.60 ILS per km during day, 3 ILS per km at night (9 PM-5:30 AM). Always insist on meter (moneh). Expect 25% surcharge on Shabbat and holidays.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Egged operates extensive intercity routes. Tel Aviv-Jerusalem: 60-90 minutes, 16 ILS (~$4.30). Tel Aviv-Haifa: 90 minutes, 29 ILS (~$7.80). Tel Aviv-Eilat: 5 hours, 95 ILS (~$26). Advance booking recommended for long routes. No service on Shabbat except some private companies.
Flights
Israir and Arkia offer flights between Tel Aviv (Sde Dov closed, now Ben Gurion), Eilat, and Haifa. Tel Aviv-Eilat takes 1 hour vs 4-5 hours driving. Prices from 200 ILS (~$54) one-way. Book early for best fares.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Ben Gurion International Airport
From centre: 15 km to Tel Aviv, 50 km to Jerusalem
Options: Train to Tel Aviv: 13 minutes, 13.50 ILS (~$3.65); Sherut (shared taxi) to Tel Aviv: 30 minutes, 35 ILS (~$9.50); Sherut to Jerusalem: 60 minutes, 60 ILS (~$16); Private taxi to Tel Aviv: 150-180 ILS (~$40-49); Private taxi to Jerusalem: 250-300 ILS (~$68-81); Bus 485 to Jerusalem: 90 minutes, 16 ILS (~$4.30)
Ramon International Airport
From centre: 18 km to Eilat
Options: Bus 392 to Eilat: 40 minutes, 12 ILS (~$3.25); Sherut to Eilat: 25 minutes, 25 ILS (~$6.75); Taxi to Eilat: 100-120 ILS (~$27-32)
Haifa Airport
From centre: 10 km to Haifa city center
Options: Local bus: 20 minutes, 5.90 ILS (~$1.60); Taxi: 60-80 ILS (~$16-22)
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Gett (formerly GetTaxi)
Israel's leading ride-hailing app connecting to licensed yellow taxis - reliable, metered, and accepted everywhere; safer than hailing street taxis
Moovit
Real-time public transport planner for all Israeli bus and train routes with live departure times, route planning, and Rav-Kav balance checking
Rail.co.il App
Israeli Railways official app for booking intercity train tickets, viewing real-time schedules, and tracking trains - essential for Tel Aviv-Jerusalem and northern routes
Waze
Israeli-developed navigation app (now owned by Google) is the standard for driving navigation in Israel - used by virtually all Israeli drivers for real-time traffic routing
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Get a Rav-Kav smart card at any train station or bus terminal immediately upon arrival - it gives discounted fares and allows free transfers within 1.5 hours
Plan carefully around Shabbat: from Friday afternoon to Saturday night, most public transport stops (except Haifa trams, Eilat buses, and some private companies on key routes)
The Jerusalem-Tel Aviv train takes only 32 minutes and runs frequently - it's significantly faster and more comfortable than the bus for this route
Use Gett app rather than hailing taxis on the street - same regulated price, but you can track the car and no meter disputes
Rent a car specifically for Dead Sea, Galilee, and Negev days - public transport to these areas is infrequent and inconvenient for making the most of your time
Ben Gurion Airport train to Tel Aviv takes only 13 minutes and costs 13.50 ILS ($3.65) - far better value than the taxi
Parking in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem city centers is extremely expensive ($5-15/hour) and difficult - use public transport within cities and rent cars only when leaving