Israel – Buses and Trams

What is the overall standard of bus services in Israel?

Buses represent the primary mode of public transport across the country. Services on busy corridors depart every 15 to 30 minutes, and the network extends to nearly every corner of Israel. Given the country’s warm climate, air-conditioning is standard on virtually the entire fleet, and vehicles in the larger urban centres tend to be modern and kept in good condition.

Although private car ownership dominates everyday travel in Israel, successive governments have committed to strengthening public transport over recent decades. Key priorities include laying new rail lines, rolling out electric buses, and deploying smart technologies designed to improve punctuality and ease of use for passengers.

In August 2022, a sweeping national fare reform came into force, applying uniformly to every operator across the country. Under this system, fares are calculated according to the aerial distance between the boarding and alighting stops, replacing a fragmented structure that had previously featured over 190 separate fare scales depending on the operator and route. The change brought Israel’s approach closer to the distance-based models used in cities such as Singapore or Hong Kong, delivering a simpler and more predictable experience for newcomers.

On a typical weekday, public transport commuters in Israel spend an average of 70 minutes travelling, with 22% spending more than two hours on transit each day. This underscores the fact that bus-only journeys can be time-consuming, and that combining bus travel with rail or light rail services — where these are available — can meaningfully reduce total journey times.

What range of bus services is available, and who operates them?

Two operators dominate Israel’s bus landscape. Egged, widely recognised as one of the largest bus companies in the world, covers an enormous variety of intercity routes across the country and serves as the principal operator in Jerusalem and Haifa. Dan handles the majority of bus services in the Tel Aviv area alongside certain intercity corridors. Kavim is the next most significant player, with Metropoline, Afikim, and several other firms covering particular regions and commuter belts.

Intercity services are largely the domain of Egged, whose network exceeds 1,000 routes linking major cities, small villages, and key junctions along Israel’s main road corridors. These intercity lines fall into three categories. The ‘Regular’ (me’asef) service stops at a large number of points along its route, making it the slowest option and generally best avoided for longer journeys between major cities. ‘Express’ services cover longer distances but still call at a reduced number of stops. ‘Direct’ (yashir) lines are either completely non-stop or make only a handful of calls at the origin and destination cities.

Advance reservations are available exclusively on routes to and from Eilat, which can be booked at ticket booths, by phone, or online. On virtually every other route, boarding is on a first-come, first-served basis with no seat allocation.

In the Haifa area, a bus rapid transit system called the Metronit provides a high-frequency, high-capacity service that mirrors the performance of light rail without dedicated tracks, filling the gap between a standard bus network and a full tram system. Bus infrastructure in Israel takes two forms: local terminals (masof), each handling a handful of routes, and central bus stations (tahana merkazit), which may accommodate more than a hundred different services. The largest such facility, Tel Aviv Central Bus Station, ranks among the biggest bus terminals anywhere in the world.

Where can I find timetables, routes, and fare information?

A centralised national journey-planning framework brings all operators together under one roof. The Ministry of Transport and Road Safety publishes official route and fare data, while ticketing, pass purchases, and card top-ups are managed through the primary online portal, Rav-Kav Online (ravkavonline.co.il).

Moovit is an internationally popular public transport app used by more than 80 million people in over 3,400 cities worldwide, and it covers Israel comprehensively. Features include real-time schedules for buses, trains, and light rail; live turn-by-turn directions with alerts to notify you when to disembark; multi-modal trip planning that combines all available services; and up-to-date fare information across different transport types.

Individual operators also maintain their own digital presences. Egged’s full route network can be explored at egged.co.il, Dan’s services at dan.co.il, and the Jerusalem light rail operator Cfir at cfir.co.il. For the Tel Aviv light rail (Dankal), the NTA Metropolitan Mass Transit System posts updates and information at nta.co.il. Israel Railways, whose ticketing integrates with the broader Rav-Kav system, provides an English-language timetable and fare planner at rail.co.il.

Electronic departure boards at major bus stations display destinations, platform numbers, and scheduled times for the next hour of service. These boards are arranged in Hebrew alphabetical order, and navigating them in a large terminal can take a little time. Passengers who have not yet acquired Hebrew reading skills are strongly advised to use Moovit or the HopOn app — both of which support non-Hebrew interfaces — to plan their journeys before arriving at the stop.

What types of tickets and passes are available?

Rav-Kav, which translates roughly as “multi-line,” is Israel’s national contactless smart card for public transport payments. Introduced in 2007 and now obligatory for all bus travel, it functions much like an Oyster card in London or a Navigo card in Paris: you load value or a pass onto the card and tap it on the reader each time you travel.

The most flexible option is to store monetary credit on the card, which functions as a pay-as-you-go balance drawn down with each journey. Alternatively, riders can purchase unlimited-travel passes valid for a single day, a full week, or a calendar month. A day pass covering Tel Aviv’s local bus network costs approximately 17.50 NIS, rising to around 23 NIS if train travel is also included (as of 2025). These figures are subject to periodic revision, so always check ravkavonline.co.il for the latest amounts.

A nationwide monthly pass allows unlimited travel on all public transport — excluding Israel Railways — over distances of up to 225 km for a flat fee of 315 NIS (as of 2025). Combined bus-and-rail monthly passes covering train journeys as well are also available; current prices can be found on the official Rav-Kav Online site.

A range of concessionary profiles can be loaded onto a personalised Rav-Kav card to unlock reduced fares. Eligible categories include senior citizens, young people, national insurance recipients, and disabled persons. Cardholders aged 67 and over qualify for a “Golden Rav-Kav” profile, which grants free travel on all public transport throughout Israel. Israeli citizens between 18 and 26 can access a “young adult” (tza’ir) profile that provides a 33% reduction on monthly passes. From April 2025, residents of certain defined geographic areas qualify for a 50% discount on all monthly passes.

A notable feature of the Rav-Kav system is the 90-minute free transfer window on local journeys within the same fare zone. During that period, passengers may board additional buses or switch to light rail without incurring extra charges, making multi-leg city trips straightforward and cost-effective. Note that since February 2025, transferring from a bus onto the light rail carries a ₪2.00 supplement, while the reverse transfer — from light rail to bus — remains free of charge.

How do you buy a bus ticket in Israel?

Since 2019 in Jerusalem, and from August 2022 everywhere else in the country, the Rav-Kav has been the sole accepted payment method on buses — drivers carry no cash-handling equipment and cannot sell tickets on board. This is one of the most important practical points for newcomers to absorb before making their first journey, as it differs significantly from bus systems in many other countries where paying the driver directly is still routine.

1. Get a Rav-Kav card: The card comes in two forms: anonymous and personalised. Most visitors and newly arrived residents opt for the anonymous version because it requires no identification and can be obtained immediately. An anonymous Rav-Kav costs 5 NIS and is sold at the Public Transport Information Center in the arrivals hall of Ben Gurion Airport, as well as at most major central bus stations.
2. Load credit or a pass: Credit can be added at self-service machines located at certain bus stations, at all Dankal and Cfir light rail stops, at Israel Post outlets, at convenience stores, and through the dedicated websites ravkavonline.co.il and HopOn.co.il or their respective mobile apps. Thousands of service stations across the country also accept both cash and credit card for top-ups.
3. Use an app instead: The HopOn app, officially approved by the Ministry of Transportation, offers a fully app-based alternative to the physical card. After downloading it for free, you link a credit card and generate a QR code that is scanned on the bus validator in place of a physical Rav-Kav.
4. Board and validate: When boarding a bus, tap your card on the reader. If you are paying from stored value, select your desired distance level on the validator screen. When validating at the driver’s terminal, retain any printed receipt for the duration of your trip in case an inspector asks to see it.
5. Validate on light rail and train: On the Jerusalem and Tel Aviv light rail networks and on Israel Railways services, you must tap both on boarding and on alighting so that the system can calculate the correct distance-based fare. Failing to tap out can attract a penalty.
6. Top up regularly: Keep a close eye on your remaining balance, particularly before intercity trips or travel during busy periods, as there is no way to pay on board. Responsibility for maintaining sufficient credit rests with the passenger.

Are there trams in Israel?

Yes — Israel has a growing light rail network, currently focused on Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with further expansion planned. Unlike the deep-bore underground systems common in major Western European capitals, Israel’s urban rail is predominantly street-level or partly tunnelled light rail, comparable in character to tram networks in cities such as Edinburgh, Bordeaux, or Melbourne.

Jerusalem Light Rail

The Jerusalem Red Line runs for 22.5 kilometres and serves 35 stops. Extensions stretching northward to Neve Yaakov and southwest to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital were completed in February 2025. Since the line first opened in 2012, it has established itself as a fast and dependable alternative to driving within the city.

The planned Green Line will cover 19.6 km, connecting the two campuses of the Hebrew University and continuing via Pat junction to the neighbourhood of Gilo, with 36 stops and projected daily ridership of 200,000 passengers. Approved by the Jerusalem city council in June 2016, the Green Line is scheduled to enter service in 2027. A further Purple Line has received approval from the Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee, with construction anticipated to begin shortly and operations expected to commence in 2031.

Tel Aviv Light Rail (Dankal)

The Tel Aviv Light Rail, known by its operator name Dankal, is the centrepiece of a wider mass transit programme for Gush Dan, the greater Tel Aviv metropolitan region. The full scheme will incorporate rapid transit (metro), light rail, and bus rapid transit elements, overseen by NTA Metropolitan Mass Transit System Ltd., a government body, and designed to work alongside the intercity rail services run by Israel Railways.

Of the Red Line’s total 24-kilometre length, 12 km runs underground while the remainder operates as surface-level light rail. The line has 34 stops, 10 of which are underground, connecting Bat Yam in the southwest through Jaffa and central Tel Aviv to Petah Tikva, passing through Ramat Gan and Bnei Brak. Construction work on the Purple Line began in December 2018, with the Green Line following in January 2019.

Ticketing integration

A single Rav-Kav card is valid across the entire public transport network, encompassing all bus operators, the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem light rail systems, the Carmelit funicular railway in Haifa, and Israel Railways national rail services. This means one card handles the complete journey regardless of whether you are travelling by bus, tram, or train — a considerable convenience for daily commuters who regularly combine two or more modes.

What practical tips should expats know about using buses and trams?

Shabbat and Jewish holidays

The Jewish day of rest, Shabbat, has a profound effect on public transport availability every week. Services across virtually the entire network shut down at sunset on Friday and do not resume until Saturday night has passed. The same suspension applies on Jewish public holidays. The exceptions are limited services in Haifa and certain mixed cities such as Nazareth and Nof HaGalil, lines at the geographic fringes of the country, taxis, and shared taxis (sheruts).

The “Na’im Busofash” initiative fills part of this gap by running weekend bus services across 12 local authorities in the Gush Dan area and surrounding districts, including Tel Aviv-Yafo, Modi’in, Herzliya, and Ra’anana. Rides on Na’im Busofash routes are provided free of charge, as legislation prohibits fare collection on public transport during weekends in most circumstances.

Always validate your ticket

Tapping your card the moment you board is not optional — it is a legal requirement, even if you hold a daily or monthly pass or a valid transfer credit. Ticket inspectors carry out regular checks on trains and light rail lines, and fines for failing to validate can exceed 180 NIS. Always confirm that the reader shows a green light or prints a receipt acknowledging a successful scan before taking your seat.

One card per person

Using another person’s Rav-Kav card — including that of a partner or child — is illegal unless that individual is accompanying you on the journey. Travelling on a concessionary rate you are not entitled to is equally prohibited. The clear recommendation is that every passenger carries their own card.

Keep your card topped up in advance

There is no facility to add credit while on a bus or train, so passengers must ensure their card holds sufficient balance before every journey. Any unspent credit on the card remains valid indefinitely, making it worthwhile to reload generously if you plan to return to Israel after a period abroad. The card itself does not expire for several years.

Getting a personalised card as a resident

While the anonymous card is a convenient starting point, residents who have settled in Israel should consider switching to a personalised version. If a personalised Rav-Kav is lost or stolen, the operator can issue a replacement card and restore all pre-loaded passes and stored value. An anonymous card carries no such protection, meaning any remaining balance is permanently lost if the card goes missing.

Apps and accessibility

The Moovit app includes detailed accessibility information for each mode of transport in Israel, which is particularly useful for passengers with mobility requirements who want to assess whether a particular route or stop meets their needs before setting out. Israel’s ongoing investment in transport modernisation includes initiatives to improve integrated ticketing, develop multi-modal interchange hubs, and make the overall journey experience smoother for all passengers.

Sheruts — the shared taxi alternative

Sheruts are shared minivan taxis that travel fixed routes but allow passengers to board and alight at any point along the way. They operate as a hybrid between a conventional bus and a private taxi, and are especially valuable during Shabbat when standard services are suspended. For shorter urban trips in particular, sheruts provide a practical complement to the main bus and light rail network.

Frequently asked questions

Can I pay cash on a bus in Israel?

From 2019 in Jerusalem and August 2022 everywhere else, buses no longer accept cash payments. The Rav-Kav smart card is the required payment method, and drivers have no means of handling money on board. Before boarding, make sure your card carries sufficient credit, or use a compatible app such as HopOn.

Where can I get a Rav-Kav card when I first arrive?

A staffed counter called the Public Transport Information Center, located in the arrivals hall of Ben Gurion Airport near the exit, sells Rav-Kav cards. If the counter is closed, a vending machine nearby provides the same service. Cards are also on sale at all major bus stations, train stations, and many retail outlets including Super-Pharm convenience stores.

Do buses run on Shabbat (Saturday) in Israel?

Shabbat causes a near-total suspension of public transport from Friday sunset through to Saturday night. Haifa and a number of mixed cities retain limited services, and the free Na’im Busofash weekend network covers parts of the greater Tel Aviv area, but most of the country’s bus network is inactive throughout this period.

Is there a free transfer between buses within a city?

Standard-distance single journeys priced at ₪6.00 include an automatic 90-minute free transfer window covering up to 15 kilometres from the moment of first validation. Journeys on a higher distance level do not include any free transfers. Note that since February 2025, switching from a bus to the light rail within the transfer window incurs a ₪2.00 supplement.

Which cities in Israel have light rail (tram) networks?

Jerusalem and Tel Aviv both have operational light rail lines. The Jerusalem Red Line entered full operation on 1 December 2011 and was extended in February 2025 to a total length of 22.5 kilometres with 35 stops. The Tel Aviv Red Line (Dankal) opened on 18 August 2023. Further lines are under active construction in both cities.

Can I use one Rav-Kav card for my whole family?

No — sharing a card is against the law, even between family members, unless the cardholder is physically present on the same journey. Each traveller must have their own Rav-Kav. Children under five years of age travel free and are not required to hold a card.

Can I top up my Rav-Kav online or via an app?

Yes. The Rav-Kav Online website and its mobile app let you add stored value, buy time-based passes, and review your travel history. Top-ups are also possible at self-service machines at bus and train stations, at Dankal and Cfir light rail stops, at Israel Post branches, and at convenience stores. To use the app for top-ups, your smartphone must be equipped with NFC capability.

Are buses accessible for passengers with reduced mobility?

Israel has been progressively upgrading its transport fleet and infrastructure, and many newer buses are low-floor vehicles with dedicated wheelchair access. The Moovit app provides accessibility details for individual routes and stops, helping passengers with mobility needs plan ahead. For specific accessibility queries, it is advisable to check the Moovit app or the relevant operator’s website before travelling.

Is the Rav-Kav the same as having a monthly pass?

The Rav-Kav is the card itself — the physical or digital medium that holds your tickets and credit. What you load onto it determines how you pay. A single card can carry stored monetary value, individual ride credits, a daily pass, and a monthly pass simultaneously. The system’s flexibility means you can begin with a small top-up and add more as you learn how frequently you travel.