Getting Around Israel: Buses, Trains and the Rav-Kav

First, know your program's travel rules

Every program has its own rules about where and when you can travel. Learn them before your first trip, because they override anything in this guide.

• Curfew, and whether it's different on Thursday nights and after Shabbat (שַׁבָּת).
• Sign-out: whether you have to record where you're going, who with and when you'll be back.
• Areas that are off limits, and routes or types of transportation the program doesn't allow.
• Whether you need permission to stay somewhere overnight.
• Whether hitchhiking is banned. Many programs forbid it outright.

Parents can ask about these before enrolling. See questions to ask a program.

How you pay: the Rav-Kav or an app

You generally can't pay a bus driver in cash. Public transportation runs on two systems, and you need one of them set up before you board.

• The Rav-Kav (רַב־קַו). This is a rechargeable smart card that works on buses, Israel Railways trains and the light rail. You load money or a pass onto it, then tap it on the reader when you board. That tap is called validating, and you can be fined if an inspector finds you haven't done it. You can load the card at stations, at machines, or from a phone that supports contactless reading, using an official loading app.
• A payment app. The Ministry of Transport has approved several phone apps for paying fares. You sign up, scan the code posted on the bus when you board, and the app bills your card for the month's rides afterward, with discounts worked out automatically. Not every app covers every type of transportation, so check before relying on one.

The Ministry says to pick one method per month, either the card or an app, to get the best price. Paying by tapping a bank card directly on the reader has started in some cities, but don't count on it everywhere.

The Rav-Kav comes in two main kinds. An anonymous card can be bought on the spot with no ID. A personal card has your name and photo and is needed for most discounts. To learn more or load a card, see the official Rav-Kav Online site.

Discounts

Israel offers reduced fares for certain groups. Under the fare rules that took effect in 2025, riders aged 18 to 26 get a discount on monthly passes, and riders under 18 pay reduced fares. These discounts are tied to a personal Rav-Kav or to an app profile that has been approved.

What isn't clear from the official pages is which documents a student on a foreign passport needs. Ask your program how its students have done it, and bring your passport and an enrollment letter when you go to a service center.

Buses, light rail and trains

Buses go nearly everywhere, both inside cities and between them. Jerusalem and Tel Aviv also have light rail lines. For routes and live arrival times, use a map or transit app on your phone. Schedules change, so check on the day you travel.

Israel Railways connects Jerusalem, Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv and cities along the coast. The Jerusalem to Tel Aviv line is the one students use most.

• In Jerusalem, trains leave from Yitzhak Navon station, next to the Central Bus Station. The platforms are deep underground, so allow extra time to get down to them.
• The ride to Ben Gurion Airport takes under half an hour, and Tel Aviv is a little over half an hour.
• The airport station is on the lower level of Terminal 3.
• Trains don't run all night every night, and they don't run on Shabbat. For an early or late flight, check the timetable on the Israel Railways site before you count on the train.

Shabbat and holidays change everything

Most public transportation in Israel stops for Shabbat. Buses and trains wind down on Friday afternoon and start again on Saturday night after Shabbat ends. The same happens on major Jewish holidays, starting the afternoon before. A few cities have limited exceptions, but you shouldn't plan around them.

• On Fridays, travel early. The last buses and trains leave hours before sundown, earlier in winter, and they're crowded.
• Check the time of the last departure, not the usual schedule.
• On Saturday night, service restarts gradually, so the first buses and trains are packed. Leave extra time before curfew.
• If you're going away for Shabbat, plan the trip back at the same time you plan the trip there. See Shabbat and vacations.

Taxis and shared taxis

Taxis are everywhere and are regulated by the Ministry of Transport. Inside cities the fare is set by the meter, and rates are higher at night and on Shabbat. You can hail one on the street or order one through a taxi app, which shows the car and driver details and keeps a record of the ride.

A sherut (שֵׁרוּת) is a shared minivan taxi that follows a fixed route and takes around ten passengers. Some sherut routes run when buses don't.

• Ask the driver to turn on the meter, or agree on the price before you get in.
• Share the ride details with a friend when you're alone.
• Split late-night rides with friends. It's cheaper and safer.

Safety habits worth keeping

• Tell someone where you're going and when you'll be back, even if your program doesn't require it.
• Travel with a friend at night and on unfamiliar routes.
• Keep your phone charged and carry a small battery pack. Your phone is your map, your ticket and your way to call for help.
• Have a backup: enough cash for a taxi and the program's emergency number saved.
• Don't leave bags unattended, and report any unattended bag to a driver or guard.
• Follow instructions from your program and from Israel's Home Front Command during any security alert. More in safety and emergencies.
• If you miss the last bus, call the program instead of improvising.

Common questions

Can I pay cash on the bus?

Generally no. Drivers don't take cash. Have a loaded Rav-Kav or an approved payment app set up before you get on.

Where do I get a Rav-Kav?

Anonymous cards are sold at train stations and other sales points with no ID needed. A personal card, which you need for most discounts, is issued at service centers and requires identification. Ask your program where its students usually go.

Is there public transportation on Shabbat?

For practical purposes, no. Buses and trains stop on Friday afternoon and resume Saturday night. Taxis and some shared taxis operate, but your program may have its own rules about Shabbat travel.

How do I get from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem?

The train from the lower level of Terminal 3 reaches Jerusalem's Yitzhak Navon station in under half an hour, except on Shabbat, holidays and some overnight hours. Many programs arrange group transportation on arrival day, so ask before you plan your own.

Do students get a discount on fares?

Riders aged 18 to 26 are eligible for a discount on monthly passes, and those under 18 pay reduced fares. Getting the discount requires a personal Rav-Kav or an approved app profile. Ask your program which documents overseas students need.