Public Transportation in the City
Taxis are modern, safe, and reasonably priced, catering to both locals and tourists alike. Upon your arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, you'll find a taxi station right outside the main entrance.
1. Make sure to take only a certified taxi: You can identify them, by a distinctive black and yellow taxi sign on the top of the vehicle.
2. The law in Israel requires that all taxis use a meter on every trip to ensure that passengers are charged a fair and accurate price for their ride. This is intended to protect passengers from overcharging and ensure transparency in the pricing of taxi services.
3. The rate is the one shown on the meter. The price is in NIS and includes everyone in the car and the luggage. Gratuity is optional!
4. Daily between 11:30 pm and 5:00 am, as well as on Friday from sunset till Saturday at sunset and on Israeli National holidays, taxi prices increase by 25%.
5. Request a receipt at the end of every ride.
In Tel Aviv local and inter-city taxi services are available to and from any point in the country. Fares within the cities are according to the meter. The fares for inter-city taxi services are standard fares set by the Ministry of Transport. It is recommended to verify the fare prior to entering the taxi. Taxis can be ordered by telephone from a local taxi station or stopped on the street.
There is a standard starting fare for taxis. There are also additional charges for telephone orders and for each suitcase (which is not a handbag). Night rates, Saturdays and holidays are 25% more expensive than the normal fare. There is also additional fee for an airport drive.
Drivers must operate the meter for rides within the city. It is advised to request the meter for inter-city rides, even if the driver suggests a fixed price at the beginning of the ride.
If you are looking for honest drivers, great service and fair prices the city of Tel Aviv recommends you download any of the Taxi phone applications to book a cab wherever you are. The most popular apps are:
"Gett" | Available on App Store and Google Play.
"Raxi" | Available on App Store and Google Play.
"Yango" | Available on App Store and Google Play.
*Please send complaints, including the taxi number and receipt to: global_city@mail.tel-aviv.gov.il
*You can also call the police by dialing 100
SERVICE TAXIS - "Monit Sherut"
In Tel Aviv as well as in other cities, you'll and service taxis known as 'Monit Sherut'. They essentially function as shared minivan taxis, typically sporting a distinctive yellow color with route numbers displayed on the windshield. They can comfortably accommodate around 10 to 12 passengers at a time.
In terms of pricing, sherut taxi fares are fixed and comparable to bus fares. They often reach their destinations faster than buses and tend to be less crowded. Sheruts operate on both inter-city and intra-city routes, and you can easily catch one just outside the Central Bus Station (located at Levinski St 108, Tel Aviv-Yafo).
To hail a sherut, simply raise your hand to flag one down and inform the driver of your desired drop-off point along the route. You can either hand the fare to the driver as you board or take your seat and pass your payment down to the driver. Don't worry; you'll receive your change. Keep in mind that while sheruts operate on Shabbat (Friday night and Saturday), fares may increase slightly during these times.
Sherut taxis typically follow the same routes as public buses within the city and are distinguished by route numbers. The most commonly used sheruts include the 4 and 5.
- 4- runs from the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station through Allenby Street and Ben Yehuda Street all the way up to the Reading Power Plant.
- 5- runs from the Tel Aviv Central Bus Station through Rothschild Avenue, Dizengoff Center and Dizengoff Street up to Weitzman Street in the north. (Notice that the Sherut doesn't go all the way to the Arlozorov train station, as does the number 5 bus).
It's advisable to stay updated with any route changes.
BUS
Tel Aviv boasts a comprehensive public transportation network that radiates from the Central Bus Station, connecting travelers to both inner-city and intercity destinations across the country. Additional key bus terminals in Tel Aviv include Reading Terminal, Carmelit Terminal, and Arlozorov Terminal. The city's public transportation services are primarily operated by three major companies: Dan, Egged, and Metropoline.
Navigating Tel Aviv via its bus system is a breeze, thanks to a well-designed network of routes and numerous conveniently located bus stops throughout the city. The cost of a single bus ride within Tel Aviv is 5.90 NIS. To board a bus, it's essential to acquire a smart card known as the "Rav-Kav," as detailed in the section above titled "Rav-Kav — Israel's Travel Card."
Bus companies Dan and Metropoline have a wheelchair accessible ramp as well as a designated spot for wheelchairs. For more information, visit Israel's accessibility website.
To find the best bus route for you, see helpful apps:
Moovit" | Available on App Store and Google Play
"Google Maps" | Available on App Store and Google Play
Accessability
Bus companies Dan and Metropoline have a wheelchair accessible ramp as well as a designated spot for wheelchairs.
LigHT RAIL IN TEL AVIV (Dankal)
The Dankal Red Light, affectionately known as the Tel Aviv light rail, stands as a pivotal component of the city's public transportation infrastructure. Its purpose is to serve as the primary mode of transportation within Tel Aviv-Yafo while fostering improved connectivity between the city and its suburban areas throughout the Gush Dan area.
The Red Line acts as the backbone of the network, traversing some of the most densely populated regions in the vicinity and accommodating a substantial volume of passengers. Notably, the Red Line is designed to seamlessly integrate with forthcoming lines such as the Green and Purple lines. This Red Line extends over 24 kilometers, featuring a 12-kilometer underground tunnel, from Aluf Sadek Street in Neve Tzedek, Tel Aviv, to a junction in Petah Tikva. It boasts 34 stations, with 12 stations within Tel Aviv-Jaffa city limits.
Validation Machine Validation machines are installed at all street-level stations and allow you to:
- Validate and select your destination
- Validate multiple passengers
- These machines work with Rav-Kav cards only; fare payment apps don't require validation at the card validator.
Tiketing Machine
Ticketing machines are located in all underground stations and some street-level stations. They are accessible for sight- and hearing-impaired individuals and offer various services:
- Validate and select your destination
- Validate multiple passengers
- Check your card balance and recent transactions
Some machines accept cash, while others only allow card payments. Dankal has an integrated payment system used for public transportation in Tel Aviv. Here's how you can use it:
Payment by App
Download one of the public transport payment apps, such as Moovit, HopOn, Rav-Pass, PANGO, Cello.
Select your DANKAL journey and destination station.
At underground stations, flash the QR code received from the app at the gate reader when entering and exiting.
Note: No need to flash the QR code at street-level station card validators.
Payment using a Rav-Kav Card
If you have a Rav-Kav card, make sure to load a suitable contract and validate it before boarding DANKAL. You can validate the fare at underground stations' gates or street-level station card validators.
If you don't have a Rav-Kav card, you can obtain one through various means, including online, customer service centers, ticketing machines, or DANKAL service centers.
TRAIN
Israel Railways operates an extensive train network that spans the country. Over the past decade, significant improvements have been made to the train services, enhancing their efficiency and comfort. Today, trains have emerged as a rapid and comfortable transportation option, often surpassing buses for various destinations.
The train routes connect Tel Aviv-Yafo to key cities like Haifa and Be'er-Sheva, as well as several smaller towns and provide a convenient link to Ben-Gurion Airport. Additionally, there's a train route to Jerusalem that follows a picturesque 19th-century path. While this route offers scenic beauty and is worth experiencing at least once, opting for the bus on the modern highway can complete the journey in half the time.
Tel Aviv-Yafo has four train stations, all of which are located along the Ayalon Highway. All trains to Tel Aviv-Yafo stop in all four stations. For best access to the city center, use either "Tel Aviv Merkaz" (also known as Arlozorov), or "Hashalom" (located in a large shopping mall). "Tel Aviv Hahagana" Station is close to the New Central Bus Station, though most inter and intra city buses also leave from the terminal outside "Tel Aviv Merkaz" ("Arlozorov") train station.
Note that trains tend to be crowded during rush hours, especially on Sunday morning, when soldiers return to their bases and students to their universities. Train service stops on Friday afternoons, and resumes on Saturdays after sunset, in observance of the Jewish Shabbat. Notice that you can use your bus pass to pay for train tickets.
Night Lines - A solution for the small hours of the night
Night Lines are an essential part of public transportation that cater to the needs of residents by connecting residential areas to entertainment hubs during the nighttime hours. These services offer a safe and convenient way for people, especially the younger one, to enjoy a night out without the risks associated with driving under the influence of alcohol or incurring significant expenses on gas, taxis, and parking.
The fare for Night Lines remains consistent with regular public transportation rates and can be paid through various reputable payment methods, including discounts, tickets, all-in-one passes, and monthly subscriptions.
During school vacations, particularly the summer break and other holidays, most Night Lines operate on a daily basis, except for Fridays. During the school year, Night Lines are available on Thursdays and after the conclusion of Shabbat. Passengers can expect Night Lines to arrive at intervals of approximately 20-30 minutes.
Public Transportation Lanes
The city of Tel Aviv-Yafo has allotted exclusive lanes for public transportation, whose goal is to encourage and expand public transportation services across the city and enable these services to move rapidly and efficiently. Using public transportation reduces the city's air pollution and traffic congestion.
Please Note: due to infrastructure works taking place across the city, it's recommended to use transportation apps for real-time information.
Click
here for Tel Aviv's public transport map.