The Best Ways to Travel Around in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is a vibrant and compact city with a terrain that makes it an incredibly walkable and bike-friendly place. However, the best ways to travel around in Tel Aviv include taking advantage of the city’s modern transport system, including buses, light rail, trains, taxis, and airport transfers.

Public transport is cheap, and the streets are vibrant with local culture. So, whether you’re a culture lover, beach goer, or food explorer, you won’t need a car to get around. We’ll break down everything you need to know.

Here is an overview:

Best Public Transport Options in Tel Aviv for Tourists

Let’s start with a round-up of the best ways to travel in Tel Aviv.

Buses

Buses in Tel Aviv are efficient and affordable. There are three main operators:

• Dan: Operates most of the routes within the city and surrounding areas.
• Egged: Operates primarily intercity routes and a few local lines.
• Metropoline & Kavim: Operates intercity and suburban lines.

They depart roughly every 30 minutes, except on Fridays between 17:00 and 02:00 and on Saturdays between 09:30 and 18:00.

It costs just 5.90 NIS for a single ticket. However, buses are completely cashless.

Therefore, you’ll need a reloadable Rav-Kav card to board.

Let’s quickly talk about Rav-Kav cards while we’re on the subject.

• You can buy and top-up your Rav-Kav card at the airport, train station, or convenience stores.
• Rav-Kav cards are valid on buses, light rail and trains.
• You can store anywhere from 30-300 NIS on your card.
• A day pass, including train journeys, is 23 NIS, whereas excluding train journeys is 17.50 NIS.
• Fare prices don’t change from day to night.

Light Rail

The Light Rail extends through multiple neighborhoods across Tel Aviv, making the city more interconnected.

The Red Line is the only line in operation right now, connecting Petah Tikva to Bat Yam via Tel Aviv. Green and Purple lines are under construction at present.

To board, you’ll need to tap your Rav-Kav card on the validation machines at street level.

Trains (Israel Railways)

If you want to travel to other cities from Tel Aviv, taking a train is the way to go.

There are multiple convenient train stops in Tel Aviv, such as:

• Merkaz (also known as Arlozorov): Close to the city center
• Hashalom: By a shopping mall in the city center
• Hahagana: Close to the central bus station which has intercity and suburban routes

Popular destinations include:

• Jerusalem
• Haifa
• Ben Gurion Airport
• Be’er Sheva

If you take a train from one of Tel Aviv’s stations to Jerusalem, you’ll get there in just 35 minutes on the high-speed train. That is way faster than taking a taxi or driving.

Train ticket rates depend on your destination, and you can pay for your travel at the kiosks at the train stations.

Note: No train service from Friday afternoon to Saturday night (Shabbat).

Free Shabbat Buses

You’ll begin to notice that not much happens in Tel Aviv during Shabbat, including much of the transport. Don’t worry! There are free Shabbat buses to save the day.

They operate from:

• Friday: 5pm–2am
• Saturday: 9:30am–6pm

These vehicles provide modern, comfortable and reliable service throughout the city.

Want to plan your travel? Try using the CityPass app or look at the info boards at the bus stops.

Walking and Cycling in Tel Aviv: Eco-Friendly Travel Tips

Two of the best transportation options in Tel Aviv are your feet! Tel Aviv is a highly walkable and cycleable city.

Here’s what you need to know:

Walking

Tel Aviv is compact. Most attractions are within 15–30 minutes’ walking distance.

Some popular walking paths for travelers include:

• Rothschild Blvd
• Allenby Street
• Carmel Market
• Jaffa Promenade

We recommend walking if you want to enjoy the café culture, soak in the architecture at a leisurely pace, and take in the city like a local.

Cycling

Tel Aviv has a very bike-friendly infrastructure. There are over 120 km of bike paths, many separate from main traffic. Therefore, Tel Aviv is also one of the safest places to cycle.

Some safe shaded parts include:

• Ben-Gurion Blvd
• Chen Blvd
• Tayelet (seafront promenade).

Need to rent a bike in Tel Aviv? Tel-O-Fun Bike Rentals are a great choice. They have over 175 rental stations across the city and offer the first 30 minutes free. This is ideal for short trips or beach-hopping, and is one of the best ways of getting around Tel Aviv cheaply.

There are also private e-bike and scooter rental apps, in which you pay per minute. For example:

Before you hire a bike and start exploring Tel Aviv, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Watch for pedestrians on shared paths.
• Fines apply for riding on sidewalks, so ensure you stick to the cycle lanes.
• Avoid the midday heat by cycling in the early mornings or late evenings.
• During off-peak times, bicycles are allowed on trains.

Budget-Friendly Travel: Free and Cheap Ways to Get Around

Getting around Tel Aviv cheaply is simple, even if you don’t want to walk or cycle. Here are your options:

Monit Sherut (Service Taxis)

Monit Sherut (Service Taxis) are minivans that typically hold 8-10 passengers. They run on three defined routes, but you can stop anywhere along the route.

Best of all? On Routes 4&5, you can buy a cheap ticket at just 6 NIS. Bear in mind that service taxis are cash only.

Locals use Monit Sherut for convenience and speed. They are also available on Shabbat, making them a rare option during the weekends.

You can spot them by their distinctive yellow coats and pay your fare as you board.

Off-Peak Travel

If you want to travel by train, we recommend avoiding rush hours, which are:

• Morning: 07:00 – 09:00
• Evening: 15:00 – 18:30

Not only are these times more rushed and stressful. If you travel around midday, you’ll pay the same fare as any other time and have a far more relaxing journey.

Getting To and From Tel Aviv Airport: Essential Tips

Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) is located about 20–25 minutes from the city center by taxi, transfer, or train.

Here’s a breakdown of the best ways to travel from Tel Aviv Airport to the city center.

Train

Taking the train from Tel Aviv airport to Tel Aviv is one of the most popular choices for travelers, as the Israel Railways line runs directly to the city.

The train station is located on the lower level of Terminal 3.

The route stops at several stops in downtown Tel Aviv, including:

• HaHagana
• HaShalom (unavailable after midnight)
• Savidor Center
• University (unavailable after midnight)

You’ll need a Rav-Kav card, and the fare will cost 11.50 NIS.

Note: there are no trains on Shabbat, so plan accordingly.

Bus

The Line 445 bus runs 24/7 from outside the Arrivals Hall at Terminal 3, including Shabbat.

However, the schedule is not defined, and buses are infrequent. Therefore, it’s one of the most inconvenient ways to travel, albeit the cheapest.

Tickets cost just 6 NIS per person. To board, you’ll need a valid Rav-Kav card, which you can get in the Arrivals Hall at the airport.

Taxis

Taxis are available 24/7 from outside of Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 at TLV Airport. They use taximeters to calculate their fares, but depending on your exact destination, you can expect to spend around 130-150 NIS.

A surcharge of 25% will be applied to your fare during night trips and public holidays.

Quick taxi tips:

• Head to the official taxi stand to avoid scams.
• Ensure your taxi driver resets the meter when you get into the taxi.
• Write down your destination address to help with communication.

Private Transfers

Booking a private airport transfer, like with Welcome Pickups, in advance is a great option for families, first-time visitors, business travelers, and late-night arrivals.

You’ll get a fixed-price fare you can pay in advance, and your driver will meet you in the Arrivals Hall.

Tips for Hassle-Free Travel in Tel Aviv

Now you know the best ways to travel in Tel Aviv, here are some more tips to make your adventure as hassle-free as possible:

• Always carry your Rav-Kav card. You’ll use it for almost everything. You can purchase one at the airport.
• English is widely spoken, but signs are in Hebrew. We recommend using an app for directions.
• Avoid long walks midday in summer when temperatures are high.
• Tel Aviv is generally safe, but follow local rules, especially for scooters/bikes.
• Check local routes and real-time transport schedules in Tel Aviv using apps like Moovit, Google Maps, Transit, and CityPass.