The public transporation in Israel is good in general, because it is not a big country. If you are visiting as a tourist for the first time in Israel, let me quickly show you how travelers get around in Israel. And most importantly, the fares! It’s actually not so expensive!
Major Destinations and Transportation Cost
If you want to cover Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Haifa, Acre, Nazareth, Tiberias, Safed, Bethlehem, Hebron, Jerusalem and Dead Sea in your itinerary , the total cost is roughly ₪300, that’s $85! (₪1 is 0.28USD)
Even if you want to go to Masada or other places in the south, it is safe to say public transportation is not expensive in Israel. More tips on Rav-Kav will be added.
Public Transportation Tips
▣ How to Buy a Ticket
1.For Bus
You can buy directly from the bus driver. You can pay with cash or Rav-kav card. You can have unlimited transfers within 90 minutes only if you use Rav-kav, and make sure you validate every time you board. And you can pay for multiple passengers with 1 Rav-kav card.
Inside Jerusalem, you cannot buy ticket from the driver with cash. You cannot pay for multiple passengers on Light Rail. But 90-minutes rule apply to bus and light rail transfer.
2.Light Rail (Jerusalem only)
Validate your Rav-kav card or the ticket you purchase from the station. 90 minutes rule. Always validate on every ride. You cannot pay more multiple passengers.
3. Train
You have to buy a ticket in advance, though you can pay with Rav-kav, cash or credit card.
4.Metronit (Haifa Only)
You have to buy a ticket in advance with cash or Rav-kav card. 90 minutes rule. Always validate on every ride. But you can pay more multiple passengers.
▣ Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) to Tel Aviv
Train Ticket Price：13.5 NIS (Train)+ 5.9 NIS (Bus)
The easiet way is go by train. From the arrival hall, go to your left, follow the signs and the train station will be found! It takes only 17 minutes to reach Tel Aviv Haganah.
▣ Tel Aviv → Jaffa
Ticket Price：0 NIS (by walk ) or 17 NIS (Tel-o-fun Bike)
From Tel Aviv, you can walk through Charles Clore Park on the shore in Tel Aviv to Jaffa. Or ride Tel-o-fun. There are many Tel-o-fun stations. It charges 17NIS a day, plus additional fees when you use it over 30 minutes.
▣ Tel Aviv→ Tel Aviv Haganah
Shabbat Sherut Ticket Price：8 NIS
If you are in Tel Aviv on shabbat, when public transportation is shut down, your option is sherut service. This 10-seater van goes to train station. No.4 and No.5 are the most common. The ticket is 8NIS. Cash only. No Rav-kav.
▣ Tel Aviv → Haifa
Train Ticket Price：27 NIS
Double decker train. WC. No plug. 27.5 NIS. Though confusing, Haifa-Shmona means Haifa Center. And there are other stations in Haifa. Check Google Maps first. , same thing.
▣ Haifa →Bahai Gardens
90-min Single Ticket Price：5.9 NIS
In Haifa, there’s Metronit (super long bus). Make sure you buy your ticket first. Always validate. 1 Rav-kav can be used for many passengers. 90 minutes rule.
▣ Haifa→Acre
Train Ticket Price：21.5 NIS
Use No,501 day pass that costs only 21.5 NIS for the whole day, Haifa to Acre and the transportation of those two cities. You can use it for train and buses.
▣ Haifa→Nazareth
Bus Ticket Price：19 NIS
Direct bus. Destination is near Annunciation Basilica, last stop “Paulus Hashishi D”. Buy your ticket with cash or Rav-kav card. The 1 hour trip actually took 2 hours.
▣ Nazareth → Tiberias
Ticket Price：12.5 NIS +10.5 NIS
Direct bus is available only before 10AM or after 4PM in low season. If you happen to travel in between these hours, take bus No.30 from Nazareth, get off at Golani Interchange/Northbound. It’s about 1 hour ride, 12.5 NIS. Then walk for 1 minute to Golani Interchange/Eastbound. Any bus will go to Tiberias from here. It’s about 25 minutes. You can use Rav-kav or cash.
▣ Tiberias → Migdal → Safed
Ticket Price：5.6 NIS +14 NIS +14 NIS
Buy #740 day pass for 21.5 NIS. It covers Tiberias, Migdal and Saded. You can use Rav-kav or cash.
▣ Tiberias → Jerusalem
Ticket Price：37.5 NIS + 5.9 NIS
Look for No.8 platform for Egged Bus. Don’t wait at other stations for example, superb. The journey takes 2.5 hours. No WC. USB charging plus.You can use Rav-kav or cash.
▣ Jerusalem →Ben Gurion Airport
Ticket Price：5.9 NIS +16 NIS
The 485 bus station to the airport is NOT inside Jerusalem Central Station. Google “Central Station/Yafo”. Buy your ticket from the driver. 16NIS only. You can use Rav-kav or cash. It takes only 30 minutes to Terminal 1. So maybe just 40 minutes to Terminal 3.
