And for this 1 hour trip, the fare is only 27.5NIS! ($7.5) Comparing to the food costs in Israel or train costs in Europe, this is super cheap!

The 3 Train Stations in Tel Aviv

There are 3 train stations in Tel Aviv. Not really know why because they aren’t too far away from each other. Tel Aviv- Hahagana is more likely your stop.

• Tel Aviv- Hahagana  (link)：the name “Hagana” comes from Hagana the military organization before independence.  Fully accessible. Rav-kav counter (Sun-Thu 07:00-19:00) This is the station where you stop at from Ben Gurion Airport
• Tel Aviv- Hashalom (link)：”Shalom” means peace. Fully accessible.
• Tel Aviv- Savidor(link)：Named after the director of railway bureau of 1954–1964.  Fully accessible. Rav-kav counter (Sun-Thu 07:00-19:00, Fri 08:00-12:00)

The 3 Train Stations in Haifa

There are also 3 train stations in Haifa…  they aren’t too far away from each other. Haifa Hof HaCarmel is more likely your stop.

• Haifa Hof HaCarmel (S. Raziel)  (link)：It means “Carmel Beach” and S. Raziel is the name of the director of railway bureau in 1983–1993. Fully accessible. Rav-kav counter (Sun-Thu 07:00-10:00, 15:00-19:00) This is the closest station to Haifa Beach.
• Haifa – Bat Galim (link)：It means “daughter of waves”.  Fully accessible. Close to Elijah’s Cave.
• Haifa Center/ HaShmona (link)：It means “central”. Fully accessible. I got my Rav-kav from the counter here.

Tel Aviv’s Hagana Railway Station

There’s always security check before entering railway stations in Israel. Some are stricter than others. This one is quite strict. So try to arrive 5-10minutes earlier than planned.

How to Buy a Train Ticket?

If it’s just after shabbat, you have to use a ticket machine. It can get crowded if you go there when shabbat is just over. Be patient.

The names in Israel can get confusing. Two names, but same thing. And sometimes you are just “supposed” to know.  Haifa-Shmona is Haifa Center.  I got my ticket and it was only 27.5 NIS. There are 3 stops in Haifa, make sure you know which stop you should get off!

There was a piano in the train station, but there wasn’t a cafe where you can sit. Well, it’s better to go directly to your platform!

Elevator at Hagana Railway Station

Yes there is one. The station is fully accessible. It’s nice especially when you are traveling with suitcases! Turn to your right and wait between the two electronic boards as there are less people here.  (It will give you less pressure because you need more time to board your train when traveling with luggage)

Tel Aviv→Haifa : Interior

Double Decker train! How cool is that!

It was wreird that there wasn’t a designated place for luggage in the train from Ben Gurion Airport. And it was weird that somehow on this train you find an area for luggage, plus there are 2 seats before the luggage racks.

I like the upper level. From experience there were more people in the lower level.

There was no charger on this train. But there was WC. It’s a good idea to travel by train because it is quite comfortable. So much leg room!

Wait for your turn…. I’m glad WC is just WC in Israel, not another term you are “supposed” to know.

I don’t know why, but it wasn’t particularly clean. The first toilet I went was broken. I took courage to flush down the toilet but… it was a disaster! And I fled. The other toilet was acceptable, but I don’t understand why the garbage bag was hanging there.

Here we are! Haifa-Center～ Many people were going home too.

Elevator at Haifa Center Railway Station

You will see an elevator too, It’s fully accessible.

Is there a Locker?

Yes, before you leave the railway station, there is a locker. 20 or 30NIS per locker. Remember the train ticket was only 27.5NIS? So I think this service was pricey.

小的置物箱20NIS，剛好是登機箱的大小

If you leave the station, then you’d have to go through security again!

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.

The 485 Bus Schedule

The bus runs hourly, even at 3AM! However it doesn’t run on shabbat, which is from Friday 3PM to Saturday 9PM. (See what transportation option you have on shabbat here)

You can search the schedule from this website:

How to Buy A Ticket?

You can pay by cash or by a Rav-kav card. The ticket is 16NIS, around $4.5.

*It’s possible to pay by USD, as I’ve seen this with my own eyes….. but try to get some money from ATM or money exchange first.

Bus Station- In Ben Gurion Intl Airport

As you land in Ben Gurion Internation Airport, or commonly known as Tel Aviv airport, go to second floor in Terminal 3.

Bus Station- Jerusalem

The bus to the airport from Jerusalem boards somewhere NEAR the central bus station, but not IN it. This is the exact location where you board your bus. Google “Central Station/Yafo”

This is the Central Bus Station. Don’t go inside!

Instead, turn to your right. Walk for a minute. And you will see a bus stop for bus 485.

It will look like a regular bus stop.

But you will see 485, and a symbol of a plane.

You can leave your luggage in the trunk. Then try to line up, even if it can get a bit physical.

The ride should take about 40 minutes. But it might take less than 30 minutes!