This guide was written prior to the 2026 conflict between the US, Israel and Iran and related hostilities. Non-essential travel to Israel is not advisable due to the risks related to military action in the broader Middle East area. Please consult official government travel advisories and exercise extreme caution before considering travel to the region.
The public transport and driving infrastructure in Israel make getting around accessible. Due to the country’s compact size, intercity journeys are quick – a train from Tel Aviv to Haifa takes under an hour, and the high-speed line to Jerusalem clocks in at just over 30 minutes. Most expats in the major cities find a car unnecessary.
Public transport in Israel
Israel has a wide-ranging public transport system, and expats will find that cars are not a necessity in the major cities. Buses, trains and taxis are available and can be used to travel countrywide.
Using public transport is also easier than ever with the Rav Kav payment system. Cash is no longer accepted on buses or trains; instead, a Rav Kav smartcard can be purchased and topped up for use on all forms of transport. Cards can be topped up via the Rav Kav Online app, at machines in stations, or at thousands of retail points across the country. Mobile apps like Moovit and HopOn also allow passengers to pay for certain tickets digitally. Some passes, such as monthly or multi-day contracts, can only be loaded onto a personal Rav Kav card.
Buses
Buses are the primary form of public transport in Israel and can be used for both local and intercity travel. Buses in Israel are safe and air-conditioned, and they run frequent, reliable services. Expats should note that bus services are minimal on Shabbat and Jewish holidays.
Egged is the largest bus company in Israel, and it runs most of the main routes throughout the country. There are frequent buses between Jerusalem, Haifa, and Tel Aviv.
Arab-run bus companies provide bus services in Nazareth, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank, although the vehicles are usually older and less comfortable.
Trains
The national train operator in Israel is Israel Railways. The rail network runs from Nahariya and Karmiel in the north to Be’er Sheva and Dimona in the south, with the backbone of the system following the Mediterranean coast. There are direct services to Ben Gurion Airport.
The high-speed line between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, opened in 2018, has cut travel time between the two cities to around 30 minutes. The coastal lines running north to Haifa and beyond are among the most frequent and best served routes on the network. Electrification of the entire rail network is underway and scheduled for completion by 2027.
Light rail and metro
Jerusalem has a light rail system running through the city, with an extended network and a Green Line under construction. Tel Aviv’s light rail system launched its Red Line in August 2023, running from Bat Yam through central Tel Aviv to Petah Tikva with more than 30 stations, including 10 underground.
Haifa has a unique underground funicular called the Carmelit – the world’s smallest subway system, with four cars operating as two two-car trains, six stations and a 1.1-mile (1.8km) single tunnel running up and down Mount Carmel.
Sheruts
Sheruts are shared taxis – typically 10-seat minivans – that traditionally ran along bus routes at similar fares. The availability of sheruts in Israel has declined dramatically in recent years. Most intercity routes, including the once popular airport services to Jerusalem and Haifa, have ceased operating. A handful of routes still run within Tel Aviv and a few other cities. Where they do operate, sheruts have no fixed schedule and leave only once full.
Useful links
Taxis in Israel
Taxis in Israel are widely available in the major cities and can even be used for intercity travel. City taxis run on meters, and intercity fares are set by the Ministry of Transportation.
Taxis can be hailed off the street, ordered via telephone, or booked with the Gett app, which is the most widely used ride-hailing platform in the country. Gett dispatches licensed taxis and allows for automatic card billing, route tracking, and upfront fare estimates. Yango is another ride-hailing app available in some areas. Uber does not operate in Israel, although some legislation is being advanced to allow ride-hailing services.
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Driving in Israel
Expats living in one of Israel’s main cities, such as Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or Haifa, will find driving unnecessary. Traffic congestion is a constant problem, parking is difficult, and Israeli driving tends to be aggressive. With comprehensive transport options available, it’s easy to get around these cities solely by public transport.
Israel has a broad road network, and the highways between Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa are well maintained. Road signs are generally in Hebrew, Arabic and English. Driving in Israel is on the right-hand side of the road.
Israel’s intercity roads are marked by numbers. Even-numbered routes run north to south, whereas odd-numbered roads run east to west.
Driver’s licences
Expats can legally drive in Israel using their foreign driver’s licence for up to one year from their date of entry. After one year, they will need to apply for an Israeli driver’s licence.
An Israeli driver’s licence can be applied for at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Misrad HaRishui). Expats who have held a valid driver’s licence for at least five consecutive years before their arrival are not required to take a driving test. Those with between two and five years of driving experience will need to pass a short practical conversion test.
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Domestic flights in Israel
Domestic air travel in Israel centres on the Tel Aviv–Eilat route, operated by airlines including Arkia, Israir, and El Al. Israel’s main international gateway is Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv. Ramon Airport near Eilat, which opened in 2019, handles both domestic and some international flights. Haifa Airport serves a small number of domestic and short-haul regional routes.