Transportation – getting around Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv is a major transportation hub as all major routes of national road network pass through it. Buses are the most common form of transportation for Israelis both within and between cities. Bus service is fast, punctual and most importantly, economical. It is a very convenient mode of commutation. Tel Aviv boasts of having an excellent bus system.

The New Central Bus Station is the largest bus station in the world. Building the station began in 1967 but was put to a halt as the contractors were in a financial crunch. Almost after an interval of 20 years, the construction began in 1987 and the station was operational in 1993. It has 7 operational floors and three of them are used as bus stations. You can find shopping malls all over the other 4 floors. The station operates routes that connect you to most locations in Israel. It also has the advantage of being in close proximity to the Hahaganah Train Station. The Dan Bus company is the city´s main bus operator while the "Egged" bus cooperative takes care of the intercity commuting. Several other smaller bus companies also operate throughout Israel.

Despite the fact that a general negative opinion prevails about the safety levels of the Dan Buses, they certainly have a degree of safety attached to them. Services start as early as 5.00 a.m. and go on till midnight. A Single ticket to travel in the city and to the nearest suburbs (like Bat Yam, Holon, Ramat Gan, Givatayim) will cost 5.20 NIS which is around $1.3US (as per Jan 2008). Apart from this, there is also the free-pass or "Hofshi-Yomi" which saves you the price of three rides. You can also choose from other options like the 10-ride pass wherein you are likely to get a 20% discount. These tickets are available on the bus itself and are bought from the driver directly. If you are planning a long visit, the monthly free pass or Hofshi-Hodshi would be the best option.

If suburban travel interests you, you will have to use the Egged and the Kavim Companies´ transport services. The famous bus route in the city is Route #5 linking the Central Bus Station with the Central Train Station. It goes through some of the city´s attractions like Rotschild Boulevard, Dizengoff Street, Pinkas/Yehuda Maccabi Street and Namir Road. One more equally popular route is route number 18 which connects Central Bus station with Jaffa and Bat-Yam. You will not experience a communication problem as most of the drivers converse in English.

The Israeli Railroad company is showing improvements every year and offers a comfortable journey to passengers to many different destinations within the country. Today Tel Aviv´s train service is a comfortable alternative to buses for many destinations. There are totally four major stations in Tel Aviv. All of them are located along the Ayalon Highway. They are Tel Aviv University, Central Train Station, near Azrieli Center Shopping Mall and the Central Bus Station.

A partially underground railway line has been planned for Tel Aviv. Construction has not begun yet but will commence shortly. The line is expected to be operational by 2012. Once complete, this will improve the public transportation standards of Israel manifold. All major cities in Israel will enjoy connectivity and road network will be eased to a major extent.

Taxis in Tel Aviv offer a good and efficient service. You could use the taxi straight on the road or call for one. It is not very easy being a tourist. So try your luck by insisting that the meter be used. (meter is pronounced as "mo-NEH"). The private taxi is the most convenient way to move around in the city. They are available round the clock and in plenty. A local trip should cost you 20-30 NIS and the suburban trips can go up to 70-80 NIS. By trying to fix up a price beforehand, you may try your luck in striking a decent bargain. This method is especially recommended on Friday nights and Saturdays when an extra surcharge is levied. Some of the popular taxi service providers are:

Hakastel Taxi Service +972–3–6993322

Shekem Taxi Service +972–3–5270404

Apart from these taxis, you can also opt for the slightly bigger sized (van-sized) taxis that can accommodate 6-12 people. This alternative is very useful if you are in a big group. These services operate all 7 days in the week.

The airport of Tel Aviv is Dov Hoz Airport Sde Dov. It is located in the northern part of the city. It is a very small airport. There are, however, plans to close the airport as it is situated on the upscale region which is escalating its operative and maintainenance costs. Sometime in the future all services will shift to the Ben Gurion International Airport. This is the main international airport of Israel located 20 km from Tel Aviv. The airport has been remodeled in the recent years and now has a new terminal equipped with all state-of-the-art technical facilities available in the world.

The following train services are available to and from Ben Gurion International Airport:

Be´er Sheva – Ben Gurion Airport – Tel Aviv – Haifa – Akko – Nahariya

Nahariya – Akko – Haifa – Tel Aviv – Ben Gurion Airport – Be´er Sheva

The railway station is accessible throughout the day. Any further enquiries can be made at the Israel Railways Information Service at 03-6117000or *5770 from any mobile phone. You can also gain access to any information from our following websites.



The station is situated on S level at the Landslide building close to the Greeters’ Hall. Automatic ticket counters are available on Level G of the terminal. Please use these kiosks to purchase your tickets.

All the taxi operators at Ben Gurion Airport function under the supervision of Israel Airports Authority. The taxi stations are located on level G of the Multi Level Road.

It is advised not to avail the services of random taxis.

25% charge is levied in the following instances:

• Traveling in the night between 21:00 and 5:59am the following day.
• Days just before holidays, festivals and Independence Day, from 13:00 till 5:59 on the day subsequent to the festival or holiday.
• Extra charge of NIS 5.00 is payable on every journey starting from BGN.
• Extra charge of NIS 2.7 is payable for each piece of luggage.

The following are rules to be followed as laid down by the Ministry of Transport – Traffic Superintendent:

1. Travel By Taximeter: According to the law, every special journey requires the working of the taximeter.
2. Travel By Pricelist: In case of out of town travel, when the tourist wants to know the cost of the journey in advance, the driver is expected to quote the price from the tariff card prepared by the Transport Ministry and which is installed in the taximeter.
3. Extra Charge: There is an extra charge of 25% in case of night journeys between 21:01 and 5:59 the next day, and also on Saturdays, Israeli Holidays, festive occasions and on Independence Day. This is applicable from 16:00 on Friday afternoon or the noon before the holiday or festival, until 05:29 on the day after the Sabbath or the holiday or Festive occasion.
4. Charge for Waiting: When the taxi is waiting and meter is not running, the guest will pay NIS 69.9 per one full waiting hour or NIS 17.5 for each quarter of an hour.
5. Tourist Baggage: The pre–set fare includes single piece of hand luggage. For every extra piece of luggage the passenger will pay NIS 3.15.
6. Freight Transport: Price of transportation goods that are not defined as baggage has not been regulated.
7. Any ride where there are more than two passengers traveling, a fixed price will be collected apart from the charge of NIS 3.5.
8. If in a ride, as per passenger’s request, the taxi takes route no: 6 that goes through Hotze Israel, an additional fixed price NIS 12.1 is charged.

1. The driver should provide service to any passenger and his luggage.
2. The taxicab driver may refuse to offer service to any passenger who is not dressed, filthily dressed, who is of unstable mental health, who is smoking a cigar or pipe.
3. The taxicab driver may refuse to offer his service to anybody who is carrying arms, unless the passenger is on an official trip that requires him to carry weapons.
4. The taxicab driver will not offer his service, on a special fare trip, to any additional passenger except the passenger who ordered the taxi and his companion, unless the request has already been put forward by the passenger. In any case, the taxi fare will not exceed that appearing on the meter.
5. The taxicab driver can take 2 children below 5 years of age over and above the number of passengers allowed in the taxi as per his license.
6. The Taxicab driver will not operate any audio devices that blare out music, unless requested by the passenger to do so.
7. It is mandatory for the passenger to wear the seat belt throughout the journey in the cab.
8. As per law, smoking is strictly prohibited in the taxicab.

Any taxicab passenger who wants to lodge a complaint regarding the taxi services should submit the handwritten complaint to the Ministry of Transport, Office of the Ministry’s Comptroller and the Office of the Public Complaints Commissioner:

P.O Box 57659, Tel Aviv 61574 Telephone (03)565–1799 Fax–(03)565–7216

In case of Jerusalem and Southern Region:

Call Building 97 Jaffa Street Jerusalem 94342 Telephone–(02) 622-8550 Fax–(02)622–8452

In case of Haifa and Northern Region:

121 Jaffa street Haifa 35252 Telephone (04)–6711 Fax–(04)–851–1621

The complaint should contain the following details:

• Details of the event
• Registration number of the taxi
• Number on the sign on the roof of the cab
• Date and time of event
• Place or location where it occurred
• Printer receipt
• Names of witnesses, if any

In case of queries about lost and found items, kindly contact the person responsible for the supervision of taxis at BGN on Tel (03)971–0419 or Fax (03)971–0874

Any complaints regarding the BGN Taxi Services can be submitted to the Manager of Public Affairs at P O Box 7 BGN 70100

Or to the manager of Taxi Supervision at Tel (03)975-2383 or fax (03)975–2388