Using the Bus in Tel Aviv

Using the bus in Tel Aviv is fast and fairly simple - Tel Aviv is a small city, especially if you stick to the center. The city features a variety of transportation methods, all fairly inexpensive and easy to figure out. Whether you opt to take the old bus route or hop on a scooter like the local hi-tech kids, here is all the information you need to know about getting around Tel Aviv.

Basic Information About Buses in Tel Aviv

Buses within Tel Aviv are run by a number of companies; however, the company running most of the routes, and most of the major routes that you are likely to use, is Dan. Dan buses are blue and white.

Like any city, Tel Aviv has a number of very useful high-frequency bus routes. Because the city isn’t so big, for most visitors, just knowing three or four bus routes can be all you ever need to know (unless you want to venture out of the center of town into some of the neighboring cities or suburbs).

Shabbat and Buses in Tel Aviv

Most buses in Tel Aviv do not run on Shabbat. Services end on Friday mid-afternoon and resume on Saturday night (times depending on the time of year and the start and end of Shabbat). Sherut services continue to run.

Recently, the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality made the decision to launch the first *free* public transportation system on Friday nights and Saturdays (the Jewish Sabbath/Shabbat) across the city and surrounding areas. The buses run from Friday evening through Saturday evening. For more information about the buses, see here.

Major Bus Routes in Tel Aviv

These bus routes provide a regular service which should, for most people, be enough for them when using the bus in Tel Aviv.

Tel Aviv Bus Line 4

From the New Central Bus Station to the Reading Terminal.

From the New Central Bus Station, Bus 4 travels along Allenby Street, past the Carmel Market, and runs along Ben Yehuda Street (parallel to Hayarkon Street and the Tel Aviv beach)

NB. Sherut Line 4 follows a very similar route to the bus and runs 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Tel Aviv Bus Line 18

From the Central Railway Station/Arlozorov Bus Terminal to Bat Yam

Route 18 runs conveniently through Tel Aviv from the Central Railway Station (Savidor Mercaz) to Ibn Gvirol Street, Rabin Square, King George Street, Allenby Street, Kauffman (for Neve Tzedek), the southern extension of Hayarkon - runs along the beach. into Sderot Yerushalayim (for Jaffa), continuing to Bat Yam.

Route 18 runs every 7 to 10 minutes between 7 am to 9 pm Sunday to Thursday and less frequently from 5-7 am and 10 pm to midnight.

Tel Aviv Bus Fares & Prices

Single bus fares in Tel Aviv cost 5.90 NIS and must be purchased using a Rav Kav card preloaded with money. Drivers no longer accept cash payment, and cannot add money onto Rav Kav cards. You can also pay for the bus using the Moovit app.

A Rav Kav is a smart card that you load with money to use for transportation. The card’s smart chip automatically adjusts your fare based on your personal details and applies any discounts you’re entitled to, including student and senior rates.

If you’re just visiting, you may purchase an anonymous (unnamed) Rav Kav with a one-time payment of NIS 5.00.

Anonymous cards are not eligible for a monthly pass (Hofshi-Hodshi). Anonymous Rav Kav cards do not provide discounts. Purchase a Rav Kav at the Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv or any Train Station in Tel Aviv. They can be loaded at various locations throughout Israel.

Moniot Sherut

Moniot Sherut, or shared taxis, are a great substitute when buses aren’t running (i.e., Shabbat and during the week, after midnight). These 10-seater mini-buses have specific routes throughout Tel Aviv.

Renting a Scooter

If you walk in Tel Aviv for just five minutes, you are sure to see multiple people riding scooters, or scooters parked on the sidewalk (hopefully not in your way). Several electric scooter rental companies have popped up over the last few years. The service allows riders to pick up scooters anywhere and ride them for as long as necessary. Riders are charged per minute and everything is done through the company’s app on a smartphone.

Renting a Bike

With the introduction of the city bikes, Tel-o-Fun, exploring Tel Aviv by bike and renting one couldn’t be easier. There are hundreds of stations situated all over the city and around 2000 bikes. Most likely, you won’t ever have a problem finding a bike, and if one station is out, there is probably another station close by.

Taxis

Although not the friendliest to your wallet, taking a taxi is still a popular and easy way to get around the city.

Walking

Walking is by far the most pleasant way to get around the city. Because Tel Aviv isn’t big, getting from one end to the other won’t take you much more than an hour. With great weather year-round, walking is a great way to get some vitamin D and exercise. Finding your way is very easy with Google Maps. If you don’t have a cell phone service when you’re here, download an offline map, and you’re good to go!

Visiting Tel Aviv? Join one of our Tel Aviv Tours, like our Best of Tel Aviv, Jaffa & Carmel Market Day Tour or Tel Aviv & Carmel Market Tasting Tour.