Last Updated on April 26, 2026

Israel’s Bus Service; Egged, Dan, Superbus, Kavim, Golanbus…

The Israel bus service is served by 8 different bus companies with Egged and Dan being the most popular. Egged operates from North to South and Dan focuses on Tel Aviv and surrounding Dan region. The Israel bus service is reliable, on-time, runs frequently and connects to almost everywhere in Israel.

Israel’s major bus companies, offering services, are:

• Easy Hebrew lesson – learn words for transport and 100 other free word sheets. With English and transliterations

The Tel-Aviv Bus Service

Tel Aviv is served by several public transport operators, primarily Dan Bus Company within the city and Egged for routes connecting Tel Aviv to other parts of Israel. In recent years, additional operators such as Kavim and Metropoline have also begun operating some routes in the metropolitan area.

The main transport hubs include the Central Bus Station (Tachana Merkazit), the Arlozorov Terminal (next to Tel Aviv Savidor Central railway station), and the Azrieli Terminal near the Azrieli Center. Note that many intercity buses now depart from terminals like Arlozorov rather than the Central Bus Station, which is used less than in the past.

Jerusalem’s Central Bus Station

Jerusalem is served primarily by Egged, which operates most urban and intercity routes, along with Dan Bus Company and its subsidiary Dan Badarom, which run select lines connecting Jerusalem with other regions.

The main transport hub is the Jerusalem Central Bus Station on Jaffa Road, where both city and intercity buses operate. It is located next to the Jerusalem Light Rail and within walking distance of the Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon railway station, providing easy connections to trains and light rail services.

Many intercity buses depart from platforms along Zalman Shazar Boulevard, directly outside and across from the Central Bus Station, making transfers between routes straightforward.

Haifa’s Central Bus Stations

Haifa is served by several public transportation operators, including Egged, Superbus, Kavim, and Nateev Express, which together operate urban and regional routes across the city and the north.

The two main transport hubs are the Carmel Beach Central Bus Station (Merkazit Hof HaCarmel) at the southern entrance to the city, and the Haifa Bay Central Bus Station (Merkazit HaMifratz) at the northern entrance, near the “Check Post” junction. Both terminals are adjacent to Israel Railways stations and connect directly to the Metronit, providing seamless transfers between bus and rail services.

Haifa serves as a major transportation hub for Northern Israel, with extensive connections reaching towns and cities across the region, including destinations as far north as Kiryat Shmona.

• Treat your visitors from abroad with a ride in the new cable car connecting Merkazit Hamifratz with the Technion and the University of Haifa. Enjoy the panoramic views from the university and visit the Hecht Museum on the campus.

Bus Tickets & Fares

Ticket purchases are generally not made on the bus. Instead, you must pay using a Rav-Kav, via a mobile payment app, or most recently (2026), with a credit card or an NFC enabled smart watch.

You can load your Rav-Kav at vending machines located in central bus stations, at select ATMs, online, or at authorized retail points. Vending machines and ticket offices also allow you to purchase and load fares using a credit card.

Alternatively, several mobile apps (such as Rav-Kav Online, Moovit, and HopOn) allow you to pay directly by scanning when boarding—no physical card required.

Avoid a 100 shekel fine – make sure you pay the fare.

Single Journey

A regular one-way ticket (כרטיס / kartis) in most cities costs around 8.00 ILS. Included in this fare is a 90-minute transfer (כרטיס מעבר / kartis ma’avar), which allows unlimited transfers between buses (and, in many areas, light rail or Metronit) within that time frame.

This transfer is applied automatically when you pay using a Rav-Kav or a mobile transport app, so there’s no need to purchase a separate ticket for each leg of your journey.

Inter-city fares are determined by distance.

Multiple Bus Journeys

• A pre-paid season ticket (כרטיסיה / kartisiya or free pass) allows unlimited travel within a defined zone or “ring,” where standard fares apply. It’s a cost-effective option if you use public transport frequently—typically more than two rides per day.

• Students are eligible for significant discounts (often around 50%) when using a Rav-Kav with a valid student profile. Pensioners are also entitled to reduced fares, which can be loaded onto the Rav-Kav or used via mobile apps.

• Children under the age of 5 travel free, provided they do not occupy a separate seat.

• A day pass (חופשי יומי / hofshi yomi) offers unlimited travel across multiple modes of transport—including buses, trains, the Carmelit, the Metronit, and light rail systems (where applicable). The pass is valid until 03:00 the following morning, making it a convenient option for a full day of travel.

The Rav Kav (Multiple Journey Ticket)

Introduced in 2010, the Rav-Kav is a prepaid smart card used for single rides, transfers, and season tickets across Israel’s public transportation system.

You can obtain a personalized Rav-Kav at central bus stations, train stations, and authorized service points. When issuing a personalized card, you’ll need to present identification, and a digital photo will be taken and printed on the card. It is issued on the spot and includes your personal details, allowing access to discounted fares (such as student and senior rates).

Once loaded with credit or a travel plan, simply tap the Rav-Kav on the card reader when boarding. The appropriate fare is automatically deducted.

In most cities, a single fare includes a 90-minute transfer window (כרטיס מעבר / kartis ma’avar), allowing unlimited travel on buses and other local transit (such as light rail or Metronit) within that time. This generally does not include travel on Israel Railways trains.

An anonymous version (Rav-Kav Anonimi) is also available for a small one-time fee (around 5 ILS). It does not include personal details and therefore does not provide eligibility for discounts, but it still supports the 90-minute transfer feature. This makes it a convenient option for tourists or short-term visitors. More…

School Bus Routes

Student-designated routes are clearly marked at bus stops. On one side of the sign, it will say “STUDENTS” in English, and on the other side, it will say “תלמידים” (talmidim) in Hebrew.

Panoramic Bus Tours in Jerusalem & Tel Aviv

The panoramic bus tour in Jerusalem (the Red Bus) is the best way to see the city.  The day-long excursion, on the open-top bus, allows you to hop-on and hop-off at various stops of public interest and tourist attractions.

Tel Aviv city tour invites you to a panoramic tour of Tel Aviv in a two story bus along the main sites of the city. There are 28 stops.

Transport tip:  Guided tours on the panoramic buses, are available in 8 different languages  Contact +972 3639 4444 (Tel Aviv) or +972 50 842 2473 (Jerusalem)

The Disabled & Wheelchair Bound

Inner-city buses in Israel are generally wheelchair accessible, and drivers are required to assist passengers with mobility needs when boarding and disembarking. Most buses are equipped with a ramp or kneeling system to facilitate easy access, which the driver will deploy as needed.

Once on board, there is a designated space for wheelchairs, typically fitted with safety restraints. The driver will ensure the wheelchair is properly secured before the journey continues. When it’s time to get off, the driver will assist again by releasing the restraints and deploying the ramp for a safe exit.

A cute, true story

Circa 1990, somewhere in Haifa: A man boards a bus and heads toward what appears to be an empty seat beside an elderly woman. As he gets closer, he notices her small dog sitting comfortably on the seat.

He politely asks her to move the dog. She ignores him. He asks again—this time she refuses, and a heated exchange begins. Other passengers quickly join in, each offering their opinion, but no one can agree on a solution.

Finally, they turn to the driver for a ruling. After a brief check, the driver confirms: the woman has purchased a ticket for the dog. The dog, therefore, is entitled to the seat.

Defeated, the man sighs—and goes off in search of another place to sit.