How it works
Rav-Kav Online, the official loading service, puts it simply: this is the card you use to ride buses and trains in Israel. You buy one at a designated kiosk, load it with stored value or a daily pass, and tap it when you board. The fare depends on distance and type of transport. You can transfer between buses in a city within 90 minutes, and children under 5 ride free.
Load before you board. The Tel Aviv municipality’s newcomer guide says buses there take no cash, only the Rav-Kav or a payment app. You can load at machines in stations, at kiosks and Casponet ATMs, or in the Rav-Kav Online app with your phone.
Most buses and trains stop for Shabbat, from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening. On some routes, shared minibus taxis (שירות, sherut) keep running.
What to load
| Hebrew | Say it | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| ערך צבור | erech tzavur | Stored value: money on the card, deducted ride by ride. |
| חופשי יומי | chofshi yomi | Daily pass: unlimited rides for one day in a given area. |
| חופשי חודשי | chofshi chodshi | Monthly pass for a given area or distance. |
| נסיעה בודדת | nesia bodedet | A single ride. |
| פרופיל | profil | A discount profile on a personal card: student, youth, young adult, senior and others. |
Words on the card, the app and the bus
- רב־קוrav-kavThe national transport smart card.
- רב־קו אישיrav-kav ishiPersonal card, issued in your name; discount profiles are loaded onto it.
- רב־קו אנונימיrav-kav anonimiAnonymous card, not linked to a person.
- טעינהteinaLoading, topping up.
- חוזהchozeContract: any fare product on the card.
- תיקוףtikufValidation: tapping the card on the reader.
- מעברmaavarTransfer between buses.
- קוkavBus line, as in קו 5, line 5.
- תחנהtachanaStop or station. התחנה המרכזית is the central bus station.
- רכבת / רכבת קלהrakevet / rakevet kalaTrain / light rail.
- עמדת טעינהemdat teinaLoading machine.
- יתרהyitraBalance left on the card.
- אזורezorFare zone or area covered by a pass.
- שירותsherutShared minibus taxi on a fixed route, short for מונית שירות (monit sherut).
On the bus and at the station
Male form first, female form second, depending on who you speak to.
| English | Hebrew | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Does this bus go to the central station? | האוטובוס הזה מגיע לתחנה המרכזית? | ha-otobus ha-ze magia la-tachana ha-merkazit |
| Which line goes to the hospital? | איזה קו נוסע לבית החולים? | eize kav nosea le-beit ha-cholim |
| Could you tell me when we reach the stop? | תגיד לי / תגידי לי כשמגיעים לתחנה? | tagid li / tagidi li kshe-magiim la-tachana |
| Where can I load my Rav-Kav? | איפה אפשר לטעון רב־קו? | eifo efshar liton rav-kav |
| My card isn’t working. | הכרטיס שלי לא עובד. | ha-kartis sheli lo oved |
| How much is left on the card? | כמה נשאר בכרטיס? | kama nishar ba-kartis |
| I’d like a personal Rav-Kav. | אני רוצה רב־קו אישי. | ani rotze / rotza rav-kav ishi |
| Is there a discount for students? | יש הנחה לסטודנטים? | yesh hanacha le-studentim |
| Excuse me, is this seat free? | סליחה, המקום פנוי? | slicha, ha-makom panui |
Read the machine, the app and the signs
Point your camera at a Hebrew screen or sign and baba tells you what it says. Type where you are going and baba gives you the question to ask the driver.
- Photo translation of signs with baba Pro
- The right form for a male or female driver
- iPhone, Android and web
Get babaFree for iPhone and AndroidPoint your phone camera here. It opens baba if you have it, or the store if you don’t.
Frequently asked questions
Can I pay cash on an Israeli bus?
Plan on no. The Tel Aviv municipality’s guide says buses take only the Rav-Kav or a payment app, so load your card before you board.
Is there a Rav-Kav discount for new olim?
We did not find one. The discount profiles on Rav-Kav Online are based on age, study, disability, place of residence and National Insurance benefits. Olim aged 18 to 26 can use the Young profile.
How do I get the 18 to 26 discount?
With a personal Rav-Kav, scan the card in the Rav-Kav Online app (or on the site, with a card reader), choose “load profile” and pick the Young profile. It gives a third off monthly passes.
Do buses run on Shabbat?
Most buses and trains stop from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening. Shared taxis (sherut) run on some routes.
Official sources
Rules, amounts and deadlines change. Check the official page before you act on anything here.
- Rav-Kav Online: Public transport in Israelchecked September 29, 2026
- Rav-Kav Online: The Young profilechecked September 29, 2026
- Rav-Kav Online: Home and discount profileschecked September 29, 2026
- Rav-Kav Online: Derekh Shava reformchecked September 29, 2026
- Tel Aviv-Yafo municipality: Starting up in the startup city (PDF)checked September 29, 2026
- Nefesh B’Nefesh: Tzav Rishon and IDF draftchecked September 29, 2026