How can I get a RavKav Israel travelcard?

You can’t just get on a bus and pay for your ticket with money these days! It’s like that in most countries including Israel. The Israel transport card (bus pass) is called RavKav, which roughly translated as “many lines.”

Do I have to have a RavKav travelcard to use buses in Israel?

As of January 2019, Israeli buses are cashless (grrr). So, yes you have to get a RavKav.

Israeli bus drivers do not carry cash, and cannot sell you a ticket.

What is a RavKav?

RavKav is a reloadable electronic ticket that looks a little like a library card or credit card. You buy the physical Israel transport pass, then buy credit that is loaded onto the card. For example, you load the card with 100 ILS, and every time you take a bus ride the fare (let’s say 5.90 ILS) is deducted from your credit. So your RavKav now has 94 ILS, and so on until it is empty, and you’ve used up all your credit, and need to “reload” it.

Can I use a RavKav travelcard on the train?

Yes, you can use Israel’s transport card on the train system, but unlike buses, you can also buy train tickets with cash at the station cashier’s booth. Some “contracts” (the content of the “ticket” you choose to load on your card) can be used on buses, trains, Metronit, and Lightrail, while others are exclusively for one mode of transport.

Is there a transport pass for tourists in Israel?

No, there isn’t an Israel transport card specifically for tourists.

Types of transport passes in Israel?

Personalized RavKav – There are personalized RavKav cards with a passport photo, and personal info, that are used mainly by residents. With a personalized card, you can get student/pensioner/youth/disabled discounts, although you have to provide endless documentation. If it goes missing you can report it, get the lost one canceled, and for 10ILS get a new card issued with your remaining credit.

Anonymous RavKav – This is the best bet for tourists, and the simplest to get. The card doesn’t have any personalized information, no name, photo, or ID. Tourists should opt for the anonymous RavKav simply because it is a pain in the ….to get a personalized card. On the downside, there is nothing you can do if you lose your card, and any credit you had on the card is lost.

Semi-Anonymous RavKav – Just like an anonymous travelcard except it does have your details and you can get student/disabled/senior/youth discounts. The only reason I can think of to opt for this card, as a tourist, is if you want your student/pensioner/disabled/youth discount.

Is there a bus pass just for Tel Aviv?

Some “contracts” are for one city, others are for multiple cities, and some are for regions. If you know where you will be traveling and what form of transport you will be using, then you can choose the right RavKav for you. So, yes there is a RavKav “contract” for Tel Aviv only.

Is there a RavKav app?

Yes, and it can be used to reload an existing RavKav by scanning your Israel travelcard. It can also be used to book train and bus tickets. RavKav can be accessed through the app or online. You can also order the physical RavKav card online or via the app, and wait for it to be delivered.

Can I get a student discount when I buy a RavKav?

If you buy an anonymous RavKav there are no discounts. If you buy a personalized card or a semi-anonymous card you can get a student discount (33% at the time of writing). You can get a student, pensioner, youth, or disabled discount, but you have to bring all the required documentation, and it is hardly worth it.

Pen-pusher bureaucracy for a bus pass is not what you need on your vacation.

Where can I get a RavKav?

• All Tel Aviv train stations
• At a counter on the 6th level of the Tel Aviv central bus station
• At the arrivals hall of Ben Gurion airport
• And at a few other designated locations (often kiosks, pharmacies, and convenience stores)
• Online (RavKav website) or via the RavKav app(with a credit card, and if you have installed the card reader software on your computer).
• Various Israeli transport company websites: Egged, Metropolin, Kavim, Afikim, Egged Ta’avura, Superbus, Nateev Express, and Golan Regional Council.

It can be difficult to find RavKav outlets, and self-loading machines only give instruction in Hebrew. So your best bet is to get a RavKav at Ben Gurion when you arrive in Israel. That way you can use it straight away, even to get from Ben Gurion into the city (there is a train station and bus terminal at the airport).

How much does an Israel transport pass cost?

The physical card costs 5ILS, then you can load the card with your chosen amount of money. After you’ve bought the card you can reload it with credit from the outlets mentioned above, or from the RavKav app/online. When you load your card you have to select which “contract” you want – stored value, monthly, daily, weekly, or multi-ride. You also have to select where you will be traveling (city or region), and which types of transport or which transport company you will be using. You can hold several “contracts” on one card. So if you will be using Egged buses in Tel Aviv, and touring the Galilee, you can get contracts for both areas, companies, and time periods on the same card simultaneously. Once loaded, a contract can’t be changed. Catching a bus can be complicated!!

• Stored value minimum amount you can load onto your card is 30ILS. A ride on an inner-city bus costs 5.90ILS. You can transfer to other buses within the city for 90 minutes at no additional charge.
• Monthly passes or 30-day flex passes cost between 200ILS and 500 ILS for use in a specific city or region.
• Daily passes cost 6ILS-68ILS for specific cities or regions. For example 13ILS for Tel Aviv; 6.50ILS for Eilat; 4ILS for Tiberias and 13ILS for Jerusalem. 58.50ILS gets you the entire country excluding the Arava and 68.50ILS gets you Eilat, Arava, Be’er Sheva.
• Weekly passes cost between 27ILS and 113ILS for a specific city or area. For example, a Tel Aviv or Jerusalem weekly RavKav costs 62.50ILS.
• Multi-ride passes cost you 6ILS for each ride in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. But again you need to order this “contract” for one of the specific areas.

Can I get a discount on my Israel travel pass?

Yes, with the personalized and semi-anonymous RavKav you can get a discount. In fact, you can get multiple discounts if you are eligible. For example, if you are a disabled, pensioner, you could get discounts for both categories. To make life just a little bit more complicated, your discount is loaded onto the card, and then when you ride a bus the full value of the fare is charged.

For example, if you are eligible for a 50% discount, and you load your card with 100ILS, the value on the card will be 150ILS, and then you will pay the regular price when you ride the bus. Do you see? The discount is built-in. My head is spinning already.

Can two people use the same RavKav travelcard?

Yes, with some of the contracts and cards.

Is there a monthly Israel bus pass?

There is a 30-day flexible contract, that lasts for a 30 day period starting from any date and lasts 30-days. And there is a monthly pass from the 1st of the month to the last day of the month.

How long does a RavKav transport pass last for?

The physical card is valid “forever” (eight years) but its value is determined by the “contract” you choose. Contracts, refer to the plan you have chosen according to when and how you want to use the card. You can either load a chosen amount of credit to your card, or load a multi-ride, daily, weekly, or monthly pass from the online RavKav app.

Can you buy a bus pass on the bus, or reload credits onto your RavKav on the bus?

NO!! The bus driver cannot sell you a RavKav and cannot take cash to reload your card with credit!

Is RavKav the only way to pay for bus rides in Israel?

Yes (grrr). Although you might opt to use the HopOn app. With HopOn, you can pay for your bus ride on the bus, using your credit card, by scanning a QR code from the app. Using the app requires the use of media data on your smartphone.

What’s the best RavKav card for tourists?

Tourists should opt for the anonymous RavKav and a stored-value, daily or weekly pass (depending on your needs). Tourists should buy their Israel transport pass from the arrival hall in Ben Gurion Airport. This way the vendor can explain any of the options to you on the spot, and recommend the contract that best suits you.

RavKav is driving me nuts!! How can I get hold of RavKav support?

Contact RavKav by mail:  support@ravkavonline.co.il  or online at: RavKavonline.com

More information about Israel transport pass, RavKav:

I’ve tried to answer as many questions about Israel’s travel pass as possible, but if you still have questions visit the excellent RavKav FAQ page, or leave me a message in the comments. Good luck!