Israel has an efficient, modern public transportation system. The Ministry of Transportation oversees public transportation and infrastructure in Israel, and it partners with many private companies to provide comfortable services and better coverage. Israel offers public buses, taxis, and trains.
Buses and trains do not run on Shabbat, the Jewish holy day (Shabbat is from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday). If you need transportation on Shabbat, there are various taxis which offer services. Residents and tourists should make appropriate plans for travel.
Buses
Egged is the major bus company in Israel. It offers service in all the major cities and towns in Israel and operates routes between cities. The bus system is reliable and stops at regular times and fixed locations.
Riders purchase tickets from the bus drivers. Booths at the central bus stations also sell tickets in addition to special passes. Round-trip tickets are discounted. Students and senior citizens may also receive discounts if they show the proper identification.
Egged offers an unlimited monthly pass for a flat fee. Egged also offers a refillable ticket (rav-kav) so you don't have to fumble with money every time you use a bus.
Taxis
There are two types of taxis in Israel: taxis and service taxis. Taxis are private and will take you directly to your destination. They charge an initial service fee and then additional charges for distance travelled.
Service taxis are public and function like buses. Service taxis follow fixed routes and stop at regular locations, and riders share taxis. However, taxis will not depart from a station unless they are full. It can take some time for all passengers to come, so be flexible. Service taxis also stop at passengers' requests along the route.
Service taxis charge prices based on the city and distance travelled. In most cases, service taxi prices are comparable to bus fares.
Trains
Israel is in the midst of building its city public train system. This means that there are no Metro or subways yet in most Israeli cities. Don't despair, though. Trains connect major cities. There is a lot of traffic on the highways, so taking a train is a quicker way to get from one city to another.