Payments for public transportation in Israel can be made using an app or a rav kav, a preloaded payment card. With a rav kav, passengers may purchase and pay for rides both within and between cities.
Tip
A rav kav can be programmed with discounts for eligible riders, such as senior citizens, people with disabilities, and children.
Note
Passengers are responsible for charging their rav kav before boarding. It is crucial to validate the card by scanning it immediately upon boarding. Failure to do so can result in fines, even if the passenger holds a valid daily or monthly pass or a valid transfer (ma’avar).
It is illegal to use someone else’s rav kav (even that of one’s spouse or child) if that person is not traveling with you. It is also illegal to pay at a discounted rate that one is not eligible for.
How to Obtain a Rav Kav
To obtain a rav kav, visit www.ravkavonline.co.il.
- First, create an account. Choose הרשמה (Registration) and enter your details.
- Once registered, follow these steps to request a new card:
- Select hanpakat rav kav (Order a rav kav).
- For someone who never had a card before, choose: כרטיס רב-קו חדש.
- To replace a lost, damaged or expired card, choose שחזור כרטיס רב-קו.
- For a discounted card, choose מיוחד, and then select the type of discount.
- In the top left corner click צור בקשה (Create).
- Enter the applicant’s details. If the individual is not an Israeli citizen, choose מספר דרכון (Passport) as the ID type (סוג תעודה מזהה).
- Upload a copy of the ID. If one does not have a teudat zehut, upload a passport.
- Upload a clear passport-size photo.
- Click הגש בקשה (Submit) in the top left corner.
- After submitting, you can either apply for another card (e.g. for a family member) or click “No Thanks” to finish.
- Select hanpakat rav kav (Order a rav kav).
If submitted correctly, one will receive an approval email in a few business hours. Click on the purple square at the bottom of the email labeled: השלמת התהליך.
3. Follow the prompts to enter a mailing address and payment details for the 10 NIS delivery charge.
The rav kav should arrive within approximately 2 weeks.
Applying in Person
To apply in person, bring the following to a rav kav service center (see here for locations):
- Passport or teudat zehut
- Supporting documents for discount (if applicable)
Tip
Many rav kav service centers will not apply a discounted profile for a non-Israeli citizen. Applying online is generally the recommended option for non-Israeli citizens.
Note
There is no fee for a first-time card. A replacement card costs 10 NIS.
An anonymous rav kav (without a name or ID) can be purchased online or from any Rav Kav office for 5 NIS. It functions like a regular rav kav, but cannot hold discounts and is not protected against loss or theft.
Charging A Rav Kav
Note
A rav kav cannot be charged on the bus or train. Passengers must make sure to charge their card in advance.
Where to charge a Rav Kav:
- In all train stations (using the automated machines) , at some bus stations, at rav kav service stations and select stores.
Tip
Some ATM’s also offer the option to charge a rav kav.
- Via one of the following apps: Moovit, Pango, Cello, Rav-Pass
- Online: www.ravkavonline.co.il. Charging from your computer requires a special card reader. Plug it into your computer and follow the prompts under סריקת רב קו (rav kav Scanning) to download the necessary software.
Travel Packages
When validating a rav kav , passengers are charged based on the distance traveled. One may also pre-purchase a daily or monthly pass allowing unlimited trips within a specified area.
For details on available travel packages, visit the government website Derech Shava at pti.org.il.
Free Transfers (Ma’avar)
Local fares (up to 15 kilometers) include a 90 minute free transfer to other buses or light rail trains within those 15 kilometers. Someone with ama’avar must still validate their rav kav when boarding the next bus or light rail.
Note: On buses, one may pay for additional passengers using their rav kav, but this option is not available on the light rail. Additionally, the free transfer benefit can only be used if the traveler carries the actual card.
Bus Fare for Children
Children up to age 18 may travel at half price if using a rav kav with a youth (noar) profile.
Children under age 5 ride free, but only one child per paying traveler qualifies for this exemption.
Seniors and People with Disabilities
Israeli citizens aged 67+ travel free on all public transportation! They must have a rav kav or app profile showing their eligibility and validate it upon boarding.
Tip
The senior profile can already be applied for from the 1st of the month of the senior’s birthday.
The discount is not automatic. The senior must apply for this profile at any Rav Kav office or via one of the apps with their Israeli photo ID (e.g., teudat zehut, passport or driver’s license).
Please note: Senior discounts do not apply to non-Israeli citizens or residents. They must pay full fare.
People with disabilities and those receiving income support may receive a 50% discount per trip (not on monthly passes) once this profile is applied to their rav kav.
Young Adults
Israeli citizens between the ages of 18 – 26 are eligible for a “young adult” (tza’ir) profile. The holder of this profile receives a 33% discount on monthly passes only, not on single rides.
Geographic Discounts
Residents of specific geographic areas are eligible for a 50% discount on all monthly passes.
This discount is available to Israeli citizens who hold a teudat zehut card showing their current address. One can update their rav kav with this profile online or in person, by bringing the following to the nearest Rav Kav service center:
- Teudat zehut with accompanying sefach showing current address
- Arnona, water or electric bill bearing person’s name and current address. In lieu of this, one can bring a notarized declaration from a lawyer as to their current address.
Check here to see whether your street of residence makes you eligible for this benefit.
This profile is valid for two years, at which time one has to apply anew.
Note
One cannot register for two separate discounts. The largest discount given is 50%.
Loss, Theft or Damage
In case of loss, theft or damage, order a new card online or at a rav kav service center (with your teudat zehut or foreign passport). The old card will be canceled and any remaining balance transferred to the new card.
Anonymous cards are not refundable and cannot be replaced.
Fines
Conductors may board buses and light rails to verify payment .
Fines may be issued if:
- The card was not validated
- The passenger used the rav kav of someone not traveling with them
- An ineligible discount was used
To appeal a fine (only if issued in error), send a letter to:
Traffic Controller
Fax: 03-684-9876
Mail: Binyan Genre A, 5 Bank Israel Street, POB 867, Jerusalem 91008.
Rav Kav Service Centers, Jerusalem
Rav Shefa Mall, 16 Shamgar, floor 2
Hours: Sunday—Thursday 9:00 am–8:30 pm, Friday and Erev Yom Tov 8:30 am–12:00 pm
Central Bus Station (Tachana Merkazit), 224 Yafo, floor 2 (opposite platform 22)
Sunday—Thursday 7:00 am–7:30 pm, Friday and Erev Yom Tov 7:00 am–12:30 pm
Pisgat Zeev Mall, 106 Sderot Moshe Dayan, floor 3
Sunday—Thursday 9:00 am–9:00 pm, Friday and Erev Yom Tov 9:00 am–2:00 pm
Ramot Mall, 255 Golda Meir Boulevard, ground floor (next to Cafe Ne’eman)
Sunday—Thursday 9:00 am–9:00 pm, Friday and Erev Yom Tov 9:00 am–2:00 pm
Hadar Mall, 26 Pierre Koenig Street, Talpiot, floor -1
Sunday – Thursday 9:00 am-9:00 pm, Friday and Erev Yom Tov 9:00 am-2:00 pm
Gilo Mall, ground floor, opposite Optica Mani
Sunday—Thursday 9:00 am–9:00 pm, Friday and Erev Yom Tov 9:00 am–2:00 pm
Hapa’amon Mall, King George 3
Sunday-Thursday 8:00 am-8:00 pm, Friday and Erev Yom Tov 9:00 am-13:30 pm
For a full listing of countrywide Rav Kav service centers, visit Egged’s website.
Contact Information:
National Public Transportation Hotline: *8787
Egged: *2800
Kfir Light Rail Train: *2779
