Tel Aviv: practical answers

Question 1

How do I get a local SIM card in Tel Aviv?

Accepted Answer

Israel has four main mobile networks: Partner, Cellcom, HOT Mobile and Pelephone. Visitors can buy a prepaid SIM at Ben Gurion Airport (Partner and HOT Mobile are reported to sell there) or at a carrier store or phone kiosk in the city. Bring your passport, since a SIM purchase normally needs it, and expect a short queue. Your phone should be carrier-unlocked. Coverage is mostly 4G and 5G, so make sure VoLTE is switched on; older 2G and 3G networks are being switched off. Plans, data amounts and prices change often, so check the carrier site for the current offer before you buy (store staff may speak mostly Hebrew, so a printed or saved plan name helps).

Question 2

Should I use an eSIM or a physical SIM in Israel, and how does the eSIM work?

Accepted Answer

For a short trip an eSIM is the simplest: you buy it online, receive a QR code, scan it in your phone settings and it works on arrival. Your phone has to support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked. Pelephone sells a visitor eSIM called IsraelieSIM whose data plan starts the first time you use it in Israel; its page also suggests turning off your home number in the phone settings while you are there, to avoid extra charges. A physical local SIM makes more sense if you stay a month or longer and need an Israeli phone number for calls, deliveries and apps. Some parking and payment apps want an Israeli number (to confirm).

Question 3

How do I get and use a Rav-Kav card for buses and trains in Tel Aviv?

Accepted Answer

The Rav-Kav is the rechargeable smart card for buses, trains and the light rail all over Israel. Visitors usually take the anonymous version, which needs no personal details. In Tel Aviv it is sold at the Central Bus Station (6th floor), the Arlozorov train station bus terminal and tourist information centers. You must load money onto it before boarding: use the HopOn or Rav-Kav Online apps (NFC phones only), a tourist information center, a green bike station, or a shop or kiosk that loads cards. Drivers cannot top it up, and cash is not accepted on buses. One loaded fare covers rides inside Tel Aviv for a 90-minute window. The municipality also says some buses take a bank card or phone wallet (to confirm).

Question 4

Which apps should I use for public transport in Tel Aviv?

Accepted Answer

Moovit is the app most people use to plan a trip and see live bus and train arrivals in Israel; Google Maps, efoBus, Bus Nearby and Otobus Karov are alternatives. For paying, the city lists Moovit, Pango, Cello and HopOn as apps that let you pay for public transport with your phone. Transit apps matter more than usual because roadworks for the light rail and other projects often change bus routes, so check live information before you leave. Taxi apps are Gett, Raxi and Yango.

Question 5

How do buses work in Tel Aviv, and are there night buses?

Accepted Answer

Three companies run most city buses: Dan, Egged and Metropoline. Routes radiate from the Central Bus Station, with the Arlozorov and other terminals as key hubs, and you need a Rav-Kav or a phone payment to board. Buses are crowded in the morning and late afternoon. Night lines connect residential areas with the entertainment areas about every 20 to 30 minutes; they run on Thursday nights and after Shabbat during the school year, and on most nights in school holidays except Fridays (check the current timetable in Moovit). The area around the New Central Bus Station is described as rough at night, so take care there.

Question 6

How does the Red Line light rail work in Tel Aviv, and does it run on Shabbat?

Accepted Answer

The Red Line (called Dankal) is the Tel Aviv light rail: about 24 km from Neve Tzedek and Jaffa through the center, partly underground, to Petah Tikva, with 34 stations of which 12 are in Tel Aviv-Yafo. It takes the Rav-Kav, and there are ticket machines and validators at stations; fare apps also work. It does not run on Shabbat (reports since it opened, to confirm), with service starting again after Shabbat ends, so plan another way on Friday evening and Saturday. For the exact hours and stops, use Moovit.

Question 7

How do I travel by train from Tel Aviv, to the airport or other cities?

Accepted Answer

Israel Railways connects Tel Aviv with Haifa, Be'er Sheva, smaller towns and Ben Gurion Airport. Tel Aviv has four stations along the Ayalon Highway: HaHagana, HaShalom, Merkaz (Savidor) and Tel Aviv University. A Rav-Kav works on trains, and paper tickets are sold at stations from machines or ticket staff. Trains are packed at rush hour, and Sunday morning is especially crowded with soldiers and students going back to base and campus. Trains stop on Friday afternoon and start again after Shabbat ends, including to and from the airport, so an early Friday or Saturday-night flight needs a taxi or sherut.

Question 8

How do taxis and ride apps work in Tel Aviv?

Accepted Answer

Licensed taxis can be hailed on the street, ordered by phone or booked through apps; the city lists Gett, Raxi and Yango, and Wikivoyage also mentions Uber. Inside the city the driver has to use the meter. For longer trips, insist on the meter even if a flat fare is offered, or agree the fare before you get in. Night rides, Fridays, Shabbat and holidays carry a surcharge, and there are extra charges for phone orders, airport trips and large suitcases.

Question 9

What is a sherut and how do I use one in Tel Aviv?

Accepted Answer

A sherut is a shared minivan with 6 to 12 seats that follows a fixed route, a little like a bus that you can flag down. You get in, find a seat and pass your money forward to the driver; tell the driver where you want to get off. Standing is not allowed. Sheruts keep running on Shabbat when buses and trains stop, though fares are higher then. A Rav-Kav is accepted on some lines but not on Shabbat (to confirm).

Question 10

Can I rent a bike or electric scooter in Tel Aviv, and what are the rules?

Accepted Answer

Shared bikes are run by Metrofun, the successor of the old Tel-O-Fun scheme that the municipality closed in 2020 (the exact current setup is to confirm). Private companies rent electric scooters and e-bikes by app. The rules are the same for everyone: you must be 16 or older to ride an electric scooter or bike, no passengers, helmets are required, riding on the sidewalk is forbidden, using a phone or headphones while riding is forbidden, and shared scooters must be parked in the designated spaces. The beach promenade has many fast scooters, so walk with care. Rentals keep running on Shabbat, according to the city.

Question 11

What closes on Shabbat in Tel Aviv, and what stays open?

Accepted Answer

Shabbat runs from sunset on Friday to nightfall on Saturday, and the city slows down from early Friday afternoon. Public transport stops (buses, trains and, so far as reported, the light rail), and shops and supermarkets close, as do many pharmacies. Tel Aviv is the most relaxed city in the country about it: most bars, restaurants and cafes stay open, the big museums often open, many 24-hour mini-markets stay open, and the beach is at its busiest. Smaller museums and some restaurants close, which varies by neighborhood, so check hours first. Buy groceries and cash before Friday afternoon. Elsewhere in the country the closures are stricter.

Question 12

How do I get around Tel Aviv on Shabbat when buses and trains do not run?

Accepted Answer

Buses and trains stop from Friday afternoon until after sunset on Saturday, and the airport has no train or bus service then. What works: sheruts (shared minivans) and private taxis, which run as usual but cost more; bike and scooter rentals and car sharing, which run as usual; and a free weekend bus service run by the municipality on Fridays and Saturdays, roughly every half hour, where food and alcohol are not allowed on board (water is fine; check the current routes in Moovit or the Basofash site). Taxis are the main option late on Friday night, so use an app.

Question 13

Which Tel Aviv beaches have lifeguards, and what do the flags mean?

Accepted Answer

Swim only on a beach with a lifeguard on duty, and only in the area they mark. The city says the official bathing season runs from May to October with lifeguards on duty in the daytime (hours change by month), and that swimming without a lifeguard is forbidden and dangerous. A black flag means the sea is closed to swimming. The Israel Meteorological Service warns about rip currents near jetties and breakwaters and about strong waves, so stay away from rocks and follow the lifeguard's instructions. Jellyfish can appear in early summer; ask the lifeguard. Health authorities sometimes post water-quality advisories for a beach, so check before you go.

Question 14

What is the separate religious beach in Tel Aviv and when is it for men or women?

Accepted Answer

Hof Hadatiyim (Nordau Beach) is a beach with separate bathing days for men and women, mainly used by religious visitors. The city lists women and girls on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, and men and boys on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with the beach open to everyone on Saturday. The schedule is posted at the entrance, so check it there. Please follow the signs and the lifeguard on that beach. Other Tel Aviv beaches are mixed.

Question 15

Where is the dog-friendly beach and the LGBTQ+ beach in Tel Aviv?

Accepted Answer

Hilton Beach, in the north-central part of the city, is the city's official gay beach and the beach where dogs are welcome (the municipality names Hilton as its dog-friendly beach; some guides place a separate dog area at its northern end, to confirm). It is also the beach for surfing, volleyball and kayaking, and a lighting system allows night surfing. Charles Clore Beach, near Jaffa, is noted for good waves. Four beaches (Tzuk, Northern Tzuk, Metzizim and Hilton) have access for people with disabilities. Even where dogs are allowed, keep to the lifeguarded area and bring water for the dog.

Question 16

How do I deal with the heat and sun, and is the tap water safe to drink in Tel Aviv?

Accepted Answer

Heat is a real issue on the coast, especially in summer: wear sunscreen all through your stay, drink plenty of water, and spend the hottest hours in the sea, in the shade or in air conditioning. Tap water is safe to drink all over Israel inside the country. Carry a refillable bottle.

Question 17

How do I get safety alerts in Tel Aviv, and which app should I install?

Accepted Answer

Alerts for missile or rocket threats come as an outdoor siren (a rising and falling tone) and as notifications in smartphone apps. The official source is the Home Front Command, which is part of the army; install its app and allow notifications before you need it (the app and website show your area's alert zone and how many seconds you have to reach shelter). Its website is oref.org.il and its information line is 104. Alerts also appear on radio and TV. On arrival, ask your hotel, host or landlord where the nearest protected space is and note it.

Question 18

What do I do when a siren sounds in Tel Aviv?

Accepted Answer

Stay calm and go to the nearest protected space at once; in Tel Aviv-Yafo the municipality says you have about 90 seconds. Inside a building, go to your protected room or the building shelter and close the doors and windows. If there is none, use an inner room or the stairwell with as few outside walls and windows as possible, and keep away from large glass. In the street, enter the nearest building; if there is none, lie flat on the ground and cover your head with your hands. In a car, pull over, get out and go into a building, or lie down beside the road if you cannot reach one; if you cannot leave the car, stop and wait. Stay in the protected space for 10 minutes unless the Home Front Command says otherwise, and keep away from any object that fell.

Question 19

What are protected spaces in Tel Aviv and how do I find the nearest one?

Accepted Answer

Newer apartments have a protected room (a mamad) with a reinforced door and window. Older buildings have a shared shelter (a miklat) in the basement or ground floor, which the residents look after. Public shelters are mostly locked in normal times, and the municipality opens them in an emergency when the Home Front Command instructs. If you have neither, use the stairwell or the most enclosed room, away from big glass. To find your assigned shelter and your warning time, enter your address on the Home Front Command website (oref.org.il) or call 104; the city also has a hotline, 106, that tells you your neighborhood administration and nearby public shelters. In a hotel, ask reception on arrival.

Question 20

What are the emergency numbers in Israel?

Accepted Answer

Police: 100. Ambulance (Magen David Adom, MDA): 101. Fire and rescue: 102. The Home Front Command information line for sirens and alerts is 104. Tel Aviv's main hospital with a large emergency department is the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov) in the center of the city. Keep your insurance details on your phone.

Question 21

When do the clocks change in Israel?

Accepted Answer

Israel changes its clocks by law: summer time starts on the Friday before the last Sunday of March, and winter time starts on the last Sunday of October, when clocks go back one hour at 02:00 (to 01:00). In winter, Israel is two hours ahead of UTC (Israel Standard Time). Phones set to automatic update by themselves, but a manual clock, an oven or a car may need changing. The spring change falls on a Friday, so it comes just before Shabbat. Because Europe and the US change on different dates, the gap between Israel and your home country can be off by an hour for a week or two, which matters for calls and flights.

Question 22

Do I tip in Tel Aviv, and how much?

Accepted Answer

Tipping is expected in restaurants, cafes with table service and bars: the norm for waiters is about 15 percent unless the service was bad, and check whether a service charge is already on the bill. Outside the food and drink industry tipping is not common, and Israelis do not tip taxi drivers. You can always say no when someone solicits a tip.

Question 23

What time do bars, restaurants and clubs open and close in Tel Aviv?

Accepted Answer

Tel Aviv is called the city that never stops. Bars and clubs usually pick up around midnight and run until morning; some venues have age limits between 18 and 30, which can differ by gender. Most bars and restaurants stay open on Friday night and Shabbat, but kosher places close, and a few venues vary by neighborhood. Buses do not run on Friday evening, so book a taxi through an app. On Thursday nights and after Shabbat night buses may run (check Moovit). Check each venue's hours online, since they change.

Question 24

Where do newcomers and internationals in Tel Aviv meet people?

Accepted Answer

The city has an Olim Resident Department that serves new residents in English, French, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese. It helps with preparing to move, professional networks, choosing an ulpan (Hebrew course) and getting into the city's cultural and community life, and holds office hours in ulpanim. Language groups, including an English-speaking Olim group, run on Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram. Ask in those groups for current events, since meetups change.

Question 25

Where does the conscious scene start in Tel Aviv: ecstatic dance, yoga, cacao ceremonies?

Accepted Answer

Tel Aviv has an active scene of dance and movement events, yoga studios and cacao circles. Past listings include ecstatic dance nights with a cacao ceremony and an intention circle, some of them run with the city's Olim department and a community for international women, and the usual way to find them is the organizers' Facebook and WhatsApp groups, Eventbrite and Instagram. I do not have a verified weekly schedule, so ask in the groups for what is on this week. Some yoga and dance studios in the city teach in English or in both English and Hebrew, and some offer drop-in classes (to confirm).

Question 26

Where does the LGBTQ+ community start in Tel Aviv?

Accepted Answer

The Tel Aviv LGBTQ Center, a municipal community center, is at the southern end of Meir Park (Gan Meir), in a restored Bauhaus building in the city center. It has a popular cafe and terrace on the ground floor, an auditorium, social and support groups, lectures, drag shows and exhibitions, and a health clinic focused on LGBTQ needs that is open to the general public. The park around it is a natural meeting place. Beyond that, Hilton Beach is the city's official gay beach, and the nightlife is concentrated around Rothschild Boulevard, Florentin and Hilton Beach. Opening hours and events change, so check the center's website.

Question 27

Where do the underground music and art scenes start in Tel Aviv (Florentin and Jaffa)?

Accepted Answer

Florentin, in the south of the city, is the bohemian heart of it: a former light-industry area with artists' workshops, bars, cafes, street art that is part of its character, and graffiti tours. Its bars, clubs and indie venues are a main night-out area, and the neighborhood is quiet by day and busy after dark. Jaffa, the old port city next door, has the flea market (antiques and design shops by day, restaurants and bars after dark), the old city's alleys and galleries, and a very different feel from the white city. Look at event listings and Instagram for the underground nights, which change often and move between venues.

Question 28

Where do surfers and runners start in Tel Aviv?

Accepted Answer

For running, the promenade from Tel Aviv Port south to Old Jaffa is about 7.6 km one way, with the Marina, Charles Clore Garden and Jaffa Port on the way; it is crowded at weekends and lovely at sunset, and the packed sand on the beach beside it is good to run on. Watch for fast scooters and bikes on the path. For surfing, Hilton Beach is the popular spot, with lights for night surfing, and Charles Clore Beach is noted for good waves; beginners should surf only at a lifeguarded beach. I have no verified list of running clubs or surf schools, so ask at the beach or in local groups.

Question 29

Where do I find vegan food in Tel Aviv?

Accepted Answer

Tel Aviv is known as one of the easiest cities in the world for vegans. There are all-vegan restaurants and fast-food places, vegan desserts, and many ordinary restaurants that put vegan dishes on the menu, so you can walk almost anywhere and find something. Falafel and hummus are vegan by nature, and many places also serve seitan shawarma and dairy-free versions of local cheeses and desserts. Opening hours and names change, so check on a map app.

Question 30

Where do board game players start in Tel Aviv?

Accepted Answer

There is at least one dedicated board-game bar in Florentin, The Blue Fox (to confirm), with more than 200 games, cocktails, a calm but lively atmosphere, and guests are said to join other tables to meet new people. Opening hours are listed on its page and are mostly in the evening, so check before you go. Past English-language game nights have also been run by local meetup groups, usually announced on Facebook, so ask there for what is current; I have no verified current meetup.