If you came to Israel for work, transport quickly becomes a real expense: a trip to the warehouse, construction site or hotel every day, often with transfers. It is worth understanding Rav-Kav fares once — then you simply pick the option that saves you money. This article explains how the fare is calculated, what the 90-minute rule gives you, and when the monthly \"hofshi hodshi\" pass pays off. If you do not have the card yet, start with our guide about the Rav-Kav card: what it is and where to get it.
How the Fare Is Calculated: Zones and Radiuses
Since 2022 Israel has used the \"Derekh Shava\" fare reform. The idea is simple: the price depends on distance, not on the bus company or the number of vehicles you take. The country is divided into fare zones — essentially radiuses from your boarding point: short rides within a city, trips up to 40 km, and long routes. The farther you travel in a straight line from where you boarded, the more you pay. The fare is the same for all operators: city and intercity buses, the Jerusalem light rail and the light rail in Gush Dan.
A Single Ride and the 90-Minute Rule
A short ride within a city (a radius of roughly 15 km) costs 8 shekels as of July 2026. The larger the radius, the higher the price — check exact fares for long routes on the official site ravkavonline.co.il or in the app.
The main bonus of the reform is 90 minutes of free transfers. After paying for one ride, you can change to other buses and light rail for an hour and a half at no extra cost. A few important rules:
- the 90 minutes count from the first card validation;
- you must tap your Rav-Kav on every boarding, even when there is no extra charge;
- the transfer is free within the radius you paid for — travel farther and the difference is charged;
- the rule does not apply to Israel Railways trains.
For workers this means a \"bus + light rail\" commute counts as one paid ride, not two.
The \"Hofshi Yomi\" Daily Pass
If you have many trips in one day — the site in the morning, the bank at noon, apartment viewings in the evening — the \"hofshi yomi\" daily pass is the better deal. It gives unlimited travel until the end of the day within the chosen radius. The price depends on the zone and usually pays off from about the third or fourth ride. Check current zone prices on the official site — they change from time to time.
The Monthly \"Hofshi Hodshi\": the Main Fare for Working People
Who It Pays Off For
Almost everyone who commutes daily. Simple math: 22 working days with 2 rides each is 44 rides a month. Even at the minimum fare of 8 shekels that is about 350 shekels — already more than a monthly pass. Add errands and weekend trips, and \"hofshi hodshi\" becomes the obvious choice: pay once and stop thinking about fares for the whole month.
Prices by Zone (July 2026)
- Up to 40 km — 323 shekels a month: buses, light rail and trains within the radius. The option for those who live and work in one metropolitan area, for example Tel Aviv and its suburbs.
- Nationwide, up to 225 km — 315 shekels: unlimited buses and light rail across the country, but no trains. Suits those who travel to sites in different cities.
- Periphery, up to 40 km — 139 shekels: a discounted pass for travel between towns outside the Gush Dan, Jerusalem and Haifa metropolitan areas.
Prices go up from time to time, so check the official site ravkavonline.co.il before buying.
Discounts: Who Pays Less
- Seniors from age 67 — travel is free after loading the discount profile onto the card.
- Youth — a 50% discount until age 18 or the end of 12th grade.
- Bituach Leumi benefit recipients — a 50% discount when paying with stored value.
- New immigrants — separate benefits apply in the first period after arrival; the conditions have changed over time, so ask when getting your card.
- Periphery residents — that monthly pass for 139 shekels.
Important: the discount does not switch on by itself. The discount profile must be loaded onto the card — at a service center, at a station or through the official app.
How to Buy a Pass
The easiest way to load a \"hofshi hodshi\" or a daily pass is the app or the site ravkavonline.co.il — you will need a bank card. If you do not have one yet, read how to open a bank card in Israel without citizenship. Passes are also sold at bus station ticket offices and station machines.
In short: if you ride a couple of times a week, stored value plus the 90-minute rule is enough; if you commute daily, get the monthly pass for your zone. And if you are still looking for a job in Israel, browse the latest vacancies for Russian speakers or leave a request for personal job matching — our manager will help you pick a verified vacancy closer to your housing, so both the commute and the pass cost you less.