Free tool
Israel Taxi Fare Estimator
Know roughly what a ride should cost before you get in — so you can tell a fair meter from an optimistic one.
A taxi from Ben Gurion Airport to central Tel Aviv costs about ₪165 by day and ₪200 at night or on Shabbat — these are regulated flat fares, not metered. Most other Israeli journeys run on the meter: ₪12.90 to start, then roughly ₪2.10 per kilometre, about 25% more after 21:00 and on Shabbat.
How Israeli taxi pricing actually works
Fares are set by the Ministry of Transport, not by the driver, and the meter is the default. Asking for it is normal and expected.
- Tariff 1 — 05:30 to 21:00, Sunday to Thursday and Friday daytime. The standard rate.
- Tariff 2 — 21:01 to 05:29, plus all of Shabbat and public holidays. Roughly 25% higher.
- Opening charge — about ₪12.90 the moment the meter starts, before you've moved.
- Booking fee — around ₪5.60 if you ordered by phone or app rather than hailing.
- Bags — a few shekels per large bag beyond the first.
- Ben Gurion Airport — flat regulated fares to major destinations, plus a small pickup surcharge.
Say this
"Moneh, bevakasha" — meter, please. If a driver refuses the meter and insists on a fixed price for a normal city journey, get out and take the next taxi. There is always another taxi.
Apps versus the street
Gett dispatches licensed taxis and generally runs the meter plus a booking fee — predictable and hard to argue with. Yango tends to quote a fixed upfront price, which can beat the meter off-peak and lose to it during surges. Both spare you the negotiation, which is usually worth the few shekels.
When not to take a taxi at all
The train from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv costs a small fraction of a taxi and takes under twenty minutes — but it doesn't run on Shabbat. Intercity buses and trains are cheap and good on weekdays. Taxis earn their money on Shabbat, late nights, and journeys with luggage.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv?
Roughly ₪165 during the day and about ₪200 at night, on Shabbat or on holidays. These are regulated flat fares rather than metered ones, so a driver quoting far above that is overcharging. Add a few shekels per large bag beyond the first.
Should I use the meter or agree a price?
Always ask for the meter — moneh in Hebrew. It is your legal right, and for most journeys it works out cheaper than a negotiated price. The exceptions are the regulated airport flat fares and genuinely long intercity runs, where a quoted price can be fair. If a driver refuses the meter, take another taxi.
Gett or Yango, or a street taxi?
Gett is the established app and mostly dispatches licensed street taxis, usually on the meter plus a booking fee. Yango often quotes a fixed upfront price that can undercut the meter off-peak and exceed it at busy times. Both remove the haggling, which for most visitors is worth the small premium.
Are taxis more expensive at night and on Shabbat?
Yes. Tariff 2 applies from 21:01 to 05:29, and all day on Shabbat and public holidays — roughly 25% above the daytime rate. Since public transport largely stops on Shabbat, that is also exactly when demand is highest.
Do I tip taxi drivers in Israel?
Tipping taxi drivers is not expected. Rounding up to the nearest ₪5 or ₪10 is common and appreciated, but nobody will think less of you for paying the metered fare exactly.
How accurate are these estimates?
They're estimates, not quotes. Real fares vary with traffic, route, waiting time, bags and the exact pickup point. Treat the range as a sanity check — if you're quoted well above the top of it, ask why.
Know the fare. Now pick the destination.
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