Is There Uber in Israel?
Taxi Apps & Alternatives for Tourists
Last updated: August 2026 by Moshe Barak — Israel travel and transportation expert with more than 20 years of experience helping international travelers navigate Israel.
Uber is not currently available in Israel. You cannot request a standard Uber ride in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, at Ben Gurion Airport, or anywhere else in the country. Lyft is not available either.
Instead, international travelers can order licensed taxis through local apps such as Gett and Yango, hail a regular taxi, use an official taxi stand, or arrange a private transfer in advance.
Gett and Yango provide a familiar app-based booking experience, but they work differently from Uber in many other countries. In Israel, these apps normally connect passengers with licensed taxi drivers rather than private individuals using their own cars.
This guide explains which taxi apps to use, how fares and payments work, what to do at Ben Gurion Airport, and when booking transportation in advance may be the better option.
💡 Just so you know: Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase or booking, at no extra cost to you. This helps me keep this site running – thank you!
Uber in Israel: Quick Answer
- Uber: Not currently available
- Lyft: Not currently available
- Closest alternatives: Gett and Yango
- Ben Gurion Airport: Use the authorized taxi service through Gett or an airport self-service station, or arrange a private transfer in advance.
- Shabbat: Taxis and taxi apps operate, but availability may be lower
- Long-distance journeys: Consider arranging the ride in advance
👉 For a broader overview of trains, buses, taxis, rental cars, private transportation, and Shabbat travel, see my complete guide to getting around Israel.
How Does Ride-Hailing Work in Israel?
Unlike in many countries, app-based transportation in Israel does not normally involve private drivers transporting passengers in their personal vehicles.
The main taxi apps used by travelers, including Gett and Yango, connect passengers with licensed taxi drivers operating registered taxis. These apps allow you to enter your destination, request a ride, follow the approaching vehicle, and select an available payment method.
Proposed legislation that could permit a wider private-driver ridesharing model advanced during 2026. However, this has not made Uber or Lyft available to travelers, and visitors should not plan their transportation on the assumption that either service will begin operating before their trip.
What Are the Best Uber Alternatives in Israel?
The best alternative depends on where you are traveling, whether you need an immediate ride, how much luggage you have, and whether the journey is time-sensitive.
| Transportation option | How it works | How pricing works | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gett | Orders a licensed taxi through an app | May be metered or priced according to the booking terms shown in the app | Everyday taxi rides and Ben Gurion Airport |
| Yango | Orders a licensed taxi through an app | A price is generally displayed before the ride is requested | Comparing app availability and city rides |
| Regular taxi | Hail one, use a taxi stand, or ask your hotel to call | Usually calculated by the taximeter | Short and spontaneous journeys |
| Pre-booked transfer | A driver and suitable vehicle are arranged in advance | Price and booking conditions are confirmed before travel | Airport arrivals, long-distance rides, families, and groups |
Gett
Gett is one of the main taxi-booking apps used in Israel. It allows passengers to enter a pickup point and destination, request a licensed taxi, follow the driver’s approach, and pay using one of the methods available for the booking.
Gett can be useful for everyday journeys in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, and other cities. It is also the official operator of the authorized taxi system at Ben Gurion Airport.
Best for: General city rides, passengers who want their pickup and destination recorded in an app, and travelers ordering an authorized taxi from Ben Gurion Airport.
Keep in mind: A Gett ride in Israel is still a licensed taxi ride. The fare may be calculated by the taximeter rather than using the dynamic upfront pricing model commonly associated with Uber.
Yango
Yango is another app that travelers can use to request taxis in Israel. The app displays information about the driver and vehicle and generally shows a price before the passenger confirms the request. Cash and card payment options are supported, although the available methods should always be checked on the final booking screen.
Best for: Checking an app-based price before ordering and comparing availability when no suitable Gett vehicle is nearby.
Keep in mind: Availability, vehicle options, waiting times, and the final booking conditions can vary by location and time.
Regular Licensed Taxis
You do not need an app to use a taxi in Israel. Licensed taxis can be hailed on the street, found at official taxi stands, or ordered through a hotel, restaurant, or local taxi company.
Israeli taxis are generally white and display an identifying taxi sign. For a regulated taxi journey, the driver should use the taximeter unless another legally permitted arrangement applies.
Street taxis can be convenient, but entering the destination through an app creates a useful digital record of the journey. It can also reduce misunderstandings when the passenger does not speak Hebrew.
👉 For information about fares, taximeters, payments, tipping, airport taxis, and common mistakes, read my complete guide to taxis in Israel.
Pre-Booked Private Transfers
A private transfer is arranged before the journey rather than requested from a nearby driver at the last minute.
The pickup point, destination, vehicle, passenger count, luggage requirements, and price can be confirmed in advance. This makes pre-booked transportation particularly useful for airport arrivals, long-distance travel, groups, and time-sensitive journeys.
It is not necessary for every ride. For a short journey within central Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, a taxi app will often be the simpler choice.
How Are Gett and Yango Different from Uber?
Gett and Yango may look similar to Uber when you use the app, but there are several important differences.
You Are Ordering a Licensed Taxi
The vehicle is normally a registered Israeli taxi rather than a private car belonging to an occasional rideshare driver.
The Fare May Be Metered
Depending on the app, location, and booking type, the final fare may be based on the taxi’s meter rather than a guaranteed app price. Yango generally displays a price before the request is confirmed. Gett bookings may operate according to metered taxi rules or the specific terms displayed in the app.
Vehicle Choice Can Be Limited
Do not assume that an ordinary app-booked taxi will have space for a large group, several oversized suitcases, a wheelchair, or a child seat. Travelers with specific requirements should arrange the appropriate vehicle in advance.
Coverage Is Strongest in Major Cities
App availability is generally better in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, and other densely populated areas. In smaller towns, rural regions, national parks, the Galilee, the Negev, or near remote tourist attractions, fewer app-based taxis may be available. A driver may also need to travel a considerable distance to reach the pickup point.
Availability Is Not Guaranteed
An active app does not mean that a driver will always accept the journey immediately. Availability can be affected by location, traffic, demand, weather, Shabbat, holidays, and major events.
Does Uber Work in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, or Haifa?
No. Uber does not currently provide passenger rides in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Eilat, or any other Israeli city.
Uber in Tel Aviv
Gett and Yango are practical alternatives for shorter journeys around Tel Aviv. Taxis are also readily available in many central areas, particularly near hotels, railway stations, entertainment districts, and major attractions.
Because central Tel Aviv is relatively compact, visitors often combine walking, buses, light rail, bicycles, and occasional taxi rides.
👉 For more information about transportation within the city, see my guide to getting around Tel Aviv.
Uber in Jerusalem
Uber is not available in Jerusalem. Gett, Yango, regular taxis, buses, and the light rail are the main local alternatives.
A taxi can be particularly helpful for destinations away from the light-rail route or in hilly areas. When visiting the Old City, pay close attention to the pickup point because vehicles cannot enter every street or pedestrian area.
👉 Going to Jerusalem? My Jerusalem Travel Guide covers everything you need to plan your visit, including the top attractions, where to stay, transportation, practical tips, and recommended day trips.
Uber in Haifa
Uber is not available in Haifa. Local taxis and taxi apps can be especially useful because the city is built across the slopes of Mount Carmel.
Two places that appear close together on a map may involve a steep uphill walk, so check the elevation as well as the distance before deciding to walk.
Other Parts of Israel
Gett and Yango may also operate outside the three largest cities, but availability is less predictable.
For an early departure, a rural pickup, a time-sensitive connection, or a long intercity journey, arrange transportation in advance rather than depending entirely on an on-demand app.
Tips for Using Taxi Apps in Israel
Download and Register Before You Need a Ride
Install Gett and Yango before your trip or while connected to reliable Wi-Fi. Complete the registration process and add a payment method before relying on the app for an important journey. Having both apps gives you another option when no suitable driver is available through your first choice.
The Gett app can be downloaded from Gett’s official website, while Yango is available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Arrange Mobile Data Before Arrival
You need an internet connection to request a taxi, follow the driver, receive updates, and communicate about the pickup point.
Installing an eSIM before your flight can help you get online immediately after landing. Compare providers and data plans in my guide to the best eSIM for Israel.
Enter the Complete Destination
Do not rely only on a hotel, restaurant, or attraction name. Check that the app shows the correct street, number, and city before confirming the ride. Places with similar names can exist in different cities or neighborhoods.
Choose a Clear Pickup Point
In busy streets, markets, pedestrian zones, railway stations, and parts of Jerusalem’s Old City, the driver may not be able to stop at your exact location. Move to a safe and accessible pickup point and check which side of the street the app selected.
Confirm the Driver and Vehicle
Before entering, compare the vehicle, license plate, and driver information with the details shown in the app. Do not enter an unmarked vehicle simply because someone claims to be your driver.
Check How the Fare Will Be Calculated
Review the booking screen to determine whether the app displays a fixed or estimated price or whether the taxi will use the meter. Do not assume that every app-booked journey works like an Uber ride in your home country.
Carry a Backup Payment Method
Card payment is available through the apps and in many taxis, but travelers should still carry another payment card and a small amount of Israeli currency. A card can be rejected because of bank security settings, connectivity problems, or an issue with the payment terminal.
Keep the Receipt
A receipt can help if you leave an item in the vehicle, question a charge, or need to identify the taxi later. When using an app, retain the digital ride record until you are satisfied that the journey and payment were completed correctly.
Arrange Larger Vehicles in Advance
A standard taxi may not be suitable for four passengers with several large suitcases. Confirm the passenger and luggage capacity before booking a transfer, especially when traveling as a family or group.
Is Uber Available at Ben Gurion Airport?
No. Uber and Lyft do not operate at Ben Gurion Airport.
After landing, travelers can use the airport’s authorized taxi service, order a licensed taxi through Gett, or arrange a private transfer in advance. Gett currently operates the airport’s official taxi-ordering system, but passengers requesting an on-demand taxi must still follow the designated airport pickup procedure.
A pre-booked transfer may be more practical for travelers arriving during Shabbat or a Jewish holiday, carrying substantial luggage, traveling with children, or continuing to a distant destination.
💡 Planning your arrival at Ben Gurion Airport? Read my Ben Gurion Airport arrival tips for current information about passport control, baggage collection, mobile data, ATMs, and authorized taxi pickup.
Already know your destination? Use these route-specific guides to compare the main transportation options from Ben Gurion Airport:
Do Gett and Yango Work on Shabbat?
Gett and Yango remain available during Shabbat, and licensed taxis continue operating.
However, Israel Railways, regular light-rail services, and most ordinary public bus routes stop before Shabbat begins on Friday and resume gradually after it ends on Saturday evening. Limited municipal weekend transportation operates in certain areas, particularly around the Tel Aviv metropolitan region, but it does not replace the regular nationwide transportation network.
Because fewer transportation options are available, demand for taxis can be higher. Depending on the location and time, travelers may encounter fewer available drivers, longer estimated pickup times, difficulty finding a larger vehicle, and increased demand around hotels, airports, restaurants, and entertainment areas.
Taxi apps are still useful for flexible city journeys. For a flight, airport arrival, long-distance route, or another time-sensitive journey, arranging transportation in advance provides greater certainty.
💡 Exact Shabbat times change every week and vary by location. Plan your transportation in Israel carefully and especially from Friday evening through Saturday. For airport-specific alternatives, see how to travel from Ben Gurion Airport on Shabbat.
When Is a Pre-Booked Transfer More Practical?
A pre-booked transfer is not always necessary in Israel. For short, spontaneous rides within central Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, or Haifa, apps like Gett or Yango are often more convenient.
Booking in advance is particularly useful when you need greater certainty about timing, pricing, vehicle capacity, or pickup arrangements. Consider it for:
- Arrivals and departures at Ben Gurion Airport, including early-morning or late-night pickups
- Travel during Shabbat or Jewish holidays
- Long-distance intercity journeys
- Families and groups
- Passengers with multiple suitcases
- Passengers with limited mobility
- Remote hotels, national parks, or rural destinations
With an advance booking, details such as pickup time, passenger count, luggage, vehicle type, destination, and price are confirmed in advance.
👉 Planning your airport transportation? View current destinations and rates on my Airport Transfers page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Transportation Guides
- Getting Around Israel
- Taxis in Israel
- Ben Gurion Airport Arrival Tips
- How to Travel from Ben Gurion Airport on Shabbat
- Getting Around Tel Aviv
- The Best eSIM for Israel
Thank you for visiting my website!
I’m Moshe Barak, providing private transportation across Israel for international travelers for over 20 years.
Together with my team of dedicated drivers, I offer reliable, flexible, and personalized service – with close attention to detail and a personal touch. Whether you’re visiting for business or leisure, I’m committed to making your journey as easy and enjoyable as possible.
Feel free to reach out for a quote, I’ll be happy to assist.
I look forward to being part of your journey in Israel.
Warm regards,
Moshe Barak
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