Numerous taxi companies operate sheruts (shay-roots) which is a shared taxi with 10 passengers. These can be a convenient way to get around. In most cities the sheruts travel along the most popular routes. The sherut will leave its initial point of origin only when it has the full number of passengers. Unlike buses, sheruts stop to let you off wherever you wish along that specific route. You can hail a sherut at, or close to, bus stops on the various routes. There is a standard sherut fare which is usually 10 per-cent cheaper than the bus fare.

A special sherut service is available to and from Ben Gurion Airport . When you arrive in Israel there will be a line of sheruts when you come out of the airport.These will take you to almost any destination in Israel, including a private residence. However, the sherut will only depart when it is full which can take a while so you need to be patient The fares are standard and laid out by the Ministry of Transport. On occasion, the taxi driver may ask the passengers if they are willing to share in the cost difference of the missing passengers, so that the sherut can leave straight away. This may add an additional 10 or 20 shekels to the regular fare but it is often worth it to save the waiting time. When leaving Israel, a sherut can be arranged to pick you up from a hotel or private residence at a specific time. Your hotel can help you order one. The Sherut will drive around your neighborhood to pick up travelers until it is full and then drive to the airport.

If the bus or regular sherut service cannot get you to your destination, there is always the option of calling one of the large taxi companies and ordering a taxi-cab. You can hail a cab on the street, order one by calling a taxi company or finding a taxi station.

Taxi Fare:

There are two options for taxi fare; the first option is to agree on a price prior to starting your ride. The second option is to pay according to the metered rate - called “moneh” in Hebrew. Like most things in Israel, taxi fare is negotiable to a certain extent and it is generally expected that you do some haggling. The meter works on distance and time. If you agreed on a rate before your trip, your driver may go faster so that he can pick up another fare. If you agreed to follow the meter, the driver may take more time, drive carefully and take a longer route. Keep in mind that if you don’t know approximately how much it should cost you to get from one point to another, agreeing to a flat rate is often a bit risky.

Whichever way you choose to pay, you have the right to ask the driver for a receipt, ask for the air

conditioner to be turned on, to open or close the windows and ask to change the radio station. Israeli taxi drivers are generally very helpful and will give you lots of asked for and unasked for tips and advice. The drivers tend to be protective of teenage children traveling without adult supervision. The drivers may often give kids a discount if they are a little short of the full fare and will make sure that they get home safely late at night.

Taxi services in Israel:

Jerusalem Taxis

Malaha Taxi

Address: Malaha Mall

Phone: 02 679 4111

Hatzomet Ramot Taxi

Address: Shmuel Hanavi 100

Phone: 02 582 6666

Hapisga Taxi

Address: Hapisga St. #2

Phone: 02 642 1111

HaUma Taxi

Address: Jaffa St. #214

Phone: 02 538 9999

Tel Aviv Taxis

Kastel Taxi

Adrress: Tel Aviv

Phone: 03 699 2255

Gordon Taxi

Address: Tel Aviv

Phone: 03 527 2999

New York Taxi

Address: Tel Aviv

Phone: 03 523 7722

Bugrashov Taxi

Address: Tel Aviv

Phone: 03 516 4848

Balfour Taxi

Address: Tel Aviv

Phone: 03 560 4545

Haifa Taxis

Lev Ra'anana Taxi

Address: Klauzner St. #2

Phone: 09 744 3333

Vered Taxi

Address: Ahuza St. #118

Phone: 09 742 6688

Top Ten Taxi

Address: Ahuza St. #65

Phone: 09 771 3388

Ra’anana Taxis

Moriah Taxi

Address: Sal'it St. #5

Phone: 04 826 1271

Carmiel Taxi

Address: Jaffa St. #95

Phone: 04 852 3882

Carmel Ahuza Taxi

Address: Mahanayim #4

Phone: 04 838 2626