Best Apps for Israel Travel at a Glance
The best apps for Israel travel can make it easier to get around Israel, book restaurants, order food, stay informed during emergencies, and translate Hebrew and Arabic on the go.
| Category | Our Recommendation |
|---|---|
Public Transit |
Moovit |
Ride-Hailing |
Gett |
Driving & Navigation |
Waze |
Safety & Emergency |
Pikud HaOref |
Dining Reservations |
Ontopo |
Food & Grocery Delivery |
Wolt |
Translation |
Google Translate |
1. Moovit
Paper tickets are becoming less common, and Moovit is one of the most useful travel apps for Israel for checking bus, light rail, and train routes with live arrival updates. For digital transit payments, check which payment method is supported for your route and transit operator before traveling, as payment options can vary.
Just make sure to link your credit card before leaving home; your bank will likely send a security text that won't go through if your home SIM card is switched off when you land.
- Dynamic Barcode Payments: Supports access to local payment options where available, allowing travelers to manage public transport fares without relying only on physical tickets.
- Multi-Modal Route Planning: Combines light rail, intercity trains, and local buses into one clear route plan with live arrival times.
- Fare Information: Helps you check applicable transit fares and plan your journey, with payment options depending on the transit system and service you use.
2. Gett
Since Uber does not operate as a standard ride-hailing service in Israel, Gett is one of the most useful apps for travel in Israel when you need a licensed taxi. The app lets you request licensed taxis, view estimated fares where available, and pay through the app instead of handling cash after every ride. It is your most reliable option for early-morning airport runs or avoiding peak-hour congestion.
- Fare Estimates: Shows pricing information before you book, where available, so you can better understand the expected cost of your ride
- Licensed Driver Network: Connects you exclusively with official, registered taxi drivers in every major city.
- In-App Card Payments: Charges your foreign credit card directly, so you never need to carry physical shekels for cab rides.
3. Waze
Originally developed in Israel, Waze is one of the most useful Israel travel apps for drivers who need real-time traffic updates and route changes. The app routes you around sudden slowdowns, gives early warnings for speed cameras, and makes tricky city intersections easy to navigate. It also updates road closures and local incidents much faster than standard map apps.
- Real-Time Traffic Rerouting: Automatically steers you down side streets to bypass heavy traffic jams on major routes like Highway 1.
- Traffic Alerts: Provides updates about congestion, road conditions, incidents, and reported hazards from the Waze community.
- Crowdsourced Hazard Reports: Displays real-time updates on road debris, stalled cars, and lane closures reported by drivers ahead of you.
4. Pikud HaOref
Operated by Israel’s Home Front Command, this official safety app provides location-based alerts about rocket threats, emergencies, and other situations requiring immediate attention. It gives real-time push warnings for incoming rocket threats, civil emergencies, or severe weather. Keeping this among your apps for traveling to Israel helps you receive official safety alerts quickly so you can follow instructions when needed.
- Location-Based Sirens: Sounds immediate audio and visual warnings tailored directly to the specific town or neighborhood you are in.
- Custom Alert Zones: Lets you add specific cities to your watchlist so you can monitor conditions for friends or family in other areas.
- Safety Guidance: Provides official instructions and alerts to help you respond appropriately during emergencies.
Fast local data, zero roaming surprises. Order your SimCorner eSIM or SIM card before you fly.
5. Ontopo
Walking up to popular spots in busy dining districts often means waiting hours for a table, which is why Ontopo is one of the most practical apps in Israel for tourists looking to secure dinner reservations more conveniently.
Ontopo is a popular local restaurant reservation platform that lets you check availability and book tables without making a phone call. Many popular restaurants and chef-led venues use Ontopo, making it a convenient option for checking availability and booking tables.
- Live Table Availability: Shows open time slots in real time for thousands of popular spots across major cities.
- Instant Booking Confirmation: Holds your table right away without needing phone confirmation or manual follow-up emails.
- Interactive Seating Maps: Lets you select venues that offer options for indoor tables, bar seats, or outdoor patio spots while booking.
6. Wolt
Among the most useful apps to use in Israel, Wolt lets you order meals, groceries, and everyday essentials directly to your hotel or accommodation. It features full English menus, real-time map tracking, and direct card payments, making ordering food super simple without any language barriers.
- Minute-by-Minute Courier Tracking: Tracks your driver's location on a live map from the kitchen to your front door.
- Broad Merchant Selection: Delivers from local restaurants, specialty bakeries, pharmacies, and corner grocery stores.
- English Interface Support: Offers an English-language interface in many locations, making menus and ordering easier for international visitors.
7. Google Translate
Hebrew and Arabic script appear on almost every street sign, shop window, menu, and package. Google Translate works as a quick camera translator, letting you point your lens at unfamiliar text for instant translation. It is useful for checking kosher labels in supermarkets, reading street parking signs, and understanding messages from accommodation hosts.
- Instant Camera Translation: Translates printed Hebrew text directly over your live screen view.
- Offline Language Packages: Translates text and signs without using any mobile data.
- Two-Way Voice Translation: Translates spoken conversations back and forth for easy chats with shopkeepers or drivers.
Power Your Apps for Israel Travel with SimCorner
Keeping your Israel travel apps connected requires steady, high-speed mobile data wherever you go. SimCorner offers prepaid travel data plans that skip expensive roaming charges and connect you directly to local cell networks the second you land.
- Tailored Data Packages: Pick flexible prepaid data allowances built for quick city breaks or longer regional trips.
- Dual Format Options: Choose instant digital eSIM downloads or physical SIM cards depending on what your phone uses.
- Network Access: Connects to available local mobile networks in Israel, depending on the plan you choose.
- Simple Online Top-Ups: Add extra data to your active eSIM through the SimCorner App without changing your eSIM.
Buy your data plan online before traveling so you can set it up ahead of time. Once you land, your phone connects immediately to local networks so you can skip airport WiFi lines. Plans are also available directly on the website.




