Hebrew for Taking a Taxi in Israel: What to Say and Hear

Taking a taxi in Israel is one of those everyday situations where a few natural Hebrew phrases can make things much easier. Below are the phrases you’re most likely to use and hear when ordering a taxi, telling the driver where you are, and checking the price.

What to say when you need a taxi

• אני צריך מונית (ani tsarikh monit) — I need a taxi.
  If you’re a woman: אני צריכה מונית (ani tsrikha monit)
• אפשר להזמין מונית? (efshar lehazmin monit?) — Can I order a taxi?
• אתה יכול לבוא ל... ? (ata yakhol lavo le...?) — Can you come to... ?
  If you’re speaking to a woman: את יכולה לבוא ל... ? (at yekhola lavo le...?)
• אני ב... (ani be...) — I’m at...
  Example: אני בתחנת רכבת (ani be-tahanat rakhevet) — I’m at the train station.
• אני ליד... (ani leyad...) — I’m near...
• אפשר לעצור כאן? (efshar la'atzor kan?) — Can you stop here?

What to say during the ride

• לכאן, בבקשה (lekhan, bevakasha) — Here, please.
• ל... בבקשה (le... bevakasha) — To ..., please.
• כמה עולה הנסיעה? (kama oleh hanesi'ah?) — How much is the ride?
• תוכל להמתין חמש דקות? (tukhal lehamtin khamesh dakot?) — Can you wait five minutes?
  If you’re speaking to a woman: תוכלי להמתין חמש דקות? (tukhli lehamtin khamesh dakot?)
• אפשר לשלם במזומן? (efshar leshalem bemazuman?) — Can I pay cash?
• אפשר בכרטיס? (efshar bekhartis?) — Can I pay by card?

What a taxi driver might say

• כן, אני בדרך (ken, ani baderekh) — Yes, I’m on the way.
• אני מגיע בעוד חמש דקות (ani magia be'od khamesh dakot) — I’m arriving in five minutes.
• אין בעיה (ein be'ayah) — No problem.
• אני לא יכול לחכות (ani lo yakhol lekhakot) — I can’t wait.
• תן לי כתובת (ten li ktovet) — Give me the address.
  If the driver is a woman: תני לי כתובת (tni li ktovet)

A few practical tips

• If you can, show the driver the address written in Hebrew on your phone.
• כתובת (ktovet) means address, and it’s a very useful word to know.
• If you’re unsure about the price, ask כמה עולה? before the ride starts.
• In real life, many drivers understand some English, but even simple Hebrew often helps.

If you want more everyday Hebrew like this, see Small Talk in Hebrew: Common Phrases Israelis Actually Say or Hebrew Abbreviations in Israel: How to Read Them.