How to get from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel-Aviv

Ben Gurion Airport is the main international airport in Israel, located 19 kilometers from Tel Aviv. In this article, we will consider the five most popular ways to get from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv.

An airport that has become an impregnable fortress

Despite the fact that Israel is located in the Middle East, where there is a relatively high level of terrorist threat, Ben Gurion Airport is recognized as the safest in the world. The last terrorist attack there occurred in 1972, since then unprecedented security measures have been introduced around the building and inside the airport, and as a result, there has not been a single tragedy at Ben Gurion Airport since 1972.

Interesting fact! Representatives of different services and special units work at the Israeli airport – police, IDF soldiers, and representatives of private security firms. According to them, the success of “special security measures” lies in the fact that no one talks about them.

It’s not easy to enter the airport territory freely because several security zones are organized around it. The first security zone is the checkpoint, which is 7 km away from the airport building. Specialists who serve at the checkpoint understand who needs to be checked particularly thoroughly. In addition, security service representatives have the right to inspect any car in the parking lot. Also, there are regularly police officers in uniform and plainclothes in the airport halls.

When arriving in Israel, you need to have the following for passport control:

• Passport
• Return ticket
• Hotel reservation confirmation or the exact address of a private individual
• Possibly, you may be asked for an invitation from relatives or friends, which should be arranged in advance
• Very rarely, they may ask for a bank statement showing the state of your account.

Lifehack: Border service employees have no sense of humor, so we highly recommend answering the questions asked clearly, and then everything will be fine, and you will pass through border control quickly.

FIRST METHOD – TAXI

Taxi is the first and perhaps the most convenient way to get from the airport to Tel Aviv. There are always many licensed taxi services available at the airport, ready to take you to any point in Tel Aviv or its surroundings. Pay attention to the logos and markings of taxis because a ride in a non-taxi car will be much more expensive. The price of the trip depends on the distance to your destination, time of day, and level of traffic. Please make sure to provide the address where you need to be taken as accurately as possible since there are identical street names and house addresses in different cities in Israel, otherwise, you may have your own “irony of fate”

• Approximate rates: For two or three people, the trip will cost from 150 shekels, for 3 or more passengers – from 300 shekels. Luggage is charged separately.
• Travel time: 15 minutes.

What you need to know:

• During holidays, the tariff is increased by 25%;
• The tariff is also increased by 25% at night (starting at 21:00, ending at 5:29);
• Luggage needs to be paid for separately;
• You will have to pay 5 shekels to exit the airport premises.

The main advantage of a taxi is speed and comfort, but there are also several disadvantages - when traveling with a large group, a passenger car may not be suitable, and the cost of the service is quite high.

ROUTE TAXI OR “SHERUT” – THE SECOND WAY TO GET TO TEL-AVIV

“Sherut” is a transportation service that can accommodate up to 10 passengers. At the airport, there are several route taxis that connect the airport with various parts of Tel Aviv and its surroundings. The transportation usually departs as it fills up, and tickets can be purchased directly from the driver. It is a good option for those who want to save money but don’t expect a high level of comfort.

• Cost: The exact price will be quoted by the driver depending on the destination.
• Travel time: Up to 60 minutes.
• Waiting time: There is no exact schedule.
• This option is suitable for tourists traveling with minimal luggage and willing to compromise on comfort.

Finding a route taxi is easy – there is a Sherut Monit stop near each terminal exit

Advantages: You can enjoy the surrounding scenery, and it is a budget-friendly mode of transportation. As for disadvantages, there is no fixed schedule, and if you have bulky and heavy luggage, this mode of transportation may not be suitable for you.

BUS

The bus is the third and least convenient way to get around because it requires transfers to reach Tel Aviv directly. To use the bus, follow these steps:

• At Terminal 3, near exits 21 and 23, green buses numbered 5 stop. They operate from 5:00 to 22:00, and the ride is free;
• You need to transfer at the Airport City station, where you can choose buses with different numbers that go to different areas of Tel Aviv. The ticket price is 12 shekels, and the journey takes about 30 minutes.

Tickets can be purchased directly from the driver or at ticket booths located at the stops.

Important! Public transportation does not operate during Shabbat, which starts on Friday afternoon and ends on Saturday evening.

The only advantage of this option is the low cost of travel. The disadvantages include the lack of a direct route, the need for transfers, buses not operating every day, a large number of people, and difficulty using public transportation without the “Moovit” mobile application.

TRAIN – THE FOURTH AND RELATIVELY CONVENIENT WAY TO GET TO TEL-AVIV

Despite being public transportation, the train is considered one of the most comfortable and budget-friendly modes of transportation in Israel. The train cars are equipped with comfortable seats, toilets, and the ability to charge electronic devices. Tickets can be booked in advance for a specific date and time.

• The train station is located on the lower level of Terminal 3, and you can move between terminals for free using Shuttle No. 5.
• The bus route is HaShalom-Center-Savidor-University.
• The journey takes up to 30 minutes
• Schedule: The first train departs at 5:15, and the last train departs at 23:20, with a frequency of every 30 minutes. On Fridays, trains operate only until 15:00, and on Saturdays, the first train departs at 20:00.
• The ticket price is approximately 18 shekels

Tickets can be purchased from special vending machines at the airport, at ticket counters, or through the mobile application. Use a special card called Rav-Kav for payment. To purchase a ticket at the terminal:

• Select the desired language
• Select the destination
• Familiarize yourself with the travel rules
• Choose the zone for which you need a ticket
• Make the payment

Important! Keep the ticket with you throughout the journey, as you will need to pass through a turnstile when exiting the train, and it is not possible without a ticket.

Children under five do not need to purchase a ticket, and tickets for children aged 5-10 are 10% cheaper.

The station opens at 5:00 from Sunday to Thursday and closes at 00:10. On Saturdays, the working hours are from 21:00 to 23:15. However, the ticket counter hours differ, operating from 6:00 to 22:00.

Types of “Rav-Kav” cards

• Personalized cards
• Temporary cards

Personalized cards can be obtained online or at a special service point, and the service is completely free. You need to have your passport and a document that confirms your eligibility for a discounted card. After purchasing, you need to top up the Rav-Kav balance. This can be done using a regular bank card:

• At points of sale
• At the terminal

Important! Money is deducted each time you enter public transportation. If the card is lost, the balance will be preserved.

Temporary cards do not require special registration as they do not contain any information about the owner. You can purchase them directly from the driver, at vending machines, or service centers. The cost is 5 shekels.

Important! In case of card loss, the balance on it will be reset and cannot be restored.

There is also a semi-anonymous card that contains all the owner’s information, including benefits, but it is not insured against loss. This means that if the card is lost, the balance will not be restored.

You can purchase the card at Ben-Gurion Airport near the exit of the third terminal. Do this in advance, as the buses may not have cards available.

Possible tariffs:

• One-way route – 18 shekels (referring to a trip without transfers, continuous);
• Calendar week – unlimited number of trips, price depends on the specific transport zone, minimum price is slightly over 90 shekels, maximum is almost 160 shekels;
• 15 days;
• Combined cards – travel by train and bus.

Important! There is a penalty for free travel in Israel, the amount of which depends on the transport zone (route distance) and the time of day. The penalty can be 200 shekels.

To summarize – if you decide to travel by train, be prepared to understand where and how to purchase a ticket, remember that trains do not run every day, and plan your journey accordingly as you may need to transfer. The advantages are that trains in Israel are quite comfortable and affordable.

INDIVIDUAL TRANSFER

This method is considered the most comfortable and involves the tourist pre-booking a car of the required make and capacity.

Here are several main advantages of individual transfer:

• After the service is arranged, on the day and time of arrival, a driver will meet you near the baggage claim area and help you with your luggage
• The car will already be waiting in the parking lot, so in case of delays at passport control or flight delays, the driver will wait for you
• The cost of the trip is fixed and agreed upon when placing the order
• You can choose the car’s capacity based on the number of passengers and luggage.

Our company provides a business-class car. However, the cost of the service will not be much higher than a taxi – starting from 100 dollars, but the level of comfort and service is significantly higher. In addition, we provide additional services such as hotel and conference room bookings and much more. The drivers speak three languages (Russian, English, and Hebrew) and will help you quickly orient yourself in the new country, tell you where to exchange currency advantageously, suggest interesting excursions, and recommend the best shops to visit.

Contact our company, and you won’t have to search for transportation or plan the route yourself. You will be able to enjoy your trip and get the maximum pleasure. We accept requests from individuals as well as companies for corporate trips. Our range of services includes individual excursions, transfers throughout Israel, and car rental with a driver. You can expect quality service and comfort.