Amazingly, even now, when there is a war in Israel, people still arrive. We can’t say they come, as to our country, as in the old song, “only by plane can you arrive.”
There’s no choice. Perhaps, someday, a bright future will come, and land routes will open up, but for now – it is what it is.
There are more and more tourists on the promenades, bathers on the beaches, lovers of Eastern cuisine in cafes and restaurants. Orders for excursions and apartment rentals and hotel rooms are increasing. Of course, Israel is not Turkey with its well-established and inexpensive service, but Israel is not Turkey! We have our own exoticism and adventures aplenty!
Most guests arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, fewer people arrive directly in Eilat. But both of these airports are operational, and you can arrange an individual transfer to each to be met and taken to your destination.
Of course, from Ben Gurion Airport, you can reach any part of the country by various means of transport. From the airport, there is a train, bus, shuttle, and pre-booked taxi. The train, shuttle, and bus have schedules (for the shuttle, it depends on how busy it is), and unfortunately, the schedule may not always coincide with your arrival time.
It's important to know that during Shabbat, from 2 PM on Friday until 8 PM on Saturday, there is no public transportation in Israel! That includes trains, buses, and minibusses.
Taxis are not affected by Shabbat. How to call a taxi? Your SIM card will stop working when you leave the airport. So, you need to change the SIM card right at the airport. But you also need an app to call a taxi. This option is suitable for few tourists. Taxis can also be ordered through the dispatcher service at the airport or on the GetTaxi service website. But you need to find them and be able to speak with the dispatcher at least in English. Many people in Israel speak Russian, but not everyone. Everyone who works in any service where communication with clients is required speaks Hebrew and English.
Let’s say right away that taxis in Israel are not a cheap pleasure. The price depends not only on the distance of the trip but also on the number of passengers and the amount of luggage. Prices from the airport start at around 100 shekels and higher. What we definitely do not recommend is getting into cars of those who are standing in the arrival zone and offering a taxi. They are the same as everywhere in the world – they charge exorbitant prices, and comfort is questionable.
There is a direct train to Haifa if that's where you need to go. The train ride takes about 1.5 hours. If your destination is another city in the north, you'll need to transfer either to another train or a bus. Moreover, people traveling from the airport usually have luggage with them. The only advantage is that it will be more cost-effective than taking a taxi or booking an individual transfer. The ticket price is approximately 60 shekels, depending on your destination.
Also, you can take a train to Tel Aviv, specifically to Tel Aviv-HaHagana station. This station is where the railway and central bus station are located side by side. From there, you can choose your mode of transport to your final destination. The train ride from the airport to these stations takes about 20 minutes and costs around 5 shekels.
It's important to note that all signs and indicators at the airport are in three languages: Hebrew, Arabic, and English.
Shared taxis are another option. They go directly from the airport to Tel Aviv. The major advantage is that they make stops on demand. However, there is no fixed schedule. The taxi will wait until 10 passengers are on board. The issue of luggage may arise as it might not all fit. The cost of the ride is approximately 12 shekels, and the journey takes 30-40 minutes. Payment is made in cash in shekels directly to the driver. This is the local currency. Drivers typically speak Hebrew and often also English. Russian-speaking drivers in public transport are rare. Most drivers are native Israelis who have undergone special training for passenger safety.
The bus is the most economical form of public transportation. There is a special green shuttle bus, number 5, that runs from the airport. Tickets need to be purchased at the ticket counter. The bus stops at the third terminal, near exits 21 and 23. So, if you arrive at the first terminal, you'll need to make your way there. Typically, there is enough space for all passengers' luggage on this bus. However, this bus will only take you from the airport to the Airport City transfer station. Here, you'll need to unload your luggage and switch to buses heading to the city, such as 268, 249, 423, 930, 947, 950, depending on your destination.
Car rental without a driver.This service is available at Ben Gurion Airport. Naturally, you can rent a car in advance from the country of departure. The only thing is, we recommend doing this only for experienced drivers, as each country has its own traffic features. In Israel, for example, there are a huge number of roundabouts, streets are mostly narrow, many with one-way traffic, and all signs are in Hebrew and Arabic.
In our opinion, the best way to leave the airport is by individual transfer. This service can be pre-booked and is offered by many websites. The main thing is that these are reliable, verified companies. We offer our customers a high level of service. The customer can choose the car they like. All options for our transportation are presented on our website with photos and all the necessary information. You can also immediately agree on prices. All drivers speak Hebrew, English, and Russian. You will be met at the airport at any time of the day or night, the driver will be in touch with you from the moment you board, will wait for you to complete all formalities and receive your luggage, will help load your luggage, will take you to your destination, observing all safety rules. And the driver can also give a small tour along the way – tell you about what you see outside the window. All prices are listed on the company’s website.
Enjoy your stay in our beautiful and warm country!
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