The main transport to Ben Gurion Airport is by modern rail, supplemented by several local bus routes.
TIP: No form of public transport (buses, trains) operates in Israel from Friday afternoon (usually 2-3 hours before sunset) to Saturday evening (2-3 hours after sunset). During this period, only taxis can be used, which run at an extra cost.
Car rental
There are many car rental stands at the airport, including multinational brands such as Avis, Enterprise and Alamo.
A car is the best way to travel around the natural beauty of Israel, such as the Dead Sea or the Negev Desert. The lowest prices for a weekly rental start at around 270 eur.
Transportation to Tel Aviv
Over 22km away, Israel's largest city is accessible by train, buses and taxis. Trains only stop outside Terminal 3, buses also go to Terminal 1.
Search for the cheapest hotels in Tel Aviv
Train
The train is the most transparent mode of transport and will offer the best value for money. Trains from the airport to Tel Aviv run 3-4 times per hour.
There are no trains between Friday afternoon and Saturday evening (times vary according to sunset).
Tickets can be purchased simply at the ticket machine outside the station entrance, located directly in front of Terminal 3.
Trains to Tel Aviv depart from platform 2.
- Travel time to Tel Aviv: 16 minutes
- Frequency: 6-24 minutes
- Price: 9 ils for a single ride / 18 ils all-day and for all buses in Tel Aviv
- First connection from the center (HaShalom) - 5:39 a.m. (on Saturdays until late in the evening)
- Last connection from the airport - 00:01 (no train runs Friday night to Saturday)
- Official website: www.rail.co.il
Search for the airport under the name "Ben Gurion Airport".
There are 4 train stations in Tel Aviv:
- HaHagana - near the central bus station
- HaShalom - downtown
- Savidor Center - downtown
- University - Tel Aviv University
Taxi
Taxis operate throughout the week, including between Friday afternoon and Saturday evening. Avoid the taxi drivers standing in the arrivals hall and follow the official signs.
Go out in front of the terminal and continue about 150 metres to the left.
The price to central Tel Aviv is around 150 ils and payment is usually cash only. On Shabbat the price tends to be between 250 ils and 290 ils.
The Uber, Bolt, etc. apps do not operate here.
Bus
The cheapest transport directly to the centre and to the Tel Aviv coast is bus line 449. Compared to the train, the bus takes longer (about 40 minutes) but goes directly to the centre.
The frequency is only once an hour and exact times, including the possibility to buy tickets, can be found for example via the Hop on app.
The ticket costs 5,90 ils and in addition to paying via the app, you can also use the Rav Kav transport card, which you can buy at the airport in the arrivals hall.
Transportation to Jerusalem
Over 53km away, Jerusalem is accessible by train, bus, shared and regular taxis. All public transport stops towards Jerusalem are only at Terminal 3.
Search the cheapest hotels in Jerusalem
Train
The train is the most transparent mode of transport and will offer the best value for money. Trains from the airport to Jerusalem run twice an hour, but only once at night.
There are no trains between Friday afternoon and Saturday evening (times vary according to sunset).
Tickets can be purchased simply at the ticket machine outside the station entrance, located directly in front of Terminal 3.
Trains to Jerusalem depart from platform 1.
- Journey time to Jerusalem: 26 minutes
- Frequency: 30 minutes
- Price: 18 ils for a single ride / 28 ils all-day and for all buses and trams in Jerusalem
- Operating hours - 24/7 (no trains run from Friday to Saturday afternoon)
- Official website: www.rail.co.il
Search for the airport under the name "Ben Gurion Airport".
Taxi
Taxis operate throughout the week, including between Friday afternoon and Saturday evening. Avoid the taxi drivers standing in the arrivals hall and follow the official signs. Taxi drivers must always use a taximeter.
Go out in front of the terminal and continue about 150 metres to the left.
The price to the centre of Jerusalem is around 220 ils and payment is usually cash only. On Shabbat, the price tends to be between 420 ils and 430 ils. At night you pay around 290 ils
Uber, Bolt, etc. do not operate here.
Sherut (shared taxi)
Shared taxis run 24/7 between the airport and Jerusalem, operated by Nesher, also known as "sherut" in Israel.
The vans are for about 10 people and typically leave only when they are full. You'll usually wait around 15 to 20 minutes for departure.
All sheruts go to the central bus and train station in Jerusalem, where you pay around 45 ils. If you want to be driven directly to your hotel, the price within central Jerusalem will be from the airport around 75 ils.
You can only pay in cash.
Bus
An alternative to the train was the cheaper bus line number 485 with a price 12 ils one way. It used to run 24/7 every hour, but now only substitutes for the train at night if there is a rail closure.
Map of public transport
See a map of all train and bus routes to/from Tel Aviv Airport.
How to pay for public transport tickets?
Fares in Israel are paid only through the Rav Kav transport card or mobile apps. The most widely used is the Hop on app.
You can also buy a single paper ticket at a vending machine, but bus fares can only be paid through the app or with the Rav Kav card. You can't buy a regular ticket from the driver.
The Rav Kav card is worth the cost alone 5 ils and can be loaded with either a full day ticket for a given area or an equal amount (credit) that will be gradually deducted.
Unused credit cannot be returned.
The Rav Kav is sold in the arrivals hall of Terminal 3 at the "Public Transportation Information" booth or at a machine nearby.