Tel Aviv Airport (Ben Gurion)

Ben Gurion (Natbag), Israel's major international airport, has convenient facilities and good shopping options.

About the airport

Located only 20 KM from Tel Aviv and 50 KM from Jerusalem, Ben-Gurion Airport is very near both cities. The airport has been remodeled in the past years and now includes a new terminal equipped with all the technological improvements available. This reconstruction project is named NATBAG 2000 (It was supposed to be ready for the new millennium but took 4 more years).

In contrast to many airports around Europe, the US and other countries, Ben-Gurion is open 24h, allowing passengers to enjoy the benefits of duty free purchases day and night. This is very convenient when you have a late night flight.

The airport has a vast selection of shops besides the standard duty free bits and pieces, such as Nine West, H. Stern and even Michal Negrin, an Israeli jewelry designer who has branches in many cities around the world.

You can get almost anything you could need in the airport shops; books, gifts, clothing items etc. There is also a branch of Arcafe in the airport, which means a good cup of coffee is also within reach!

Security Issues

Israel is known to have a very tight security system, due to the ongoing threats of terrorism. Some elements in the security inspection might seem intrusive at times, but the aim of course is not to embarrass but to protect.

The security inspection can get a little more intrusive when it comes to non-Jewish individual travelers. The political and moral inclinations of non-Jewish travelers are looked upon with a degree of suspicion. If you find yourself having a long chat about the purpose of your visit or your political outlook with security personnel, don't take it to heart or let it spoil your arrival in Israel. At the end of the day everyone is trying to do their job as best they can, and in this case the job is important and therefore taken seriously.

Getting to Tel Aviv

Getting from the airport to Tel Aviv is a breeze.
Trains go through the new terminal (Terminal 3) and reach Tel Aviv's central train station in about 20 min. From Sun-Thu, the trains leave about every 20 min (from 5:30-12:00) and every hour during the late night hours (1:29-5:30). As for weekends, the last train leaves at 14:11 on Friday and the first train leaves at 19:35 on Saturday (between 14:11 and 19:35 the next day - there are no trains to the airport).
Bus number 222 runs a set route through all the major hotels and central places in Tel Aviv.
There is public transportation to all parts of the country (on weekdays until midnight).
And finally, taxis are always available and the price shouldn't go higher than NIS150 to Tel Aviv (though prices do vary according to the price of petrol).

Information: (03) 975-5555
Automated record in English: (03) 972-3332
Lost and Found: (03) 971-7722

For further information try the Airport's site:
http://www.iaa.gov.il/Rashat/en-US/Airports/BenGurion

Comments (13)

Train to the airport
written by Guest on December 10, 2005

Actually the train ride takes about 12 minutes. I just taken the train from Tel Aviv when I went to cyprus two months ago. Very good article by the way. Keep up the good work.

New airport terminal -- amazing
written by Douglas Duckett on May 7, 2006

I arrived in May 2005 for my seventh visit to Israel since 1988, and my first since the new terminal at Ben Gurion had opened.

It was amazing! It's a gorgeous, state-of-the-art facility, and completely different from the cattle barn, Third World feel of the old terminal. It was funny -- on our flight were a number of Israelis returning home from living abroad. Several of them, too, had not been home since the new terminal opened. We kept looking around with wide eyes, and finally I said to one, "Anachnu b'Yisrael?" ("Are we in Israel?"), and everyone broke up laughing.

It was worth the wait!

Douglas E. Duckett
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

New Tel Aviv Airport
written by Jonathan Gat on December 7, 2006

I'm about to take my third trip to Israel since the new complex opened. I remember telling my mother "I thought I was in Hong Kong".

beautiful trip
written by Regan Bhattarai on October 2, 2007

i dont have words how could i say that,it was a nice ,funny moments that i have ever in airport.

Make a slight correction
written by Micha Sachs on September 5, 2007

Very nice indeed, but, quick, correct the grammar to: At the end of the day everyone is trying to do...
and not... everyone are trying to do
See this sentence above."At the end of the day everyone are trying to do their job as best they can, and in this case the job is important and therefore taken seriously."

...
written by Mark Castrignano on January 26, 2008

Can anyone recommend a hotel NEAR to the Airport? I have a flight at 8am so need to stay close to the airport the night before. Or if you know a hotel in Tel Aviv that has a shuttle early in the morning I'd be happy to hear from you. Thanks. Shalom! Mark

How
written by MikeySoft on January 29, 2008

How often does the train run to Tel Aviv and does it run 24 hours/day?

To Mikey
written by administrator on February 4, 2008

Check out the updated article above to see the train schedule. For more detailed info try the train service website: http://www.israrail.org.il/english/index.html
(though the site does seem rather disfunctional)

Transfers from and to airport
written by Grant on March 9, 2008

I signed up for a tour of Israel with a US tour company that will be conducted by Sar-El. Since I bought my own airline tickets, the US company told me I'm responsible for my own transfer arrangements. I'm not getting info from them or Sar-El on how to to it. My wife and I have to get to Netanya upon arrival, and we will be leaving from Jerusalem. Can anyone tell me a reliable company to contact in Israel for transfers?

Admin:
Dear Grant, you could get to Netanya either on a train, bus or taxi (assuming you don't want to hire a car). Try our Getting Around section, the Ben Gurion Airport website (listed above) or the website of Netanya's Municipality: http://www.netanya.muni.il/eng/ for further details. Enjoy your stay!

Getting to Ben Gurion from Jerusalem for a 6.30am flight
written by Claire on March 16, 2008

We've yet to book our accomodation in Jerusalem - but how would we get to the airport from Jerusalem (probably the Old Town) in time for a flight leaving at 6.30am? Or would it be better to stay at a hotel near the airport the night before?

Reply by Admin: Dear Claire, there's no need to stay at a hotel by the airport - Ben Gurion is only a 30-40 min drive from Jerusalem. If you'd rather not take a regular taxi, you could order a Nesher Taxi, which picks up 12-16 people across Jerusalem and drives them to the airport. It may take some time to drive through the various stops, but price is substantially lower than a regular cab. Tel: 02-6257227
Good luck!

Airport to Jerusalem
written by Vas Revi on March 24, 2008

I am landing at Ben Gurion Airport very late (11pm) on a Thursday evening. How can I go directly to Jerusalem? Are there regular bus trips or should I order a taxi? How much does it cost? Or should I prefer to stay for the night at a nearby hotel and go to Jerusalem in the morning? Please give me your advice. Thank you

Question
written by Mila on March 28, 2008

Hello! Is anybody can tell me the prices for public transportation? Buses etc...

airport to jerusalem
written by davidez on April 5, 2008

i have the same problem as Vas Revi...except that im lanfing on a Tuesday...wich is the best way?!

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