About Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV)

Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport, which serves popular destinations Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, is the largest airport in Israel. Despite being called Terminals 1 and 3, there are only two terminals at the airport, Terminal 1 handles domestic flights, while Terminal 3 is used for international flights. Our Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport guide includes information on terminal facilities, public transport options and local accommodation.

Information:

Information counters (tel: +972 3 975 2386) are situated in the public and departures halls of Terminal 3.

The Israeli Government Tourist Office (tel: +972 3 975 4260; www.thinkisrael.com) operates a 24-hour tourist information desk in the Terminal 3 entrance hall.

Website:

Driving directions:

Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport is situated just off Highway 1, which links Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. From central Tel Aviv, head southeast along Route 1 and turn off at the Shapirim Interchange.

Transfer between terminals:

A free shuttle bus operates between the terminals and the long-term car park, 24 hours a day.

Public Transport

Public transport road:

Bus from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv: Taking a bus from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv requires effort as there is no direct bus service from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv. A better transport choice from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv is either the shuttle or the train (please see the shuttle section and the train section for more information). If you want to take the bus, the trip starts outside Terminal 3 (near the train station) and goes to Ben Gurion Airport El Al Junction first, then it goes to Ha-Tayasim Junction Center which you can then change to Tel Aviv-Yafo. You can check the schedule from egged.co.il.

Bus from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem: This is easy because Bus 485 connects Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem every hour, 24 hours a day, 6 days a week excluding Shabbat (meaning it stops running from Friday afternoon till Saturday evening). This service is managed by Afikim and you can find out the stops of bus 485 and time table here. The cost is ₪16 each way. 

Taxi: Taxi ranks and counters are located on level G of Terminal 3. Sherut, a form of shared taxi, is popular - you share the taxi with other passengers to either the main bus stop or direct to your hotel in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and other places. If you prefer to ride alone, Hadar Lod Taxis (tel: +972 3 971 1103) operates to all destinations; Nesher Tours (tel: +972 2 625 7227; www.neshertours.co.il) runs a shared taxi service between the airport and Jerusalem; while Amal (tel: +972 4 866 2324) provides a shared-ride service to Haifa. The taxi fare to central Tel Aviv from ₪120 to ₪160.

Public transport rail:

Train service from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv: A train service (tel: +972 77 232 4000; www.rail.co.il) links Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport's Terminal 3 and central Tel Aviv, operating 24 hours (Sunday to Thursday). Please note that trains do not run during Shabbat - they stop on Friday afternoon and resume the service on Saturday evening. The journey time to Tel Aviv is about 15 minutes. Purchase a ticket at the ticket booth outside Terminal 3. For more information pertaining to schedule and fare, please click here.

Terminal facilities

Money:

ATMs are located in Terminals 1 and 3. Banking and currency exchange services are available in Terminal 3.

Food:

There are plenty of places to eat at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport. Among the options are fast-food outlets, bakeries, cafés and full-service restaurants.

Shopping:

Duty-free shops are located in the departures areas of Terminals 1 and 3. The majority of other retailers can be found in the Square area of Terminal 3. These include fashion boutiques, sports shops, electronics stores and souvenir outlets.

Luggage:

A 24-hour left-luggage and lost and found service (tel: +972 3 975 4436) is available at the western car park of Terminal 3. Individual airline lost and found desks can be found in the Terminal 3 arrivals hall.

Other:

Emergency first aid clinics operate 24 hours a day. Other facilities include a mother and child room, a children’s play area in Terminal 1, and a synagogue in the Square area of Terminal 3.

Airport facilities

Conference and business:

Passengers with Israel's El Al airline are permitted to use the King David Lounge (tel: +972 3 977 1111) in Terminal 3, which provides internet kiosks and newspapers. First- and business-class passengers with all other airlines have access to a number of dedicated lounges, while other passengers may also use these services for a fee. Meeting rooms, and more extensive business facilities, are available at most major hotels in Tel Aviv.

Communication Facilities:

Free Wi-Fi internet access is available in Terminal 3 of Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport. Public telephones, accepting both cards and coins, are located throughout the airport and a post office is housed within Terminal 3.

Disabled facilities:

Facilities for the disabled include accessible telephones and toilets, raised pedestrian crossings, ramps and lifts. Lifts and vehicle transportation to the aircraft are also available to disabled passengers, who should contact their airline in advance with any special assistance requirements. Disabled parking spaces are designated in the short-term car parks close to the terminals.

Car parking:

There are short-term car parks at the entrances to Terminals 1 and 3. Long-term car parking is at a remote location and is clearly signposted – a shuttle bus links the long-term parking areas to Terminal 3. A new long-term car park has also recently opened, located close to Terminal 3, with space for an additional 750 cars, 500 of which are under shelter. Further information is available from the parking office (tel: +972 3 975 2550).

Car rental:

Car rental companies: Avis, Budget, Dollar Thrifty, Eldan, Hertz and Sixt are represented at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport. Desks for these operators are situated in the Terminal 3 arrivals hall, and are open 24 hours a day.