Ben Gurion Airport is Israel's primary airport, located approximately 15 km southeast of Tel Aviv.
It is the gateway to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and most of the country's tourist itineraries.
How to get to Ben Gurion International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to TLV
Parking near Ben Gurion International Airport
A multi-level parking facility is available adjacent to the terminal.
They are video-monitored; from December 2, 2025 the rate is 0.5 NIS per minute (first 15 minutes free), with a maximum daily cap of 90 NIS.
How to get to Tel Aviv from TLV
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Car rental at Ben Gurion International Airport
The major car rental operators manage a counter in the arrivals area.
License, passport, credit card, and in most cases the International Driving Permit: these are the required documents.
Hotels near Ben Gurion International Airport
The promenade and the beach
From Ben Gurion station the train reaches HaShalom in 15-20 minutes; from there the promenade is about ten minutes on foot or a short taxi ride.
Best for: Travellers who want the beach right outside the hotel and the Herbert Samuel promenade on foot, accepting a few extra minutes to reach Rothschild and the centre.
- Direct access to the beach and the Herbert Samuel promenade from the area's hotels
- The artists' quarter and Jaffa within walking distance along the promenade
- A tourist area, so prices are higher than in the centre
- On Friday evening and Saturday, with no trains, a taxi from the airport is needed
Recommended hotels
- Hilton Tel Aviv Hotel Inside Independence Park, with direct access to the public beach and the promenade; an outdoor seawater pool and several kosher restaurants. View availability
- Crowne Plaza Tel Aviv Beach by IHG On HaYarkon Street, a short walk from Gordon Beach; a private beach and a spa are among the most mentioned points in reviews. View availability
Rothschild and the centre
From HaShalom station, Rothschild Boulevard is 15-20 minutes on foot or a short taxi ride; the same 15-20 minute train journey from the airport applies.
Best for: Travellers who want bars, restaurants and the Bauhaus architecture of the White City without straying from the centre, accepting that the sea is not right outside.
- Rothschild Boulevard, with its UNESCO World Heritage Bauhaus architecture, a short walk from the area's hotels
- Nightlife and restaurants concentrated within a few blocks
- The sea is 15-20 minutes on foot, not right outside the hotel as on the promenade
- A central area with traffic and noise late into the night on weekends
Recommended hotels
- Crowne Plaza Tel Aviv City Center by IHG Inside the Azrieli Center, about a 17-minute walk from Rothschild Boulevard; an indoor pool, a spa and a health club are among the strengths reported by guests. View availability
- 65 Hotel, Rothschild Tel Aviv - an Atlas Boutique Hotel In a round Art Deco building on the corner of Rothschild and Nahmani, in the heart of the White City; a panoramic rooftop terrace is among the most mentioned points in reviews. View availability
Neve Tzedek and the marina
The same 15-20 minute train journey to HaShalom, then another 15-20 minutes on foot or a short taxi ride to the southern end of the promenade.
Best for: Travellers who want the city's oldest and quietest neighbourhood, halfway on foot between the beach and Old Jaffa.
- The Neve Tzedek neighbourhood, with cafés and boutiques, a few minutes on foot, and the marina right below the hotel
- Old Jaffa reachable with about a 25-minute walk along the sea
- Further from the trains to the airport than the centre or the northern promenade
- Some street-side rooms reported as noisy in reviews
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The three terminals (1, 3 and the charter terminal) are well-organized, with security checks among the most thorough in the world.
For international flights, it is advisable to arrive at least 3 hours in advance, longer during peak periods or heightened alert.
Map of Ben Gurion International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. What is Shabbat and how does it affect airport transport?
It is the Jewish day of rest, from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday: during this period the train and most buses do not run, so it's best to arrange a taxi or a private transfer.
Q. Is it safe to travel to Israel today?
In all honesty, the security situation remains complex and can change quickly: Tel Aviv and the main tourist cities generally maintain normal life, but always check your country's updated official advisories before you leave.
Q. Can you pay with a credit card almost everywhere in Tel Aviv?
Yes, cards are accepted in the vast majority of Israeli shops, restaurants and transport; cash in shekels is still useful for markets, like the Carmel shuk, and for small kiosks where cards aren't always welcome.
Q. Why are security checks at Ben Gurion Airport so thorough?
It's among the airports with the strictest security protocols in the world, with checks that can include detailed interviews: arrive well in advance for international flights.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
