Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Intl Airport (TLV) Flights & Information

Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) is the largest airport in Israel and the country’s main global gateway. It’s a hub for Israel’s flag carrier El Al (LY), which offers the majority of its flights to Europe, Asia and North America. However, dozens of foreign carriers also serve TLV, including all of the “big” three American carriers. TLV is an interesting airport with several unique quirks, which I’ll be explaining to you in greater detail.

How to get to and from TLV and Tel Aviv

TLV is well-connected to central Tel Aviv, whether you go by taxi or rideshare, or use various public transportation options. You can also easily reach Jerusalem from TLV.

I usually like to use the Israel Railways train that links the airport to Tel Aviv’s Savidor Railway Station in less than 20 minutes and to Yitzhak Navon Station in Jerusalem in less than 30 minutes. Note that trains don’t run on Saturdays due to the Jewish tradition of Shabbat, and also aren’t available on Jewish holidays.

Arriving on a holiday or during irregular hours, a taxi or rideshare is usually the best option, assuming I haven’t arranged a pick-up with my hotel in advance. By car, central Tel Aviv is about 30 minutes from the airport, while Jerusalem’s old city is about 40 minutes away.

Do note that Uber ceased operations in Israel a few years ago, so if you want to use an app, you’ll need to download Israel’s local Gett application. I suggest doing this before you arrive in case you experience any connection difficulties.

On the other hand, my experience has been that taxi drivers in Israel speak good English and know the majority of hotels and residential addresses. Don’t feel like you have to use an app because of a perceived language barrier! Most cabs these days also accept credit cards, in case you don’t have many Israeli shekels on hand.

The unique security situation at TLV

Some aspects of security and immigration are like they are at any other airport. On the other hand, due to the perpetually tense security situation in the Middle East, I recommend leaving extra time for security proceedings.

Specifically, I recommend arriving at TLV at least three hours before your scheduled flight time in order to account for possible delays. Add another hour if you’re flying El Al, for reasons I’ll explain in a moment.

Normal security and immigration flow

With the exception of limited flights to Eilat in far southern Israel, the vast majority of service at TLV is international. As a result, passengers will need to clear both a security check and exit passport control.

The “normal” security check at TLV is extremely stringent. It isn’t uncommon for staff to ask you to empty your bags out completely, or to run your belongings through the conveyor belt multiple times.

Although this can feel embarrassing or even uncomfortable, I suggest complying without any pushback, as this will speed the process along. Any increased scrutiny is likely random and nothing specific about you or your belongings.

Note that unlike most other airports, TLV does not offer a priority security or immigration queue free or charge. Rather, it has monetized this as the “VIP Fast Track.” In my opinion, this isn’t worth the expense, as the price is very high.

Secondary security protocols at TLV

On your way out of Israel, it’s not uncommon to face secondary questioning at immigration, particularly if you’re ultimately bound for a country that flags a security concern. If you’re flying Israel’s national carrier El Al, you will additionally be subject to a preflight “interview” with the airline’s own private security personnel. This is why I recommend giving yourself an extra hour!

On the way into Israel, it isn’t uncommon for a non-uniformed officer to approach you and ask you questions about the purpose of your trip to Israel. In some cases, this officer may even take you to a private room for additional screening. Don’t be alarmed; this is “normal”!

Does Israel still stamp passports?

One reason you may be pulled aside at Israel immigration? If staff notice stamps or visas from certain countries, particularly Arab and Muslim ones, they may question you about the purpose of your trips to those places.

Conversely, because of issues with travelers who have visited Israel being able to enter certain Arab and Muslim countries, Israel generally no longer stamps the passports of entering travelers. Instead, they’ll stamp a paper chit, which you’ll need to retain for the entirety of your time in Israel.

If you happen to lose this chit, you may face increased scrutiny upon trying to exit Israel. I usually ask the officer who admits me to Israel to tape or paperclip the chit inside my passport so I don’t misplace it!

Airline lounges at TLV

TLV’s array of lounges are somewhat unimpressive by global standards. When combined with how long security usually takes, I often don’t devote much time to them. Still, there are some situations where accessing a lounge can enhance your experience.

There are two types of lounges at Tel Aviv, all of which are located within Terminal 3. King David Lounges are El Al-operated, and have separate facilities for first and business class passengers. I don’t personally find either the food or beverage here to be worth writing home about.

Premium passengers on other airlines can access the Dan Lounge. Four of these lounges operate in various areas of Terminal 3, and offer buffet-style dining and self-service drinks.

Like the King David Lounges, TLV’s Dan Lounge locations aren’t spectacular. However, since two of them accept Priority Pass, I sometimes visit them even if I’m traveling in economy (and, perhaps more importantly, if I make it through security and passport control quickly).

Note that there are no lounges in Terminal 1, which serves TLV’s very limited number of domestic flights, as well as low-cost flights to Europe.

Luggage storage at TLV

TLV offers many luggage storage options, including both an airport-run storage area, as well as private lockers from companies like Eelway and Nannybag.

As you might imagine, given increased security at the airport, you’ll need to pass all bags through a metal detector before you’re able to store them. Staff may refuse storage of any items deemed suspicious.

Transfers at TLV

The vast majority of travelers who use TLV are originating and departing passengers. The airport’s security situation makes it less than ideal for transit, given the longer amounts of time required simply to clear security.

The one exception to this rule if you’re flying on El Al. For example, you might book a flight from London or Paris to Bangkok or Mumbai, via Tel Aviv. In this situation, make sure to give yourself plenty of time between flights, at least 3-4 hours.

Likewise, since only a few domestic flights per day operate from TLV, it’s unlikely that you will be transferring domestic-to-international or international-to-domestic. If you are, however, the procedure is similar to what it would be in other countries.

If you’re flying in from a domestic destination and transferring to an international flight, you’ll need to collect your bags (if you have them) in Terminal 1 and take the shuttle bus to Terminal 3. There, as you’ll recall, you’ll need at least 2-3 hours to pass through immigration and security.

If you’re arriving from an international flight in Terminal 3 and transferring to a domestic flight, the procedure is slightly faster. This is both because you won’t need to clear passport control at Domestic Terminal 1, and because many fewer people use this terminal.

How to travel to other destinations in Israel from TLV

Although, as I've mentioned, you can fly domestically from Tel Aviv to Eilat, you’ll generally need to use other means to travel around this very small (but very connected) country.

As I explained earlier, you can travel by train from the airport to both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. In Tel Aviv, you can connect to a second train to destinations in the north of Israel, including the popular coastal city of Haifa.

From both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, buses and sherut (share taxis) can take you to more remote destinations, including Nazareth on the Sea of Galilee, as well as the cities and towns of the Negev desert in the south of Israel.

Limited direct bus or sherut services from TLV to secondary and tertiary destinations in Israel may exist, but these are very infrequent; it’s best to go first to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem.

Alternatively, you can of course rent a car at TLV and drive to where you need to go. Since Israel is only the size of the US state of New Jersey, nowhere in the country is more than a few hours away!