Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV)
Israel's main gateway and one of the most secure airports in the world. Serves 22.8M passengers/year across Terminal 3 (international) and Terminal 1 (domestic & low-cost). Known for thorough security questioning before check-in.
Useful for quick trip budgeting: the Israeli New Shekel is the local currency at Ben Gurion Airport and throughout Israel.
Security — what makes TLV unique
Ben Gurion Airport uses one of the world's most rigorous security systems. Understanding the process avoids delays and surprises.
Arrive 3 hours before your flight
Security questioning can take 20–90 minutes depending on your travel history, passport, and number of passengers. First-time visitors and passengers with stamps from certain countries face the most thorough checks.
Security process flow
Passport stamp — ask to skip it
Israel offers an entry slip of paper instead of a passport stamp — important for travellers who also visit Arab countries where an Israeli stamp causes problems. Ask the border officer explicitly: "No stamp please, I'd like the entry card."
What questions to expect
Typical questions: "What is the purpose of your visit?", "Do you know anyone in Israel?", "Who packed your bags?", "Have you been to [country] recently?". Answer calmly and consistently. Having hotel/host details ready speeds things up significantly.
EasyPass for Israeli nationals & frequent visitors
Enrolled passengers use biometric gates (EasyPass) to bypass the manual security queue at departure and arrivals. Available to Israeli citizens and some foreign nationals enrolled in the system.
Border control & customs
On Arrival
- Disembark & follow signs to "Passport Control"Terminal 3: takes ~5 min walk. Follow green "Arrivals" signs.
- Passport control queuesIsraeli/EU nationals: automated eGates. Others: staffed counters. Wait times: 10–45 min peak.
- Baggage claimHall B (lower level). Screens show belt numbers. Usually 20–35 min after landing.
- CustomsGreen channel (nothing to declare) / Red channel. Random checks. Duty-free allowances: 1L spirits, 2L wine, 250g tobacco, gifts up to ₪1,000 (~$270).
- Exit to arrivals hallCurrency exchange, SIM cards, tourist info, car hire and taxi desks all in arrivals hall (Level 1).
Customs — what to know
Prohibited items
Fresh meat, fresh dairy, weapons replicas, certain plant products. Check Israeli customs rules before packing souvenirs from abroad.
Terminal layout
Terminal 3 International (main)
Opened 2004. Handles virtually all international flights. 4 levels:
- Level 4: Departures, check-in counters, security
- Level 3: Departure gates (Gates 1–50+), duty-free, lounges, shops
- Level 2: International arrivals, baggage claim
- Level 1: Arrivals hall, ground transport, taxis, train station
Gates A & B
Gates A (1–29) and B (30–50+) are connected airside. Shuttle buses used for remote stands.
Terminal 1 Domestic & low-cost
Historic building, 2–3 km from Terminal 3. Handles Arkia, Israir domestic routes and some charter/low-cost international.
- Separate building — allow 15 min transfer from T3
- Free shuttle bus between terminals every 20 min
- Smaller, less facilities than Terminal 3
- Used by: Arkia, Israir, some charter flights
Check your terminal!
Your boarding pass shows the terminal. T1 and T3 are not walking distance — take the free shuttle.
Getting to & from the airport
Best option: Israel Railways (train)
Fastest, cheapest, runs 24/7 except Shabbat (Friday sunset–Saturday night). Direct from the airport basement (Terminal 3, Level –1).
| Mode | To Tel Aviv | Duration | Price (approx) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train (Israel Railways) | Tel Aviv HaHagana, Savidor, Hashalom | 14–22 min Fastest | ~₪30 (~$8) | Runs 24/7 except Shabbat. Station under Terminal 3. |
| Bus (Egged/Dan) | Tel Aviv Central Bus Station | 40–75 min Moderate | ~₪20 (~$5) | Route 475 to Tel Aviv. Stops at Petah Tikva too. Runs Sun–Fri only. |
| Taxi (official) | Tel Aviv city centre | 20–45 min Traffic varies | ₪120–180 (~$33–50) | Use licensed yellow taxis from official rank. Insist on meter. Available 24/7. |
| Sherut (shared taxi) | Tel Aviv / Jerusalem | 30–60 min | ₪60–80 (~$17–22) | Fixed-price shared minibus. Departs when full. Available Shabbat. |
| Gett / Yango | Any destination | 20–50 min | ₪100–160 (~$28–44) | App-based. Available 24/7. Often cheaper than taxi during off-peak. |
| Car hire | Self-drive | — | From $35/day | Desks in arrivals hall: Hertz, Avis, Budget, Sixt, Eldan. International licence required. |
| Bus to Jerusalem | Jerusalem Central Bus Station | 50–80 min Moderate | ~₪25 (~$7) | Express 485. Runs Sun–Fri. Train also via Modiin. |
Shabbat — Friday evening to Saturday night
All public transport (trains, buses) stops from ~1 hour before sunset Friday until ~1 hour after sunset Saturday. Plan accordingly — taxi or sherut are the only options. Sheruts run throughout Shabbat and are usually available at the arrivals exit.
Emergency Numbers
24/7 emergency services in Israel
Mobile Connectivity
Local operators & SIM cards in Israel
Airport lounges
El Al Matmid Lounge
Flagship El Al lounge airside Terminal 3. Hot and cold food, open bar, showers, fast Wi-Fi, comfortable seating.
El Al Economy Lounge (King David)
Available to El Al frequent flyers (Silver+). Light snacks, drinks, seating. Smaller than Matmid.
Priority Pass / LoungeKey Lounges
Several partner lounges accessible with Priority Pass cards. Includes Business Lounge by Terminal 3 Gates A/B and partner lounges for select airlines.
United Club (United Airlines)
Available on United flights. Located airside Terminal 3. Food, drinks, Wi-Fi.
British Airways Lounge
For BA business class, Gold/Silver Executive Club. Hot buffet, bar, good seating. Popular with European departures.
Pay-on-entry lounges
Several lounges accept walk-in passengers for ~₪200–280 (~$55–75). Good option for long layovers without lounge access.
Facilities & services
Dining highlights (Terminal 3)
- Arcaffe — Israeli coffee chain, popular for espresso and pastries
- McDonald's — Kosher, no dairy products served (note: unusual menu vs standard)
- Aroma — Popular Israeli café chain, excellent sandwiches
- Landwer — Upscale Israeli café, full meals
- Hummus Bar — Authentic Israeli hummus, falafel, shakshuka
- Sushi restaurants — Kosher sushi available post-security
- Pharmacy (SuperPharm) — Medications, toiletries, baby products
- Bookstores (Steimatzky) — English books, press, travel guides
Tips by passenger type
First-time visitors to Israel
- Expect extended security questioning — have hotel address and host contacts ready
- Request the entry slip (not a passport stamp) if you plan to visit Arab countries later
- Download the VisitIsrael app for navigation and tips
- Exchange some cash — many street vendors are cash-only
- Buy a local SIM at arrivals — Gett and Waze apps are essential in Israel
Transit passengers
- Minimum recommended connection: 2.5 hours (all flights require full security re-screening)
- All transit passengers go through standard security and questioning — no shortcuts
- Airside facilities in Terminal 3 are good — lounges, Wi-Fi, dining
- If your connection is same terminal (T3): no need to reclaim bags
- Overnight transit: T3 has 24/7 food service and comfortable seating areas
Families with children
- Children also questioned separately at security — keep them calm and prepared
- Family lanes available at security, ask security staff
- Dedicated play area in departures hall (Terminal 3, Level 4)
- Baby food and nappies available at SuperPharm landside and airside
- Priority boarding available for families with children under 2 on most airlines
Business travellers
- El Al Matmid Lounge is best in terminal — hot meals, showers, quiet workspaces
- Enrol in EasyPass for fast-track biometric security
- Fast-track security lanes for business class passengers at T3
- Mobile check-in available on El Al, British Airways, United apps
- Free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout T3 — video calls work well
Passengers with reduced mobility
- Request wheelchair assistance in advance from your airline (at least 48h before)
- Dedicated security lanes for PRM (persons with reduced mobility)
- Full lift access across all levels of Terminal 3
- Special assistance desk in arrivals hall (Level 1)
- IAA (Israel Airports Authority) special assistance: +972-9-771-7272
Religious travellers
- All food in the airport is certified kosher — no exceptions
- Synagogue airside (Level 3) — minyan often available for morning prayers
- Prayer times observed — some flights won't depart on Yom Kippur
- Modesty norms relaxed in the airport, but respected in Jerusalem and religious areas
- Shabbat lifts (moves on pre-programmed route, no button press needed)
Departure day — ideal timeline
Based on an international departure. Times are relative to scheduled departure time (T).
Airlines & routes
Israeli carriers
International carriers
- Europe: British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Swiss, Austrian, Alitalia/ITA, LOT, Aegean
- North America: Delta (JFK), United (EWR/IAD), American (JFK)
- Middle East: Emirates (DXB), Etihad (AUH), flydubai — Abraham Accords normalisation routes
- Asia: Air India (BOM, DEL), Cathay Pacific (HKG), Korean Air (ICN)
- Africa: Ethiopian Airlines (ADD), Kenya Airways (NBO)
Abraham Accords routes — new since 2020
Following the Abraham Accords, direct flights now operate from TLV to Dubai (DXB/DWC), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Bahrain (BAH), and Marrakesh (RAK). These routes are growing rapidly.
Nearby destinations from TLV
Frequently asked questions
Arrive at least 3 hours before an international flight. Security questioning alone can take 20–60 minutes, and you still need check-in, passport control, and gate screening. During peak periods (summer, Jewish holidays), arrive 3.5–4 hours early.
No. All public transport including trains and regular buses stops for Shabbat (from approximately 1 hour before sunset Friday until 1 hour after sunset Saturday). Your options during Shabbat are: taxi (₪120–180 to Tel Aviv), sherut (shared taxi, ₪60–80, departs when full), or app-based rides (Gett/Yango).
Only if you ask for one or don't specifically request otherwise. Israeli border control routinely offers a separate entry/exit slip of paper that is not placed in your passport — very useful if you plan to visit Arab countries (many of which have restrictions on Israeli passport stamps). At the border control booth, simply say: "No stamp please, I'd like the entry card."
Ben Gurion uses behavioural profiling and individual questioning as a core security method — different from X-ray-only systems elsewhere. Questions typically include purpose of visit, accommodation details, whether you know people in Israel, who packed your bags, and travel history. The goal is to detect suspicious patterns, not to discriminate. Having clear, consistent answers and supporting documentation (hotel booking, invitation letter) reduces questioning time significantly.
There is no hotel directly connected to the terminal, but several are within 5–10 minutes drive. Leonardo Boutique Airport Hotel (5 min), Holiday Inn Tel Aviv-Airport (10 min), and Crowne Plaza Tel Aviv — Airport City (7 min) all offer free airport shuttles. For very early/late flights, these are popular choices.
The Israeli New Shekel (ILS / ₪). Cards (Visa/Mastercard) are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas. Cash is useful for markets, some transport, and tips. ATMs at the airport give good rates; currency exchange bureaus are less favourable. Avoid exchanging large amounts at airport counters — rates are worse than in-city banks.
Useful contacts
- Airport info line: +972-9-771-7272
- Lost & Found: +972-3-975-5555
- Israel Railways (train): *5770 or rail.co.il
- Police (emergency): 100
- Ambulance: 101
- IAA official website: iaa.gov.il
- El Al airlines: elal.com
- Israel customs info: customs.gov.il
- Ben Gurion train station: Level –1 (basement), Terminal 3
- Taxi rank: Level 1, exits 2 and 5