Ben Gurion International Airport
Also known as: Tel Aviv Airport, TLV Airport, Ben Gurion Airport, Natbag, Lod Airport Tel Aviv. Formerly Lydda Airport, Lod International Airport, Lod Airport.
Private transfer from TLVSee pricesSee pricesAbout Ben Gurion International Airport
Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) is the main international airport of Israel, serving Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and the rest of the country. It is operated by the Israel Airports Authority and handled about 19.2 million passengers in 2025.
El Al, Arkia and Israir are the home airlines, flying to Europe, North America and Asia, with El Al routes to New York, Los Angeles, Bangkok and Tokyo. European carriers such as Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Aegean, ITA Airways and Wizz Air link the airport with their hubs, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines fly to New York and Newark, and flydubai and Etihad Airways serve the Gulf. Domestic flights go to Eilat's Ramon Airport.
Terminal 3 handles most international flights and all international arrivals, while Terminal 1 handles domestic flights and some international departures. The airport sits on the northern edge of Lod, next to Highway 1, about 20 km southeast of Tel Aviv and 45 km northwest of Jerusalem. An Israel Railways station on the lower level of Terminal 3 links the airport with both cities.
From the airport, travelers head to Tel Aviv and Jaffa on the coast, to Jerusalem, north to Haifa and the Galilee, or southeast to the Dead Sea.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Israel Airports Authority
- Passengers per year
About 19.2 million in 2025
- Runways
Three runways; the longest, 08/26, is 4,062 m
- Location
Lod, about 20 km southeast of Tel Aviv and 45 km northwest of Jerusalem
- Main airline
El Al
Arrival tips for Ben Gurion International Airport
All international flights arrive at Terminal 3. You first pass through passport control; visitors from visa-exempt countries need an approved ETA-IL electronic travel authorization from Israel's Population and Immigration Authority before departure.
After passport control, collect your bags in the baggage hall and go through customs into the arrivals hall on the ground floor, where people meeting passengers wait. Domestic flights from Eilat use Terminal 1.
For a taxi, use the official taxi line at Exit 03 on the ground floor of Terminal 3; the authorized airport taxis are run by Gett, and you can get a ride code from a self-service kiosk or the Gett app. Taxis must use the meter. The train station is one level below the arrivals hall, and intercity buses leave from Terminal 3 as well.
Summers are hot and dry and winters mild with some rain. Israel uses Israel Standard Time (UTC+2) with daylight saving time (UTC+3) in summer, and the currency is the new Israeli shekel (ILS).
Ground transportation
The train is the most direct option to central Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, while taxis suit travelers with heavy luggage or late arrivals.
Compare providers for your exact address
Enter your hotel to see the price and every provider serving it.
Book a transfer from TLVTrain to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem
Israel Railways trains leave from the station on the lower level of Terminal 3, reaching Tel Aviv Savidor Central in about 15–20 minutes and Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon in about 25 minutes. Many services stop on Shabbat and Jewish holidays, so check the schedule.
Taxi from Ben Gurion Airport
Official metered taxis, run by Gett, wait at Exit 03 on the ground floor of Terminal 3 and at the main exit of Terminal 1, 24 hours a day. You get a ride code from a kiosk or the Gett app and show it to the driver.
Bus to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem
Kavim line 445 runs to Tel Aviv and Afikim line 485 to Jerusalem from Terminal 3. Buses are slower than the train and also have limited service on Shabbat.
Shared taxi (sherut)
Shared minivans run from the airport to Jerusalem and Haifa. They leave when full, so waiting times vary.
Private transfer
A pre-booked driver meets you in the Terminal 3 arrivals hall, which helps on Shabbat when trains and buses are limited. You need to share your flight number so the driver can track delays.
Moving between terminals
- 1
Free terminal shuttle
A free shuttle bus links Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 around the clock, running about every 15 minutes.
- 2
Shuttle to the train station
Passengers using Terminal 1 reach the Israel Railways station under Terminal 3 on the same free shuttle bus.
- 3
Check your terminal
Some airlines now split departures between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, so check your departure terminal with your airline before you travel.
Terminals
Terminal 1
The original terminal, used for domestic flights to Eilat's Ramon Airport and, since July 2026, for some international departures. International arrivals do not use Terminal 1.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Arkia
Terminal 3
The main terminal, opened in 2004, with four concourses (B, C, D and E). It handles all international arrivals and most international departures, and has the Israel Railways station on its lower level.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Aegean Airlines, Air Europa, Air France, airBaltic, Arkia, Austrian Airlines, Bluebird Airways, Brussels Airlines, Delta Air Lines, El Al, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Eurowings, flydubai, Israir, ITA Airways, KLM, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Sundor, Swiss, United Airlines, Wizz Air
Airlines and destinations
Frequently asked questions
How far is Ben Gurion Airport from Tel Aviv?
Ben Gurion Airport is about 20 km southeast of Tel Aviv, next to Highway 1 on the northern edge of Lod. The fastest public option is the train from the station under Terminal 3, which reaches Tel Aviv Savidor Central in about 15 to 20 minutes. Taxis from the official line and Kavim bus 445 also run into the city.
Is Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv?
No. Although it is known as Tel Aviv's airport, Ben Gurion sits outside the city, on the northern outskirts of Lod in Israel's Central District. It is about 20 km from Tel Aviv and about 45 km from Jerusalem, and it serves both cities as well as the rest of the country, with good rail and road links in each direction.
How do I get from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem?
The quickest way is the Israel Railways train from the station under Terminal 3 to Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon, which takes about 25 minutes. Afikim bus 485 also runs to Jerusalem, shared taxis (sherut) leave when full, and official metered taxis are available around the clock. Jerusalem is about 45 km southeast of the airport along Highway 1.
How many terminals does Ben Gurion Airport have?
Ben Gurion Airport has two passenger terminals. Terminal 3, opened in 2004, is the main building, with four concourses and all international arrivals. Terminal 1, the original terminal, handles domestic flights to Eilat's Ramon Airport and, since July 2026, some international departures. A free shuttle bus connects the two terminals around the clock, every 15 minutes or so.
Which terminal does my airline use at Ben Gurion?
Most airlines, including El Al, Lufthansa, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, use Terminal 3, and every international flight arrives there. Domestic flights to Eilat use Terminal 1, and since July 2026 some airlines also send international departures from Terminal 1. Because assignments can change, check your departure terminal with your airline before heading to the airport.
How do taxis work at Ben Gurion Airport?
Official airport taxis are run by Gett and wait at Exit 03 on the ground floor of Terminal 3 and at the main exit of Terminal 1, 24 hours a day. You order at a self-service kiosk or in the Gett app, receive a ride code by text message, and show it to the driver. Fares are metered, and you can pay by cash or card.
Is there a train from Ben Gurion Airport?
Yes. Israel Railways has a station on the lower level of Terminal 3, with trains northwest to Tel Aviv, Herzliya and Haifa and southeast to Modi'in and Jerusalem. Trains to Tel Aviv take about 15 to 20 minutes and to Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon about 25 minutes. Many services stop on Shabbat and Jewish holidays, so check the timetable.
Can I use a ride-hailing app at Ben Gurion Airport?
Yes, through Gett, the official operator of authorized airport taxis. The Gett app lets you order an on-demand taxi from the airport line or schedule a pickup at least two hours ahead with your flight number, and it tracks the ride in real time. Rides are in licensed, metered taxis rather than private cars.
Do I need an ETA-IL to fly to Israel?
Yes, if you hold a passport from a visa-exempt country. Since January 1, 2025, those travelers need an approved ETA-IL electronic travel authorization before departing for Israel. It is issued by the Population and Immigration Authority and should be requested only on the official gov.il website, which aims to answer within 72 hours.
Is there public transport from Ben Gurion Airport on Shabbat?
Service is limited. Many Israel Railways trains and intercity buses stop from Friday afternoon or evening until Saturday evening and on Jewish holidays, so check schedules if you land then. Official metered taxis run around the clock all week from both terminals, and a pre-booked driver is another option when trains are not running.
Where do travelers go from Ben Gurion Airport?
Most travelers head to Tel Aviv and Jaffa on the coast, about 20 km away, or to Jerusalem, about 45 km to the southeast, both reachable by train from Terminal 3. Others continue north to Haifa and the Galilee or southeast to the Dead Sea, while domestic flights from Terminal 1 connect with Eilat's Ramon Airport.
What time zone and currency does Israel use?
Israel uses Israel Standard Time, UTC+2, and moves to daylight saving time, UTC+3, in summer. The currency is the new Israeli shekel (ILS). Summers around Tel Aviv are hot and dry, while winters are mild with most of the year's rain, so the weather you land in depends a lot on the season.
Who operates Ben Gurion Airport and how busy is it?
Ben Gurion Airport is operated by the Israel Airports Authority, a government-owned body. It handled about 19.2 million passengers in 2025, including domestic travelers, with about 140,700 aircraft movements. El Al is the main airline, and the airport has three runways, the longest of which is 4,062 m.