By The Visit Israel Editorial Team · Last updated
A driver meets you at arrivals and takes you door-to-door to your hotel — flight tracked, fixed price, any hour including Shabbat.
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Book a transfervia Welcome Pickups
Compare private cars and shuttles from TLV to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and beyond, with up-front pricing.
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Book a seat on a scheduled shared shuttle van from Ben Gurion Airport. Fixed departure times, multiple drop-off points, no waiting for full vans.
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Almost every visit to Israel begins at Ben Gurion Airport (TLV), about 15 km southeast of Tel Aviv. Here are your options for the ride into town, from the cheap-and-fast train to a door-to-door private transfer.
| Option | To Tel Aviv | To Jerusalem | Shabbat? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train | ~20 min, ~$5 | ~30 min, ~$5 | No | Speed + price |
| Shared sherut | ~₪65–80, departs when full | ~₪100–120 | Yes | Budget solo travelers |
| Shared shuttle | fixed departure times | fixed departure times | Varies | Groups, scheduled arrivals |
| Private transfer | fixed price, door-to-door | fixed price, door-to-door | Yes | Families, late arrivals |
| Taxi | ~$30–50 | ~$80 | Yes | Small groups, no bags |
| 485 bus | — | ~1 hr, ~$3 | No | Cheapest to Jerusalem |
A sherut (שרות) is a shared minivan taxi that runs between Ben Gurion and Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. They depart from the taxi rank outside arrivals and leave when full (usually 7–10 passengers). Unlike the train, sheruts run 24 hours including Shabbat, making them the cheapest paid option on Friday nights and Saturday when trains are suspended.
Prices are approximate — roughly ₪65–80 per person to central Tel Aviv and ₪100–120 to Jerusalem (confirm with the driver in NIS before boarding). They suit budget solo travelers who have flexibility on departure time; families with luggage or anyone on a tight schedule are better served by a private transfer or train.
Pre-booked shared shuttle services (also called shared transfers) run on fixed schedules with multiple drop-off points inside Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Unlike the street sherut, you book your seat in advance and get a confirmed departure time, so there is no waiting for the van to fill. Use the GetYourGuide option above to browse current availability.
A pre-booked private transfer has a driver waiting at arrivals with your name, tracks your flight, and takes you straight to your hotel for a fixed, all-in price — no haggling, no luggage or night surcharges. It is the most stress-free choice after a long flight, for families, late arrivals, or Shabbat. Book it before you fly using the options above.
Israel Railways runs from the airport to central Tel Aviv in ~20 minutes and to Jerusalem (Yitzhak Navon) in ~30 — for only a few dollars with a Rav-Kav. The catch: no service on Shabbat (Friday afternoon to Saturday night) or major holidays. For most arrivals outside those windows, the train beats the sherut on both speed and price.
Airport taxis are metered (the rank is app-based via Gett). The 485 bus serves Jerusalem 24h except Shabbat. All are covered in our full transportation guide.
For a side-by-side comparison of every option — with durations, cost ranges and Shabbat notes — see the dedicated route pages: Ben Gurion Airport → Jerusalem and Ben Gurion Airport → Tel Aviv.
For everything else at the airport — terminal layout, security interview tips, the 2026 lounge situation (Priority Pass is no longer accepted), and duty-free — see the full Ben Gurion Airport guide. Sort your eSIM and travel insurance before you land, and if you are exploring beyond the cities, compare car rental. New to the country? Start with the first-time-in-Israel guide.
The train reaches central Tel Aviv in about 20 minutes for a few dollars (not on Shabbat). A taxi runs roughly 30 to 50 US dollars; a pre-booked private transfer is similar but with a fixed price, a meet-and-greet and no luggage surcharges.
The high-speed train to Yitzhak Navon station takes about 30 minutes (not on Shabbat). The 485 bus runs 24 hours except Shabbat. A taxi is roughly 80 US dollars; a pre-booked private transfer offers a fixed fare and a waiting driver, useful for late arrivals or families with luggage.
Yes. Trains and most buses pause from Friday afternoon to Saturday night, but private transfers, taxis and ride apps run throughout — pre-booking a private transfer is the most reliable option for Shabbat arrivals.
A metered taxi can be cheaper for a quick Tel Aviv hop, but pre-booked private transfers fix the price up front with no surcharges for luggage, extra passengers, or night/weekend hours — often working out cheaper and stress-free for Jerusalem or late arrivals.
A sherut is a shared minivan taxi that waits at the arrivals hall until it fills with passengers (typically 7–10 people) and then departs. It runs 24 hours, including Shabbat. Prices are approximate: around ₪65–80 per person to Tel Aviv and ₪100–120 to Jerusalem — confirm in NIS before boarding. The train is faster when it runs; the sherut is your cheapest paid Shabbat option.
By The Visit Israel Editorial Team · Last updated