Getting to Israel
Everything you need to know about flights, airports, visas, and that famous airport security.
Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV)
Israel's main gateway is Ben Gurion Airport (IATA: TLV), located between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in the city of Lod. It handled 18.5 million passengers in 2025 and is served by 63+ airlines flying to 122+ destinations. The airport is modern, efficient, and operates 24/7 (though most flights depart between 5 AM and midnight).
20 min
to Tel Aviv (train)
30 min
to Jerusalem (fast train)
63+
airlines serving TLV
Getting from the Airport to Your Hotel
🚂 Train → Tel Aviv
Frequent service to Tel Aviv HaShalom, HaHagana, and Savidor stations. Runs until ~11:30 PM. Does NOT run on Shabbat (Friday afternoon to Saturday evening).
₪14 ($4)
20 min
🚂 Train → Jerusalem
Fast train to Jerusalem Yitzhak Navon station. From there, light rail to Old City area. Runs until ~10 PM.
₪25 ($7)
30 min
🚕 Gett Taxi → Tel Aviv
Download Gett app before landing. Fixed meter rates. Available 24/7 including Shabbat. Add 25% surcharge after 9 PM and on Shabbat.
₪150-200 ($42-56)
25-40 min
🚐 Nesher Sherut → Jerusalem
Shared minibus/sherut. Drops you at your hotel door. Book at the Nesher counter in arrivals. Runs 24/7. Best option for Jerusalem late at night.
₪64 ($18)
1 hour
🚌 Bus → Various
Egged buses from Terminal 2. Bus 5 to Tel Aviv (when train not running). Limited and slow — train is always better.
₪16-35
Varies
Airlines Flying to Israel
| Airline | Type | Key Routes to TLV |
|---|---|---|
| El Al | Flag carrier | NYC, LA, Miami, London, Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt, Bangkok, Mumbai, Nairobi |
| Lufthansa | Full service | Frankfurt, Munich |
| Air France | Full service | Paris CDG |
| British Airways | Full service | London Heathrow |
| Turkish Airlines | Full service | Istanbul (excellent connections worldwide) |
| Ryanair | Low-cost | Athens, Paphos, Bucharest, Budapest, Kraków, Rome, Milan, Prague |
| Wizz Air | Low-cost | Vienna, Bucharest, Budapest, Sofia, Rome, London Luton, Larnaca |
| United Airlines | Full service | Newark (EWR), Washington (IAD) |
| Delta | Full service | New York JFK (seasonal) |
| Swiss | Full service | Zurich |
| Austrian | Full service | Vienna |
| Aegean | Full service | Athens |
| LOT Polish | Full service | Warsaw |
| Pegasus | Low-cost | Istanbul Sabiha |
| Flydubai | Low-cost | Dubai (since Abraham Accords 2020) |
Find the Best Flight Deals
Search Flights to Israel →Ramon Airport (ETM) — Eilat
Israel's second international airport, Ramon Airport (IATA: ETM), is located 18 km north of Eilat in the Negev desert. Opened in 2019, it replaced the old Eilat Airport. Currently serves limited seasonal European routes via Ryanair and Wizz Air (from cities like Budapest, Bucharest, Katowice, and Vilnius). It also handles domestic flights from TLV via Israir and Arkia (~1 hour, ₪200-400).
Tip: If flying to Eilat via Ramon, check low-cost carriers for incredible deals (sometimes €10-20 one-way from Europe). The airport is modern but services are limited — stock up on snacks before going.
Visa Requirements
Citizens of 90+ countries can enter Israel visa-free for up to 90 days. Since January 2025, some nationalities need to apply for an ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization) online before traveling — similar to the US ESTA or EU ETIAS. Check the Israeli Ministry of Interior website for the latest requirements for your nationality.
Americas
USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, Panama
Europe
All EU/EEA countries, UK, Switzerland, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova
Asia-Pacific
Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines, Thailand
Other
South Africa, Russia (check current status), Turkey
🛂 No Passport Stamp
Israel no longer stamps passports. You receive a blue entry card (a small paper slip) at passport control. Keep this card — you'll need it for hotel check-ins, VAT refunds, and departure. If you lose it, you can get a replacement at the airport.
Airport Security — What to Expect
Ben Gurion Airport has the most thorough security in the world. It's efficient but can be time-consuming. Here's what to expect:
Pre-screening (before check-in)
Security agents will ask you questions: why you visited, where you stayed, if anyone gave you anything to carry. Be calm, honest, and brief. Solo travelers and first-time visitors get more questions.
Bag check
Your luggage may be opened and hand-checked. Electronics may be tested. Wrap gifts after security, not before.
Standard screening
Regular metal detectors and X-ray. Similar to other airports but more staff watching.
Time needed
Arrive 3 hours before your flight (international). 2 hours for domestic. This is not optional — security queues can be long, especially during holidays.
💡 Security Tips
- • Don't joke about security. Ever.
- • If asked "did you pack your bags yourself?" — always say yes (and mean it).
- • Arab-Israelis, travelers with stamps from certain countries, and solo travelers may face longer questioning. Stay patient and polite.
- • The duty-free shopping after security is excellent — especially for Dead Sea cosmetics (Ahava, Premier) and Israeli wine.