2.1 Get Here
Almost all tourists visiting Israel come by air, although it is possible to enter the country by land and sea.
The state of the art Ben Gurion Airport, located about one third of the way from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is the destination of almost all international flights to Israel. The airport which has won numerous awards, serves flights to North America, Europe, the Far East, Southern Asia, the Middle East, and Africa operated by many major international airlines as well as charter and low-cost airlines. For more information on destinations and airlines, click here.
A small number of international flights, mostly charter flights, go to Ovda Airport, serving Eilat, although most people wishing to travel to Eilat by air need to change planes at Ben Gurion Airport to either Arkia or Israir who offer domestic flights to Ovda and Eilat Airport itself. If you are wanting to travel to Eilat from within the country you can fly from Tel Aviv's domestic airport, Sde Dov or from Haifa Airport. Flights from Sde Dov also go to Haifa and Rosh Pina.
Entry by land
It is possible to enter Israel through land border crossings with Jordan (in the east) and Egypt (in the south west). The Jordanian crossings are the Rabin Border Terminal near Eilat, and the Allenby Border Terminal near Jerusalem. Taxis are available at both crossings, whilst buses run from the Allenby Crossing to Jerusalem and Kiryat Shemona.
From Egypt the only crossing into Israel is at the Taba Border Terminal also near Eilat. From here buses operate to Eilat.
Entry by sea
Scheduled shipping services operate to Haifa Port, whilst it is also possible to join a Mediterranean cruise elsewhere and enter Israel at Haifa Port, Ashdod, Tel Aviv, or Eilat. Cruises from Cyprus are operated by, amongst others, Salamis and Louis Cruises. Whilst one-way fares arent advertised, it is often possible to get a special deal.
For those who have private vessels or yachts, there are marinas at Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Herzliya, Acco, Haifa, Ashkelon, and Eilat.
