Getting to and from Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s main international airport is generally an easy task with many options available including the train, taxis, sheruts (shared taxis), and car rental. Each has its own advantages and each is better suited to different types of traveler, different destinations/start points, and different numbers of people. This article will answer one of questions we are asked most frequently, how to gt to and from Ben Gurion Airport?

Taking a Sherut to or from Ben Gurion Airport

Sherut by Flickr user Flitzy Phoebie

A sherut is a shared taxi, a very popular way of travelling in Israel and in particular to and from Ben Gurion Airport. From the airport, sheruts run to Jerusalem and Haifa, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can be found on Level G outside Arrivals, and are minibuses which take about 10 passengers either to the main bus station in the city, or direct to the passengers destination door. They will also pick you up from your front door for the return journey to the airport if you book in advance.

Nesher Tours operates sheruts between Jerusalem and Ben Gurion Airport (+972 (0)2 625-7227). Sheruts to Jerusalem can take you to Jerusalem, and towns and villages en route, and nearby including Givat Ze’v, Moshav Ora, Moshav Aminadav, Even Sapir, Kiryat Anavim, Beit Nekofa, Abu Ghosh, Zova, Sho’eva, Har Adar, Netef, Ma’ale Hahamisha, Kiryat Ye’arim, Neve Ilan, Shoresh, Beit Meir, Ramat Raziel, Kisalon, and Ma’ale Adumim. As of 2010, the fare to a central Jerusalem address is 58 NIS, and to the Central Bus Station, 37 NIS.

Amal operates sheruts between Haifa and Ben Gurion Airport (+972 (0)  866-2324), Sheruts to Haifa also go to the Krayot and the north of the country, including: Haifa, Nesher, Tivon, Rekhasim, Yokne’am, Tirat Hacarmel, Akko, Mishmeret, Check Post, Kiryat Haim, Kiryat Motskin, Kiryat Yam, Kiryat Bialik and Kiryat Ata,  Naharia, Lokhamei ha-Geta’ot and Rosh Hanikra. As of 2010, the fare to a central Haifa address is 109 NIS, and to the Central Bus Station, 70 NIS.

Taking a Trail to or from Ben Gurion Airport

Israel Railways run all trains in Israel, and trains are possibly the best way to get to Tel Aviv from Ben Gurion Airport. The Airport has a frequent service with modern trains travelling directly from the airport to Modi’in, Tel Aviv (four stations), Binyamina, Atlit, Haifa (three stations), Krayot, Akko, and Nahariya. You can also change in Tel Aviv for train services from Ben Gurion Airport to places including Herzliya, Netanya, Caesarea, Yavne, Bat Yam, Rishon Lezion, Holon, Ashkelon, Bnei Brak, Petach Tikvah, Rosh Haayin, Ramla, Beit Shemesh, Ashdod, Rehovot, Kiryat Gat, Beer Sheva, and Dimona.

Trains to Ben Gurion Airport are modern and clean and fares are very reasonable. Taking the train from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv is possibly the easiest way to get to the city with the travel time being less than twenty minutes to the four stations you can choose between in the city.

Trains in Israel do not run during Shabbat, stopping on a Friday afternoon and not resuming until late on Saturday evening. Therefore, if you are travelling to a destination not served a Sherut, you have to take either a regular taxi or rental car during Shabbat.

To see the train timetable see Israel Railways site.

Taking a Taxi to or from Ben Gurion Airport

Taxis to Ben Gurion Airport can be ordered from any taxi service in the country, while from the airport, taxis should be collected from outside the Arrivals hall where a dispatcher is on hand. Fares from the airport are legally fixed and fall into two categories depending on time of day. Drivers can also charge for luggage.

As of 2010, here are fares to some major cities from the airport:

• Tel Aviv – 131 NIS (149 NIS evening and Shabbat)
• Jerusalem – 247 NIS (295 NIS evening and Shabbat)
• Haifa – 491 NIS (601 NIS evening and Shabbat)

Taxis in Israel to and from the airport run all hours.

Renting a car at Ben Gurion Airport

All of Israel’s major car rental companies are located on the airport site. They have reservation desks above the arrivals hall, and the cars are kept a bus-ride away. Likewise if you are returning a car, follow signs to the drop off point and there will be a bus service to the main airport terminal.

Luxury Transport/Airport Transfers

Luxury transport and airport transfers in Israel are another option for getting to and from the airport. These can be more economical if you are travelling as a family with luggage (you might struggle to fit this into a regular taxi) or if you simply require slightly more comfort, space, and luxury. See VIP transport in Israel for more.