Tel Aviv Airport Transfer — Ben Gurion

Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This supports our independent reviews.

At a glance

Airports

Ben Gurion Airport (TLV)

Distance to center

TLV to central Tel Aviv is 18 km (11 mi), to Jerusalem 52 km

Transfer prices

₪120–200 ($33–55) from TLV to Tel Aviv, ₪300–400 ($82–110) to Jerusalem

Currency

ILS (₪)

Airport overview: Ben Gurion International (TLV)

TLV is 20 km from Tel Aviv and 50 km from Jerusalem. The airport has one main terminal (T3). Security is thorough — allow 3+ hours for departure. The train station is at the airport, connected by a moving walkway.

Getting to the city by train or metro

Israel Railways to Tel Aviv HaShalom/HaHagana: ₪13.50 (~$3.70), 15 min — runs Sun-Thu and Saturday night. Does NOT run during Shabbat (Fri evening to Sat evening).

Bus and shuttle options

Egged bus to Jerusalem: ₪16, 50 min. Dan bus 5 to central Tel Aviv: ₪5.50. Very limited Shabbat service.

Taxi situation

Israeli taxis are metered and regulated. Ben Gurion to Tel Aviv costs ₪120-170 ($33-47). Night surcharge of 25% applies. Generally honest.

Best transfer service for Tel Aviv

Welcome Pickups — Professional service with meet-and-greet. Fixed pricing avoids the 25% night surcharge surprise.

Read full Welcome Pickups review →

Cheapest transfer option

GetTransfer — Bids from $28 to Tel Aviv. Competitive with metered taxis, especially at night.

Read full GetTransfer review →

Uber & ride-hailing

Gett (Israeli Uber equivalent) works at Ben Gurion. Well-established and reliable.

Public transport from the airport

Train (18 min to Tel Aviv HaShalom, ₪13.50/$3.70) is fast and cheap but doesn't run on Shabbat (Friday evening to Saturday evening).

Practical arrival tips for Tel Aviv

Shabbat is critical: From Friday evening to Saturday evening, trains and most buses don't run. If you arrive during Shabbat, your options are a pre-booked transfer, taxi (with 25% surcharge), or sherut (shared taxi). Plan accordingly.

Security on departure: Ben Gurion Airport is famous for its thorough security screening. This doesn't affect your arrival transfer but allow 3+ hours for departure. Your return transfer should factor in this extra time.

The 15-minute train: Outside Shabbat, the train from TLV to Tel Aviv stations takes just 15 minutes for ₪13.50 (~$3.70) — one of the world's best airport rail connections. It also goes to Jerusalem (30 min, ₪25).

Gett app: Gett (formerly GetTaxi) is the main ride-hailing app in Israel. It works like Uber and is reliable from the airport. Prices are similar to metered taxis.

Shabbat: the weekly transport shutdown

From Friday afternoon (around 3–4pm) to Saturday evening (about an hour after sunset), Israel's public transport stops completely. No trains, no buses, no light rail. If your flight arrives during Shabbat, your only options are a pre-booked transfer, a sherut (shared taxi), or a regular taxi. Taxi fares increase 25% on Shabbat. Pre-booked transfers don't charge a Shabbat premium — the price you see online is what you pay. Plan ahead if you're arriving on a Friday evening or Saturday.

Transfer service prices from Tel Aviv airport

Service	Price range	Standout feature	Book
Welcome Pickups	$45–65	In-terminal meet-and-greet, free child seats	Check price →
Kiwitaxi	₪130–180	Wide vehicle selection, transparent pricing	Check price →
GetTransfer	$30–48	Bidding system — often cheapest	Check price →
intui.travel	$32–50	Shared transfers, budget groups	Check price →

Prices for a sedan (up to 3 passengers). GetTransfer prices are typical winning bids. See our full comparison for Tel Aviv for detailed pricing by route.

Local travel nuances

Currency: ILS (₪). Have some local currency for small purchases — many taxi meters display in local currency.

Language: Hebrew and Arabic (excellent English widely spoken) Having your hotel address saved on your phone (screenshot or Google Maps pin) is always helpful for drivers.

Tipping: ₪10-20 for drivers is appreciated. Not required.

Safety: Ben Gurion Airport has strict security — expect thorough checks on departure. Taxis are metered and honest. Gett is the main ride-hailing app.

SIM / connectivity: Israeli SIM cards from Cellcom, Partner, or Pelephone at TLV. Tourist SIMs from ₪30 (~$8) for 30 days data.

Tips for Tel Aviv airport transfers

Tip 1: The train is excellent — $3.70, 18 min. But it doesn't run during Shabbat. Plan accordingly.

Tip 2: Shabbat transport: From Friday evening to Saturday evening, trains stop. Pre-booking a transfer is essential for Shabbat arrivals.

Tip 3: For Jerusalem transfers (52 km, 45-60 min), pre-booking is recommended. The train exists but takes longer with connections.

Tip 4: Ben Gurion security is thorough. Allow extra time for departure and share your flight number for accurate pickup timing.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a transfer from Ben Gurion to Tel Aviv?+

Pre-booked from $28-40. Taxi ₪120-170 ($33-47). Train ₪13.50 ($3.70, 18 min). Train is best but not on Shabbat.

How do I get to Jerusalem from Ben Gurion?+

Pre-booked transfer: $55-80 (45-60 min). Taxi: ₪300-400 ($82-110). Train to Jerusalem via Tel Aviv: ₪25 ($7) but slower.

Does the train run on Shabbat?+

No — trains stop Friday afternoon and resume Saturday evening. Pre-book a transfer for Shabbat arrivals.

How long is the transfer from Ben Gurion to Tel Aviv hotels?+

About 20–30 minutes to central Tel Aviv. The train takes 15 minutes to HaHagana station but stops running for Shabbat (Friday afternoon to Saturday night). Pre-booked transfers operate 24/7 including Shabbat.

Can I book a transfer from Ben Gurion to Haifa or Eilat?+

Haifa is 90 minutes by transfer (from ₪350–500). Eilat is 4+ hours — flights from TLV to Eilat (Ramon Airport) are often better value. GetTransfer and Kiwitaxi cover the Ben Gurion to Haifa route.

Airport transfers in Tel Aviv

We haven't yet published a dedicated route page for Tel Aviv, but you can still compare the four major transfer services and all public transport alternatives in the full Tel Aviv guide below.

Similar routes to compare: If you're planning a wider itinerary, here are other destinations with transfer patterns that may be relevant:

Athens Airport → city center → Istanbul Airport → Taksim → Dubai Airport → Downtown →