Arriving at Ben Gurion Airport: how to get to your hotel
At Ben Gurion most international flights use Terminal 3. From there Israel Railways goes to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem except on Shabbat; the official taxi stand works by the meter, more at night and on Shabbat. A pre-booked car costs from $110 to Tel Aviv and $195 to Jerusalem, fixed per car. Prices checked .
Terminals
Terminal 3 handles most international flights. Terminal 1 is used by some low-cost airlines and by domestic flights. Check your ticket; our driver meets you at the arrivals hall of the right terminal.
Passport control and the entry slip
Israel does not stamp passports; visitors get a small entry card (gate pass). Keep it until you leave — some hotels ask for it. Rules and visa requirements change: check the official Israeli government and Population and Immigration Authority sites before you travel.
Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem: every way compared (2026)
| Option | Price | Time | Door to door | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train Ben Gurion → Jerusalem (Yitzhak Navon) | approx. ₪21 per person (Rav-Kav) | not verified | No | Budget, light luggage — not on Shabbat |
| Official airport taxi (meter) | approx. ₪280–330 by day, ₪355–430 on Shabbat, per car | not verified | Yes | No booking, short queue |
| Private car (RideIL) | $195 per car (sedan), ≈ $65 per person for 3 | 1 h | Yes | Families, luggage, night arrivals, photo stops |
Public transport fares are approximate; check locally. Sources: Pairmee, Ben Gurion to Jerusalem at night or on Shabbat (updated Sep 2026) (2026-10-21); Pairmee, Ben Gurion to Jerusalem at night or on Shabbat (updated Sep 2026) (2026-10-21).
Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv: every way compared (2026)
| Option | Price | Time | Door to door | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train Ben Gurion → Tel Aviv | approx. ₪16 per person | approx. 15 min to the first Tel Aviv station | No | Budget, light luggage — not on Shabbat |
| Official airport taxi (meter) | approx. ₪150–220 per car | approx. 25–45 min | Yes | No booking |
| Gett (app taxi) | approx. ₪120–180 per car | approx. 25–45 min | Yes | Local SIM / app users |
| Private car (RideIL) | $110 per car (sedan), ≈ $37 per person for 3 | 30 min | Yes | Families, luggage, night arrivals, photo stops |
Public transport fares are approximate; check locally. Sources: AirConnect, Tel Aviv airport taxi cost (verified May 2026) (2026-10-21); AirConnect, Tel Aviv airport taxi cost (verified May 2026) (2026-10-21); AirConnect, Tel Aviv airport taxi cost (verified May 2026) (2026-10-21).
Arriving on Friday evening or Saturday
Trains stop from Friday afternoon to Saturday night and most intercity buses do not run. The official taxi stand works, at the higher meter tariff. A pre-booked car is the predictable option: the price, including the Shabbat surcharge, is shown before you book.
Night arrivals
Many flights land after midnight. The meter tariff and our surcharge follow the same official hours: +20% on weekday nights, +40% on Thursday to Saturday nights.
Questions
How long does passport control take at Ben Gurion?
It varies a lot with the number of flights landing; allow 30–60 minutes from landing to the arrivals hall. Our driver's free waiting starts at landing and lasts 60 minutes.
Can I pay a taxi in dollars?
Official taxis charge in shekels by the meter. Our transfers are priced in US dollars; you can pay online or, for the cash part, in shekels or dollars.