Ben Gurion Airport: Flight Departures And Delays

Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) is one of the most secure airports in the world. It has two passenger terminals: Terminal 3 and Terminal 1. Most flights depart from Terminal 3, including all El Al flights. Terminal 1 serves domestic flights and some international low-cost airlines. The airport is located 22km from Tel Aviv, and travellers can reach it by car, train, bus, or taxi.

Which terminal?

Ben Gurion Airport has two passenger terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Most flights depart from Terminal 3, including all El Al flights. Terminal 1 serves all domestic flights by Arkia and Israir, as well as most international low-cost flights such as easyJet. If your flight departs from Terminal 1, you can take a free shuttle bus from Terminal 3, which runs every few minutes.

Terminal 3 has three levels: Level 3 is for departing passengers, Level 2 is for public transportation, and Level G (Ground Floor) is for arriving passengers. The train station is located on Level S of Terminal 3.

Terminal 1 is the older terminal, which was renovated and reopened in 2017. It is connected to Terminal 3 by an internal shuttle bus that runs every 15 minutes during operating hours. This terminal serves all domestic flights and international low-cost flights by airlines such as Arkia, easyJet, Israir, Norwegian, UP, and Wizz Air.

As of December 2022, during Shabbat (Friday afternoons and Saturdays), all flights from Terminal 1 depart from Terminal 3.

Check-in process

Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, has been undergoing a digital transformation to reduce waiting times for passengers. As part of this, self-check-in kiosks have been introduced to allow passengers to weigh and tag their baggage, bypassing the lines. This has been estimated to shorten waiting times by at least 30 minutes.

Passengers are still required to go through an initial security check, where they will be asked security questions, such as who packed their bags. During this check, they must present a valid passport and flight ticket/boarding pass. Passengers should arrive 3 hours before their departure time to allow for this security procedure.

After the security questioning, passengers will be allowed into the hand luggage screening sector, where they will pass through metal detector gates and their hand luggage will be screened. Laptops must be removed from carry bags in advance. All passengers will be required to pass through a metal detector gate.

Once passengers have passed through security, they will be able to proceed to the departure gates.

Transport to the airport

There are several transport options for getting to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport. The airport is a 22-24 km drive from Tel Aviv, which takes about 20-25 minutes outside of rush hour. The airport has two entrances: the main entrance is on Route 1 (Jerusalem-Tel Aviv road), and the secondary access is from Route 40 (El Al Junction).

By Train

The train is the most popular way to get to the airport. The train station is located at Level S of Terminal 3, and can be accessed via Level G, near Gate 03 at the arrivals and greeters hall. The train is considered the most effective and solid transit option, with significantly lower ticket prices and shorter travel times compared to other means of transportation. A ticket to the central station of Tel Aviv costs €3.50 and the trip duration is normally 15 minutes. The train is available every 30 minutes throughout most of the day. However, it's important to note that the train network shuts down every Friday at 18:00 and resumes on Saturday at 21:00.

By Bus

Egged, Metropoline, and Veolia operate regular bus lines from some cities to Ben Gurion Airport. Line 476 departs from Tel Aviv; line 330 services Be'er Sheva and Ashdod, and line 239 goes to and from Ramla and Lod. Lines 5 (Egged), 13 (Superbus) and 239 (Veolia) will take you from El Al Junction to one of the two terminals. However, there are no buses between Friday afternoon and Saturday night.

By Taxi

Taxis are available at the official taxi station at Level G of Terminal 3. A taxi from Tel Aviv to the airport costs between €35 and €39, and from Jerusalem, at least €180. The price can be higher when travelling from the airport to your destination in Israel.

By Service Taxi

"Monit Sherut", are available from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem, Haifa, and other destinations in the north. Each service taxi can take up to ten passengers, and the fee is between €77 and €95, depending on the final destination.

By Car

All of Israel's major car rental companies have locations at Ben Gurion Airport, with reservation desks above the arrivals hall. Cars are available for pickup and drop-off at the airport 24/7. Car rental agencies in the rest of the country are usually closed from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning.

By Shuttle

Shuttle buses are available between the terminals at Ben Gurion Airport. A shuttle bus also runs between the airport and Jerusalem (#485) every hour. This shuttle is available 24 hours a day, 6 days a week (not on Shabbat). The journey to Jerusalem takes approximately 1 hour.

Flight tracking

Ben Gurion International Airport, also known by its IATA code TLV, is the main international airport serving Tel Aviv, Israel. The airport has two passenger terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Terminal 3 is the primary terminal for most flights, including all flights operated by El Al, while Terminal 1 serves domestic flights and some international low-cost carriers.

When tracking flights, it is important to note that the displayed times are typically shown in the local airport time. Additionally, it is always recommended to check with the airport or the airline directly for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding flight schedules, as the information displayed on tracking platforms may be subject to change.

Ben Gurion International Airport is recognised as one of the most efficient and secure airports globally. It is advised that passengers with checked luggage arrive at the airport 2.5 to 3 hours before their scheduled departure time. For passengers travelling with only hand luggage, 1.5 to 2 hours is generally sufficient.

Airport facilities

Ben Gurion International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Israel, situated 15km southeast of Tel Aviv and 44km from Jerusalem. The airport has two passenger terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, with most flights departing from Terminal 3.

Terminal 3

Level 3 is for departing passengers, with most check-in counters located there. Self-check-in kiosks are available on Level 3 and Level G. The terminal offers easy access for travellers with disabilities, with assistance available at the information counter. The upper-level departures hall has an area of over 10,000 m2 and is equipped with 110 check-in counters and flight information display systems. A small shopping mall, known as Buy & Bye, is open to travellers and the general public. The mall includes shops, restaurants, and a post office. On the same level as the mall, passengers go through passport control and security checks. The arrivals hall is located on Level G, with an additional 20 check-in counters. Car rental counters are located on an intermediate level between the departing and arriving passenger halls. Terminal 3 has two synagogues and provides free wireless internet throughout. There are three business lounges: the exclusive El Al King David Lounge for frequent flyers and three Dan lounges.

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 serves all domestic flights and international low-cost flights by airlines such as Arkia, easyJet, Israir, Norwegian, UP, and Wizz Air. The terminal has restaurants, cafes, and duty-free stores. Check-in counters open three hours prior to the scheduled departure time until one hour before the flight. Check-in for domestic flights starts 90 minutes ahead of the scheduled departure.

Transportation

The airport is located near Highway 1, the main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Highway, and Highway 40. It is accessible by car, public bus, train, taxi, or share taxi van (known as "monit sherut"). Israel Railways operates a train service from the airport to Tel Aviv, Haifa, Modi'in, Jerusalem, and other destinations. The train station is located at Level S of Terminal 3 and can be accessed via Level G, near Gate 03. A free shuttle bus service is available between Terminals 3 and 1. The airport has approximately 20,000 parking spaces for short and long-term parking.

Frequently asked questions