Tel Aviv Airport: Understanding Its Vast Size And Reach

Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Israel, located on the outskirts of the city of Lod, about 20km southeast of Tel Aviv and 45km northwest of Jerusalem. The airport is easily accessible by car, bus, or train and has approximately 20,000 parking spaces available. With a building gross area of 65,000 square meters, 38 gates, and four runways, the airport is a modern facility equipped with state-of-the-art technology and operational facilities. Ben Gurion Airport has been recognised as one of the most secure airports worldwide, adopting strict security measures to ensure the safety of its passengers.

Location and distance from Tel Aviv

Ben Gurion International Airport, also referred to as Lydda Airport, is located on the outskirts of Tel Aviv, around 15km (9 miles) from the city centre. The airport is situated near the town of Lod, about 20km southeast of Tel Aviv and 45km northwest of Jerusalem. It is easily accessible from Tel Aviv and other points north and west of the airport via Highway 1, the main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway.

The airport is well-connected to Tel Aviv by road and rail. Travellers can take a train from the airport's railway station, located in Terminal 3, to Tel Aviv Savidor Central railway station, a journey of approximately 18 minutes. Alternatively, they can opt for a taxi or a share taxi van, known as a "monit sherut" or "sherut" in Hebrew, which is a cheaper but slower option as it only departs once it is full. There are also several bus options to various suburbs of Tel Aviv, including bus 445 from the terminal to the Tel Aviv hotel strip.

Ben Gurion Airport is the largest and busiest international airport in Israel, serving as a hub for international and domestic travel. It is known for its modern architecture and strong reflection of the country's cultural heritage. The airport has undergone expansions and renovations over the years to accommodate the increasing passenger traffic, with Terminal 3 being built to handle international flights and Terminal 1 serving domestic and low-cost international flights.

The airport is a significant transport hub, providing connections to other major cities in Israel, such as Jerusalem, Haifa, and Beersheba. It is also a base for several airlines, including El Al, the head office of which is located at the airport. The airport's convenient location and efficient transport links make it a popular gateway for travellers visiting Tel Aviv and the surrounding areas.

Parking availability

Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) is Israel's primary airport and one of the most secure airports in the world. The airport has a total of approximately 20,000 parking spaces for short-term, mid-term, and long-term parking. The short-term car parks are situated near both terminals, while the long-term car parks are located several kilometres from the terminal and are served by a free shuttle bus.

The airport's short-term parking includes four multi-storey car parks with thousands of parking spaces. There are car parks located in front of Terminals 1 and 3, as well as one next to Terminal 2 and another near the Cargo Area Parking, known as Lot Number 13. Hourly rates apply in these short-term lots, with a maximum daily rate.

The main long-term car park, also known as Vineyard Car Park Terminal 3, has 2,100 parking spaces in an uncovered area and more than 100 covered spaces. This car park is open 24/7 and offers a free shuttle bus service to Terminal 3, which runs every 10-20 minutes. There is also a designated area for passenger pickup and drop-off to ensure a smooth and timely experience for travellers.

In addition to these options, Tel Aviv Airport provides parking for employees, subscribe members, and owners of two-wheeled vehicles, who can park for free in any of the car parks. Disabled parking is also available in many of the car parks, with convenient locations near entry and exit points. Transport for disabled passengers from these parking points can be requested.

Parking fees at the airport can be paid through various methods, including credit card, Israeli currency, and foreign currency. The rates for Vineyard Car Park Terminal 3 are as follows:

• 1 hour: NIS 22
• Each additional 15 minutes: NIS 6
• Maximum per day: NIS 100

For long-term parking exceeding 24 hours, travellers can expect rates starting from £1.99, €2.40, or $2.60 per day.

Transport options

Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport is located near Highway 1, the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway. The airport has around 20,000 parking spaces for short and long-term parking.

Train

The airport has its own railway station, located in the lower level of Terminal 3. Trains run once an hour during the daytime and there is no service at night or on weekends (from Friday afternoon to Saturday night). The train is fast, cheap, and convenient, with tickets costing around $4. The journey to Tel Aviv takes around 15 minutes, and there are four stations in the city. However, the train does not stop in the centre of Tel Aviv, so passengers will need to take a bus or taxi to reach their final destination. The train service is also unavailable on Shabbat and Jewish holidays.

Bus

Ben Gurion Airport is served by several bus companies, which allow passengers to travel to downtown Tel Aviv and other major cities in Israel. Bus 445 goes from the airport to the Tel Aviv hotel strip, while there are also buses to the suburbs of the city, including Kfar Saba, Petah Tikva, Ramla, and Lod.

Taxi

Taxis are available outside the arrivals building. A ride to Tel Aviv costs around $40 to $50, increasing to $70 to $80 on Saturdays and holidays. However, travellers are advised to be aware of taxi scammers who approach people in the arrivals hall or outside the airport and offer an exorbitant price for the journey. It is recommended to go to the designated taxi stand outside the terminal and insist on using the meter. A cheaper alternative is a sherut or monit sherut, a shared taxi or taxi-van that usually waits until it has 10 passengers before departing.

Car

Car rental services are available at the airport from companies such as Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Sixt. However, it is not recommended to drive in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem.

Security and safety

Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport is considered one of the world's safest and most secure airports due to its rigorous security measures. Israel's geopolitical situation has led to a heightened focus on security, and the country's main international airport has adopted strict security precautions to address ongoing challenges.

The airport's security measures are multi-layered and include a strong focus on behavioural profiling and passenger questioning. Security personnel are trained to engage in conversations with passengers to detect suspicious behaviour or inconsistencies. This approach has been successful in identifying potential threats before boarding. Passengers may be asked to provide access to their emails and social media accounts, and "risky" passengers may be sent to private rooms for further questioning and searches. Undercover security personnel regularly test the effectiveness of these measures.

All vehicles entering the airport compound go through a preliminary security checkpoint, where armed guards spot-check cars, taxis, buses, and trucks. They exchange brief conversations with drivers and passengers, and if suspicion arises, they may initiate further conversations to assess intent. Armed security personnel are stationed at terminal entrances, and plainclothes armed officers patrol the airport's surroundings. Surveillance cameras are also hidden throughout the area.

Security checks often focus on the individual rather than their luggage. Passports and boarding passes are inspected multiple times, and passengers may be questioned about their travel history and reasons for visiting Israel. Passengers who have recently visited Arab countries may be subject to additional questioning.

The airport's security measures have been effective, with no successful hijacking attempts or departing aircraft attacks in the past 45 years. However, critics have accused Israel of racial profiling as part of its security procedures, particularly towards Palestinians and Arabs. Despite this controversy, Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport remains a leader in aviation security, and its practices have been of interest to security officials worldwide.

Terminals and renovations

Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport is Israel's primary airport. It is located near the town of Lod, on the outskirts of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. The airport is accessible by car, train, or public bus. It is also served by a popular transportation option, the share taxi van, known in Hebrew as a monit sherut (service cab).

Ben Gurion Airport has three terminals, with Terminal 2 having been demolished. Terminal 3 is the main terminal, used by most international airlines. It has an area of over 10,000 square metres and is divided into several levels, with departures located on the upper floor and arrivals on the ground floor. Terminal 3 also houses the airport train station, with trains to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, and other destinations. The airport train station is located in the lower level of Terminal 3.

In 2006, Ben Gurion International Airport ranked first among 40 European airports and 8th out of 77 airports globally in a survey by Airports Council International for the most customer-friendly airport. The airport has a total of approximately 20,000 parking spaces for short and long-term parking.

The airport has undergone expansions and renovations over the years to accommodate increasing travel to Israel. In 2002, a new terminal was completed, with a capacity of 16 million passengers per year. This terminal, designed by SOM, features a modern architecture that reflects the country's cultural heritage. In November 2007, a 17 million NIS renovation project was completed, reinforcing the runway and making it suitable for wide-body aircraft. The main runway was also closed from 2011 to early 2014 to accommodate the extension of runway 03/21 and other construction activities.

Frequently asked questions