Jerusalem's Airports: Your Gateway To Israel's Ancient City

There are no airports in Jerusalem, Israel. The closest airport to Jerusalem is Ben Gurion Airport, located near Lod, which is about a 35-minute drive from Jerusalem and serves as the main entrance and exit airport in and out of Israel. Alternatively, you can fly to Haifa Airport, which is 154 km from Jerusalem, or to Eilat's Uvda Airport, although you will need to take a five-hour bus ride from Eilat to Jerusalem.

Jerusalem's closest airport is Ben Gurion Airport, located near Lod, 45km from Jerusalem

Ben Gurion Airport is accessible by road, as it is connected to Highway 1 and Highway 40. A train service is also available at the airport, located on the lower level of Terminal 3, connecting to various parts of the country. Outside the airport, you can find a taxi stand offering cabs to your destination. A shared taxi called "monit sherut" is available if you are travelling to Haifa, Jerusalem, or Beer Sheva.

The airport is known for its high-level security, which is probably among the highest standards in the world. It is advisable to have a printout of your accommodation details and your itinerary. You should also check your luggage in at least three hours before your flight departure, unless you are flying with El Al, in which case you can check your luggage the day before. The airport was renovated in 2004 and is equipped with duty shops, restaurants, banks, and currency exchange offices.

Ben Gurion Airport was opened in 1936 to serve as a base for military purposes during World War II. It is one of three major airports in Israel that control the country's aviation traffic. The other two are Haifa Airport, which also has a military base, and Ramon Airport, the second-largest airport in the country.

The airport is also commonly referred to as Tel Aviv Airport by tourists

When travelling to Jerusalem, Israel, you will likely fly into Ben Gurion Airport, which is located near Lod, 35 minutes from Jerusalem, and about a half-hour drive from Tel Aviv. The airport is also commonly referred to as Tel Aviv Airport by tourists.

Despite its name, Ben Gurion Airport is the main international airport in Israel, serving the air traffic of both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. It is the biggest airport in Israel, where most of the air traffic is operated. The airport is located 20 km south of Tel Aviv and 45 km from Jerusalem.

The airport is accessible by road, as it is connected to Highway 1 and Highway 40. You can also take a shared taxi called "monit sherut" to Jerusalem, Haifa, or Beer Sheva. There is also a train service located in the lower level of Terminal 3, which connects the airport to various parts of the country.

Ben Gurion Airport is considered to have some of the highest security standards in the world. It is advisable to have a printout of your accommodation details and an itinerary when you arrive. The airport was renovated in 2004 and is equipped with duty shops, restaurants, banks, and currency exchange offices.

Historically, Jerusalem did have its own airport, called Jerusalem International Airport, which was opened in 1925 and was the first airport in the British Mandate for Palestine. However, following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the airport was occupied by Jordan, along with the rest of the West Bank. In 1967, Israel won the Six-Day War and began occupying the previously Jordanian-annexed territory, including the airport. Due to security issues during the Second Intifada, Jerusalem International Airport was closed to civilian air traffic in 2000 and formally handed over to the Israel Defense Forces in 2001.

There are no airports in Jerusalem

Historically, Jerusalem did have an airport—Jerusalem International Airport, which was opened in 1925 and was the first airport in the British Mandate for Palestine. However, following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the airport was occupied by Jordan, along with the rest of the West Bank. Between 1948 and 1967, the airport was under Jordanian control, with commercial flights operated by Royal Jordanian Airlines and Middle East Airlines from Lebanon. After Israel's victory in the Six-Day War in 1967, the airport came under Israeli control, and it was subsequently incorporated into the Jerusalem municipal area.

Despite its designation as an international airport, Jerusalem International Airport faced challenges due to security issues during the Second Intifada in 2000, which led to its closure to civilian air traffic. By 2001, the airport was formally handed over to the Israel Defense Forces, and discussions emerged around the possibility of joint usage between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. However, the airport has not resumed civilian operations since then.

Today, travellers to Jerusalem primarily rely on Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, which offers efficient connections to Jerusalem. Additionally, there are other airports in Israel, such as Haifa Airport and Ramon Airport, which serve as alternatives for domestic flights within the country. These airports provide travellers with options to explore different parts of Israel beyond Jerusalem.

Jerusalem International Airport was closed to civilian air traffic in 2000 due to security issues during the Second Intifada

Jerusalem International Airport was a regional airport located in the city of Jerusalem. It was opened in 1925 and was the first airport in the British Mandate for Palestine. The airport was occupied by Jordan following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and became part of the Jordanian annexation of the West Bank. Between 1948 and 1967, Royal Jordanian Airlines and Middle East Airlines from Lebanon operated daily commercial flights to and from the airport.

In 1967, Israel won the Six-Day War and began occupying all previously Jordanian-annexed territory, including the airport. Between 1967 and 2000, Arkia and El Al operated daily commercial flights to and from the airport. However, in 2000, the airport was closed to all civilian air traffic due to security issues during the Second Intifada. The closure took place in October 2000, and by July 2001, the airport was formally handed over to the Israel Defense Forces.

The Palestinian delegation rejected Israel's proposal to include Atarot in the Israeli built-up area of Jerusalem, as they envisioned it as a national airport for the Palestinians. Yossi Beilin proposed that the airport could be shared between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, similar to the arrangement between Switzerland and France at Geneva International Airport.

Israel has invested resources in upgrading the airport, but international aviation authorities have not allowed international flights to land there due to the airport being located in lands captured by Israel in 1967. As a result, the airport was only used for domestic and charter flights.

For those travelling to Jerusalem, the closest major airport is Ben Gurion Airport, located near Lod, approximately 35 minutes from Jerusalem and 30 minutes from Tel Aviv. The airport is accessible by car, public bus, and train, offering connections to various destinations in Israel.

You can take a shared taxi called monit sherut from the airport to Jerusalem

If you're planning a trip to Jerusalem, Israel, you'll be flying into Ben Gurion Airport, located near Lod, around 55km from Jerusalem. There is no airport in Jerusalem.

Once you arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, you have several options to get to Jerusalem, including a shared taxi called a 'monit sherut'. A sherut is a Hebrew term that translates to 'service taxi'. It is a popular form of public transport in Israel and is a fast and efficient way to get around. Typically, a sherut is an 8-10 seat minivan that runs on three types of routes: city-to-city, within a city (usually along a bus route), and from the airport to Jerusalem and Haifa.

The airport sherut will take you to Central Bus Stations or a destination of your choice. It is simple to use: you just need to flag one down, and they will stop anywhere along the route to let you off. The sherut runs 24/7 from Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport and is operated by the Nesher taxi company. It is a low-cost alternative to a private taxi or driving a private vehicle to the airport. The cost of a sherut from Jerusalem to the airport is between NIS 230 and NIS 360. It is important to note that foreign tourists are often charged much more than the established rates, so be sure to confirm the price before your journey.

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