Lois Larson
Tel Aviv's airport is Ben Gurion Airport, which is located near Highway 1, the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway. It is named after Israel's first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, and is the main entrance and exit airport in and out of Israel. The airport has a total of approximately 20,000 parking spaces for short and long-term parking. It is one of the most secure airports in the world, and passengers are advised to budget at least two hours for security procedures. In 2025, a Houthi missile landed near the airport, causing a brief shutdown and the cancellation of flights by several major airlines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Ben Gurion International Airport |
| Location | Near the town of Lod, on the outskirts of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area |
| Highway Access | Highway 1, the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Highway, and Highway 40 |
| Parking Spaces | 20,000 |
| Security | One of the most secure airports in the world |
| Passenger Traffic | 20 million per year |
| Transit Passengers | Less than 10,000 per year |
| Train Access | Yes, with a train station located in the lower level of Terminal 3 |
| Bus Access | Yes, with public buses and a shuttle bus between terminals |
| Taxi Access | Yes, but tourist scams by taxi drivers are common |
| Office Parks | Airport City, with offices of aviation authorities and airlines |
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What You'll Learn
- Ben Gurion Airport: Israel's primary airport, located near the town of Lod
- Transport: Accessible by car, bus, train, or taxi
- Security: One of the world's most secure airports, with strict security precautions
- History: Formerly known as Lod International Airport, the name was changed to honour Israel's first Prime Minister
- Missile Attack: In May 2025, a Houthi missile struck near the airport, causing a brief shutdown
Ben Gurion Airport: Israel's primary airport, located near the town of Lod
Ben Gurion Airport, named after Israel's first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, 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 situated on Highway 1, the Jerusalem–Tel Aviv highway, and has approximately 20,000 parking spaces. It is accessible by car, train, bus, and taxi. Israel Railways operates a train service from the airport to several parts of the country, including a 25-minute train ride to Jerusalem's Yitzhak Navon station and an 18-minute journey to Tel Aviv Savidor Central. The train service does not operate on Shabbat and Jewish holidays. The airport is served by several airlines, although some have suspended or delayed flights due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Ben Gurion Airport has a rich history, dating back to its capture by the Israel Defense Forces in 1948. It was originally known as "Lod International Airport" but was renamed "Tel Aviv-Lod International Airport" the same year. Within a decade, air traffic increased significantly, and local flights had to be redirected to Tel Aviv's other airport, Sde Dov airfield (SDV). The airport underwent another name change in 1973, becoming Ben Gurion International Airport to honour the late Prime Minister.
As one of the most secure airports in the world, Ben Gurion Airport has strict security measures in place. Travellers with Muslim names or passport stamps from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel may be subject to additional questioning and are advised to budget extra time for security procedures. The airport is also known for its efficient operations, ranking first among 40 European airports and 8th out of 77 airports worldwide in a 2006 customer satisfaction survey.
Ben Gurion Airport plays a crucial role as the main entrance and exit airport for Israel. It handles a significant volume of passengers, with about 20 million passengers passing through annually. The airport has three terminals, with Terminal 3 serving as the main terminal for most international airlines. Terminal 1 caters to many low-cost and domestic flights, while Terminal 2 has been demolished, and Terminal 4 is not in routine use.
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Transport: Accessible by car, bus, train, or taxi
Tel Aviv's main airport, Ben Gurion Airport, is accessible by car, bus, train, or taxi. The airport is located near Highway 1, the main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway, and has approximately 20,000 parking spaces for short and long-term parking. The long-term parking spaces are situated several kilometres from the terminal and are accessible via a free shuttle bus. Car rental services are also available at the airport from companies such as Avis, Budget, and Hertz.
Israel Railways operates the Ben Gurion Airport Railway Station, located in the lower level of Terminal 3. The train service provides connections to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Modi'in, and other destinations. The journey to Tel Aviv Savidor Central railway station takes approximately 18 minutes, while the trip to Jerusalem's Yitzhak Navon station takes about 25 minutes. It is important to note that the train service does not operate on Shabbat and Jewish holidays, running only on other days.
Public buses also serve Ben Gurion Airport, providing transportation options for passengers. Additionally, taxi services are available at designated stands outside the arrivals building. A popular choice is the share taxi van, known as a "monit sherut" in Hebrew, which offers a more affordable option for travel to Jerusalem, Haifa, and Beersheba. However, it is important to be aware of potential tourist scams by taxi drivers and insist on using the meter to avoid overpriced fares.
With its location near Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Ben Gurion Airport serves as the main entrance and exit airport for Israel. It is named after Israel's first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, and is known for its strict security measures. The airport has a reputation for being one of the most secure airports in the world.
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Security: One of the world's most secure airports, with strict security precautions
Tel Aviv's airport, Ben Gurion Airport, is considered one of the world's most secure airports, with strict security precautions. The airport is the main entrance and exit airport in and out of Israel, and it has been a target of Palestinian attacks. However, the adoption of strict security measures has ensured that no aircraft departing from Ben Gurion Airport have been hijacked.
The security measures at Ben Gurion Airport are focused on the person rather than their luggage, with the understanding that it is the person who may have bad intentions, not their baggage. As a result, passengers can expect to undergo repeated interviews about their reasons for travelling to Israel and their plans during their stay. Passengers may also be asked to provide contact details for people they know in the country, and these individuals may be contacted for validation. Those who have recently visited Arabic countries may be subject to additional questioning.
Bag inspection, both by machine and hand, is also a routine part of the security process at Ben Gurion Airport. The airport has installed advanced luggage screening machines, such as HBS, to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of baggage screening. In addition to baggage inspections, passengers may be subjected to full-body scans or other forms of technological scanning.
The stringent security measures at Ben Gurion Airport have earned it a reputation for being one of the world's safest airports. While some travellers may find the security process invasive or time-consuming, others appreciate the vigilance of the security forces in ensuring their safety. It is recommended that passengers arrive at the airport at least three hours before their flight to account for the extensive security checks.
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History: Formerly known as Lod International Airport, the name was changed to honour Israel's first Prime Minister
Tel Aviv's airport, Ben Gurion International Airport, is Israel's primary airport and is located near the town of Lod, on the outskirts of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. It was originally known as Lod International Airport, but the name was changed to Tel Aviv-Lod International Airport in 1948, the year that soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces captured the airport, transferring control to the newly declared State of Israel. In 1973, the airport's name was changed again to honour Israel's first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion, who died that year.
The airport is located on Highway 1, the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway, and has approximately 20,000 parking spaces. It is accessible by car, public bus, train, and taxi. The airport train station is located in the lower level of Terminal 3, and from here, passengers can travel northwest to Tel Aviv, Haifa, and other destinations in the north, or southeast to Modi'in and Jerusalem. The journey to Tel Aviv Savidor Central railway station takes about 18 minutes. Israel Railways also operates a late-night/early-morning train service to and from the airport, terminating at Beersheba Centre via Lod and Ashkelon.
Ben Gurion Airport is Israel's main entrance and exit airport, serving as the country's gateway to the world. In 2006, it ranked first among 40 European airports and 8th out of 77 airports globally in a survey conducted by Airports Council International to determine the most customer-friendly airport. The airport is also known for its strict security precautions, which have ensured that no aircraft departing from the airport have been hijacked.
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Missile Attack: In May 2025, a Houthi missile struck near the airport, causing a brief shutdown
Tel Aviv's main airport, Ben Gurion Airport, was briefly shut down in May 2025 after a Houthi missile struck near its premises. The missile attack, which originated in Yemen, caused a temporary halt to flights and triggered a response from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who vowed to retaliate against the Houthis.
Ben Gurion Airport, named after Israel's first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, is located near the town of Lod on the outskirts of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. It serves as the primary entrance and exit point for air travel in and out of Israel. The airport has a rich history, with Israeli soldiers capturing it in 1948 during Operation Danny, and it has since witnessed a significant increase in air traffic.
The Houthi missile strike in May 2025 marked a significant escalation, as it successfully targeted Israel's international airport for the first time. The missile landed near the airport's main terminal, causing debris and a plume of black smoke. Israeli authorities reported that four people were injured by the blast, while two others were hurt while seeking shelter.
The attack prompted a strong reaction from Prime Minister Netanyahu, who threatened strikes against the Houthis. Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, reinforced this sentiment by stating that anyone who attacks Israel will face an even stronger response. The incident also raised questions about the effectiveness of Israel's defence systems, as both the Israeli long-range Arrow air defence system and a US-made Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery failed to intercept the missile.
The brief shutdown of Ben Gurion Airport disrupted travel plans, with several major airlines, including Lufthansa, Air France, and Delta, cancelling flights to and from the airport. This event highlighted the ongoing tensions and security challenges faced by Israel, underscoring the airport's significance as a vital transportation hub for the country.
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Frequently asked questions
Tel Aviv's airport is called Ben Gurion International Airport.
The airport is located on Highway 1, the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway. It is near the town of Lod, on the outskirts of the Tel Aviv metropolitan area.
The airport is accessible by car, train, or public bus. A popular transportation option is a share taxi van, known as a "monit sherut" in Hebrew.
The journey to Tel Aviv Savidor Central railway station takes about 18 minutes.
