Tel Aviv Airport: Location And Travel Tips

where is the tel aviv airport

Tel Aviv's main airport is Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV), located on Highway 1, the Jerusalem–Tel Aviv highway. The airport is accessible by car, public bus, or train. The airport railway station is located in the lower level of Terminal 3, and the train ride to Tel Aviv Savidor Central railway station takes about 18 minutes. Ben Gurion Airport has been the target of Palestinian attacks and was briefly closed in May 2025 after a missile was launched toward it from Yemen.

Characteristics Values
Name Ben Gurion International Airport
Location Highway 1, the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway
Number of Parking Spaces 20,000
Car Rental Companies Avis, Budget, Eldan, Tamir Rental, Thrifty, Hertz, Shlomo Sixt
Security Strict security precautions in place
Transport Links Accessible by car, public bus, train, and taxi
Railway Operator Israel Railways
Railway Station Location Lower level of Terminal 3
Train Journey Times Tel Aviv Savidor Central: 18 minutes; Jerusalem's Yitzhak Navon: 25 minutes
Yearly Passengers Ranked second for airports carrying between 5 and 15 million passengers per year

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Tel Aviv's airport is Ben Gurion International Airport

The airport was previously known as "Lod International Airport" and "Tel Aviv-Lod International Airport" before being renamed in 1973 to honour Israel's first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion. The airport has been a target of Palestinian attacks, but strict security precautions have been implemented to ensure the safety of passengers and staff.

In late 2021, construction began on a new interchange that will provide additional access to the airport from Highway 1. The Airport City development, an office park, is located east of the main airport property and houses the head offices of several aviation companies.

Ben Gurion Airport has been the target of recent missile attacks by the Houthis, an Iran-backed rebel group based in Yemen. In May 2025, a missile struck near the airport, causing a temporary suspension of flights. Several major airlines cancelled their flights to and from the airport following the incident. The Houthis have regularly launched missile attacks at Israel in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza, but it is rare for one to penetrate Israel's air defences.

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It is located near Highway 1

Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) is located near Highway 1, the main Jerusalem–Tel Aviv Highway, and Highway 40. The airport is accessible by car, train, or public bus.

Highway 1 is the Jerusalem – Tel Aviv highway. The airport has a total of 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 reached by a free shuttle bus. Car rental at the airport is available from several companies, including Avis, Budget, and Hertz.

In late 2021, construction began on a new interchange that will provide additional access to the airport from Highway 1. The new interchange will significantly reduce the distance that vehicles must travel to access the airport's main terminal from Tel Aviv and other points north and west of the airport.

Israel Railways operates the Ben Gurion Airport Railway Station, located in the lower level of Terminal 3. From this station, 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, and to Jerusalem's Yitzhak Navon station about 25 minutes.

Ben Gurion Airport has been the target of Palestinian attacks. In May 2025, Yemen’s Houthi group claimed responsibility for targeting the airport twice within 24 hours, using two ballistic missiles and a drone. The attack injured six people. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate against the Houthis.

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It is accessible by car, train, or bus

Tel Aviv's main airport, Ben Gurion Airport, is located around 15 kilometres from the city. It is easily accessible by car, train, or bus.

By Car

The airport is located near Highway 1, the main Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway, and Highway 40. It 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 is available at the airport from companies such as Avis, Budget, Hertz, and more.

By Train

The Ben Gurion Airport Railway Station is located in the lower level of Terminal 3. The train is a fast, cheap, and convenient option to get to Tel Aviv, with the journey taking approximately 18 minutes. The train is also accessible for wheelchair users. However, it is important to note that the train does not operate on Shabbat (from Friday afternoon to Saturday night) or on Jewish holidays, and it usually does not run at night.

By Bus

The airport can also be accessed by public bus. There is an internal bus service (shuttle) that operates for free between Terminal 3 and Terminal 1. Additionally, a popular transportation option is the share taxi van, known as a "monit sherut" or "service cab" in Hebrew, which travels to Jerusalem, Haifa, and Beersheba.

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It has been a target of attacks

Ben Gurion International Airport, formerly known as Tel Aviv-Lod International Airport, is located near Highway 1, the main Jerusalem–Tel Aviv highway. It is accessible by car, public bus, and train. The airport is situated in the junction of the Jerusalem and Tel Aviv metropolitan areas.

Ben Gurion Airport has been a target of attacks in the past. In May 2025, Yemen's Houthi group attacked the airport using ballistic missiles and a drone. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it was in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on Yemeni ports and a threat by Tel Aviv to assassinate their leader, Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi. The attack also aimed to support the Palestinians in Gaza, where Israel's military assault had resulted in numerous casualties and missing persons.

The Houthis targeted the airport twice within 24 hours, causing injuries and briefly suspending airport operations. Israeli emergency services reported six injuries, while a Houthi-run health ministry spokesman stated that at least 21 people were injured. The attack also impacted areas near the airport, with smoke rising from the outskirts of Tel Aviv.

In response to the attack, the Israeli occupation army intercepted the missile, and Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, warned that those targeting Israel would be held "accountable." The Houthis threatened to impose a comprehensive aerial blockade on Israel by targeting airports, which Israel rejected as they had not participated in the alleged ceasefire deal.

The airport has also faced Palestinian attacks in the past, but the implementation of strict security precautions has prevented successful attacks on departing aircraft.

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It is one of the most secure airports in the world

Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport is considered one of the most secure airports in the world. The airport has invested significant efforts and resources to enhance its security protocols, making it a formidable fortress against potential threats.

The approach adopted by Israeli security agencies at the airport is renowned for its effectiveness in deterring and preventing terrorism. In the past 45 years, there have been no fatalities, injuries, or plane attacks caused by acts of terrorism at the airport. Similarly, no departing aircraft have been subjected to attacks during this period.

The security measures at Ben Gurion Airport focus on the person rather than their luggage, aiming to identify potential threats before they can board an aircraft. Trained security personnel engage in conversations with passengers to detect suspicious behaviour or inconsistencies. This behavioural profiling and passenger questioning have proven successful in weeding out people with malicious intent.

Additionally, the airport employs multiple layers of security and intelligence-based methods. Upon approaching the terminal, all vehicles pass through a checkpoint, where passengers are expected to show their passports and declare their destination. Bag inspections, both by machine and hand, are routine, and passengers may be subjected to repeated interviews about their travel plans.

While some travellers may find the security measures at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport intimidating, the airport's commitment to safety and security is commendable. The airport's security protocols have been praised for their effectiveness, ensuring the well-being of travellers and staff alike.

Frequently asked questions

Tel Aviv's airport is called Ben Gurion International Airport and it is located on Highway 1, the Jerusalem–Tel Aviv highway.

The airport is accessible by car, public bus, or train. Israel Railways operates a train service from the airport to several parts of the country, and the journey to Tel Aviv Savidor Central railway station takes about 18 minutes.

There are approximately 20,000 parking spaces for short and long-term parking. Long-term parking spaces are located several kilometres from the terminal and are accessible via a free shuttle bus.

It is recommended to arrive at the airport 2.5-3 hours before departure if you have checked luggage, and 1.5-2 hours in advance if you do not have checked luggage. After going through security, you can proceed to the check-in counters.

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