The Promised Land happily welcomes Russian travelers, although there are few international-class airports here. Of the 17 civil air terminals, only four are considered international. Moreover, only two of them accept Russian flights; the other two will have to plan connections.
We will make a short overview of Israel's air harbors and talk about air terminals in Tel Aviv, Haifa and Eilat. We also have to develop a plan to penetrate Jerusalem. At the end of the article - about the transfer and return of rental cars at the terminals. Fasten seat belts!
List of international Israeli airports - going to Jerusalem and enjoying the Dead Sea
Some Israeli airports have military purposes, while others have agricultural purposes. The country has 17 air harbors for civilians, but you will not be able to get to most of them by direct flight.
The reason is simple - only four air terminals have been granted international status.
- There are airports in the following cities:
- Tel Aviv;
- Negev;
- Haifa;
- Eilat;
- Be'er Sheva;
- Herzliya;
- Jerusalem;
- Rosh Pinna;
- Afula;
Kiryat Shmona.
The first four cities on the list have airports dedicated to international flights. There are two air terminals in Tel Aviv - Sde Dov and Ben Gurion. The airport in Haifa does not accept Russian planes, so be prepared to calculate connections. To get to the Dead Sea, you will have to fly to Tel Aviv, change to a domestic flight there and fly to Sdom.
There are 4 international airports in Israel.
Jerusalem has an Atarot airport serving local airlines. Again, you can fly to Tel Aviv, Haifa or Eilat, and from there to Atarot. As for Herzliya, this popular resort is served by the air terminal of the same name, which also receives local airlines. So it turns out that the most popular tourist routes in Israel are accessible only with one or two, and sometimes two or three transfers.
Looking for Israeli airports on the map
To give you a better idea of the situation with Israel's air harbors, we have marked the key air terminals on the map of the country. Plan your route, find out details about transfers and car rentals. In the next section we will tell you more about some of the airports highlighted.
In this section we will look at four international airports in Israel. You will learn about transfers to the nearest cities, and you will be able to independently study the online scoreboard and the list of basic airlines for each harbor. Let's start with Ben-Gurion - the main air gate countries.
Ben-Gurion - a bastion of comfort and security
Ben Gurion Airport, located 14 kilometers east of Tel Aviv, is considered both the most secure transport hub from terrorists and the most comfortable - when compared with other terminals in the Middle East. Nearby is not only the Israeli capital, but also the tiny town of Lod.
The base airlines for Ben Gurion are Arkia, El Al, Israir, Ap. Now only the first and third terminals are operational (the other two are being repaired), between which shuttles operate. You can also move around on telescopic arms.
What services does the airport provide:
- information desks;
- duty free shops;
- free Wi-Fi;
- rent-a-cars;
- ATMs;
- restaurants and cafes.
You can contact the Ben-Gurion information center at +972 3 937 11 11. The online board is located on this resource: http://www.iaa.gov.il/OnlineFlights.
Airplanes regularly fly from Moscow to Ben-Gurion; the average ticket price ranges from 6,000 rubles.
Transfer: taxi, regular bus, minibuses and rented car
As for transfer from the airport, there are plenty of options:
- Taxi. There is a special counter in the arrivals hall. Drivers drive around the clock. The pleasure, however, is a little expensive - a trip to Tel Aviv will take 145 shekels out of your pocket.
- Train. Going down to the lower level of the third terminal, you will find the train station. A ticket costs 15 shekels, trains depart every 20 minutes.
- Bus. Everything is not so simple here - get ready for transfers. First you need to get to Airport City by bus No. 5. After that, you transfer to city routes - 405, 423, 945 or 947. When you leave the bus, go to the driver and get a free ticket for the shuttle (useful on the way back) .
- Minibus. Tickets for Israeli minibuses are comparable in cost to bus tickets. The minibus stop is located at the third terminal.
- Rented car. Route No. 1 leads to Tel Aviv, and you need to take it. The airport has offices of leading rental companies and return points. Car rental prices in Israel.
From Moscow to Sde Dov - for those who didn’t like Ben-Gurion
There are only four kilometers between Sde Dov Airport and Tel Aviv. The airfield is located right on the Mediterranean coast. The main airlines of Sde-Dov include:
- Arkia Israel Airlines;
- Tamar Airways;
- Israir.
In addition to regular flights of the above airlines, Sde-Dov accepts charters. You will have to fly to Sde Dov through the capital Ben-Gurion. Any questions can be asked to the help desk: +(972 3) 698 45 00. You can view the online scoreboard.
A huge number of tourists visit the Promised Land every year. Russian travelers arriving in the country, mainly by air, also show considerable interest in the historical and cultural heritage and holy places. Some of them prefer beach holiday in, and therefore you can always meet compatriots at airports.
You can get there by Russian Transaero and Israeli El Al planes at any time of the year, and Aeroflot will deliver tourists to Eilat in just 4 hours.
International airports in Israel
Right to accept international flights have two local airports:
- Ben Gurion in Tel Aviv is famous for its special measures security. It is best to show up for check-in 3-4 hours before the scheduled departure time. Personal searches of passengers and luggage and frank questions are a common occurrence here rather than out of the ordinary. Additional Information on the website – www.iaa.gov.il/Rashat/en-US/Airports/BenGurion.
- Israel International Airport in Eilat welcomes tourists who decide to relax on the Red Sea. It is called Ovda and is located 60 km from the resort. Transfer to Eilat is carried out by bus route 282 and taxi, the parking lot of which is located at the exit from the passenger terminal. Ovda Airport accepts flights from, St. Petersburg, and. Schedule details are available on the website – www.iaa.gov.il/Rashat/en-US/Airports/Ovda.
Everything for your safety
At Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, they don't like to joke. It is famous for its special pre-flight control procedure, during which any passenger can be searched. You should not try to interfere with the secret service workers or be indignant at the established procedures - this will not save time. It is best to plan your arrival at the Israeli airport in advance.
The city center and the airfield are separated by 14 km and transfer to Tel Aviv is possible in several ways:
- By train. The station is located on the lower level of Terminal 3. From here you can leave for Tel Aviv on any day and around the clock, except on Shabbat.
- By bus. The stops are located in Terminal 3.
- By rented car, which is provided for rent by several offices in the arrivals halls.
Alternate airfields
Domestic flights to Eilat from Tel Aviv are served by Israel Airport, located a few hundred meters from the Eilat beaches. The air harbor does not have a very long take-off, and therefore the international flights on its schedule include only those operated by medium-sized aircraft. For sunbathers on the shores of the Gulf of Aqaba, planes landing overhead provide added entertainment and a reason to whip out their cameras.
Israel Sde Dov Airport near Tel Aviv serves domestic flights from Eilat and is not very popular with tourists.
When going to Israel, you need to know not only which city you are expected to arrive in, but also the name and location of the airport. This, at first glance, rather insignificant detail can significantly save time. Experienced travelers recommend checking in advance the distance of the airport from the city center, what flights it accepts, and what transport is available in the area.
Most main airport Israel in Tel Aviv is called Ben Gurion. Not only those who want to visit the capital fly here, but also passengers who will then go to other cities located in the country. This is due to the fact that not all airports in Israel are equipped with a runway ready to receive large planes. For those who need to travel further, it is important to know which airports are ready to accept domestic and which international passengers.
Air routes
Israel is a fairly visited country; people come here not only for tourism, but also for business and recreation. In every big city Israel airport receives special attention. It's modern and quick way get from one point to another, including within the country. As a rule, the name of the city is consonant with the name of the airport: Beer Sheva, Yotvata, Kiryat Shmona, Mitzpe Ramon, Ovda, Rosh Pinna, Haifa, Eilat, Ein Yahav. The only names that differ from their location are: Ben Gurion and Sde Dov (in Tel Aviv), Bar Yehuda (in Masada).
However, you need to know that most of of which it is not possible to accept international flights. Those that have a runway long enough to accommodate large aircraft will be discussed in more detail below.
Ben Gurion
Israel's central airport, located 11 km from the center of Tel Aviv, is one of the most visited air ports. More than 80 airlines fly here every day, including charter flights. And this despite the fact that there is another airport in the capital itself.
The Israeli Ben Gurion Airport building has food courts, shops, ATMs, an exchange office and an area for especially important passengers (VIP). To get to the city, buses run nearby: Egged Line 5, Veolia Line 239, Superbus Line 13. Minibus and train services can be used from the third terminal. Local taxi services and car rentals are also available.
For those who travel by car, the terminals have multi-level parking and parking lots. In terms of determining the most convenient road to get to the airport, it is recommended to stick to Highway No. 1.
Ben Gurion Terminals
Passengers are offered domestic and international transportation. Departure is carried out from two terminals (1 and 3), the second is focused on government and industrial needs:
- The first one consists of one floor. Designed for flights both within Israel and to other countries. The terminal is quite comfortable both for those arriving/departing on a flight and for those seeing off. There is a free bus to get to the neighboring terminal.
- The third is a three-story building. On the ground floor (G) boarding and meeting of arriving passengers takes place. Public transport departs from the second; by the way, from tier S you can also go to the city by rail. The third floor is provided for departing passengers whose flights depart from this tier. Many people speak positively about how the building has designed descents for passengers from disabilities. It is possible to use the services of an accompanying person; to do this, you need to contact an employee at the information desk.
Haifa
Israel airport for international flights, as well as for travel within the country. It got its name in honor of Uri Michaeli. At one time it was used as a military airfield. Located six kilometers from the center of Haifa. Serves charter flights and airline services: Arkia Israel Airlines and Israir. The most popular domestic route to Eilat and Tel Aviv. If we talk about charters, these are such destinations as Jordan, Cyprus and Türkiye.
Among the infrastructure available at the airport, we can note the presence of a snack bar and souvenir shops. It is suggested to get to the hotel from the airport by taxi. The bus stop is a 7-minute walk away, with route number 58 departing from here.
Ovda
One of the Israeli airports that accepts civil and military aircraft. It was built back in 1980, located 60 kilometers from the city of Eilat. Vessels of 8 airlines (from Moscow, London, Berlin), including charter ones (Amsterdam, Tallinn, Manchester) arrive at the runway. Designed to accommodate international and domestic flights.
On this moment the airport receives planes that cannot land in Eilat because the runway in this city cannot accommodate large planes. If the purpose of the trip is to visit the neighboring city of Eilat, then you can get back to the airport in Ovde by regular bus.
By bus or taxi?
In total, there are two routes in this direction - No. 282 and No. 392; flights are not carried out as often as we would like. Therefore, it is worth checking the time interval between buses in advance. Experienced tourists say that it takes about an hour to get from Eilat to Ovda. The fare is fixed, payment is made in new Israeli shekels.
Before using a taxi, you need to calculate how much the trip will cost; for a Russian tourist, the cost of such a trip may be more expensive than a plane ticket. In such cases, it is worth using public transport services.
Eilat
This airport is located in the resort town of the same name, where it is the only building for this kind of air traffic. It does not offer modern comfort, since it was built back in 1980. In those years, its main task was to receive military aircraft. At the moment, its functions have been slightly expanded and made available for transportation by local residents.
International and domestic passengers are accepted here. However, it must be said that the international airport cannot accommodate large planes arriving in Israel due to the short runway. Two airlines and charter flights provide their services. Geographically, the airport is located in the city itself. From it you can easily and quickly reach the Red Sea (to be precise, here it begins from the Gulf of Aqaba), hotels and shopping centers located on its coast.
Transport services from the airport and back
In order to get from the city to the airport, it is proposed to use public transport services by taking one of the following buses: 1, 2, 6 and 6x, 10, 16. The final stop is “Airport”. The same movement pattern is suitable for the opposite direction. Those traveling by car should stay on highway No. 90. If you have the opportunity to spend 1,500 rubles (translated into Russian exchange rate) on taxi services, you can comfortably get to the capital. This option is suitable for a large group of at least three people.
The main destinations served by the airport are flights to the cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv. The terminal building has the necessary services to serve passengers, given the hot climate, water is provided free of charge.
There are many airports in Israel, but only two have international status - Ben Gurion Airport and Ovda Airport in Eilat. The largest is Ben Gurion Airport. In addition to international ones, Israel has several airports serving regional flights: Sde Dov Airport near Tel Aviv, Haifa Airport and Eilat Airport. Direct flights to Israel are provided by Aeroflot, Transaero, EL Al Airlines, S7 Airlines and others.
How long does it take to fly to Israel from Moscow?
Fly from Moscow: about 4-5 hours
Time difference with Moscow: -1 hour
Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV)
Ben Gurion International Airport is the main Israeli airport; it is here that most flights with Russian tourists arrive. David Ben-Gurion Airport is located 14 km from Tel Aviv, near the city of Lod. The airport is located on highway No. 1 Tel Aviv - Jerusalem. You can get to the airport by bus, taxi and train.
Airport name in Hebrew: נמלהתעופהבןגוריון, נתב"ג
Address: Ben-Gurion Airport, 70100 Israel
Phone: +(972 3) 937 11 11
www.iaa.gov.il/Rashat/en-US/Airports/BenGurion
Ovda International Airport (VDA)
Ovda International Airport is the second international airport in Israel. Also common is the pronunciation and spelling - Ovda Airport. The airport is located 60 km north of Eilat.
Airport name in Hebrew: נמלהתעופהעובדה
Address: Ovda Airport, Eilat, Israel
Phone:+ (972 1) 700 705 022
www.iaa.gov.il/Rashat/en-US/Airports/Ovda
Sde Dov Airport (SDV)
Sde Dov Airport is a municipal airport in Tel Aviv. Located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The airport serves flights to Eilat and the Golan Heights.
Airport name in Hebrew: שדההתעופהדב
Address: Sde Dov Airport, Levi Eshkol Avenue (opposite Shikun Lamed), Tel Aviv, Israel
Phone+(972 3) 698 45 00
www.iaa.gov.il/Rashat/en-US/Airports/SdeDov
Haifa Airport (HFA)
Haifa Airport is an airport located northeast of Haifa. Serves mainly flights to Tel Aviv and Eilat.
Airport name in Hebrew: נמלהתעופהחיפה
Address:Haifa Airport, Haifa Bay, Israel
Phone:+ (972 4) 872 86 57
www.iaa.gov.il/Rashat/en-US/Airports/Haifa
Eilat Airport (ETH)
Eilat Airport is a regional airport located in the very center of Eilat. Serves local flights to Haifa and Tel Aviv.
Airport name in Hebrew: נמל התעופה אילת
International and domestic airports in Israel: where is it most convenient to get to which resorts, which airlines fly where. Location, duty free shops, terminals and helpful information about Israeli airports.
There are 17 civil airports in Israel, four of which are of international importance. Only two airports in Israel have regular connections with Russia: the airport in Tel Aviv, named after David Ben-Gurion, and Ovda Airport, located 60 kilometers from Eilat, the southernmost city of Israel.
Ben Gurion Airport was founded by the British authorities in 1936, and received its current name in 1973, when the first Prime Minister of Israel died. Today, David Ben-Gurion Airport is considered the most protected from the threat of terrorist attacks. Moreover, this Israeli airport has been recognized several times as the best in the Middle East in terms of passenger comfort.
Construction of a new building in Eilat should be completed in 2017 international airport, where all civil flights from Ovda will be transferred.
Ovda Airport is the second largest airport in Israel. Currently, this airport receives both civil and military aircraft. But in 2017, construction of a new international airport in Eilat should be completed, where all civil flights from Ovda will be transferred.
Israeli airports have duty-free shops, small souvenir departments, cafes and restaurants on their territory. But Tel Aviv Airport is better suited to the needs of tourists: here you will find currency exchange offices and spacious business lounges.
You can use free Wi-Fi throughout the Tel Aviv airport.
If you are flying from Ovda airport, then you should take care of cash in advance, because, unfortunately, there are no ATMs at the airport. It is also better to exchange currency in the city, because at the two existing points the exchange rate is not very favorable.
Airlines flying to Israel
Both regular and charter flights from Russia operate to Ben Gurion Airport. For example, from Moscow to Tel Aviv you will fly with Transaero, El Al and Rossiya. The last two airlines also operate flights from St. Petersburg. Tourists from Rostov-on-Don can get to Israel without transfers with Aeroflot-Don, and Ural Airlines operates flights from Yekaterinburg. Charter flights Kuban Airlines launched from Krasnodar.
Airplanes of Aeroflot, IsraAir and VIM-Avia landing from Moscow land at Ovda airport. Flights from St. Petersburg are operated by the Rossiya company.
Which airport to choose
Ben Gurion Airport is located between the cities of Tel Aviv and Lod. At one time it was even called Lod Airport. Currently there are three terminals on the territory of this airport. You can get to any resort in Israel from Ben Gurion Airport by train, bus or taxi. The train station is located on the lower floor of terminal 3. If you plan to travel by bus, you first need to get to the Airport City stop, here you can transfer to city routes.
Ovda Airport is located just 60 kilometers from the resort, which can be reached by city bus or taxi.
Ovda Airport is suitable for those tourists who plan to relax in the southern resorts of Israel, for example, in Eilat. The airport is located just 60 kilometers from the resort, which can be reached by city bus or taxi. Travel companies usually send their own buses to take vacationers to their hotels.
