What is the safest way to leave Ben Gurion Airport?

Israel Railways train to Tel Aviv stations. Trains do not run on Shabbat — taxi or Gett needed Fri evening to Sat night.

Are taxis at TLV safe?

Official taxis from the marked rank are generally fine, but watch for: off-flat 'special' taxi — Driver claims the posted fare doesn't apply to your hotel. Insist on the Mehadrin flat or use Gett.

How much should a taxi from TLV to the city centre cost?

Expected fare on the TLV → Central TLV route is roughly ILS 18–ILS 180. Anything around ILS 220+ is high — ILS 280+ off-flat is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.

Do I need cash for a taxi at TLV?

Carry small local notes — Official taxi (zone) expects card & cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.

Where is the official taxi pickup at Ben Gurion Airport?

Train station inside T3. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.

What scams should I watch for at TLV?

The most reported at TLV: Off-flat 'special' taxi. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.

ARRIVING AT

TEL AVIVLeaving Ben Gurion Airport: transport guide

Ben Gurion Airport · Israel

TLV

Low riskUpdated May 2026Medium confidence

Train to central Tel Aviv is around ILS 18. Official taxis use posted city zone fares.

TL;DR

TLV (Ben Gurion Airport) is the main international airport serving Tel Aviv, Israel. The recommended way out is Israel Railways train to Tel Aviv stations (~~ILS 18, 15–25 min). Pickup is at Train station inside T3. The most common scam to watch for is "Off-flat 'special' taxi". Fares on the TLV → Central TLV route typically run ILS 18–ILS 180; anything above ILS 280+ off-flat is almost certainly a scam. Last updated May 2026.

IF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING

Israel Railways train to Tel Aviv stations

Typical fare: ~ILS 18
Journey time: 15–25 min
Pickup: Train station inside T3

WARNING · Trains do not run on Shabbat — taxi or Gett needed Fri evening to Sat night

Compare your options at a glance

Option	Cost	Wait	Payment	Pick
Israel Railways	~ILS 18	Every 30 min	💳Card
Official taxi (zone)	ILS 130–180	0–10 min	💳Card / Cash
Gett	ILS 130–180	5–10 min	📱App
Sherut (shared taxi)	ILS 80–100	Fills up	💵Cash	—

Your first 30 minutes

1Follow train signs from T3 arrivals
2Buy ticket at the machine or with Rav-Kav
3Train every 30 min (none on Shabbat)
4For taxi: posted Mehadrin flat fares by zone
5Plan 25–40 min to most areas

Airport exit score

AIRPORT EXIT SCORE

84/ 100

Easy exit

Scam risk85
Public transport90
Ride-hailing80
Signage clarity85
Payment convenience80

Fare reality check

TLV → Central TLV

ExpectedWhat locals actually pay
ILS 18–ILS 180
ConcerningQuestion this — ask for the meter
ILS 220+
Probably being scammedWalk away. Find another ride.
ILS 280+ off-flat

Best ways out, ranked

1
Israel Railways
RECOMMENDED
Cost
~ILS 18
Journey
15–25 min
Wait
Every 30 min
Payment
💳 Card
Pros
Cheap
Fast
Cons
No Shabbat service
2
Official taxi (zone)
RECOMMENDED
Cost
ILS 130–180
Journey
20–40 min
Wait
0–10 min
Payment
💳 Card / Cash
Pros
Posted flat
Cons
25% night surcharge
3
Gett
RECOMMENDED
Cost
ILS 130–180
Journey
20–40 min
Wait
5–10 min
Payment
📱 App
Pros
Fixed price
Cons
Surge
4
Sherut (shared taxi)
Cost
ILS 80–100
Journey
30–60 min
Wait
Fills up
Payment
💵 Cash
Pros
Cheap on Shabbat
Cons
Slow, multiple stops

Paying without surprises

Cards accepted on trains and most taxis
Confirm the posted flat fare with the driver before boarding

Common scams

Off-flat 'special' taxi

Low risk

Driver claims the posted fare doesn't apply to your hotel.

HOW TO AVOID · Insist on the Mehadrin flat or use Gett.

What locals & travellers say

TLV·Tel Aviv

“Train is the obvious move except Friday night / Saturday.”

Redditr/IsraelChecked Mar 2025confirmed

01 / 02

Arrival checklist

Train ~ILS 18
Posted taxi flat
Sherut on Shabbat

✉︎

Take it with you

TLV arrival FAQs

What is the safest way to leave Ben Gurion Airport?: Israel Railways train to Tel Aviv stations. Trains do not run on Shabbat — taxi or Gett needed Fri evening to Sat night.
Are taxis at TLV safe?: Official taxis from the marked rank are generally fine, but watch for: off-flat 'special' taxi — Driver claims the posted fare doesn't apply to your hotel. Insist on the Mehadrin flat or use Gett.
Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at TLV?: Ride-hailing availability at TLV varies — check the app before you land. Where it works, the pickup point is usually outside the arrivals curb in a marked zone.
How much should a taxi from TLV to the city centre cost?: Expected fare on the TLV → Central TLV route is roughly ILS 18–ILS 180. Anything around ILS 220+ is high — ILS 280+ off-flat is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
Do I need cash for a taxi at TLV?: Carry small local notes — Official taxi (zone) expects card & cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
Where is the official taxi pickup at Ben Gurion Airport?: Train station inside T3. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
Is TLV safe to arrive at late at night?: TLV is generally manageable at night if you stick to the official taxi rank or pre-book a transfer. Avoid empty bus stops and outdoor pickup zones, and confirm your ride is moving before sharing personal details.
What scams should I watch for at TLV?: The most reported at TLV: Off-flat 'special' taxi. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.

Other airports in Israel

ETM Eilat
Ramon Airport (Eilat)

ALL ISRAEL AIRPORTS →

Back to all airports