Cheapest time to fly to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV)
March through to May, and then again between September and November, are the sweet tourism spots when prices for travelling to Tel Aviv on last-minute flights increase. Winter is the cheapest time to book return flights to Ben Gurion Airport and despite it being the low season, the weather is still very pleasant and it is arguably the best season for sightseeing in the ancient city.
Flying to Ben Gurion
Ben Gurion Airport, which is situated 12 miles south-east of the city centre, is the largest airport in Israel and an important transport hub for the wider region. It is considered to be one of the best airports in the Middle East and is named after Israel's first Prime Minister. British Airways offer direct flights from the UK to Tel Aviv and a number of other airlines operate Ben Gurion Airport flights with a short layover. Direct flights from UK airports include London Heathrow, Manchester and Glasgow.
On arrival and getting around TLV
Tel Aviv is a major airport and currently has two operational terminals which are numbered 1 and 3. As of 2023 / 2024, budget flights to Ben Gurion, and also domestic movements, use Terminal 1. The majority on international traffic will arrive and depart from the large Terminal 3. The airport is well-equipped and also provides free Wi-Fi for passengers. The airport is dedicated to Ben Gurion and he is honoured with a sculpture where people regularly pay homage to the politician. Bus number 5 shuttles passengers between the airport's two operational terminals.
Getting to the city from the airport
Ben Gurion flights are well connected to the wider vicinity by a train service run by Israeli Railways – the station is located in Terminal 3. The journey to Tel Aviv takes about 20 minutes and is the most comfortable way of travelling between the airport and the city. Shared taxi or shuttles services are popular among locals and these are easily found upon arrival of last-minute flights at the airport.
Don't forget before you fly
Visitors arriving on cheap flights to Ben Gurion can usually enter for up to three months without a visa. You are issued an entry card, rather than given a stamp in your passport, which you must retain while you are in the country. The local currency is the Israeli Shekel.
