Public transportation in Israel

Public Transportation

Public transportation in Israel is convenient, cheap and covers the whole country.

Ben Gurion Airport (TLV)

Ben Gurion International Airport is the main gate to the State of Israel. It’s called TLV referring to the nearby city of Tel Aviv. The main terminal is terminal 3. Most flights depart from terminal 3, and all flights land there.

 Low cost flights often depart from terminal 1 which is a short bus ride (#5 bus) from the main terminal.

Before heading to your flight back, make sure which terminal you need.

When you land, just after you pass customs, you exit to a large arrival hall, and on the right side (near the ATM)  there is the Rav Kav card desk.

Ben Gurion Train Station

The station is located on the ground floor (G) of terminal 3.

Train lines go to all big cities in Israel: Tel Aviv , Beer Sheva, Haifa, and recently- also to Jerusalem!

Check the schedule on  Israel Railway website

 

Express bus to and from Jerusalem

  • Line 485 to Jerusalem is the secret and preferred way to get from the airport to Jerusalem.

  • The station is on floor 2 in terminal 3

  • It runs 24h a day, and leaves every hour- on the hour. (1:00, 2:00, 3:00 etc)

  • Operated by Afikim bus company.

  • If you have a lot of luggage, the bus is more comfortable because it has a lot of storage space and easy access.

The bus stops at the Jerusalem Central Bus Station, and has a few more stops afterwards.The bus stops also at terminal 1, so if you’re staying in Jerusalem and flying back from terminal 1- take this bus and NOT the train.