Ben Gurion International Airport sits roughly midway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, and getting into either city is straightforward for most of the week thanks to a direct rail line — the one wrinkle is that trains stop running for Shabbat, when a shared sherut taxi becomes the most reliable option.
The fastest way: Israel Railways
Ben Gurion has its own underground station, Ben Gurion Airport railway station, directly beneath the terminal complex and linked by escalators and moving walkways — there is no shuttle bus needed to reach the platform. Trains run on the same fast line that serves both cities, reaching Tel Aviv Savidor Centre (or Tel Aviv HaHagana) in around 17 minutes, and continuing on to Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon, underground in the city centre, in about 25 minutes.
Services run frequently on weekdays, including a reduced schedule on Friday until early afternoon, and fares are inexpensive — buy at the station machines or through the Israel Railways app, and there is no need to book ahead for a single journey. This is the default choice for most travellers heading to either city, especially those staying anywhere near a station on the line.
Sherut: the shared taxi that keeps running
A sherut is a shared minibus taxi that departs once it has enough passengers rather than on a fixed timetable, and sheruts are the most dependable option precisely when the train is not an option — many continue to operate on Shabbat and holidays, when trains and most buses stop. Sherut ranks are clearly marked outside the arrivals hall, with separate services generally heading to Tel Aviv and to Jerusalem.
Journey times are similar to driving by road — roughly 20–30 minutes to Tel Aviv and closer to an hour to Jerusalem, depending on traffic and how many stops the driver makes along the way to drop other passengers. Fares are a little higher than the train but still modest, and you generally pay the driver directly in cash. For late-night arrivals or a Friday evening landing, this is usually the smoothest option.
Buses
Regular bus services connect Ben Gurion to both cities, run by operators including Egged. They are cheaper than a sherut but slower and less frequent, and — like the train — they run a reduced or non-existent schedule around Shabbat and Jewish holidays. For travellers without heavy luggage and with a flexible schedule, the bus is a reasonable budget option on weekdays, but most visitors find the train faster and just as cheap for a direct run into either city centre.
Taxis and ride-hailing
An official taxi rank operates outside arrivals with metered fares to both cities — always use the marked rank rather than a driver approaching you inside the terminal. A taxi to Tel Aviv typically takes 20–30 minutes and to Jerusalem 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic, and costs more than the sherut for a similar journey. Ride-hailing apps also operate in Israel and can be a useful alternative, particularly if you want a fixed fare shown up front before you commit.
Car hire at the airport
Several international car hire desks operate at Ben Gurion, useful if you're planning to explore beyond Tel Aviv and Jerusalem — the Dead Sea, the Negev desert or the Galilee are all realistic road trips with a rental car. Driving into central Tel Aviv or Jerusalem is manageable but not especially rewarding for a short stay in either city, where parking is limited and traffic can be heavy, particularly on the approach to Jerusalem. A car earns its keep more on longer regional itineraries than on the airport transfer itself.
Timing your trip around Shabbat
Shabbat begins shortly before sunset on Friday and ends after nightfall on Saturday, and its exact timing shifts with the seasons — always check the current schedule before you fly, especially if you're arriving on a Friday afternoon or departing on a Saturday. If your flight lands during this window, plan on the sherut or an official taxi rather than assuming a train or bus will be running. The same caution applies to major Jewish holidays throughout the year, when public transport patterns can change with little warning to a first-time visitor.
Which option should you choose?
On a weekday, the train is hard to beat: fast, cheap and dropping you close to the centre of either city. Around Shabbat or a Jewish holiday, switch to the sherut, which remains the most reliable option when scheduled transport thins out or stops. Taxis suit late arrivals, larger groups or anyone who simply wants a door-to-door ride without working out where the sherut rank is. If you're travelling on between the two cities once you've settled in, see our guide to Tel Aviv to Jerusalem for the fuller comparison of train, bus, sherut and driving.
For entry requirements before you travel, check the current rules with your own government and, for the wider region, our guide to the Middle East entry requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Ben Gurion Airport to Tel Aviv?
The quickest way is the direct train from the airport's underground station to Tel Aviv Savidor Centre, taking around 17 minutes. Sheruts, buses and taxis are also available.
How do I get from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem?
The train reaches Jerusalem–Yitzhak Navon in about 25 minutes on weekdays. On Shabbat and holidays, when trains don't run, a sherut or taxi is the reliable alternative, taking roughly 45 minutes to an hour by road.
Do trains run from the airport on Shabbat?
No. Israel Railways stops running from Friday afternoon until Saturday night, and on major Jewish holidays. Sheruts are the most dependable option during this period.
What is a sherut and how do I find one at the airport?
A sherut is a shared minibus taxi that departs once full rather than on a timetable. Ranks are clearly marked outside the arrivals hall, with separate services generally serving Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Sources and further reading:
- Airport transport information: Ben Gurion Airport official site.
- Timetables: Israel Railways (Rakevet Israel).
- Bus routes: Egged official website.