• Nothing Found

Getting from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem

There are three main ways to travel from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem. Your first option is by shuttle bus, which costs €4 and takes approximately 1 hour to reach downtown Jerusalem. Your second option is in a Tel Aviv airport taxi. Based on the official regulated fixed prices, your taxi trip should not cost more than €70 and take around 50 minutes, in normal traffic conditions. Your last transport option is by train. This option is the least preferred travel method as it requires up to two train connections, taking 2 hours and costing €5 per person.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Tel Aviv at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups €70 50min 24/7 Book
Book
Taxi €70 50min 24/7
Bus €8 60min 24/7
Train €10 120min 24/7

How to get from Ben Gurion airport to Jerusalem by taxi

It is highly recommended to get your taxi from the official ranks outside the designated terminals. Taxis are easily recognisable as they are white and carry a classic black and yellow “Taxi” sign on their rooftop. Moreover, most taxi drivers in Israel speak English, thus there should be no communication issues during your trip. It is important to know that long distance taxi rides operate on regulated fixed fares, however, there could be add ons for factors such as the amount of people per vehicle or the type of vehicle you chose.

Taxi fare from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem

The most common taxi fare from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem is a fixed price of €70. However, the price to Jerusalem is further affected by different factors, beside the state fixed initial price. These add-ons can be + €4 for toll money on the highway, +€1.20 for the airport fee , +€3 for the initial fee and luggage fees and most importantly a +25% surcharge after 21:00.

*For long trips, such as this one, it is better to book your Tel Aviv airport transfer in advance.

Cost

€70

Trip Duration

50 Min

*Rates may vary unless you book your taxi in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis at Ben Gurion airport are available 24/7.

Where do I get it from?

Taxis can be found at the official taxi ranks outside Terminal 1 and 3 at the airport, on the ground floor.

Convenience

Taxis are definitely the most comfortable and convenient way to travel from Ben Gurion Airport. Moreover, travelling by taxi ensures a safe door-to-door service, with the lowest travel time and a personalised journey.

Editor’s Note

It is highly recommended to take an official taxi from the airport taxi ranks as they offer fixed prices.

Useful Tips

When the dispatcher assigns a taxi, make sure to agree on the final fixed price before you start your journey towards Jerusalem.
Although official taxis are always available at the airport, you might have to wait between 10 to 30 minutes to get a taxi during rush hour.
It is important to note that during the night, Jewish holidays as well as on Shabbat, you will have to pay and extra 25%.

How to get from Ben Gurion airport to Jerusalem by bus

The only bus service from Ben Gurion airport to Tel Aviv that is considered punctual, affordable and efficient is the 485 shuttle bus to Jerusalem. One-way tickets cost €4 and the overall journey take approximately 1 hour.

How much is a bus ticket from Ben Gurion airport to Jerusalem?

A one-way ticket on the 485 shuttle bus only costs €4 to get from Ben Gurion airport to Jerusalem when bought directly from the driver. If you wish to guarantee a seat on the bus by buying your ticket online in advance, it will then cost €5.

Cost

€4

Trip Duration

1 hour

Waiting time can be up to 1 hour for the bus.

Convenience
Safety
Value for money

The shuttle bus runs every hour, 24/24, except on Shabbat and on Jewish holidays. The last service is at 14:00 on Fridays and first service after Shabbat at 19:00 on Saturdays.

Where do I get it from?

The 485 shuttle bus stop can be found outside terminal 3 at Ben Gurion airport, next to the taxi ranks on the ground floor. There is another bus stop on the second floor at Gate 23, terminal 3.

Convenience

If you book your tickets online to ensure a seat on the bus, the 485 shuttle bus is considered to be the most efficient transportation method to Jerusalem, after a taxi. Although it is not a door-to-door service, and there is no real personal space on a bus, it has great perks as is its budget-friendly along with the short 1 hour travel time. All in all, the 485 shuttle bus is definitely the most recommended public transport choice when travelling from Ben Gurion airport to Jerusalem.

Editor’s Note

The 485 shuttle bus has 6 predesignated stops in central Jerusalem. Plan your trip in advance or ask the driver for the most suitable stop in order to reach your destination.

Useful Tips

When planning your journey to and from Jerusalem, always remember that the shuttle service does not operate during Shabbat nor on public holidays.
It is highly recommend to book your tickets online, in advance, as the shuttle is a very popular choice amongst travellers.
When travelling back to Ben Gurion airport, you can find the 485 shuttle bus stop at the corner of Moriya and Jaffa Street, close to the Central Bus Station in Jerusalem.

How to get from Ben Gurion airport to Jerusalem by train

Unfortunately, the trip from Ben Gurion airport to Jerusalem by train is quite lengthy and time consuming, as there is no direct route connecting the two destinations. If choosing this travel option, you will have 2 connecting trips, with an average waiting time for each train of around 30 minutes, resulting in an altogether trip of around 2 hours or 2 hours and 30 minutes, depending if you are travelling during the day or evening.

How much is a train ticket from Ben Gurion airport to Jerusalem?

A one-way train ticket from Ben Gurion airport to Jerusalem costs €5 for adults and €2.50 for students, senior travellers and children.

You can book your train tickets online in advance, or you can purchase them from ticket machines inside the airport and at the ticket office next to the train station.

Cost

€5

Trip Duration

2 hours

Waiting time is around 30 minutes for each train.

Convenience
Safety
Value for money

On regular days, the train from Ben Gurion is available every 30 minutes, however, it is important to know that the train network completely closes on Shabbat, from Friday to Saturday evening.

Where do I get it from?

The airport train station is located on the sub ground level of terminal 3. To get to the station, you will need to follow the signage or you can ask the airport staff for directions.

Convenience

Although the train from Ben Gurion airport is very efficient and modern, there are no direct trains connecting the airport to Jerusalem. Thus, the overall trip consists of two connections, resulting in an exhausting 2 hour journey which can get very uncomfortable, especially after a long flight.

Editor’s Note

It is advised to choose another option to get from Ben Gurion airport to Jerusalem as it takes more than 2 hours by train. There are two other great options, a taxi and the shuttle that only take 1 hour to reach Jerusalem.

Useful Tips

You can plan your trip to Jerusalem in advance, through the Israel Railways website: www.rail.co.il
The train offers small perks, such as: free Wi-Fi, power sockets and individual air conditioning.
There is no official timetable for the train. However, the maximum waiting time should not exceed 30 minutes.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Tel aviv. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

Read more

Prices

DAYTIME
€70
NIGHTTIME
€88
Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

Read More

Frequently asked questions

How much is a taxi from Tel Aviv airport to Jerusalem?

The fixed taxi fare from Tel Aviv airport to Jerusalem is €70. There is a surcharge of 25% if you are travelling at night.

How far is Ben Gurion airport to Jerusalem?

The total distance from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem is 55 Km. The average taxi ride takes approximately 50 minutes.

How long is the bus ride from Ben Gurion airport to Jerusalem?

The bus ride from Ben Gurion airport to Jerusalem takes 1 hour and a one-way ticket costs €4. The shuttle is available every 30 minutes from the airport.

How much is a train ticket from Ben Gurion Airport airport to Jerusalem?

One-way adult train ticket costs €5 and €2.50 for children and senior travellers. Train tickets can be pre-booked online, or purchased from ticket machines inside the airport.

Was this helpful?

Pre-book online