Ben Gurion International Airport TLV

Ben Gurion International Airport is on the edge of Lod, about 20 km southeast of Tel Aviv and about 45 km northwest of Jerusalem. It is Israel’s main airport and the hub of El Al, the flag carrier, whose headquarters sit on the airport grounds. About 19.2 million passengers used it in 2025 (24.8 million in 2019, before the pandemic).

Terminals

Terminal 3, opened in late 2004, is the main international gateway: it has four concourses (B, C, D and E) and around 40 gates. Terminal 1, renovated and reopened in 2007, has been used for domestic flights and some international low-cost services; always check your ticket for the terminal your flight uses, as most passengers go through Terminal 3.

Airlines and destinations

Besides El Al, the Israeli carriers Israir, Arkia and Sundor operate here, along with many foreign airlines flying to Europe, North America, Asia and beyond. Routes and operators can change quickly depending on the regional situation, so confirm your flight before travelling.

Services

The terminal has plenty of shops, restaurants and cafés. There is a train to the airport; the transport section has the details.

Tips

Israeli security relies heavily on personal interviews as well as scanners: expect questions about your trip and your luggage, and arrive well ahead of time, especially on international flights. Keep your accommodation booking and itinerary details handy. The airport works close to its capacity limit, so queues can form at peak times. Note that the train doesn’t run on Shabbat (from Friday afternoon to Saturday night), so plan another way to get there or leave during those hours.