Travel Guides
How to Get from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem
A private taxi, the airport train or shared shuttles? The practical options for the 45-minute trip from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem, with advice for groups.
Your options at a glance
Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) sits about 45 minutes west of Jerusalem on Highway 1. Arriving passengers can choose a private taxi, the airport train, or shared shuttles and buses. The best choice depends on your group size, luggage and where in Jerusalem you are staying.
Private taxi transfer (recommended for most visitors)
A private taxi takes you door to door — from the arrivals hall straight to your hotel or address — with help handling luggage and no waiting for other passengers. The price is fixed and agreed in advance, and the driver tracks your flight so they are there when you land, even at night.
It is the most comfortable option for families with children, travelers with several suitcases, and anyone arriving late at night.
Airport train to Jerusalem
The airport train station links Ben Gurion Airport directly to Jerusalem's Yitzhak Navon station, next to the Central Bus Station. Trains are frequent and cheaper than a taxi, but you still need to reach your hotel from the station — uphill, with luggage, often by another taxi. For light travelers staying near the City Center it is a good budget option; schedules and fares change, so check the operator's website before you travel.
Shared shuttles and buses
Shared shuttle vans and intercity buses run between the airport and the Jerusalem Central Bus Station. They are the cheapest door-to-station option, but they wait for other passengers, run on fixed schedules and still leave you with the last leg from the station to your hotel.
Which option should I choose?
Traveling solo with a small backpack and staying near the station? The train works well. Flying in with family, strollers or several bags, or landing late? Book a private taxi in advance and start your trip relaxed — see the airport transfer page for fixed prices.