Car Hire Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport

Car Hire

Tel Aviv, the financial capital of Israel, is home to the country’s main international gateway, Tel Aviv Airport. The facility, 12 miles to the southeast of central Tel Aviv, welcomes more than 19 million passengers annually. Israel Railways provides transportation services from the airport to downtown Tel Aviv. Inter-city bus lines service the airport, while taxis stand by at the terminals. In addition, tourists can opt for car hire in Tel Aviv Airport, which is among the most reliable ways to get around.

Who to Book With
Tourists will find reputable car hire companies at the airport, including Budget, Eldan, Hertz, Sixt and Avis. These car rental suppliers have desks within the Greeters Hall, on the first floor. Car rental is available every day of the year, 24 hours.

Need to Know Essentials
Tourists must present several documents before renting a car at Tel Aviv Airport:

- A valid passport
- A national driving licence in English
- An international driving licence if the national license is not in English
- A valid credit card

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
Driving is becoming much more popular among tourists to Israel. The last decade has seen development in the roads around Tel Aviv, making car rental more appealing. Toll roads outside Tel Aviv require patrons to pay toll fees. Licences are required to be carried at all times and police often stop vehicles for routine inspection. Drivers should adhere to local speed limits as speed traps are common and fines for speeding are high.

Our Israel guide provides more detail about driving here.

Transport

Car rental is an efficient way to move between the airport and downtown Tel Aviv. Nevertheless, other transportation options available at Tel Aviv Airport include buses, taxis and trains.

Trains
Trains are a convenient option for getting into downtown Tel Aviv from the airport. Israel Railways trains operate from just outside the Greeters Hall most days of the week. They stop operating between Friday afternoon and Saturday evening due to Shabbat. A ticket between the airport and Tel Aviv Savidor Central Station costs about £2.50 for an adult.

Taxis
The taxis at the airport are commissioned under the Israeli Airports Authority, so tourists know they are safe and reliable. Taxi ranks can be found on Level G. It takes a taxi about 20 minutes to reach downtown Tel Aviv from the airport.

Taxi prices:
Tel Aviv Airport to Central Tel Aviv is about £20
Tel Aviv Airport to Jerusalem is about £30
Tel Aviv Airport to Haifa is about £65

Buses
The city’s main bus service, which is operated by Egged Bus Lines, does not serve the airport. But several bus lines travel from downtown Tel Aviv to Airport City, including lines 249, 423 and 475. It is possible to reach the stations at Airport City via shuttle bus from the second floor, between gates 21 and 23. Prices are reasonably cheap; expect to pay about £2 to reach the New Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv.

Facilities

Terminals
There are currently two terminals operating at Ben Gurion Tel Aviv Airport. Terminal 2 was demolished in the 1990s and Terminal 4 is not open to commercial traffic. Terminal 1 is used as a domestic terminal and accommodates low-cost carriers serving international destinations. However, Terminal 3 is where most international passengers are processed. Some 16 million passengers pass through the terminals annually.

Parking
There are more than 11,000 parking spaces available at the airport. Some are found off site, but many are located on the premises. Short-term parking is available close to Terminal 1, in Car Park 1. The Cargo area also boasts a short-term parking zone, known as Parking Lot 13. Long-term parking is available further away from the terminals and is connected by shuttle buses. Short-term parking costs can rise to £20 per day, while long-term parking usually costs around £7 a day.

Wi-Fi
Wireless internet can be found in Terminal 3 of the airport. It is a free service.

Information Services
There are several information booths available for passengers. The Landside Building Check-in Hall contains an information centre. Also, in the Greeters Hall, opposite entrance number 03, an information services booth can be found. The main communal space in the airside building known as the Rotunda is home to an information desk, too.

Useful Numbers
Israel Airport Authority: +972 3 975 2386
Information Counter Call Centre: +972 3 975 5555

Accessibility
The airport is designed to cater for passengers with limited mobility. Therefore visitors will notice elevators, ramps, specially-designed restrooms and easy-to-follow navigation. However, if tourists need assistance, they are required to inform their airline upon booking. Airline staff can assist passengers with wheelchair rentals, trolley services and personal assistance upon request.

Restaurants and Bars
A range of coffee shops are available for passengers. Arcafe is found in two locations, the Rotunda and Concourse D. Other restaurants and cafés include Segafredo Espresso, Kakao, Si Espresso and Ranch Café. Pizza Hut and Burger Ranch are some of the more popular non-vegetarian restaurants found within the Rotunda Hall.

VIP Lounges

Terminal 1:
Metsada Lounge

Terminal 3:
King David Lounge
Dan Lounge (Concourse B)
Dan Lounge (Concourse C)

Money and ATMs
ATMs are found in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, including in the Greeters halls, the Arrivals halls and the Check-in halls. Currency exchange bureaux are found in the airside building and the landslide building. These services are supplied by Bank Hapoalim and Changeplace.

Shopping
Duty-free stores and regular shopping stores within the airport offer a huge range of products for tourists. Some of the most popular stores include Victoria’s Secret, Michal Negrinn, James Richardson Outlet and Hugo Boss. Bug Duty Free is home to a wide range of items, from perfumes to accessories and electronics.