Welcome to Israel
Arrival Info
Arrival Information
Whether you’re a Solo Traveler or part of a Tour Group, traveling to Israel is always an exciting experience for everyone. Especially if this is your first Trip to Israel, you might wonder what to prepare for and what to expect when arriving at the Ben Gurion Airport. On this page, I am discussing various topics that are of interest to those planning a trip to Israel. The information on this page will hopefully take out some of the guesswork by answering the questions you might have.
SECURITY AND SAFETY
When flying to Israel, you will notice that you will have to undergo more stringent security measures than when flying to other destinations. Even though Israel is a secure and very easy-going country, the airlines and the Israeli government still want to make sure that you pass your time onboard your flight in a secure and safe manner.
This means that beyond the nowadays common security-checks at your departure airport, you may sometimes be additionally questioned by security personnel, especially when flying with Israel’s national airline EL AL. But not to worry – these guys and girls are all very friendly, and they will just ask you some standard security-related questions, which you should answer in the simplest way possible. Keep in mind that they are trained to observe your reactions to their questions, which is why they sometimes ask you the same question two or three times.
BEN GURION AIRPORT
You will arrive in Israel at Ben Gurion Airport (IATA Code: TLV), which is the country’s main international airport. Contrary to what you might think, the airport is not actually located with the city of Tel Aviv, but within the city of Lod, which is located some 25 km (15 mi) south-east of Tel Aviv. Note that there is free WiFi throughout the entire terminal, which comes in handy if you need to communicate with people upon arrival.
Ben Gurion is a modern and efficient airport, which will allow you to easily connect to whatever your destination in Israel is. There are two main passenger terminals, with Terminal 3 being the main terminal, which you will arrive at. Terminal 1, which is located at a distance of about 4 km (2.5 mi) from Terminal, is mostly used for domestic and low-cost flights.
After you step off the plane, you should follow the signs (and the crowd) on your way to your first destination, which is Immigration & Passport Control. Bring some patience with you, as you may experience long lines there, depending on the specific time of day or night.
STAMP OR NO STAMP?
Visitors to Israel, who also plan to visit certain Arab or Muslim countries, are sometimes concerned about getting their passport stamped with an Israeli entry-visa. Since Israel is aware of this issue, however, no passports are nowadays stamped upon arrival or departure. Instead, you will receive a personalized blue entry-ticket in lieu of a visa stamp.
As a tourist, you will receive a status known as “B2”, which allows you to remain in the country for up to 90 day, but which does not give you permission to work in the country. Make sure to keep your blue “B2” entry-permit in a safe place (most people just keep it inside their passport), as you will be asked to show this ticket upon check-in at your hotel, as well as upon exiting the country. What happens at your departure, if you lost your “B2” entry-permit by chance? Nothing! The immigration-authorities will simple produce a new ticket for you. It is, however, a little bit of a hassle, as you will have to wait in line at a special counter until your replacement ticket is produced.
Now is the Time
You have been thinking about visiting your family in Israel for a long time already? You have always wanted to visit the Holy Land and walk in the footsteps of the Bible? You have been wondering why Israel is in conflict with its neighbors and whether the stories you hear on the news reflect the reality on the ground? These are only some of the reasons why you should get in touch with me in order to start talking about your Trip to Israel. Let me enlighten you with regards to the adventures awaiting you on one of my Private Tours, which I will tailor to your individual preferences in order to make this an experience you won’t soon forget. Click on the button on the left in order to be taken to the Contact Form page.