From the airport into Jerusalem: every option and what it costs

By Noa Shapira, Israel host 9 August 2026 6 min read

Modern design of Jerez de la Frontera airport train station platform under bright daylight. — Photo by Antonio Garcia Prats on Pexels

The moment you step out of Ben Gurion Airport’s arrivals hall into that dense, dry August heat, Jerusalem is already pulling at you—a city of pale stone and pine trees waiting just 50 kilometers up the hill. But how you cross that distance? That’s where the real journey begins. I’ve made this trip hundreds of times, and I know exactly what each option costs, how long it takes, and which one you’ll actually want depending on the hour and your luggage situation. Let’s break it down.

The Train: Fastest and Most Reliable (Mostly)

The train from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem’s Yitzhak Navon station is the option I recommend to almost everyone arriving on a weekday. The ride takes about 25–30 minutes and drops you right at the edge of the city center, a short walk (or one light rail stop) from the Machane Yehuda market. As of my latest check, a single ticket runs around ₪30–35 (roughly $9–10), which is a fraction of what you’d pay for a taxi.

The catch? The train stops running by mid-afternoon on Fridays and doesn’t run at all on Saturdays—Shabbat is non-negotiable in Jerusalem. If you land on a Friday afternoon or Saturday evening, this option is off the table. Also, note that Yitzhak Navon station is not actually in the Old City; it’s about a 20-minute walk downhill or a short bus ride from Jaffa Gate. The station connects to the city’s light rail Red Line, which will get you to the Old City, the German Colony (with its beautiful 19th-century Templar houses and cafés along Emek Refaim Street), or the Central Bus Station area. Buy a Rav-Kav card or use the Moovit app to handle your onward journey.

The Bus: The Budget Champion

If you’re watching your shekels—and who isn’t, with a cup of coffee going for about ₪15 these days—the bus is your friend. The Egged bus 485 runs from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem’s Central Bus Station (next to Yitzhak Navon). The journey takes roughly 45–60 minutes depending on traffic, and a ticket costs about ₪16–20 (around $5), making it the cheapest door-to-door option aside from getting someone to pick you up.

The bus is reliable on weekdays and runs through Friday afternoon. On Saturday evenings, after Havdalah, an evening bus from the airport to Jerusalem appears, but service is sparse—don’t rely on it unless you’re prepared to wait. You’ll also need to find your way from the Central Bus Station to your hotel or guesthouse, which usually means another bus or light rail ride. And remember: the light rail stops entirely during Shabbat, so if you’re arriving on a Saturday night, you’ll be waiting for those post-Havdalah services to start up (usually around 8:30–9 PM in the summer months, but check the Moovit app for live times).

Taxi: The Splurge That Saves Your Sanity

Let me paint a familiar picture: you’ve just landed after a 10-hour flight, you have two heavy bags, and the thought of navigating a transfer with your luggage makes you want to cry. This is the moment to take a taxi. A standard taxi from Ben Gurion to Jerusalem has a fixed price of around ₪300–350 (about $85–95), and the trip takes 40–50 minutes depending on traffic and your exact destination in the city. The base fare for any ride is about ₪13, but for this route, that’s irrelevant—it’s all about the airport flat rate.

I often tell friends to just take the taxi if they’re arriving late at night (after the train and bus stop running) or during Shabbat. The late-night peace of mind is worth every shekel. And if you’re traveling with family or a group of three or four, the taxi becomes quite reasonable per person—cheaper than a private transfer and only slightly more than two train tickets. Just be sure to confirm the price with the driver before you get in. The official airport taxi queue is well-regulated, so you’re generally safe there, but it’s always good practice to ask.

Private Transfer: The Premium Middle Ground

If you want the comfort of a taxi but with a fixed price and a meet-and-greet, a private transfer is your best bet. Prices for a private sedan run around ₪350–450 (roughly $100–120) depending on the company. This is the option I’d recommend if you’re on a business trip (Jerusalem’s economy leans heavily on government and a growing tech sector, remember) or if you’re heading to the German Colony and want to be dropped right at your guesthouse door without any negotiation.

Some of you might be arriving during the Israel Festival (this year running from late July to late August), and a private transfer is honestly the smartest move for getting you to a concert or an evening performance on time. You won’t be fumbling with a Rav-Kav card or waiting for a bus at midnight in a city that’s still buzzing with summer festival crowds. Many transfer companies operate from the airport 24/7, including during Shabbat, so this is also your reliable fallback if you’re landing on a Friday afternoon and the train has already stopped.

Which One Should You Pick?

Here’s my honest, from-the-ground breakdown:

Arriving Sunday–Thursday, before 5 PM: Take the train. It’s fast, cheap, and gets you closest to the city center. You’ll have plenty of time to navigate onwards.
Arriving Friday afternoon or Saturday evening: Take a taxi or book a private transfer in advance—these days there’s no other way. You’ll pay more, but you’ll save yourself hours of waiting for the limited post-Shabbat buses.
Arriving Saturday night: A taxi is your safest bet, though if you’re on a super tight budget, wait for the 485 bus (it does run after Havdalah, but services are infrequent).
Traveling with family or heavy luggage: Splurge on the taxi or transfer. It’s not worth your energy to wrestle bags onto a train in the August heat.

Whatever you choose, the journey is part of the experience—that first view of the Jerusalem hills as you climb the highway, the stone buildings catching the golden light, is something you’ll remember long after you’ve forgotten the cost of the ticket. And once you’re here, the city is wonderfully walkable—the Old City’s walls, rebuilt by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1538, enclose a 1 km² core of history where you’ll find the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre within a few minutes’ stroll of each other. Just remember to bring comfortable shoes and dress modestly, especially if you’re heading into Mea Shearim or any religious sites.

One last note on the practical stuff: since January 2025, visa-exempt visitors need an ETA-IL (₪25, valid up to two years) before flying—don’t skip this step. And keep the small entry card border control gives you; you’ll need it if you extend your stay. Now go, enjoy the city, and let the golden stone streets do their magic.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a taxi from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem?

A standard taxi from Ben Gurion to Jerusalem costs about ₪300–350 (around $85–95) and takes 40–50 minutes, depending on traffic. This is the fixed airport rate, so confirm it before departing.

Does the train run from Ben Gurion Airport to Jerusalem on Shabbat?

No. The train stops running by Friday mid-afternoon and doesn't run at all on Saturdays. On Saturday night, the Egged bus 485 runs a few times after Havdalah, but the most reliable option is a taxi or private transfer.

What's the cheapest way to get from Ben Gurion to Jerusalem?

The Egged bus 485 at ₪16–20 (about $5) is the cheapest option. It takes about 45–60 minutes and drops you at Jerusalem's Central Bus Station. The train is faster but costs about ₪30–35.

Is a private transfer from the airport to Jerusalem worth it?

A private transfer costs around ₪350–450 ($100–125) and is worth it when you need maximum convenience—especially during Shabbat, with lots of luggage, or when heading straight to a business meeting or event.

Do I need to worry about getting to my hotel in Jerusalem from the airport at night?

Yes. After midnight, the train and bus services cease, so your only realistic options are a taxi (₪300–350) or a pre-booked private transfer. Both operate 24/7 from the airport.

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