Guide
Ben Gurion to Jerusalem: train, sherut, taxi or private van
Updated
In short
There are four realistic ways to get from Ben Gurion to Jerusalem. The train is the quickest when it runs, but it stops for Shabbat and leaves you at one station. A shared sherut is cheap and goes to your door, but it leaves only when it fills. A taxi suits one or two people travelling light. A private van is the one that takes a whole group and its luggage from the arrivals hall to the door in one go.
This is the question we are asked more than any other. The honest answer is that it depends on how many of you there are, how much luggage you have, and what time you land.
| Train | Sherut | Taxi | Private van | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Takes you to a door | No, to one station | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Runs on Shabbat | No | Limited | Yes | Ask us |
| Leaves when | Fixed timetable | When it fills | On demand | The time you choose |
| Group travels together | Yes | Shared with strangers | Up to 3 or 4 | Yes |
| Luggage | You carry it | Shared boot | One car boot | Whole group together |
| Price is per | Person | Person | Car | Van |
Fares change, so this compares what each option is like rather than what it costs on the day. We quote per van before you book.
The train
A line runs from a station under Terminal 3 to Yitzhak Navon station in Jerusalem. When it is running it is the fastest way into the city, and it is not close.
Two things catch people out. The station in Jerusalem is very deep underground and reached by long escalators, which is slow going with suitcases and children. And the train does not run on Shabbat or on public holidays, which is exactly when a lot of flights land.
From Navon you still need to get to where you are staying, so a Jerusalem taxi or a bus is usually part of the journey.
The shared taxi, or sherut
A sherut is a shared minibus that collects passengers at the airport and drops each one at their address in Jerusalem. You pay per seat, which makes it good value for one or two people.
The trade-off is time. It leaves when it has enough passengers, not at a set hour, and then it works through everyone else’s addresses before it reaches yours. After a long flight, with a group, that can turn into a long tail on the journey.
A regular taxi
Straightforward for one to three people with hand luggage. You pay for the car, you leave when you want, and you are dropped at the door.
It stops working as soon as there are four of you with suitcases. At that point you are splitting across two cars, paying two fares, and arriving separately.
A private van
This is what we do. The driver meets you in the arrivals hall, helps with the luggage, and drives to the address you gave us. Nobody else is collected along the way.
The price is for the vehicle rather than per seat, so it does not change between two passengers and twelve. For a family or a group it usually works out below several taxis, and everyone arrives at the same time.
- Met inside the arrivals hall
- Group and luggage in one vehicle
- A price agreed before you book
- The departure time is yours
Which one to pick
One or two people, hand luggage, a weekday: take the train, and a taxi at the far end.
One or two people, suitcases, no rush: a sherut is good value if you do not mind the wait.
Three or more, or any amount of luggage, or a late arrival, or Shabbat: a private van is the one that works without a plan B.
Still deciding?
Send us the dates and the group size and we will tell you what fits, even if the answer is that you do not need us.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
If your question is not here, send it to us on WhatsApp.
Does the train to Jerusalem run on Saturday?
No. Israel Railways does not run on Shabbat, from Friday afternoon until Saturday night, or on public holidays. If you land in that window the train is not an option.
How much luggage can we bring in a van?
A whole group’s suitcases travel with the group. If you are carrying something awkward, such as bikes, instruments or sports gear, tell us when you ask for a price so we plan the space.
Can you collect us from a Jerusalem hotel for the flight home?
Yes. Give us the hotel and the flight time and we agree a pickup with you the day before.
What happens if the flight is late?
[PLACEHOLDER: describe how you track flights, how long the driver waits, and whether a delay costs anything extra.]