Practical info Tel Aviv, Israel
Getting around the city
The easiest way to get around Tel Aviv is on foot or by taxi. Taxi mini-buses (sheruts) follow the same routes as the public buses, often with more frequency, and are slightly cheaper on weekdays. The bus system itself is extensive with a fixed fare in the city centre. Taxi cabs are not of any particular make or model car, but do have rooftop signs and are plentiful. Fares are metered and more expensive at night.
Time
GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the end of March to the end of October)
Electricity
230 volts, 50Hz; European-style two-pin and round three-pin plugs are used
Currency
Israel's currency is the Israeli Shekel (ILS), which is divided into 100 agorot (singular is agora). Money can be changed in the small exchange bureaux found on most main streets, or at banks and hotels. ATMs are prevalent throughout the country. Most banks are open Sunday through to Friday until noon, and are open again from 4pm till 6pm on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Major credit cards are widely accepted.
Communication
The international access code for Israel is +972. The outgoing code is 00 (not from public phones) followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). There are other outgoing codes depending on which network is used to dial out on. City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)2 for Jerusalem. Hotels, cafes and restaurants offering free wifi are widely available. As international roaming costs can be high, purchasing a local prepaid SIM card can be a cheaper option.
Emergency number
100 (Police); 101 (Ambulance)
Travel documents and health
Ben-Gurion International Airport
www.iaa.gov.il/Rashat/en-US/Airports/BenGurion
Getting to the city
Trains are the best option for getting into Tel Aviv; they're clean, fast and cheap. Trains run from Level S of Terminal 3 to Tel Aviv Savidor Station and a trip into town takes around 20 minutes. Passengers arriving after midnight will have to wait until 3am for the first train of the day. Buses run from the nearby Airport City rather than the airport itself. Passengers can take the free Egged 5 Shuttle from the second floor of arrivals to Airport City.
Car rental
Avis, Budget, Dollar, Thrifty, Eldan, Hertz and Sixt have facilities at the airport.
Airport taxi's
Taxis usually wait outside the arrivals hall. The trip into town is 16 miles (26km). There is an added fare surcharge at night, on Jewish holidays and the Sabbath.
Transfer between terminals
A free shuttle service operates between the two terminals at 15-minute intervals.
Facilities
Airport facilities include currency exchange, ATMs, banks, a post office, luggage storage, business facilities and VIP lounges, information desks, two synagogues, medical clinics, a police station, a VAT refund desk, special-needs-assistance services, a playroom and a mother-and-child room. There are also myriad shopping and dining options.
Parking
The area directly in front of the terminals is reserved for pick-up and drop-offs only. Short-term parking is available in the parking lot in front of Terminal 3. Rates for short-stay parking start at ILS 18 for the first hour, and go up by ILS 4 every fifteen minutes thereafter. The maximum daily rate is ILS 90. Long-term parking is available opposite Terminal 3. A shuttle bus runs from this parking lot to the terminal at 15-minute intervals. Long-stay rates are ILS 80 per day.
Internet
Free wifi is available in all terminals of Ben Gurion Airport.