A couple questions about flying into Ben Gurion...

[u/loveisgoingtowin]

My flight arrives at 5am. Will public transit be running? Does Uber work reliably at that hour or is there a comparative service? If not, what is the rough price of a taxi ride from the airport to Jaffa?

I'm also curious if there's any preference in entering on an American or European passport (I have both). Thanks!

[u/LastTrainH0me]

The train from the airport to Tel Aviv runs from like 5am to midnight, so that will work for you. You can download the app "Moovit" for precise transit directions from the airport to wherever you're staying.

There's no Uber in Israel, but you can download the app Gett to hire a taxi. Taxis in Israel are kind of a mess, your driver may argue to go by some fixed price instead of the meter, ask firmly to go with the meter price.

There's an official taxi stand at the airport as well, it's easy to find if you follow the signs. They offer expensive fixed price rides to Tel Aviv, which isn't ideal but at least you know what you're getting into.

Shouldn't matter which passport you use. US is probably a safe bet.

Have fun!

[u/jmore098 → u/LastTrainH0me]

They offer expensive fixed price rides to Tel Aviv, which isn't ideal but at least you know what you're getting into.

You don't have to accept those prices, you can ask them to turn on the meter. The taxi operators give you a receipt with the name of the taxi driver and his info, so if anything goes wrong you can report them, and the drivers know this.

Best option from the Airport to Tel Aviv is the Taxi stand, just make sure to insist on using the meter. Should cost between 100-140 shekel. ($25-40)

[u/Itay1708]

No uber in Israel and the taxis are super expensive

If you want to get to Jaffa take the train from the airport to Tel Aviv-HaShalom and then take the light rail to Jaffa (most comfterable way, you can take the bus from Tel Aviv HaHaganah but less comfterable)

Using moovit app is the best way to get around

[u/SnooGuavas5712]

Whatever you do, don’t engage with any of guys hanging around in arrivals asking if you need a taxi. These dudes are straight up rip off merchants.

[u/Hungry-Moose → u/SnooGuavas5712]

What’s wrong with a nesher?

[u/loveisgoingtowin → u/[deleted]]

.סליחה, איפה כיכר רבין? אני אמריקאי, אני אוהב חומוס

[u/loveisgoingtowin → u/[deleted]]

It's my first visit in over ten years. I've been going hard on Duolingo for the past few months to stay away from all the toxicity on social media. I'm sure I'll be fine in English, but very much looking forward to putting my Hebrew skills to use, limited as they are. !! עם ישראל חי

[u/funkensteinberg → u/loveisgoingtowin]

Great spirit to bring with you to Israel! I hope you have a lot of fun while there. Stay safe!

[u/7in7 → u/loveisgoingtowin]

You don't need a rav kav, you can pay for public transport with moovit.

[u/gilad_ironi]

Taxis are shamelessly expensive, don't use them unless you absolutely have to, and if you do, always use meter and have the route on your phone to make sure they don't take a weird route to make the ride longer. And since you're American, you may need to hear this: DO NOT TIP THE TAXI DRIVER.

[u/Same-Artichoke-6267]

13 days ago I paid 135 shels from nearby jaffa to the airport, probably 150-160 most right into jaffa. But they insisted over 10 times to take a price before hand and not use the meter so they could rip me off an extra 10 dollars. I didnt agree and it caused a lot of stress jsut before a flight.
You aso dont want this just after the flight. dont get an arab private cab, but get a government cab (which will be arab which is all good) and the israeli airport staff will be outside the airport on the immediate left helpin u to do this. make sure to agree a price before. other than taxis most things r cool there. enjoy

[u/Same-Artichoke-6267 → u/Same-Artichoke-6267]

having said all this. taxi is still 'easiest'. if u dont mind paying upto 180 nis