In Israel, public transportation is well-developed, including buses, trains, and, of course, taxis. At Ben Gurion Airport, a centralized taxi service is also available. However, to use this service, you need to find a dispatcher at the airport exit who will organize your trip.
The company Elite Transfer offers taxi services at Ben Gurion. To book a ride, simply reserve a taxi on their website.
Advantages of Taxis at Ben Gurion
- Convenience. Taxis are available at any time of day or night. Making them a convenient choice for passengers arriving or departing at any hour.
- Speed. Unlike public transport, taxis provide direct and fast transfers from the airport to any point in the country. Without the need for stops or waiting for the next ride.
Features of Taxis in Israel.
Prices for taxis in Israel are regulated by the Ministry of Transport. Allowing passengers to know the cost of the trip in advance. However, not all drivers adhere to these rules, especially when dealing with tourists.
Intercity Trips
For intercity trips, a fixed fare without the use of a meter is applied. However, there are cases when a taxi driver uses the meter for a trip to another city. Which can lead to an excessively high cost, comparable to the price of a low-cost airline ticket.
City Trips
For city trips, taxi drivers are required to use the meter. However, this rule is often violated. Therefore, it is important to agree on payment in advance. Aask to turn on the meter or agree on a fixed fare. If you don’t do this, the driver may demand an inflated fixed fare upon arrival, especially from tourists.
Visitors to Israel often do not know the local rates. So the best option is to insist on using the meter. You can also calculate the trip distance in advance. Using online maps and roughly estimate the cost by meter to agree on a fixed fare based on these calculations.
New and Well-Maintained Taxi Vehicles
Another feature of taxis in Israel is their new and well-maintained vehicles. Local taxi drivers drive very carefully, adhering to traffic rules. As fines in Israel are among the highest in the world.
Taxi Rates in Israel
The cost of a taxi ride in Israel is influenced by various factors and surcharges, but in general, there are three main rates.
- Rate 1Applies from 5:30 AM to 9:00 PM on weekdays (Sunday to Thursday).
- Rate 2Applies from 9:00 PM to 5:30 AM on weekdays. This rate is also applied on Shabbat, weekends, and national holidays and is 25% more expensive than Rate 1.
- Rate 3 Applies from 9:00 PM on Friday to 6:00 AM on Saturday and from 9:00 PM on Saturday to 6:00 AM on Sunday.
Additionally, trips are most expensive during Shabbat. Visitors to Israel should remember that public transportation does not operate during this time, making taxis the only option. Therefore, actual prices for taxis at Ben Gurion and other places can be significantly higher.
Thus, if you plan to use taxis at Ben Gurion or any other place in Israel, follow the advice in this article to avoid unpleasant surprises and unexpected expenses.
