Travel

Making Your Travel Plans

All participants are expected to make their own air travel arrangements to and from Israel. The main international airport in Israel is "Ben Gurion" (airport code: TLV), located just 40 kilometers from Jerusalem (~25 miles) and 15 kilometers (~9 miles") from Tel Aviv. Non-stop flights are available from several major North American cities, including NYC, DC, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Newark, Miami, and Toronto. Many connecting flights options are available via Europe. Once you have finalized your travel plans, send your details to register@authenticisrael.net including your arrival and departure times, airlines, and flight numbers.

ARRIVING TO ISRAEL

When booking your flights, keep in mind that our program begins on a Thursday, which means you'll most likely need to depart from home by Wednesday to arrive on time. An airport greeting and a private transfer to our Jerusalem hotel are complimentary for anyone arriving to Ben Gurion Airport by flights as follows:

  • The first day of the program (Thursday) between 6:00am and 4:20pm
  • The day before the program begins (Wednesday) between 6:00am and 5:35pm

Transfers are private with a maximum wait time of 30 minutes if travelers on multiple flights are to be accommodated together. Travelers already in Israel are not eligible for these complimentary airport transfers. Due to logistical considerations, this transfer service is only available to travelers arriving at the airport by flight. 

Travelers arriving by flight within these covered times will be met in the public arrival hall (following baggage claim) by a special greeter. Look for a sign with your name or that says "My Turn". From here, you will be escorted to a private driver who will bring you to our hotel in Jerusalem. If you have any difficulty locating your greeter, contact us at 050-487-0053.

Guaranteed hotel check-in is available as of 3:00pm, and you can stow your luggage with the hotel front desk if you arrive earlier. The hotel will have your reservation pre-recorded under your name, and you will need to present your passport, border entry slip (see Passports & Visas), and credit card for incidentals.

Travelers arriving outside of these covered times can receive the same airport greeting and transfer service to our hotel in Jerusalem for an additional fee, which depends on the size of the party (contact us for details). The cost of a basic taxi to Jerusalem is $80-$100 and generally costs less than the private transfer service we offer. Shared van transfers (called a sheirut) are available for even less. Uber and Gett also offer on-demand car services from Ben Gurion Airport.

Travelers arriving after 4:20pm on Thursday will likely miss the orientation and welcome dinner, which begins at 6:30pm, and they will be responsible for their own transportation from the airport to the Jerusalem hotel.

COMPLIMENTARY PRE-TOUR
We have scheduled a complimentary pre-tour on Thursday leaving from the hotel at 12:00pm. To ensure you arrive in time for the pre-tour, schedule a flight that arrives Thursday no later than 9:00am or a flight that arrives a day earlier on Wednesday.

ARRIVING EARLY
For those who can, we recommend arriving on Wednesday. You will have an extra day to acclimate and you can take part in the complimentary pre-tour on Thursday at noon. If you choose this option, we can arrange an extra night(s) at our Jerusalem hotel based on the discounted group rate. Contact us with your extra booking request.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR FLIGHT IS DELAYED?
If your flight to Ben Gurion Airport is delayed, contact our North American emergency line at 240-668-4559 or our office at 202-537-6056 with your new arrival info ASAP. If necessary, our emergency contact in Israel is 011-072-54-335-3822 (if calling from Israel, dial 054-335-3822). As long as you still arrive on Thursday we will adjust your airport-to-hotel transfer accordingly. If your arrival is delayed beyond Thursday, you will be responsible for your own transfer from the airport, and we will assist you with making a trip interruption claim if you have purchased travel insurance.

DEPARTING FROM ISRAEL

The 8-day program concludes early Thursday evening, the 10-day program continues through Saturday evening, and the 12-day program comes to a close on Monday evening. No hotels are included on the final evening without prior arrangements.

Most travelers will be best accommodated by an overnight flight from Israel. These flights typically depart between 11:00pm and 1:00am. For the 8-day and 10-day programs, we provide a complimentary transfer that arrives at Ben Gurion Airport between 8:00pm-8:30pm in time for such overnight flights. Many flights also depart Israel in the morning between 4:00am and 11:00am, and these flights are often available at a lower cost. If you are considering a morning flight, be sure to factor the extra cost of accommodations the night before, and keep in mind that a complimentary return airport transfer will not be provided – although taxis are inexpensive and Uber and Gett are also available.

When searching for flights, consider that flights are listed according to the date of departure from Israel in local time. For example, a flight departing from Israel at 11:00pm will only display if you're searching for a Thursday (8-day tour), Saturday (10-day tour) or Monday (12-day tour) night flight. A flight departing two hours later at 1:00am will only display if you're searching for a Friday (8-day tour), Sunday (10-day tour), or Tuesday morning flight (12-day tour).

If you need additional guidance or would like us to review your flight plans for accuracy in advance, do not hesitate to contact us!