About flights to Israel
Israel pulls in a specific kind of traveler: people with a reason to be there. Pilgrims, tech workers, history obsessives, families with roots going back a generation or two. The 117 non-stop international routes currently serving the country reflect that mix — you've got budget carriers from Greece (17 routes, more than any other country) running seasonal leisure traffic alongside year-round transatlantic service from the US. Most of that traffic funnels through TLV, which handles 109 of those destinations. It's not a hub you accidentally transit through. You go to Israel on purpose.
Why visit Israel?
The geography alone is a legitimate reason to show up. In a country about the size of New Jersey, you can be in Jerusalem's Old City in the morning, floating in the Dead Sea by afternoon, and eating well in Tel Aviv by dinner. That compression is unusual and it rewards short trips in ways that bigger countries don't. Business travel into Tel Aviv is real and growing — the city's tech sector means regular traffic from European capitals and the US east coast. Religious tourism drives serious volume year-round, with notable spikes around Easter, Passover, and Christmas. Eilat, down at the southern tip, draws divers and Red Sea beach travelers, particularly from Europe, who want warm water in November when everywhere else in the Mediterranean has packed up.
Where flights to Israel land
- TLV Tel Aviv-Yafo — 109 non-stop destinations (Ben Gurion International Airport)
- HFA Haifa — 9 non-stop destinations (Haifa)
- ETM Eilat — 1 non-stop destinations (Ramon International Airport)
Top origin countries flying to Israel
Where most of Israel's incoming traffic comes from:
- Greece — 17 non-stop routes into Israel
- Italy — 10 non-stop routes into Israel
- USA — 8 non-stop routes into Israel
- Germany — 6 non-stop routes into Israel
- France — 6 non-stop routes into Israel
- Russia — 5 non-stop routes into Israel
- United Kingdom — 4 non-stop routes into Israel
- Spain — 4 non-stop routes into Israel
Tips for travelers heading to Israel
Your arrival airport matters more than it usually does. If you're heading to Eilat or want to dive the Red Sea, fly directly into ETM — Ramon International Airport opened in 2019 and it exists specifically to spare you the four-hour drive south from TLV. For everywhere else — Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, the north — Ben Gurion is your airport. HFA handles limited international traffic and serves the northern region, but check routes carefully before assuming it's convenient. Israel operates a visa-on-arrival system for most Western passport holders. The local currency is the shekel; airport exchange rates are predictably bad. Travel in March or October if crowds are a concern.
Frequently asked questions about flying to Israel
What's the busiest international airport in Israel?
Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) is Israel's top arrival hub for international flights. It handles the majority of the country's 117 inbound international routes and is the primary hub for most visitors flying to Israel.
Which country sends the most flights to Israel?
Greece is the leading origin country for flights to Israel, followed closely by Italy and the USA. These three countries account for a major portion of the international flight traffic arriving in Israel.
What's the best month to visit Israel?
April-May and September-October offer the most pleasant weather with mild temperatures and lower humidity, making them ideal for sightseeing. These shoulder seasons also typically feature better flight fares compared to the peak summer months and major holidays.
What are the visa basics for visitors to Israel?
Citizens of most Western countries, including the USA, EU nations, Canada, and Australia, can enter Israel visa-free for tourism purposes and receive an automatic tourist visa upon arrival valid for up to 90 days. It's recommended to check current requirements with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs or your local Israeli embassy before traveling.
What's the cheapest way to find flights to Israel?
Use flight comparison websites like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak to compare prices across multiple airlines and book during shoulder seasons (April-May or September-October) for better rates. Setting up price alerts and being flexible with your travel dates can help you secure the lowest available fares to Ben Gurion Airport.