Cheap flights to Tel Aviv from £351

Destination overview:

Take a break from the intensity of other places in Israel and enjoy a little rest and respite in Tel Aviv. Situated nicely along the Mediterranean, Tel Aviv has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. After a lazy day on the beach, head out for some nightlife, which some say could rival that of New York City or London. Tel Aviv is growing – both in population and in modernisation – at a very fast pace. Today, many travellers on flights to Tel Aviv are heading for business meetings in the city’s financial centre, or stopping overnight before boarding additional flights to Israel’s other destinations.

Even though the city is relatively young (founded in 1909) there are some historical aspects of Tel Aviv. Take a tour of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art for its impressive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art; the Diaspora Museum (Beit Hatfutsot) tells the tale of Jewish history and welcomes millions of visitors year-round; and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and the Cameri Theatre to the New Israel Opera call Tel Aviv home. The city is also home to Jaffa, which dates back thousands of years.

Tel Aviv is home to hundreds of thousands of Jews, Muslims and Christians and continues to adapt to the ever-changing world with the addition of new technology, state-of-the-art buildings and five-star restaurants and shopping boutiques. Flights to Tel Aviv are a great starting point for travellers going on to experience other parts of Israel.

Since its opening in 1932, the Tel Aviv Museum of Art has blossomed into the country’s best display of modern art. The permanent collection includes work from Chagall, Dali, Cezanne and Monet. Cultural programs at the museum include presentations on music, dance and cinema.

Tel Aviv climate

Tel Aviv has mild winters, hot summers, and high humidity year-round. August is the hottest month with temperatures in the 30s. January is the coolest month with average temperatures ranging from about 4 to the low teens. It rarely rains from May to September. Even though the months from November to March are rainy, many travellers who prefer the cooler temperatures should take advantage of cheap flights to Tel Aviv during this time.

Getting around Tel Aviv

Most of Tel Aviv’s sights are within walking distance of each other, making it very easy to get around on foot. If you get tired, you can always hop on a bus, sherut or taxi. Buses run all over town, but not on Saturdays. A sherut is a minibus that follows public bus routes. Seven people can ride at once and you can hop on or off at any point on the route. They are sometimes more convenient than a bus since they run more frequently. They also operate on Saturdays, but the rates are higher.

Taxis are convenient to hail, but fares run higher at night. Always make sure the meter is turned on.

Avoid driving unless you’re looking for some adventure. Tel Aviv drivers can be quite aggressive. Many streets don’t allow turns or are accessible only to taxis and public transport vehicles. Street signs are sporadic and often not in English, and parking can be hard to find.

Getting downtown:

The main airport for travellers with flights to Tel Aviv is Ben-Gurion International Airport (TLV). The airport is situated 9 miles (15 km) southeast of Tel Aviv and a 45-minute drive from Jerusalem.

Car rental companies are located on the first floor of the East Gallery in the Greeters’ Hall. Desks are open 24/7.

Taxi services are regulated by the Israel Airports Authority. They drive to and from Jerusalem and to and from Haifa and the North.

There are several bus lines from the airport. Trains to Tel Aviv, sometimes continuing to Haifa and the North, depart from the airport every 20-60 minutes and arrive at Tel Aviv in 20 minutes.

What is good to know if travelling to Tel Aviv?

• Tel Aviv was founded in 1909, the first Hebrew city of modern times. The “White City,” which is located between Allenby Street (south), Begin Road and Ibn Gvirol Street (east), the Yarkon River (north) and the Mediterranean Sea (west), was planned by Sir Patrick Geddes to compliment the climate and locals’ needs. There are about 4,000 buildings, all in the International Style or Bauhaus after the school in Germany where many of the architects studied.
• Old Jaffa is said to have been founded by one of Noah’s sons, Japhet. It is built on a hill from which there are great views of Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Sea. The lanes are named after the signs of the Zodiac and you’ll find charming art galleries, shops and cafes and restaurants there. The old port is a functioning fishing port, a nice place to soak up the old vibe of the city.
• The Tel-Aviv Museum of Art, on Shaul Ha’Melech Boulevard, houses collections of European Art from the 16th to the 19th centuries, Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Art, Israeli Art and 20th century art works.
• The Eretz Israel Museum is in a beautiful park which contains Tell Qasile, an ancient Bibblical mound (dates back 3,000 years). The museum is multidisciplinary, telling the history of Israel through archaeology, ethnography, folklore, Judaica and cultural history as well as arts and crafts.
• The Diaspora Museum tells the story of the Jewish people over more than 2,000 years.
• Markets: the most famous market is the Nachlat Binyamin Pedestrian Mall, which takes place on Tuesdays and Fridays. The Flea Market and Carmel Market offer food items as well as clothes and gifts. The Bezalel Market is good for picking up clothes and shoes at bargain prices. For local delicacies, go to the Food Market of Dizengoff Centre, held on Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings.
• The Azrieli Observatory is on the 49th floor of the tallest building in the Middle East – the Azrieli Centre. From the observatory it’s possible to see the city below as well as the coastline from Ashkelon to Hadera.

Tel Aviv airport overview

Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) is Israel’s busiest airport. Situated nine miles (15km) from the cosmopolitan and friendly city of Tel Aviv, the Ben Gurion airport is the perfect gateway to exploring the ancient history of the region or relaxing on Tel Aviv’s fantastic beaches.

Two of the four bright and sunny terminals of Ben Gurion International Airport are used regularly. Terminal 1 handles mainly domestic traffic and Terminal 3 handles international flights, filled with holidaymakers eager to enjoy the endless sun, friendly Israelis, scenery and religious sights.

El Al, Israir and Arkia Airlines all use Ben Gurion as a hub, but there are also many other European and North American airlines that offer flights to Ben Gurion International Airport.

Security is paramount at Ben Gurion. Passengers can go through as many as five different security checks before reaching the check-in counter. Interestingly, most passengers report that the security procedures at Ben Gurion are far more pleasant and much smoother than those at airports across Europe and North America. The Israeli response to this compliment is “it’s all in the eyes”. So, when traversing the layers of security, be prepared for lots of eye contact.