From TLV Airport to Netanya: Train, Taxi or Sherut?

Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) sits roughly 30 kilometres south of Netanya. The journey is short, but the way you do it can make or break the start of your holiday — especially after a long flight, with kids and three suitcases. Here's the honest comparison of every option, written for our guests at Blue Sea Angels.

The 30-second answer

• Solo or couple, light luggage, daytime arrival → take the train. Cheap, fast, and the airport station is in the terminal.
• Family with kids, lots of luggage, evening arrival, or you just want zero hassle → take a taxi or pre-booked private transfer. Direct to your door, fixed price, peace of mind.
• Trip more than a few days and you plan to road-trip (Caesarea, Galilee, the Dead Sea) → consider a rental car. Otherwise skip it; you won't use it.

Comparing your options

Option	Cost (approx)	Time	Best for
Train	~16–25 NIS / person	~30–45 min + ~10 min taxi at the other end	Solo / couples / light bags
Taxi (metered)	~250–320 NIS	~30–40 min	Families, evenings, comfort
Private transfer (pre-booked)	~250–350 NIS fixed	~30–40 min	Peace of mind, no app needed
Sherut (shared van)	~80–120 NIS / person	~45–80 min depending on drops	Mid-budget, flexible
Rental car	From ~150 NIS / day + parking	~30 min drive	Multi-stop trips

Option 1 — The train (our top pick if you can use it)

Israel Railways runs a direct line from Ben Gurion Airport Station (right inside Terminal 3) to Netanya Station. Most direct services do the trip in around 30–45 minutes; some require a single change at Tel Aviv HaShalom or Tel Aviv Savidor. Tickets are bought from machines or at the counter, no booking needed.

What to know

• Trains run roughly every 30 minutes during the day.
• Trains do not run from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening (Shabbat). Plan accordingly — this catches a lot of first-time visitors out.
• Netanya Station is a few kilometres from the seafront. You'll need a 10-minute taxi (~30 NIS) to reach Blue Sea Angels or any cliffside apartment.
• Trains are clean, air-conditioned, with luggage space — but rush-hour services can fill up.

Option 2 — Taxi (the path of least resistance)

The simplest, most reliable option after a flight. Official taxis queue right outside the arrivals halls. Make sure the driver runs the meter ("monè", in Hebrew "מונה"), or agree on a fixed price before getting in. Expect roughly 250–320 NIS (about 70–90 €), more on Friday evenings or Saturdays (Shabbat surcharge).

Pros

• Door-to-door — your driver drops you exactly at the apartment.
• Available 24/7, no schedule to worry about.
• One vehicle, all the bags, all the kids.

Tips

• Apps like Gett or Yango work in Israel and remove the language barrier.
• Always take an official airport taxi from the marked rank, never one offering a ride inside the terminal.
• Have your destination address ready in Hebrew on your phone — saves a lot of back-and-forth.

Option 3 — Pre-booked private transfer

For families, groups or anyone arriving late at night, a private transfer booked in advance is the most relaxing option. A driver waits at arrivals with your name on a sign, prices are fixed (no surge), and you can request child seats, larger vans or specific stops. Expect roughly 250–350 NIS for a sedan, more for a van.

If you're staying with us, contact us when you book — we work with trusted local drivers and can arrange this for you.

Option 4 — Sherut (shared van)

The classic Israeli shared minivan. Ten seats, fixed route, leaves when full. Cheaper than a private taxi but slower because of multiple drop-offs. Best when you're solo or as a couple, on a budget, with normal-sized luggage. Less appealing with three kids and four suitcases — you'll annoy everyone else in the van.

Option 5 — Rental car

A car only makes sense if your trip includes day-trips beyond Netanya — Caesarea, Haifa, the Galilee, or the Dead Sea. For a beach-and-promenade holiday, the apartment is walkable to almost everything you need, and Tel Aviv is one easy train ride away. Parking in Netanya is fine but not free, and Israeli driving takes a few days to get used to.

Our recommendation, by traveller type

• Couple, daytime arrival, 4–7 day trip → train, then a 10-minute taxi from Netanya station.
• Family of 4–8, any arrival time → pre-booked private transfer. The 50 € extra over the train is the best money you'll spend on the trip.
• Late-night arrival → official taxi or pre-booked transfer. Don't fight with train schedules at 1 a.m.
• Friday afternoon arrival → taxi or transfer. Trains stop for Shabbat.
• Two-week trip including Galilee or Dead Sea → rental car, picked up at the airport.

What's waiting at the other end

Whichever option you pick, the journey ends in the same place: a 9th-floor terrace with 180° of Mediterranean. After two suitcases, two kids and a long flight, that view earns its keep. Read our 3-day Netanya itinerary for what to do on day one — the short answer is "as little as possible, slowly".