Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion) - TLV

Isn't that a strange title? Well, not if you know that Israel's international airport in Tel Aviv, known as Ben Gurion International Airport has recently opened (almost five years behind schedule) what they call "NaTBaG 2000". The letters N T B G are actually the initials of the Hebrew "Namal Teufah Ben Gurion" – or in English, Ben Gurion Airport, and the 2000 was supposed to be the year that they opened up the brand new Terminal 3. Unfortunately, all sorts of bureaucracy got in the way, and NaTBaG 2000 only opened in November of 2004. So this old review is now being revised from top to bottom ... more

I have been to Tel Aviv at least 10 times through a past job. Whilst the airport is a bit of a pain it is not as bad as you would think. The hype is over rated. Interrogations don't exist. Not really any worse than going to the states. You do have multiple security searches where laptops are checked, shoes scanned but so what, its an airport, you may as well be doing that rather than sitting in the lounge. Other than that the airport is fine (apart from if you fly to London the smoking section is at the gate, good if you smoke though). Anyway, Ben Gurion airport is fine, plenty of ways to get ... more

I have travelled to this airport more times than I am able to recall. Time after time I am impressed by the quality and levels of security. This is one airport where, although there are traumas in the country, I have no fear for my safety. Advice for Ben Gurion airport is 1) Be honest, tell the security officers the truth when they are questioning you 2) They are just doing their job and they do it exceptionally well 3) Its for your own safety that the interrogations may often seem agressive 4) Don't be afraid, unless you have something to hide because they will find out what it is. Israel is ... more