jaydh42

Will be leaving Central Tel Aviv hotel on a Thursday to catch a 3:20PM flight. Flying Austrian Air operated by El Al (that's funny, isn't it??) going to Vienna. Question is what time should we leave hotel so that there is plenty of time for check in, going through security, etc.? Is it two or three hours before? Should we leave hotel by way of taxi at 12 Noon? Opinions appreciated. Thanks.

sandi

It's a 3/hr checkin and security, which would mean being at the airport by 12:15pm latest. Though a short trip from TLV to Ben Gurian, you have to figure mid-day traffic - allow yourself at least 45/min-1/hr prior for departing hotel. Your hotel, no doubt, would have a better idea!

jaydh42

Thanks Sandi,

Is that the definitive answer? No ifs, ands, or buts???

AlexA

Pretty much. Security is Israel is rigorous. El Al "requires" 3 hours in advance. Now it's very possible that it might only take an hour, and you'll just kill time at the airport. But if you, or anyone in front of you in line needs to go through additional security checks, the time passes by.
There are several different security checks plus passport/immigration lines. Any of them can get backlogged.
And yes the drive to the airport should take about 30 minutes, but again--with traffic, you never know.
(By the way, you know that when you fly "Flying Austrian Air operated by El Al " you check in at the El Al counters, right?)

jaydh42

Thanks Alex,

I will take your advice. We are not going to be doing this till January 1, 2009. What applies now, I am sure will apply then.

Jay

FainaAgain

Last time I flew, 3 hours were just what was needed. Plus 1/2 hour in a taxi. I'd say leave no later then noon. Maybe even 11.30.

P_M

Ditto to the above, if they say 3 hour check in that DOES mean 3 hours. If you get lucky and have extra time at the airport there are plenty of shops to keep you busy. It's a very nice airport once you are airside.