Internal flights within Israel
 

Firstly, thank you to those who previously answered my questions about the Allenby Bridge crossing into Jordan. I am definitely going to take the advice offered and enter Jordan through Eilat from Tel Aviv.

I've been looking on the internet and the most convenient flight times for us are going through Sde Dov rather than Ben Gurion, ie. the first flight from Ben Gurion is about 10.30 am whilst from Sde Dov it is 7.30 am.

Two questions:
1. Will we be able to get from Ben Gurion (where the rest of the tour will depart for Johannesburg) to Sde Dov in time for our flight, ie. are there taxi's available in the early hours of the morning?

2. Both Arkia and Israelair have flights at the same time at similar prices. Which airline would be the best to use?

Looking forward to some help!

Jen

Shalom Jen,
Be sure to check the passage to Jordan from the Arava gate near Eilat. The floods of the winter caused mine fields to shift and it was closed for security reasons. I haven't heard that it was reopened. So better check before making any plans.
Concerning the 2 different airports. You didn't specify how much time you have to transfer from one airport to the other. So I can only answer you that taxis are available in Ben Gurion 24/7. No problem at all. Depending on the hour of the day, taxi ride can take from about 30 min early morning to 1 hour during rush hours. It should cost about 25-30 dollares.
Both Arkia and Israir are OK. Israir is a "younger" airline. Arkia is an old and estalished airline and has been operating for many years.

There is also train service from Ben_Gurion airport to north Tel-Aviv. This might be more convenient because the traffic going into T-A at rush hour can be terrible. You can then take a short taxi ride to Sde Dov. Check the Israel Railways web site:http://www.israrail.org.il/english/index.html. The closest station to Sde-Dov is Tel-Aviv University.

Thanks Eri - I am trying to find out about the border; we have an Israeli consulate in SA but they don't have a tourism department so I have got a "I don't know, you'll have to call Israel" reply!

And MBGG, thanks for the suggestion about the train. I've looked at the link you provided and it seems that its less than 15 minutes from Ben Gurion to Tel Aviv University.

I really appreciate the help!
Jen

Jen,
I'll try to find about the Arava Border for you. I'll let you know.
Using the train depends if you are you arriving in BG airport from abroad or is it asomenstic flight. The train station is by the international arrival. I am not sure if there is a train from the domestic terminal.

We will be arriving at the BG International Terminal along with the rest of our tour group who will be returning to SA on the 5.55 am flight. What is the usual check-in time for a local flight? An hour or two hours before?

Jen,
The border passage Arava near Eilat is open. Their phone number is:
972-8-6300555.

Thanks, Eri. We're definitely going to do it this way!