For a 06:00 international departure from Ben Gurion you want to be at the airport by about 03:00 — which means leaving Jerusalem around 02:00, and Beit Shemesh or Tel Aviv around 02:15. The rule behind those times is simple: be at the airport roughly three hours before an international flight, and leave Jerusalem about four hours before take-off, because the run is 54 km and about 48 minutes of driving before any buffer. Below: departure times, the night tariffs at those hours, and what a 02:00 pickup involves.
The rule that sets your alarm clock
Two numbers do the planning. Three hours at the airport before an international departure covers the security interview, bag drop, passport control and the walk to the gate. Four hours before take-off from Jerusalem covers those three hours plus the drive — 54 km, roughly 48 minutes — plus a buffer for a closed lane on the descent or a suitcase that would not close. In daytime rush hour add another 15–20 minutes; at night the roads are empty, but keep the buffer anyway.
Shorter origins get a shorter lead time, not a different rule: Tel Aviv is 26 km and about 29 minutes away, Beit Shemesh 41 km and about 33 minutes — roughly three and three-quarter hours before take-off. More on our taxi to Ben Gurion Airport page.
When to leave: Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh and Tel Aviv
| Leaving from | Distance | Typical drive | Leave before take-off | Daytime rush hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jerusalem | 54 km | ~48 min | ~4 hours | add 15–20 min |
| Beit Shemesh | 41 km | ~33 min | ~3 h 45 min | add 15–20 min |
| Tel Aviv | 26 km | ~29 min | ~3 h 45 min | add 15–20 min |
Adjust for your own morning: small children or a folding wheelchair to stow cost you fifteen minutes at the door. Local pages: Jerusalem to the airport, taxis in Beit Shemesh, taxis in Tel Aviv.
Worked example: a 06:00 flight
Six in the morning is the classic Ben Gurion slot, and the one that catches people out. Count backwards: 06:00 take-off, at the airport by 03:00, drive, buffer. From Jerusalem that means leaving about 02:00 — 48 minutes on Highway 1 puts you there around 02:50. From Beit Shemesh and Tel Aviv, about 02:15: 41 km of quiet night road, or 26 km and roughly 29 minutes.
| Leaving from | Leave at | At the airport | Tariff B — 02:00 Mon–Thu | Tariff C — 02:00 Fri, or after Shabbat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jerusalem | ~02:00 | ~02:50 | from ₪330 | from ₪370 |
| Beit Shemesh | ~02:15 | ~02:50 | from ₪240 | from ₪270 |
| Tel Aviv | ~02:15 | ~02:45 | from ₪170 | from ₪190 |
Prices are for a regular taxi (up to 4 passengers, up to 3 large suitcases) according to the official 2026 meter tariff, including the ₪5.78 pre-booking fee; the final price is confirmed at booking. The same Jerusalem run in daylight starts from ₪290. Every route is on our 2026 price list.
Worked example: a 23:50 flight
Late departures feel relaxed and then surprise you: the airport still wants three hours. A 23:50 take-off means being there by 20:50, so from Jerusalem you leave between 19:45 and 20:00.
The upside is the tariff. Sunday to Thursday, 20:00 is still inside the daytime window (Tariff A runs 06:00–21:00), so Jerusalem to Ben Gurion starts from ₪290 rather than the ₪330 you would pay two hours later. Tel Aviv and Beit Shemesh both leave around 20:15 — from ₪150 and from ₪210, daytime tariff.
Friday is the exception: the meter moves to Tariff B at 16:01 and Tariff C at 21:01, and we do not drive once Shabbat has begun, so a Friday departure has to finish before candle-lighting. See our guide to taxis on Saturday night and Jewish holidays.
Night tariffs: why the same ride costs more at 02:00
The tariff windows
Israeli taxi fares are set by a government price supervision order, and the meter switches tariff by the clock. One quirk matters here: the tariff "day" runs 06:00 to 05:59, so 02:00 on Friday morning still belongs to Thursday.
| Day | Tariff A (day) | Tariff B (night) | Tariff C (Shabbat/holiday night) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday–Wednesday | 06:00–21:00 | 21:01–05:59 | — |
| Thursday | 06:00–21:00 | 21:01–23:00 | 23:01–05:59 |
| Friday & holiday eve | 06:00–16:00 | 16:01–21:00 | 21:01–05:59 |
| Shabbat & holidays | — | 06:00–19:00 | 19:01–05:59 |
So an 02:00 departure Monday to Thursday morning is Tariff B; on Friday morning it is Tariff C, because Thursday's tariff day switches to C at 23:01 — and on Sunday morning too, since the Shabbat tariff day runs until 05:59.
Shabbat, Saturday night and holidays
We do not drive on Shabbat or on Jewish holidays, from candle-lighting on the eve until Shabbat or the holiday ends. Motzei Shabbat rides are pre-booked and set off once Shabbat is out; because the end of Shabbat shifts weekly and by season, check the Havdalah time for your own date.
On the meter, the Shabbat tariff day runs until 05:59 on Sunday: a ride starting after Shabbat ends is charged Tariff B until 19:00 and Tariff C from 19:01. The same pattern applies on the holidays themselves — Rosh Hashanah 12–13 September 2026, Sukkot 26 September 2026, Simchat Torah 3 October 2026, Pesach 22 and 28 April 2027, Shavuot 11 June 2027 — while holiday eves follow the Friday rules. On Yom Kippur, 21 September 2026, there is no service at all.
Empty roads, running meter
The meter charges distance and time simultaneously, not whichever is greater: a night ride racks up fewer minutes than the same trip in traffic, but the per-minute rate is higher after 21:00. Tariff B lifts the per-minute and first-ten-kilometre rates 20% above daytime (the long-distance rate about 10%), roughly 14% more on an intercity run; Tariff C lifts them 40% (long-distance about 21%), roughly 28% more. Hence ₪290 by day, ₪330 at night, ₪370 on a Shabbat or holiday night.
Not added: no luggage surcharge and no per-passenger surcharge — both were abolished in 2020 — and the ₪5 departure surcharge applies only when leaving Ben Gurion, not when heading to it. Full breakdown, including the ₪12.46 flag drop, in our 2026 meter tariff guide.
Flying out before dawn?
Send your flight time and pickup address — we work back to the minute you should leave and confirm the price.
What a 02:00 pickup from your door looks like
Book the evening before at the latest — earlier if you need a child seat or a large vehicle. The driver arrives a few minutes early and waits outside. Pickup is from your door, and the price agreed in advance is the price you pay: traffic or a detour does not change it.
A regular taxi carries up to 4 passengers and up to 3 large suitcases; child seats and boosters are free when requested in advance — our taxi to Ben Gurion with kids guide covers what fits where. Pay in cash to the driver, by credit card in advance, or by bank transfer or payment app by arrangement; a full tax invoice is issued for every ride. Cancelling more than 24 hours ahead is free, 24–6 hours costs up to 50%, under 6 hours or a no-show is charged in full — cancellations always in writing (see our terms page). We drive 24 hours a day, Sunday to Friday — 24/6 — with no service on Shabbat and Jewish holidays. Call or message +972-50-912-2133.
Before bed, do the small things that cost fifteen minutes at 01:30: check in online, put passports and visas on the table, weigh the bags, confirm the pickup address in writing — street, number, entrance, building access code — and leave the phone charged and audible.
Landing at night, and travelling as a group
Late-night arrivals
The same planning runs in reverse: give us your flight number, we track it in real time, and the driver waits in the Terminal 3 arrivals hall with a sign bearing your name — late landing or early, the agreed price does not change. Night tariffs apply in the same windows: Ben Gurion to Jerusalem from ₪300 by day, ₪340 at night and ₪380 on a Shabbat or holiday night; Ben Gurion to Tel Aviv from ₪140 and Ben Gurion to Beit Shemesh from ₪220 by day. Details in our Ben Gurion pickup guide.
Families and groups on a night flight
Five people with five suitcases will not fit in a regular taxi. Book a 6-seat large taxi, a 10-seat van or a 19-seat minibus on our large taxi page — we confirm the price within minutes. A large taxi usually takes about six to eight suitcases, a van about ten to twelve, a minibus nineteen and more. There is no luggage surcharge; mention strollers, folding wheelchairs or sports gear at booking so we send the right vehicle.
Bottom line
- Be at the airport about 3 hours before an international departure; leave Jerusalem about 4 hours before take-off (54 km, ~48 min), Tel Aviv or Beit Shemesh about 3 h 45 min.
- 06:00 flight: leave Jerusalem ~02:00, Beit Shemesh and Tel Aviv ~02:15. 23:50 flight: leave Jerusalem ~19:45–20:00.
- At 02:00 the meter is on Tariff B (Jerusalem from ₪330, Beit Shemesh from ₪240, Tel Aviv from ₪170); on Friday morning and after Shabbat it is Tariff C (from ₪370 / ₪270 / ₪190).
- Night roads are empty, but the meter bills per minute as well as per kilometre.
- Book the evening before; we drive 24/6, Sunday to Friday, with Motzei Shabbat rides pre-booked in advance.
Frequently asked questions
What time should I leave Jerusalem for a 06:00 flight from Ben Gurion?
Around 02:00. That puts you at the airport about 02:50 — roughly three hours before take-off — after a 54 km drive of about 48 minutes.
How early do I need to be at Ben Gurion for an international flight?
About three hours before departure — the rule every departure time in this guide is built on, covering the security interview, bag drop and passport control.
How much is a taxi from Jerusalem to the airport at 02:00?
From ₪330 on Monday to Thursday nights (Tariff B), and from ₪370 on Friday morning or after Shabbat (Tariff C), for a regular taxi under the official 2026 meter tariff. The final price is confirmed at booking.
When should I leave Tel Aviv or Beit Shemesh for an early flight?
About three and three-quarter hours before take-off — roughly 02:15 for a 06:00 departure. Tel Aviv is 26 km and about 29 minutes away; Beit Shemesh 41 km and about 33 minutes.
Is there a separate night surcharge on top of the fare?
No. The night rate is built into the tariff itself (Tariff B, and Tariff C on Shabbat and holiday nights). On a ride to the airport the standard extra is the ₪5.78 pre-booking fee; rides leaving Ben Gurion add a ₪5 departure surcharge.
Can I book a taxi for a Saturday-morning flight?
Not on Shabbat — we do not operate on Shabbat or Jewish holidays. For a flight after Shabbat ends, pre-book in advance: the car sets off once Shabbat is out, charged at Tariff B until 19:00 and Tariff C from 19:01.
How far ahead should I book a middle-of-the-night ride?
The evening before at the very latest, and earlier if you need child seats or a large vehicle. Booking both legs at once saves arranging anything while jet-lagged.
Book the ride before you go to sleep
Tell us the flight time and the address; we confirm the pickup, the vehicle and the price.
