Abstract1

Guys I was hoping someone could shed some light on the transit procedure at TLV. I am consideing going to LCA via TLV. Do you have to pass immigration when doing this? Has anyone actually done it? Would be grateful for any info. Thx.^

Smirnoff

Many many times.

If you are on one PNR, you will be met at the door of the plane, most likely they will put out a call before you leave the plane to make sure you meet your escort.

The transit area is rarely used these days, so you will be escorted through passport control (usually the crew area), then out of customs, into arrivals, back up in the lift to departures.

Here you go through the normal security procedure, which means questioning, then along for more questioning and x-raying of luggage, and more than likely pulled over for additional checking (tests for explosives) and more questioning. You are then free to approach the CY check in desk, and will be taken back to passport control.

Once through it's back down to the C pier and if you have time a few minutes in the Dan Broom Cupboard.

This whole process can take anything from one hour to much longer. Don't check in any luggage. If you have anything unusual in your luggage, or any interesting stamps in your passport, then you may be there MUCH longer. And put on some clean underwear in case of extra searches. You may be standing there for some time in them.

Abstract1

So Smirnoff would you advise against it? I have so many stamps in my passport from all over the place.....it sounds like this could cause a big problem. Is there no way to transit without going through security?

Smirnoff

No way at all to avoid security. Even if the transit area is open, this only avoids going through passport control. The rest is the same. You will be made to wait until several security guards arrive and do the whole questioning business. In a way it is worse, because (i) you have to wait for them to make their way to the transit area and (ii) there is only you there and they have all the time in the world to question you and search you.

It's not that I would advise against it, just be prepared. But don't do it if you have luggage checked through, or if you have dodgy stamps in your passport which you can't explain without looking too shifty. Seriously though it's fine.

Abstract1

Ok thanks for the advice...just a few more questions if you don't mind!!

1. How do you explain to them that you are going through TLV to get to LCA?

2. How would you be on 1 PNR and soes it matter if you are not? I am thinking of buying LHRTLV with Miles and then cash onwards to LCA.

3. Can you stop them from stamping your passport?

Smirnoff

Not at all...

1. I always say it was the only connection that allowed me to leave LHR at night, and get into LCA by 0800 in the morning. I don't suggest you refer to flatbeds or 120 TPs. You will continue getting asked questions like when did you book the trip, who made the booking, who checked that this was the best connection, how did you pay for the trip, etc. As long as answer these in a straightforward way you won't have any problems.

2. One PNR means one BA ticket, for example, for LHR-TLV-LCA//LCA-LHR. It doesn't matter if you are on separate tickets, it just means they may not be expecting you to be transitting, and therefore they may be no escort to meet you. This just means you have to go it alone through immigration and up through security. I don't think this matters too much. If you are seriously pressed for time, you can actually wave to the CY check-in girls from the security area, so they know you are intending to check in. Technically they may close check in one hour before the flight, so around 0600, but as long as you make it up to the security area by then, you will be fine.

3. I just checked my passport, and it doesn't seem to have been stamped. I assume that was because they were told on arrival that I was only transitting. I recall I didn't fill in the immigration form either.

virtualtroy

All strikes a familiar chord. Bear in mind that Israeli security questioning is designed to disorient you (even more so than air travel ususally would). Be consistent in your answers (this is especially important for both / all of you if travelling with others).

Luckily my Libyan, Lebanese, Iranian, Syrian stamps are never a problem when visiting Israel, as I keep them all in my other passport

jonnye

Abstract1

90% of the time security is pretty plain sailing at TLV. Just answer the questions (there quite straight forward) remember their not trying to catch you out, they just want to confirm that you're a regular guy going about his business.

Max securtiy check is around 20mins this includes questioning and baggage check (explosives/x-ray etc.)

If something gets flagged then the skies the limit, though i've never heard of anyone missing their flight because of this.....unless it's serious.

Good luck and just be yourself.

Smirnoff

I would put it at 20-30 minutes.

However, I would add that simply using TLV as a transit point may be enough to raise suspicion, resulting in extra security. This may mean being taken off to a side room, with more x-ray machines, and where you may get every item of your clothing searched too.

Again, this should take 30-60 minutes maximum, so nothing to worry about.

But I would add that you MUST answer every question truthfully. If you say that your secretary booked your ticket, and later you let slip that in fact YOU booked your ticket, then expect to be there for some considerable amount of time.

salut0

It's a pity you won't go down the corridor to immigration, since you'll miss this:

http://www.archaeology.org.il/newsticker.asp?id=23

I think it's one of the most striking contrasts in the new (since late 2004) TLV airport -- stunning modern architecture and ancient artefacts! Well worth pausing to enjoy it, if you do enter Israel rather than just the transit hall on another occasion...

Abstract1

Thank you for all your help here guys...really really helpful. I am deciding whether to use CAI or TLV. To be honest both sound harder than TIP! In TIP I got asked only one question. "why you transitting here?" once that was done it was ok..(except for them taking my passport away for 1.5 hours!) It seems mush more complicated in these 2 places. I am inclined now to do CAI and just buy that tourist visa and clear immigration and then re-check in.

virtualtroy

Count yourself lucky. On one visit to TIP I was made to swear an oath that I was neither a journalist, nor a spy. Good to know that even James Bond does his bit for the national deficit by saving a few quid on F travel

Smirnoff

Consider transitting in BEY for LCA. BEY is one of the nicest, newest, efficient airports you are ever likely to see. And the people are all friendly and charming.

Or DAM, which is also a breeze, although a dump of an airport.

Phil the Flyer

Although Smirnoff would never admit it, his favourite Middle East transit airport is CAI.

Smirnoff

A memorable experience.

Can I recommend the airside transfer?