Transit through Tel Aviv(Ben Guiron Airport)
May 18, 2022, 2:02 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: Hilton-Gold
Posts: 706
Transit through Tel Aviv(Ben Guiron Airport)
I will be transiting through TLV next month on way to India, I couldn't find instructions on how transit is handled at TLV, do we need to clear immigration/customs(Travel is on one ticket) and next flight is in 2 hours.
Can anyone share their recent transit experiences? I am US Citizen, fully vaccinated, have Global Entry(dont think it matters in Israel) and have Indian Visa.
Is there anything I can do before my trip(fill some form etc) which will help my transit.
Can anyone share their recent transit experiences? I am US Citizen, fully vaccinated, have Global Entry(dont think it matters in Israel) and have Indian Visa.
Is there anything I can do before my trip(fill some form etc) which will help my transit.
Aug 15, 2022, 9:38 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Paris/Milan
Programs: Flying Blue Platinium; All Gold, A3 Gold, Safar Flyer Gold (OW Sapphire)
Posts: 311
I will be transiting through TLV next month on way to India, I couldn't find instructions on how transit is handled at TLV, do we need to clear immigration/customs(Travel is on one ticket) and next flight is in 2 hours.
Can anyone share their recent transit experiences? I am US Citizen, fully vaccinated, have Global Entry(dont think it matters in Israel) and have Indian Visa.
Is there anything I can do before my trip(fill some form etc) which will help my transit.
Can anyone share their recent transit experiences? I am US Citizen, fully vaccinated, have Global Entry(dont think it matters in Israel) and have Indian Visa.
Is there anything I can do before my trip(fill some form etc) which will help my transit.
Aug 26, 2022, 9:39 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 366
Learned this the hard way but apparently transiting through TLV is NOT ALLOWED.
Was attempting to fly IST-TLV-AUH and was denied boarding at IST because apparently the Israeli government does not allow passengers to transfer through the airport. The security guards prescreening the flight messaged Israeli immigration and they even showed me the text message from Israeli immigration saying transit is not allowed.
Apparently it is not allowed because there are no transit facilities at TLV but since I had over a 10+ hour layover, I wanted to enter Tel Aviv, even that was not allowed!
Was attempting to fly IST-TLV-AUH and was denied boarding at IST because apparently the Israeli government does not allow passengers to transfer through the airport. The security guards prescreening the flight messaged Israeli immigration and they even showed me the text message from Israeli immigration saying transit is not allowed.
Apparently it is not allowed because there are no transit facilities at TLV but since I had over a 10+ hour layover, I wanted to enter Tel Aviv, even that was not allowed!
Aug 26, 2022, 11:20 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 366
Aug 26, 2022, 12:33 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 377
Aug 28, 2022, 7:48 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Israel, APAC
Programs: UA PG, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 186
This is very strange. I guess it must be for some strange security reasons.
I can't imagine why TLV wouldn't want people transiting. I think there are even signs when you land, and the El Al landing announcement refers to transitting passengers.
I can't imagine why TLV wouldn't want people transiting. I think there are even signs when you land, and the El Al landing announcement refers to transitting passengers.
Aug 31, 2022, 1:35 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 366
Fair enough, it is still stated on Timatic. But interestingly the check in agent did not notice this requirement despite asking for proof of the entry form for Israel, which is also an current requirement to enter.