Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) has two passenger terminals in 2026: Terminal 3, the main international terminal, and Terminal 1, the older terminal that mostly serves domestic flights and a group of international airlines. Since July 1, 2026, Terminal 1 handles international departures again. Terminal 3 remains the only terminal for international arrivals.
Quick Answer
Arriving in Israel on an international flight: you land at Terminal 3, always. Departing on an international flight: your terminal depends on your airline and sometimes on the specific flight. Terminal 3 is the default. Terminal 1 is used by many low-cost and Israeli carriers. Domestic flights (to Ramon Airport, the Eilat area): Terminal 1. The only reliable answer is the departures board on the Israel Airports Authority website or the Ben Gurion app, checked before you leave for the airport. |
What Changed in 2026
Terminal 1 was closed after the war with Iran began on February 28, 2026, and every flight moved to Terminal 3 for about four months. The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) reopened Terminal 1 for domestic flights on June 28, 2026 and for international departures on July 1, 2026.
The IAA states that passengers departing from Terminal 1 complete the full departure process there: security screening, check-in, passport control, duty free and boarding. It also states that some airlines operate from both terminals, so an airline name alone does not guarantee your terminal.
If you read older guides that say Terminal 1 is “closed” or that “all flights use Terminal 3”, they describe the situation from March to June 2026. That is no longer accurate.
Terminal 1 vs Terminal 3 at a Glance
Feature | Terminal 3 | Terminal 1 |
Role | Main international terminal | Domestic terminal plus some international departures |
International arrivals | Yes, all of them | No |
International departures | Yes | Yes, since July 1, 2026 (selected airlines) |
Domestic flights | Not the main hub | Yes (Ramon Airport) |
Typical airlines | Full-service and long-haul carriers, most foreign airlines | Low-cost carriers and some Israeli airlines |
Train station | Directly connected | Reached by free internal shuttle |
Opened | 2004 (designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill) | The original terminal, later reopened in stages |
Size and shopping | Largest, most shops and restaurants | Smaller, compact |
Which Airlines Use Terminal 1 and Terminal 3?
Important: terminal assignments are set by the airline and the IAA and can change between seasons. Treat the lists below as a guide and confirm on your booking and the live departures board.
Airlines that have operated from Terminal 1
In its Terminal 1 reopening announcements (2024 and 2025), the IAA named these carriers for Terminal 1: Wizz Air, Ryanair, easyJet, Transavia France, Georgian Airways, and the Israeli airlines Arkia and Israir. The Israeli carrier El Al was also listed for some flights. Terminal 1 has traditionally attracted budget airlines because its usage fees are lower than Terminal 3.
For the 2026 reopening, the IAA has published the rule (some airlines use both terminals) rather than a fixed airline list, so verify your own flight.
Airlines that typically use Terminal 3
Most full-service and long-haul carriers use Terminal 3. Examples include El Al (most flights), Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings, KLM, Air France, British Airways, Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Aegean Airlines, Emirates and LOT Polish Airlines. Israeli carriers Arkia and Israir also use Terminal 3 for some international routes.
Not every airline on this list is flying every week. For which carriers are currently serving Israel, see our updated guide to airlines flying to Israel in 2026.
Duty Free at Terminal 1 vs Terminal 3
Both terminals have duty free shopping in the departures area after security and passport control. At Terminal 1, the duty free hall is part of the departure route, so you pass through it before boarding. Terminal 3, the larger terminal, has the wider selection of shops and restaurants.
The IAA lists James Richardson as the alcohol and sweets operator, alongside categories such as pharmacy and cosmetics, fashion, electronics, kids’ products and jewelry.
Practical points:
- Duty free shopping happens after you clear passport control on departure, in whichever terminal your flight leaves from.
- If you are checking a bag, complete your VAT refund step before check-in. See our full guide to the Israel VAT refund for tourists.
- For product categories, allowances and how collection works, read our Ben Gurion duty free guide.
- Bringing goods back into Israel? Check the Israel customs rules
Arriving in Israel: Always Terminal 3
Every international arrival lands at Terminal 3, even if your outbound flight left from Terminal 1. Passport control, baggage claim, customs and the exit to the train, buses, taxis and pick-up areas are all at Terminal 3.
What to prepare before you land:
- Complete your ETA-IL if you need one. See the ETA-IL 2026 checklist.
- Read the step-by-step arriving passengers guide.
- Check current queue conditions on our passport control wait times
- Review visa and immigration rules if you are not sure of your entry status.
If a friend or driver is collecting you, note that the IAA has provided a dedicated waiting lot for pick-ups since June 1, 2026, with the first hour free. Waiting on airport roads is prohibited and can result in a fine.
Departing From Israel: Getting Between the Terminals
The train station serves Terminal 3. If your flight leaves from Terminal 1, use the free internal shuttle between the terminals. The IAA states that it runs according to the flight schedule.
Licensed taxis operate from both terminals. If you plan a private ride, tell the driver which terminal you need, not just “Ben Gurion”. See airport transfer rates, airport transportation options and VIP airport transfer.
Step by step for departures:
- Check your terminal on the departures board and in your airline’s message.
- Travel to the correct terminal (shuttle if you arrive by train and fly from Terminal 1).
- Check in and drop bags. If you have a VAT refund, do it before check-in.
- Go through security. See the security check guide.
- Clear passport control, then duty free and your gate.
Our departing passengers guide covers the full sequence, and the summer wait-times page helps you judge how early to arrive during busy periods.
Services Available at Terminal 1
According to the IAA’s Terminal 1 information page:
- Currency exchange: Bank Hapoalim counter in the departure hall, operating according to the flight schedule, plus a smart exchange machine near Gate 3.
- VAT refund: Milgam operates counters in the departures hall for tourists. Goods in checked baggage must be presented and signed off before check-in.
- Carry-on only fast screening: passengers with hand luggage only who completed web check-in and hold a boarding pass may use dedicated screening area W. Some airlines do not offer web check-in, and those passengers use the standard screening for their airline.
- Assistance for passengers with disabilities: the assisted passengers post is near Gate 03. See our guide for disabled passengers.
- Group meeting point: front of the terminal between Gate 3 and Gate 4.
- Priority for age 80 and over: priority in lines at check-in, security and passport control.
Which Terminal Is Better?
Neither is universally better. They are different tools.
- Terminal 3 offers the widest choice of shops, restaurants and lounges, and connects directly to the train.
- Terminal 1 is smaller and can feel quicker to walk through, but the shuttle adds a step if you arrive by train.
If you want to shorten security, passport control and boarding stress in either terminal, compare the options in our guides to VIP fast track at Ben Gurion, VIP vs Express vs Gold service, the airport VIP service, the express service and the VIP lounge. For extra help with bags, see baggage and porter service.
Before You Leave for the Airport
- Confirm your terminal on the live departures board.
- Check that the airport is operating normally: Is Ben Gurion Airport open in 2026?
- Read our tourist information hub if this is your first trip.
- Left something behind? See lost and found at Ben Gurion.
- Flying from the US? Compare fares in our New York to Tel Aviv flight cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Terminal 1 reopened for domestic flights on June 28, 2026 and for international departures on July 1, 2026, after a four-month closure.
No. All international arrivals land at Terminal 3.
Most El Al international flights use Terminal 3, and the airline has also operated some flights from Terminal 1. Check your specific flight.
Both have been named by the IAA as Terminal 1 carriers. Confirm your flight on the departures board because some airlines use both terminals.
Yes. Terminal 1 has duty free in the departure hall, and departing passengers complete duty free shopping there before boarding.
Yes. Milgam operates VAT refund counters in the Terminal 1 departures hall. Present goods before check-in if they are in checked baggage.
Use the free internal shuttle between the terminals. The train station is at Terminal 3.
They are separate buildings connected by a free shuttle, so allow extra time if you arrive at the wrong terminal.