Ben Gurion is the largest airport in Israel with more than 100 airlines flying from there and about nine million passengers traveling through it in 2006. The airport has four terminals, though Terminal Four, built in 1999, has never actually been opened for use due to insufficient amounts of passenger traffic.
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A free shuttle bus operates between the terminals and the long-term parking lot daily 24 hours.
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Taxi: Taxis are located near the airport reception hall. Hadar Lod Taxis (tel: +972 (0)3 971 1103) operates to all destinations. Nesher Tours (tel: +972 (0)2 625 7227) runs a shared taxi service between the airport and Jerusalem. Amal (tel: +972 (0)4 866 2324) runs a shared taxis service between the airport and Haifa.
Bus: Buses run to Jerusalem and Haifa on routes nos. 423, 945 and 947; buses are operated by the Egged Co-operative (tel: +972 (0)3 694 8888) and stops are located in the central piazza of the airport opposite car park 1. Bus no.475 to Tel Aviv goes to the central bus station. Other destinations include Petah Tikva, Ramla, Lod and Shoham. Bus no.222 goes to North Tel Aviv railway station before stopping at all hotels along Hayarkon Street. Bus stops are located outside Terminal 1, opposite entrance gate 7. In the new terminal, buses and taxis are located at level 2, gates 21, 23 and 24.
Rail: There is a new train service linking the airport and Tel Aviv, operating from 3am to midnight. The train journey takes about 15 minutes.
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There are short-term parking lots at the entrances to both terminals. Long-term parking is at a remote location and is clearly marked. There is an automated service with information on parking and the shuttle service, in English (tel: +972 (0)3 972 3339).
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Money and communications: Facilities include 24-hour banks, ATMs, foreign currency exchange and a post office.
Eating and drinking: There are plenty of restaurants, cafés and juice shops throughout the airport.
Shopping: Duty-free shops are located in the Departures area of Terminal 1 and in Terminal 3. There is also a shopping mall in the new Terminal 3.
Luggage: A 24-hour luggage storage service is available on the first floor of the parking lot building (tel: +972 (0)3 971 2130). Lost property is handled by the Airport Police (tel: +972 (0)3 971 5444).
Other facilities: Emergency first aid clinics operate 24 hours. There is also a nursery and a synagogue.
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There are no hotels at the airport. The nearest is the Avia Hotel (tel: +972 (0)3 539 3333), which is a short drive away. Hotel reservations can be made at the tourist information desk in Arrivals and a free shuttle can be provided.
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Facilities at the airport include accessible telephones and toilets, raised pedestrian crossings, ramps and lifts. Lifts and vehicle transportation to the aircraft are available for disabled passengers, who should contact their airline in advance with any special assistance requirements. Disabled parking is available.
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Passengers with Israel’s El Al airline can use the King David Lounge (tel: +972 (0)3 971 6892), which provides Internet stations and newspapers, while business-class passengers with all other airlines have access to the Jet Set Club Lounge (tel: +972 (0)3 973 1659), for a small charge; the lounge is equipped with fax and Internet access, and is open 24 hours.
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