How early should I arrive at the airport for a flight to or from Israel?

Security procedures at Ben Gurion are more thorough than at many airports, so airlines typically recommend arriving 3 hours before an international departure rather than the usual 2.

How to Find Cheap Flights to Israel (2026 Guide)

Q: What is the cheapest time to fly to Israel?

Fares are typically lowest outside Jewish holiday periods (Passover, the High Holidays, Hanukkah) and outside the peak summer school-holiday months, when demand and prices both rise.

Q: Are there direct flights to Israel from the US?

Yes — several US carriers and El Al operate nonstop routes between Tel Aviv and cities including New York, Boston, and Los Angeles, though schedules can change with short notice depending on the security situation.

Reviewed by the ScanFlyGo team · Last updated: September 2026. Prices are examples and change constantly — always confirm at checkout.

Quick answer

To find cheap flights to Israel, compare fares into Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) across both full-service and low-cost carriers, stay flexible around Jewish holidays and summer school breaks when prices spike, and set a price alert so you can buy when a fare dips. A one-stop connection through a European hub is often noticeably cheaper than a nonstop.

Compare live fares to Israel on ScanFlyGo →

1. Start with the right airport

Ben Gurion Airport (TLV), roughly 20 minutes from Tel Aviv, handles nearly all international flights and is almost always your best option. Ramon Airport (ETM) near Eilat serves seasonal leisure routes to southern Israel from parts of Europe and is worth checking only if your trip is focused on the Red Sea coast.

2. Avoid the highest-demand travel windows

Fares climb sharply around Passover, the Jewish High Holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), Hanukkah, and the general summer school-holiday period. Travelling a week or two either side of these windows can meaningfully lower the fare.

3. Compare full-service and low-cost carriers side by side

Carrier type	Examples	Notes
Israeli flag carrier	El Al	Widest nonstop network, including long-haul to North America
European low-cost/hybrid	Various, from cities like London, Athens, Budapest, Larnaca	Often cheaper on European short-haul routes; check baggage fees
Major international carriers	Several US and European legacy airlines	Good for connecting itineraries and mileage programmes

Fares between these groups shift often, so a metasearch that checks all of them at once beats booking with a single airline out of habit.

4. Consider a one-stop connection

Nonstop flights are convenient, but a single connection through a European or Gulf hub is frequently cheaper, particularly from cities without direct service to Tel Aviv. Weigh the saving against the extra travel time and, on separate tickets, the risk of a missed connection.

5. Build in extra time for security

Israeli airport security is more extensive than at most airports, including additional questioning for some travellers. Airlines generally recommend arriving 3 hours before an international departure from Ben Gurion, rather than the usual 2, so factor this into any tight connections.

6. Watch for schedule changes

Flight schedules to and from Israel can change on short notice depending on the regional security situation, with some airlines pausing or resuming routes at short notice. Booking with a card or agency that makes changes easy, and tracking your flight status close to departure, reduces the disruption if this happens.

7. Set a price alert and book in the right window

As with most long-haul routes, fares to Israel are often best 2–5 months before departure for leisure travel, earlier for peak Jewish holidays. A price alert lets you buy on a genuine dip instead of guessing.

Frequently asked questions

Which airport should I fly into for Israel?

Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) near Tel Aviv handles almost all international traffic and is the best default choice. Ramon Airport (ETM) near Eilat mainly serves seasonal leisure routes to southern Israel and Europe.

What is the cheapest time to fly to Israel?

Fares are typically lowest outside Jewish holiday periods and outside peak summer school-holiday months.

Do budget airlines fly to Israel?

Several European low-cost and hybrid carriers serve Tel Aviv alongside full-service airlines like El Al — compare both directly.

How early should I arrive at the airport?

Airlines typically recommend arriving 3 hours before an international departure from Ben Gurion, rather than the usual 2.

Are there direct flights to Israel from the US?

Yes, several US carriers and El Al operate nonstop routes to cities including New York, Boston, and Los Angeles, though schedules can change with short notice.

The bottom line

Cheap flights to Israel come from comparing carriers broadly, avoiding the busiest holiday windows, and staying open to a one-stop routing. Start a live search on ScanFlyGo and check popular routes to Tel Aviv, then use the flight tracker once booked to stay ahead of any schedule changes.

Some links on ScanFlyGo are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Airline routes and schedules change; always confirm current details with the airline before booking.