Updated: 5 October 2026
Tbilisi – Tel Aviv is one of the busiest routes out of Georgia: the direct flight from Tbilisi airport to Ben Gurion takes only 2 hours 35–50 minutes, and several airlines operate it every day. This guide brings together everything worth knowing before you book — flight time, airlines and schedules by day of the week, seasonal price ranges, the ETA-IL authorisation and the particulars of Ben Gurion airport.
The short version:
- Direct flight time: 2 h 35 min – 2 h 50 min (distance ≈1,400 km).
- Non-stop carriers: El Al, Arkia, Israir; Georgian Airways joins the route from time to time — check the airline for the current schedule.
- Frequency: 2–4 direct flights a day, every day of the week (limited on Shabbat).
- No visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days, but an ETA-IL electronic authorisation is required before departure.
- Return fares: usually around 300–500 GEL in low season, rising to 800–1,200 GEL at peak.
How long is the Tbilisi – Tel Aviv flight?
A non-stop flight between Tbilisi and Tel Aviv averages 2 hours 40 minutes. The actual time depends on the winds, the air corridor and how busy Ben Gurion is: El Al and Arkia services run between 2 h 30 min and 2 h 50 min, while Israir’s night flight often covers the distance in 2 h 25–40 min. Bear in mind that Tel Aviv is one hour behind Tbilisi in summer and two hours behind in winter — which is why the arrival time printed on your ticket makes the flight look shorter than it really is.
Connecting itineraries make little sense on this route while a direct seat is available: going via Larnaca or Athens stretches the journey to 5–9 hours and often costs more, and Istanbul is not an option at present — Turkish Airlines and Pegasus have suspended their Ben Gurion services. The one exception is travelling from Kutaisi — there is no non-stop Kutaisi – Tel Aviv flight, so a connection is unavoidable.
Which airlines fly non-stop
On the autumn 2026 timetable, three Israeli carriers operate non-stop between Tbilisi and Tel Aviv. The days and times below are indicative — always confirm the exact schedule on the airline’s website or when you search for tickets.
| Airline | Frequency | Departure from Tbilisi (approx.) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Al | Daily, 2–3 flights | Morning (≈10:00–11:00), evening (≈18:00), night (≈01:30) | Israel’s flag carrier; the Lite fare does not include checked baggage; business class available |
| Arkia | Daily, 1–2 flights | Morning (≈09:30) and late evening (≈23:00) | Often the cheapest basic fare; baggage is sold separately |
| Israir | 2–4 flights a week | Night (≈22:00–23:50), landing in Tel Aviv ≈00:45–02:30 | A night service — convenient for a weekend trip |
| Georgian Airways | Seasonal | — | The route is on the airline’s destination list, but flights are not operated year-round — check georgian-airways.com |
Tbilisi – Tel Aviv flights: current prices
| გამგზავრება | დაბრუნება | ავიაკომპანია | ბილეთების პოვნა |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ოქტომბერი 2026 | 21 ოქტომბერი 2026 |  | ავიაბილეთები 549 -დან |
| 20 ნოემბერი 2026 | 22 ნოემბერი 2026 |  | ავიაბილეთები 427 -დან |
| 2 დეკემბერი 2026 | 15 დეკემბერი 2026 | | ავიაბილეთები 442 -დან |
In the opposite direction — Tel Aviv – Tbilisi — El Al operates 2–3 flights a day (between 05:30 and 20:50) and Arkia one, in the morning or early afternoon. Travellers starting from Batumi have separate summer-season services: see Batumi – Tel Aviv.
Shabbat and Jewish holidays
El Al does not fly on Shabbat (from Friday evening to Saturday evening) or on Yom Kippur — on those days only Arkia and Israir offer non-stop flights, and fares are higher as a result. If you are planning a weekend trip, book well ahead or choose a Friday morning or Sunday evening departure.
The airports: Tbilisi and Ben Gurion
Flights from Georgia depart from Tbilisi International Airport (TBS), 17 km from the city centre — 25–40 minutes by taxi, about an hour on bus No. 37.
In Israel you land at Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV), 20 km from Tel Aviv, near Lod. All international flights are handled by Terminal 3 (Israir and Arkia occasionally use Terminal 1 — check the terminal shown on your ticket).
Security and check-in at Ben Gurion — what to expect
Ben Gurion has one of the strictest security systems in the world. Flying back to Tbilisi, you go through a security interview before check-in: you will be asked the purpose of your visit, where you stayed and who packed your luggage. This is standard procedure — answer briefly and calmly. A few practical tips:
- Arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before departure — at peak times security alone takes 1–1.5 hours.
- El Al runs the same security interview at Tbilisi airport, so allow 3 hours at TBS as well, not 2.
- Passports are no longer stamped on arrival — you are issued a small blue entry card (B2) printed automatically; keep it until you leave.
- Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure with El Al and 24–48 hours with Arkia and Israir, but checked bags still have to be dropped off at the airport.
How much does a Tbilisi – Tel Aviv ticket cost? Prices by season
Three carriers compete on the route, so fares are relatively stable. The table below gives the approximate range for a return economy ticket per passenger in Georgian lari; it is based on our own tracking and on aggregator statistics, so treat it as a guide only.
| Season | Return ticket (economy) | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| October–November, February–March | ≈300–500 ₾ | The cheapest window; in October fares run 20–30% below average |
| April–June, September | ≈450–750 ₾ | Pesach (April) and Rosh Hashanah / Sukkot (September–October) push prices up sharply |
| July–August, New Year | ≈700–1,200 ₾ | Peak season — the flow of Israeli visitors to Georgia is at its highest; book 1.5–2 months ahead |
One-way basic fares on Arkia and Israir often start at 150–250 GEL, but such a fare covers hand baggage only. El Al’s Lite fare also excludes checked luggage — a 23 kg bag is included in the Classic fare or bought separately (cheaper in advance than at the airport). Whenever you compare tickets, work out the final price with baggage included.
How to find a cheap fare
- Book 4–8 weeks ahead — in the final week prices rise on every airline.
- Choose a Tuesday or Wednesday, or the late-night services (Israir and Arkia around 23:00) — they are cheaper than El Al’s morning flights.
- Avoid the weeks around Jewish holidays — Pesach, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot — when fares roughly double.
- Compare every airline in one window — on flights.avia.ge prices are shown with baggage included.
Visas and documents: the ETA-IL authorisation
Georgian citizens do not need a visa for a tourist visit to Israel — you may stay up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Since 2025, however, travellers from visa-free countries must hold an ETA-IL, an electronic travel authorisation obtained online before departure:
- Apply on the official portal of the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA), israel-entry.piba.gov.il; do not trust intermediary websites.
- The fee is 25 shekels (about 20 GEL); a decision usually arrives within a few hours and up to 72 hours, so apply at least three days in advance.
- The authorisation is valid for two years, or until your passport expires, and allows multiple entries.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months (6 to be safe) from the date of arrival; without an ETA-IL the airline will not let you board.
At the border you may be asked for a return ticket, a hotel booking and proof of funds. Travel insurance is also recommended — medical care in Israel is expensive.
Getting from Ben Gurion into Tel Aviv
- Train — the fastest and cheapest option. The station is on the lower level of Terminal 3; a ticket costs about 13.5 shekels and the ride to Tel Aviv’s central station (Savidor Center) takes 15–20 minutes. Trains run round the clock from Sunday to Thursday, but not from Friday midday until Saturday evening (Shabbat). You will need a Rav-Kav card or the app to buy a ticket.
- Taxi — the official rank is on level 2 of Terminal 3; the fixed fare into Tel Aviv is about 150 shekels (with a surcharge at night and on Shabbat). The Gett app works in Israel too.
- Bus No. 445 — hourly, running through central Tel Aviv; it does not operate on Shabbat.
- If you land on Shabbat (Israir’s Friday night flight), a taxi or a pre-booked transfer will be your only option — allow for it in your budget.
When to go: Tel Aviv weather by season
Tel Aviv has a Mediterranean climate — long, hot and almost rain-free summers and mild, wet winters. The season you choose affects both the fare and how comfortable the trip will be.
| Period | Daytime temperature | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| December–February | ≈15–19 °C | The rainy season, though there are plenty of sunny days; the sea is too cold for swimming, but the city is quiet and hotels are cheap |
| March–May | ≈20–27 °C | The best time for sightseeing — warm but not stifling; prices climb in April because of Pesach |
| June–September | ≈29–32 °C | Hot and very humid with virtually no rain; the sea reaches 27–29 °C — the height of the beach season |
| October–November | ≈23–28 °C | The sea is still warm, there are fewer tourists and tickets are at their cheapest — the best balance of all |
For travellers from Georgia the sweet spot runs from the second half of October to the end of November: the Jewish holidays are over, the weather still feels like summer, and flights and hotels are close to their yearly low.
Practical tips for when you land
- Currency. Israel’s currency is the new shekel (₪, ILS). Changing lari locally is difficult — bring euros or dollars, or withdraw shekels from an ATM; cards are accepted almost everywhere.
- Connectivity. There are several operator desks in the Ben Gurion arrivals hall, but a pre-purchased eSIM is cheapest — it activates the moment you land and is more than enough for navigation.
- Power sockets. The grid is 230 V / 50 Hz and sockets are type H. An ordinary two-pin European plug (type C) fits; a thick three-pin Schuko does not, so bring an adapter for your laptop.
- Shabbat. From Friday midday until Saturday evening most shops, museums and public transport shut down. In Tel Aviv the cafés and the seafront stay open, but you will only be able to get around by taxi — plan day trips for another day.
- Language. Besides Hebrew and Arabic, English is understood almost everywhere and signs are trilingual; Russian speakers are easy to find as well.
- Tipping. Service is usually not included in restaurant bills — 10–12% is customary.
- Water and sun. Tap water is safe to drink; in summer the humidity makes 30 °C feel far heavier — a hat, sunscreen and a water bottle are essential.
Find your Tbilisi – Tel Aviv ticket
Compare El Al, Arkia and Israir fares for every date, baggage included, and book online — search on flights.avia.ge.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Tbilisi to Tel Aviv?
Two hours and 35–50 minutes on a non-stop flight. Because of the time difference (Tel Aviv is 1 hour behind in summer and 2 hours in winter), the arrival time on your ticket appears only 40 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes after departure.
Are there direct flights from Tbilisi to Tel Aviv?
Yes, every day. El Al flies non-stop 2–3 times a day, Arkia 1–2 times, and Israir operates 2–4 night flights a week. Georgian Airways joins the route seasonally.
Do Georgian citizens need a visa for Israel?
No. Georgian passport holders may stay up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa, but an ETA-IL electronic authorisation (25 shekels, valid for two years) must be obtained at israel-entry.piba.gov.il before departure.
How much does a Tbilisi – Tel Aviv ticket cost?
A return economy ticket costs roughly 300–500 GEL in low season (October–March) and 700–1,200 GEL in summer and around the Jewish holidays. One-way basic fares without baggage start at 150–250 GEL.
How early should I get to the airport?
Three hours at Ben Gurion, because a security interview takes place before check-in. Three hours is also recommended in Tbilisi for El Al flights, and at least 2.5 hours for Arkia and Israir.
