Quick answer. At Ben Gurion (TLV), use a major Israeli bank ATM (Bank Hapoalim or Bank Leumi) in Terminal 3 arrivals; most give shekels at the interbank rate with no operator fee, though a few specific Hapoalim machines now post a small ₪5–10 fee on screen before you confirm. Avoid the private exchange counters and any standalone non-bank ATM, and always pay in Israeli shekels (ILS / ₪), never US dollars. Israel has no Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner, so a BoA card pays its own 3% non-network fee here; a no-FX-fee card (Wise, Schwab) is cleaner, and decline DCC every time. To Tel Aviv (about 20 km northwest): the Israel Railways train from the station under Terminal 3 reaches the Tel Aviv stations in ~15–20 min for about ₪16, but note it does not run on Shabbat (Friday afternoon to Saturday evening), when a sherut shared taxi or a regular taxi is the option.
Where to get Israeli Shekels at TLV
The key Ben Gurion fact is that a major Israeli bank ATM (Bank Hapoalim or Bank Leumi) in Terminal 3 beats the private exchange counters and standalone machines, that a few specific Hapoalim machines now post a small fee, and that you should always pay in shekels rather than US dollars. A contactless card covers the airport train and most spending. The cost math below assumes you withdraw or exchange the equivalent of $100.
| Option | Where | Markup | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Hapoalim / Bank Leumi ATM (TLV T3) | Terminal 3 arrivals | Interbank rate; usually no fee (a few Hapoalim machines post ~₪5-10) | ~$100 + home-bank fee only |
| Just use a contactless card (no cash needed) | Most spending, incl. the airport train | Interbank rate on a no-FX-fee card | ~$100 |
| Private exchange counter (TLV) | Terminal 3 | A high spread plus fees | ~$88-93 |
| Standalone non-bank ATM (TLV) | Terminal 3 / landside | Operator fee + DCC pitch | ~$86-92 |
| Accepting DCC or paying in USD | Anywhere | +5-12% if you choose dollars instead of shekels | ~$88-95 |
Where to find the Bank Hapoalim and Bank Leumi ATMs at Ben Gurion (TLV)
Ben Gurion Airport (TLV), near Lod about 20 km southeast of Tel Aviv, is Israel's main gateway, with almost all international flights using the large Terminal 3. Israel runs heavily on cards, so the first thing to know is that you need less cash than you might expect; a contactless card pays for the airport train and most spending. If you do want a shekel float, use a major Israeli bank ATM in the Terminal 3 arrivals area, a Bank Hapoalim or Bank Leumi machine, which gives shekels at the Visa or Mastercard interbank rate. One Israel-specific quirk: most Israeli bank ATMs do not charge their own operator fee on foreign cards, but a few specific Bank Hapoalim machines have started posting a small ₪5–10 fee, shown on the screen before you confirm, so read the prompt. The machines and counters to avoid are the private exchange windows and any standalone, non-bank ATM, which run poor rates and push dynamic currency conversion. Israel has no Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner, so a BoA card pays its standard 3% non-network fee at any Israeli ATM. Whatever you use, decline DCC and choose Israeli shekels, and never accept an offer to be charged in US dollars.
Terminal 3 (main international terminal)
El Al (the home carrier), plus United, Delta, American, Lufthansa, and other international carriers operating into Israel. Almost all international flights use the large Terminal 3; the older Terminal 1 handles some low-cost and domestic operations when active
In the Terminal 3 arrivals area, look for a Bank Hapoalim or Bank Leumi ATM rather than the private exchange counters or any standalone non-bank machine. The bank ATMs give shekels at the interbank rate; most add no operator fee, but a few Hapoalim machines now post a small ₪5–10 fee on the screen, so read the prompt. Decline DCC, choose Israeli shekels, never accept US dollars, then head down to the railway station beneath the terminal for the train into Tel Aviv (outside Shabbat).
Do you actually need cash at Ben Gurion (TLV)?
Mostly no. The airport train (outside Shabbat), taxis, and sheruts take cards, and Israel is card-friendly. Here is what works on a card, and the cases where shekel cash still helps:
Israel Railways train (to Tel Aviv stations) (~₪16 one way): From the station under Terminal 3 to HaHagana / HaShalom / Savidor in ~15-20 min. Does NOT run on Shabbat (Fri afternoon to Sat evening). Pay with a Rav-Kav or contactless card.
Sherut (shared taxi) (~₪50-70 per person to Tel Aviv): Shared minibus, the main option during Shabbat when trains and buses stop. Often cash; carry shekels.
Taxi (metered) (~₪130-180 to central Tel Aviv): Official taxi rank outside arrivals; insist on the meter or agree a fare. The main door-to-door option on Shabbat. Most accept cards.
Gett / rideshare (~₪120-170 to the centre): The Gett app is widely used in Israel; pay in-app by card. Availability can thin out on Shabbat.
⚠ DCC trap. When the ATM or terminal asks if you want to be charged in your home currency instead of the local currency, always decline and choose the local currency. Accepting locks in a 3-13 percent markup that your no-FX-fee card cannot undo. Full DCC explainer →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need cash to get from Ben Gurion (TLV) to Tel Aviv?
No. Israel Railways train (to Tel Aviv stations) accepts contactless. Most taxis accept cards. Uber and other apps are card-only.
Can I order Israeli Shekels before flying?
Yes. CEI Currency Exchange ships physical Israeli Shekels to your US address in 2-5 days at rates well below airport counters. Order 50-100 Israeli Shekels for taxis and tips on day one.
Which ATM at Ben Gurion is best, and which should I avoid?
Use a major Israeli bank ATM, a Bank Hapoalim or Bank Leumi machine in the Terminal 3 arrivals area, and avoid the private exchange counters and any standalone non-bank ATM. The bank ATMs dispense shekels at the real Visa or Mastercard interbank rate; most add no operator fee on foreign cards, though a few specific Hapoalim machines now post a small ₪5–10 fee on the screen before you confirm. The private exchange counters and standalone machines run poor rates and push dynamic currency conversion. At any machine, decline DCC and choose Israeli shekels. Because a contactless card covers the airport train and most spending, you may not need a large withdrawal at all.
Should I pay in US dollars anywhere in Israel?
No. Pay in Israeli shekels, full stop. Some shops, especially in tourist areas and the Jerusalem Old City, will happily quote or accept US dollars, but the exchange rate they use is consistently poor and you lose money on every transaction. The same applies to any 'charge in your home currency' (DCC) offer at an ATM or card terminal: always choose shekels and let your card network convert at the interbank rate. Carry shekels for cash purchases and pay shekels on the card; dollars are never the better deal here.
Is there a Bank of America Global ATM Alliance partner in Israel?
No. None of the Israeli banks (Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, Israel Discount Bank, Mizrahi Tefahot, First International Bank of Israel) belong to the Bank of America Global ATM Alliance, so a BoA debit card pays BoA's standard 3% non-network fee at any Israeli ATM. There is no fee-free option for BoA cards in Israel. The cleaner setup is a no-foreign-transaction-fee card such as Wise or Charles Schwab, which gives the real interbank rate, and in Schwab's case refunds ATM operator fees worldwide (useful at the few Israeli machines that do charge a small fee).
How do I get from Ben Gurion to Tel Aviv, and what is the Shabbat catch?
The easiest option is the Israel Railways train from the station directly beneath Terminal 3, which reaches the Tel Aviv stations (HaHagana, HaShalom, Savidor Central) in about 15–20 minutes for around ₪16. The catch is Shabbat: trains and public buses do not run from Friday afternoon until Saturday evening, so during that window your options are a sherut (shared taxi) or a regular metered taxi, which run roughly ₪130–180 to central Tel Aviv. Outside Shabbat, the train is by far the cheapest and fastest. Pay the train and most taxis by card; you do not strictly need cash to leave the airport.
Can I order Israeli shekels before flying?
Yes. CEI Currency Exchange ships physical Israeli shekels to your US address in 2–5 days at a rate below the airport counters, which is handy for landing with a small float, especially since the airport train may not run if you arrive on Shabbat. Your home bank can also order shekels, though it usually takes 3–7 business days. That said, Israel is card-friendly, so the cleanest setup is a no-FX-fee card (Wise or Schwab) for nearly everything plus a modest shekel reserve for the shuk markets, sherut taxis, and tips.