Superdeals: 40–80% off flights from Europe to Israel

Direct flight routes to Israel

Multiple European cities offer non-stop flights to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport (TLV).

• London (LHR) – Tel Aviv: EL AL, British Airways; 4h 50min


• Paris (CDG) – Tel Aviv: Air France, EL AL; 4h 30min


• Frankfurt (FRA) – Tel Aviv: Lufthansa, EL AL; 4h 10min


• Rome (FCO) – Tel Aviv: ITA Airways, EL AL; 3h 45min


• Vienna (VIE) – Tel Aviv: Austrian Airlines; 3h 30min

Layover/stopover options

Istanbul (IST): Turkish Airlines hub with frequent connections, typical layover 2-3 hours. Modern airport with excellent lounges and shopping options.

Zurich (ZRH): SWISS hub offering reliable connections with minimum 1.5-hour layovers. Efficient airport layout enables quick transfers.

Warsaw (WAW): LOT Polish Airlines hub with competitive prices. Average connection time 2 hours, compact terminal layout.

Time vs money

Direct flights typically command premium prices but save 4-8 hours of total travel time. Layover options through Eastern European or Turkish hubs often cost 30-50% less than direct flights.

Tips and recommendations

• Book Tuesday/Wednesday flights for better rates, especially on direct routes.


• Consider overnight layovers in Istanbul for significantly lower fares and city exploration opportunity.


• Early morning departures from Europe typically offer smoother connections and lower chances of delays.


• Check if your layover airport offers free city tours for longer connections.


• During high season (July-August, Jewish holidays), direct flights fill up quickly – book at least 3 months ahead.

• Turkish Airlines offers exceptional value on routes to Tel Aviv via Istanbul, with fares typically 20-25% lower than direct flights. Their A321neo aircraft feature comfortable 31-inch pitch in economy, and the airline’s stopover program provides free hotel accommodation for layovers over 20 hours in Istanbul.
• Flying from secondary European airports like Budapest or Bucharest can yield savings of up to 40% compared to major hubs, with carriers like Wizz Air and El Al offering competitive fares. These routes often have better seat availability and more flexible booking conditions.
• Aegean Airlines’ Athens hub provides an efficient gateway to Tel Aviv with multiple daily connections and consistently lower fares than Western European carriers. Their A320/321 fleet offers a generous 32-inch seat pitch in economy, and the airline frequently runs promotion fares from various European cities via Athens.
• Cyprus Airways launched new routes to Tel Aviv from several European cities in early 2024, offering introductory fares up to 30% below market average. Their convenient geographical position allows for short flight times and optimal arrival schedules.
• For premium economy travelers, Air France’s Airbus A350-900 service via Paris offers excellent value with 38-inch pitch seats and superior catering, while maintaining fares approximately 15% lower than Lufthansa’s premium economy product. The morning departure from Paris allows for seamless connections from most European cities.

1. Booking only direct flights Many travelers overlook convenient one-stop options via Istanbul, Amman, or Cyprus that can be significantly cheaper than non-stop flights from major European hubs.
2. Ignoring alternative Israeli airports While most people automatically book flights to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, some European travelers could benefit from flying to Eilat Ramon Airport, especially when planning to visit southern Israel or the Red Sea area.
3. Not considering Jewish holidays Failing to check the Jewish calendar when booking flights can result in extremely high fares and packed flights, as prices typically surge during major holidays like Passover and Rosh Hashanah.
4. Last-minute airport transportation planning Many visitors don’t realize that Ben Gurion Airport has limited public transportation options during Shabbat (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset), leading to unexpected transportation challenges.
5. Booking too early morning departures Due to strict security procedures at Israeli airports, passengers often underestimate the time needed for check-in and security checks, which typically require arriving at least 3 hours before international flights.

Turkish Airlines

Best for: Most extensive European network with connections to Tel Aviv through Istanbul hub.

Serves Tel Aviv from 37 European cities, with biggest traffic from London Heathrow, Paris CDG, and Frankfurt. Turkish offers comfortable economy seats with 31-32″ pitch, complimentary full-service meals even on shorter flights, and free seat selection. Their Istanbul layover is efficiently organized, typically 2-3 hours. Passengers consistently rate their economy service 4 out of 5 stars, particularly praising food quality and entertainment options.

EL AL Israel Airlines

Best for: Only airline offering direct flights from 15 European cities to both Tel Aviv and Eilat.

Operating from 15 European airports, with largest operations from London Heathrow, Paris CDG, and Rome FCO. EL AL provides enhanced security measures, kosher meals included in all tickets, and generous 32″ seat pitch in economy. Their direct flights eliminate connection stress, though tickets tend to be pricier. Passengers give them 3.8 out of 5 stars, highlighting reliability and cultural sensitivity.

Lufthansa

Best for: Most reliable connection times and seamless transfers through German hubs.

Connects Tel Aviv from 19 European cities, primarily through Frankfurt, Munich, and Vienna (with Austrian Airlines). Economy cabin features standardized 31″ pitch seats, quality German-inspired meals, and professional service. Their Frankfurt and Munich hubs offer quick minimum connection times of 45 minutes. Overall passenger rating is 4.1 out of 5, with punctuality and service consistency most appreciated.

Wizz Air

Best for: Lowest average fares from Eastern and Central Europe to Tel Aviv.

Operates from 22 European airports, strongest presence in Budapest, Warsaw, and Bucharest. While being a low-cost carrier, Wizz Air maintains a modern A321 fleet with 30″ seat pitch. No complimentary meals or entertainment, but significantly lower prices make it popular among budget travelers. Receives 3.7 out of 5 stars, with passengers praising value for money and new aircraft condition.

Using APAC carriers for Europe-Israel routes

Savvy travelers can leverage Asian carriers to significantly reduce costs when flying between Europe and Israel. This strategy, while requiring more planning, can result in savings of up to 40% compared to direct flights.

Key benefits of this approach

1. Lower base fares: Airlines like Turkish Airlines and Air India often price their routes more competitively than European carriers.
2. Flexible routing options: Using Istanbul or Dubai as connection points opens up multiple pricing combinations.
3. Better baggage allowance: Most Asian carriers offer more generous luggage policies than their European counterparts.

Best booking practices

Book separate tickets when possible – one from Europe to a major Asian hub, and another from there to Tel Aviv. Turkish Airlines and Gulf carriers frequently offer promotional fares on these routes. Consider mid-week travel for the best rates, and book approximately 2-3 months in advance.

Top money-saving routes

The most cost-effective combinations typically involve flying through Istanbul with Turkish Airlines, or connecting in Dubai with Emirates. During off-peak seasons, these routes can offer savings of €200-300 compared to direct flights.