Ovda Airport: how to get to the airport, official website, telephone numbers, flights, taxi to the airport, service and services of Eilat Airport.
On March 18, 2019, Ovda Airport closed and was replaced by the international airport named after. Ilana and Asaf Ramonov.
Ovda International Airport (sometimes Ovda) is the second most popular and largest airport in Israel. The airport is located 60 km from Eilat, the southernmost city of the country and also a popular resort. The airport was originally built for the needs of the military, but later acquired civilian functions. Uvda successfully accommodates heavy aircraft that cannot land at Eilat airport due to the runway being too short.
The airport took its name from the operation that became the last during Israel's War of Independence. During Operation Uvda, the southern territories and the Eilat region were liberated.
Ovda Airport is named after the military operation of the same name that ended the Israeli War of Independence and brought freedom to the south of the country.
By 2017, Ovda Airport may return to serving only military aircraft. The basis for the cancellation of its civil functions will be the completion of the construction of the new Eilat International Airport.
Ovda Airport Terminal
Ovda Airport has one passenger terminal serving both domestic and international flights, mainly charter flights.
Services
The airport has retained the features of military specialization, which are most clearly manifested in a very narrow range of services. There are no ATMs in Ovda, so you should take care of cash in advance. There are two currency exchange points, the rate there is noticeably different from the city one. The airport lounge is small but comfortable, where you can relax and have a small snack. In Ovda you can buy souvenirs and various little things for the trip, there is Duty Free.
Tax free
Eilat is a duty-free zone, so prices for goods are shown without VAT. But if purchases were made in other areas of Israel, then you can apply for tax free by going to the counter marked VAT Refund.
How to get to the airport
In winter, spring and autumn, along with the resorts of Egypt, trips to the southernmost city of Israel - Eilat - become popular. Sometimes tourists' airline tickets list Ovda Airport as their point of arrival. What is it and where is this air harbor located? Why do other passengers flying to Southern Israel list Eilat Airport as their destination? In fact, this resort city on the Red Sea has two hubs. And in this article we will briefly talk about both. To find out where Ovda airport is located, why it is called that and how to get from it to the resorts, read the information below.
Story
This hub was built in 1980 under the Camp David Accords. Then Israel was forced to return to Egypt its territories that were illegally seized from it during the war. Since there were no large military airfields in the south of the country, Uvda was built. The UVDA hub name is often pronounced "Ovda". This was the name of the military operation in the 1947-1949 war, when the Jewish army took territory from the Arabs and established control over the lands along the northern coast of the Red Sea. At first, Ovda airport accepted only military aircraft. But with the development of air technology, the need arose for the adoption of heavy passenger airliners. The runway at Eilat City Airport was too short and not suitable for this. This is where the military air base came in handy.
Ovda Airport today
Only thirty years have passed since the construction of the hub. But Uvda over the years managed to occupy the second position in the country after Ben-Gurion in Tel Aviv. It receives all so-called heavy aircraft on international flights. Of course, the popularity of Eilat as a seaside resort played a big role in the “promotion” of the former military airfield. But the hub itself - its huge size, amenities, functionality - has earned itself fame among tourists. And the reviews confirm this. Although the operation of the military base for civil aviation was planned as temporary (to relieve congestion at Eilat airport), Ovda switched over almost all flights arriving in Eilat. However, soon another hub will receive the airliners. In 2016, the construction of the new Eilat (eighteen kilometers north of the city) should be completed. And then Uvda will again be handed over to the military.
Where is the hub located and how to get to Eilat
Ovda Airport on the map is located sixty kilometers north of the resort center. To get to Eilat, there are several options. Of course, those vacationers who came on a package trip should not worry about anything. Representatives of the travel agency will meet them and take them straight to the hotel. But independent travelers must choose. The fastest, most trouble-free, but, alas, expensive option is a taxi. You need to bargain with the driver. Then you will be able to reduce the price to three hundred shekels (the usual fee is 350-500). The second option is by city bus number 282. The cars arrive just in time for the flight and depart forty-five minutes after the plane lands. There is also bus number 392, connecting the cities of Beer Sheva and Eilat. His cars run every hour. For those who do not have time for public transport, there is another option to go to Eilat. You can ask to see the tourist bus driver. But getting hooked on a transfer is luck, not a pattern. You shouldn't plan it.
Eilat air harbor diagram
Ovda Airport is a one-story building in which it is simply unthinkable to get lost. The only terminal accepts both international and domestic routes. During the high tourist season, numerous charters are added to regular flights. During this period, there are queues at check-in counters and border guard checkpoints. Uvda still displays the features of a former military airfield. This affects the “increased combat readiness” of the guards, as well as a narrower offer of various services. There are no ATMs here, and the rate offered at two currency exchange offices is noticeably different (and not to the advantage of tourists) from the city one. But the waiting room at the airport is quite comfortable, there are souvenir shops, newsstands, cafes, and duty-free.
What reviews say about the Uvda hub
Aeroflot planes from Sheremetyevo, Isra Air, Vim-Avia and Ural Airlines from Domodedovo, and Rossiya planes from St. Petersburg Pulkovo arrive here. During the tourist season, charter flights are added to these regular flights. These are airliners from Azur Air (flying from Domodedovo), Nordwind Airlines from St. Petersburg, Samara, Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar and the capital Sheremetyevo. Reviews call Ovda Airport very functional. Services try to avoid crowds of people, so the departure and reception of passengers on flights proceeds quickly. Eilat is a duty free zone. But still, at Ovda Airport you can return VAT for goods purchased in other cities in Israel.
The lack of charters from Russia to Turkey and Egypt in 2016 contributed to the growing popularity of Israel among beach lovers. Eilat Airport in Israel no longer met modern requirements, could not cope with the increased load, and was closed. While a new airport terminal is being built in Timna, Ovda (IATA - VDA) is responsible for air traffic in the resort area of the Promised Land, 60 km from the center of Eilat. We will tell you how to get from the airport to the city in this article.
Ovda is a small military airport in the Negev, which has been accepting civilian flights, including international ones, since the 1980s. Now all civil flights in the south of the country are served by it, and the opening of a new modern air terminal in Timna is planned for the winter season 2017/18.
The airport serves more than 128 thousand people a year
In 2016, Ovda's passenger traffic on international flights increased by 112% compared to the previous year and amounted to more than 128 thousand people. This is relatively small for a civilian airport. For example, it annually receives about 15 million passengers. But for Ovda, the current passenger flow is still a burden.
Important point: Due to the tense situation in the world, security checks at Ovda airport can take a significant amount of time; the recommended arrival time is 3.5 hours before departure.
Airport security can be time-consuming
Hotels nearby
Ovda was built for the needs of military aviation, so tourists waiting for a delayed flight and those who are here before connecting are out of luck. You can eat at the airport, but there is nowhere to stay overnight nearby. The nearest apartments are located near the Timna Valley, halfway to Eilat.
Guest House Elifaz Desert Experience Holiday- the closest to the airport, although it is located 17 km from it. The place is colorful and travelers mostly like it. The hotel offers travelers rooms with air conditioning and TV, free Wi-Wi and a “very good breakfast.”
Elifaz Desert Experience Holiday Guesthouse is located 17 km from the airport
The next farthest hotel is Pina MaBidbar in the city of Be’er Ora – 40 km south of Ovda.
Cheap flights to Eilat
The flight from Moscow to Israel lasts about four hours. It is important to take care in advance about how to get from the airport to Eilat, since Ovda is located at a considerable distance from the tourist center, and the airport amenities are not conducive to a long stay. To avoid overpayments, it is better to search for air tickets to the Resort using the low price calendar:
Airport map
Ovda's only terminal cannot boast of modern equipment, so it is difficult to while away your leisure time here. A common waiting room, a relaxation area, restrooms, a cafe and a modest Duty Free - everything that the airport closest to Eilat is rich in. There are two currency exchange offices at the airport, but their course is not the most pleasant. Change a small amount here to buy public transport tickets. Save the rest for the city exchange offices.
Airport on the map
Transport from the airport
Transport from the airport, as well as accommodation nearby, does not offer much variety. Therefore, it is better to plan the route to the final destination of the trip in advance.
Buses
You can get from the airport in Eilat to the hotel in an hour by public transport. Bus number 282 departs to the city from Ovda 45 minutes after each flight lands. Local carrier Egged provided tourists with the opportunity to quickly and non-stop get to the resort seven days a week, even on Saturday.
The route runs along highway 12, goes to the bus station, and also passes by the hotels of the southern and northern beaches. His final stop is Taba on the border with Egypt.
Bus number 282 leaves for Eilat 45 minutes after each flight lands.
The one-way fare is 25 shekels (about 6 US dollars in 2017), round trip – 42.5. Payment is made on the bus or at the Eilat ticket office if you are heading to Ovda. You can also book a ticket online on the carrier’s official website and print it out at Eilatomat, but this is difficult to do without knowing Hebrew.
Another route that connects Ovda and Eilat is bus number 392, connecting the city and the airport with five routes a day, excluding Saturdays. The stop is located at a distance from the airport, on Highway 12. Due to the launch of route 282, this flight has ceased to be popular.
Important: When flying to Israel for the holidays, find out in advance about changes in public transport schedules.
shuttle
Shuttles are commercial minibuses that are suitable for those vacationing in a large group. They will take you to the desired hotel and make stops upon request. The cost of one ticket to Eilat is $8.
Airport shuttles can be ordered and paid for in advance online
Using the same service you can get from Eilat airport to Egyptian Taba or Jordanian Aqaba. Tickets, of course, will cost a little more.
Taxi from Ovda airport to Eilat
The peculiarities of both Israel in general and Ovda Airport in particular leave their mark on trip planning. Security measures at Israeli airports are such that there may be nuances with public transport. Delays at passport control and customs are quite common. There can be a lot of reasons - from Arab appearance or visa to suspicious behavior. But the delay is a delay, and public transport will not wait.
Taking into account local peculiarities, it is worth taking care of a taxi to the airport in advance.
The taxi fare at the terminal is also small - the air terminal is tiny, and the nearest civilization is far away. Therefore, when planning a trip with large luggage or children, it makes sense to weigh the risks and, if necessary, order a car to the airport in advance - via the Internet. Moreover, there is no additional charge for idle cars in case of delay during inspection.
The service independently monitors the arrivals board, and the driver will meet you at the exit from the baggage claim area with a nameplate in hand. The pleasure is, of course, more expensive than public transport, but it more than pays for itself in the absence of risks.
By the way, a complete calculation of the cost of the trip is made online; there is no need to pay extra on the spot, and therefore such features as traveling in circles and cheating the meter are excluded.
Car rental at the airport and Eilat
Since Ovda is not considered a significant airport by large car rental chains, their presence here is very limited. The nearest representative offices with a wide range of cars are located directly in Eilat.
When selecting a car rental supplier in Israel, you need to take into account that the east is a delicate matter. To avoid hidden fees and not pay exorbitant prices for a car, it is better to select a car through a large international car rental price comparison service (for example, the British Rentalcars).
autos
The online system tracks price changes at the largest car rental companies, allowing you to find and book the most advantageous offer in seconds. You can find out the current conditions for renting a car in Eilat on this page.
From Ovda Airport to Tel Aviv
Ovda Airport is not the best starting point for travelers to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. In this case, it is much easier and more profitable to look for tickets directly to.
If suddenly you landed in Ovda, but you need to go to Tel Aviv, then there are 3 solutions:
- Take bus 392 to Beersheba. The nearest railway station is located there, from which trains to Tel Aviv depart regularly.
- Book a transfer on the Shuttle, which was described above
- Book a taxi online in time for your arrival.
Have a good trip
Photos by: Israel, Eilat Airport, frog-travelers.ru, Photo albums - OZYV.Ru, ljfun - LiveJournal, holyland.ru, gorodamira.info.
Now, in 2016, getting from Ovda to Eilat is not difficult. Here we consider various options for how to get from Ovda Airport to Eilat, the Dead Sea (Ein Bokek), Jerusalem and Tel Aviv: by public and commercial transport, as well as by individual transfer or taxi. This article shows Ovda airport on the map of Israel and also gives distances to Eilat, the Dead Sea and other cities.
Eilat, Israel
Ovda Airport on the map of Israel
Below on the map of Israel the Ovda Airport (Uvda) is indicated, as well as the main resorts and tourist cities and other airports:
Explanation of symbols on the map of Israeli airports:
- Airplane– Ovda International Airport (Ovda) and Ben Gurion
- Helicopter– Israeli domestic airports
- House– cities and resorts of Israel (Eilat, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Netanya, Dead Sea, Haifa, Tiberias).
Distance from Ovda Airport to Eilat and the Dead Sea
This section presents the mileage from Ovda Airport (Ovda) to Eilat, the Dead Sea, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
- Distance Ovda Airport – Eilat – 59 km.
- Distance Ovda Airport – Dead Sea (Ein Bokek) – 169 km.
- Distance Ovda Airport – Tel Aviv – 295 km.
- Distance Ovda Airport – Jerusalem – 276 km.
How to get from Ovda Airport to Eilat
Until recently, getting from Ovda to Eilat was not so easy and very expensive. Those arriving at Uvda had to pay more for a taxi from the airport to Eilat than the cost of an air ticket to Israel. Out of desperation, tourists looked for sophisticated ways to save money. For example, some were able to get to the resort by bus No. 392, which runs from Beersheba several times a day and which still had to be reached from the airport. Since the end of 2015, everything has changed for the better - now public buses and commercial shuttles run from Ovda to Eilat, which adjust to the flight schedule.
From Ovda Airport to Eilat by public transport
Most recently, Israel's main bus carrier Egged launched public bus No. 282, which accommodates flights to/from Ovda Airport (Ovda). Surprisingly, buses run even on Shabbat. Ticket price – 25 shekels ( 6,5$ ), round trip ticket – 42.5 shekels ( 10,9$ ). Payment is accepted in cash or at Eilat bus ticket offices (when traveling from Eilat to Ovda). Money can be exchanged at the airport.
From Ovda Airport to Eilat, bus No. 282 departs 45 minutes from the moment the plane lands. If the flight is delayed, the bus will depart later.
In the opposite direction from Eilat to Ovda Airport, bus No. 282 leaves from the Taba border crossing 3.5 hours before departure. Accordingly, it is recommended to be at all stopping points at least 3 hours 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of the plane. Details can be found on the official website egged.co.il.
Stops on the route Ovda – Eilat Ovda – Eilat, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem by commercial bus (shuttle)
You can order and pay for a shuttle from Ovda Airport to Eilat online at eilatshuttle.com. Ticket price from Ovda to Eilat – 8$ per person. Delivery is carried out to the hotel. You must pay and print your ticket in advance; payment is not accepted on site. The site is Russified, so there should be no difficulties. But if you suddenly have questions, you can always contact the support service through the “Contacts” menu. The same company is engaged in delivery along the route Ovda Airport - and Tel Aviv for 35$ , as well as to Jordanian Aqaba and Egyptian Taboo for 25 $ .
From Ovda to Eilat by taxi/transfer
If you are flying as a family, especially with children, it would be more advisable to get from Ovda to Eilat by taxi (private transfer). There have been cases when a passenger was detained at passport control. The reasons can be different: Arab appearance, a suspicious surname or an Egyptian stamp in the passport. Either way, this happens sometimes. During this time, the bus can leave, but an individual car cannot. Transfer will cost from 100-140$ . You can order in advance online. Upon arrival at the airport you will be expected with a sign.
The second way to order an individual transfer is to go to the excursion website sputnik8.com. There are many different individual and group excursions offered there, including car ride on the route Eilat-Airport for 64$ . That is, if you are traveling with a family or a group of 3-4 people, then this will be the best option in terms of price/comfort ratio.
From Ovda Airport to the Dead Sea (Ein Bokek)
It is not possible to get directly from Ovda Airport to the Dead Sea by public transport. If you want to save money, you will first have to go south to Eilat 60 km, and then north 206 km. Bus No. 444 runs from Eilat to the Dead Sea several times a day. It takes 2.5 hours to get to Ein Bokek and Neve Zohar for 42.5 shekels ( 10,9$ ). Transfer to the Dead Sea will cost from 250$.
I hope my description and map of Israel with Ovda Airport (Ovda) helped you. And if you have any questions or know other ways to get from Ovda airport to Eilat, the Dead Sea and other cities in Israel, write about it in the comments.
Marina and Konstantin Samorosenk O
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