Every year, with the opening of the tourist season in Israel, local international airports begin to operate at full capacity. One of these airports is the small but efficient Ovda Airport. This air hub is constantly connected by regular flights with domestic carriers, as well as with Russian, German and English airlines. With the beginning of the tourist flow, seasonal and charter flights open here.
A little history
In 1980, the Ovda airbase was built as a military air hub. This happened after Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt. As a result, the State of Israel was in dire need of its own airfield, to replace the lost military air complex, according to the Camp David Agreement.
Over time, it was decided to use Ovda airport for civilian purposes. This was due to the proximity of the air complex to the famous resort of Eilat. In addition, the existing Eilat airport could not cope with passenger traffic in the summer and still does not have the required runway.
Location
Ovda Airport is located on a small plateau surrounded by low mountains. The distance from Eilat to the airport is 59 kilometers. Tourists fly here, not only going to the resorts of Eilat, but also those who want to spend their holidays on the shores of the Dead Sea. The distance from Ein Bokek (Dead Sea) to the airport is 169 kilometers.
Thanks to good bus connections, those keen to visit Tel Aviv and Jerusalem also arrive here. Intercity buses from Ovda to a specific destination run every day.
Infrastructure
Ovda Airport has retained the features of military specialization. There are no architectural delights here. The airport building itself has a rectangular shape. The arrival and departure halls are combined, so Ovda Airport has one display for everyone. Including charter flights.
But with its austere appearance, Ovda Airport (Israel) performs all the necessary cargo-passenger tasks of an international level, and the waiting room is quite spacious and well equipped.
There are no ATMs here, but there are two currency exchange points. But the exchange rate here is significantly different from what they can offer in the city. There are souvenir shops and cafes on the airport premises.
How to get there
More recently, many tourists found it difficult to get from the airport to Eilat or the Dead Sea resorts. But since 2015, commercial shuttles and public buses have been running from Ovda. At Ovda airport, bus schedules and aircraft arrivals are agreed upon in advance. This makes the arrival of tourists at the famous resorts of Israel more comfortable.
From the airport you can get to Eilat by public transport. Bus No. 282 is specially adapted for flights and waits for passengers 45 minutes after the plane lands. The ticket price is 6.5 dollars, and the round-trip ticket costs 10.9 dollars. If the flight is delayed for any reason, then the bus departs later.
You can also get to Eilat by commercial shuttle, the ticket costs $8. In this case, it is convenient that the shuttle takes people directly to the hotel they have booked. The same company's shuttles take people to Taba in Egypt and Aqaba in Jordan for $25. In addition, other shuttles can take people from Ovda to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv for $35.
For those flying with children or large luggage, it is more convenient to use the transfer. A taxi in this case will cost up to $140. But if you are traveling with your whole family or a group of up to 4 people, then using a transfer will be the best and most profitable option.
The path from Ovda airport to the Dead Sea resorts is somewhat difficult. Because in this case there are no direct bus connections. Those who go on vacation to the Dead Sea resorts must first take a bus to Eilat. And already in Eilat, transfer to bus number 444. On it you can go to Neve Zohar or Ein Bokek for 10.9 dollars. For a more comfortable trip, you can use a taxi.
Many are expecting the opening of a new civil airport in the Eilat area, which is being built 35 kilometers from the city. Then Ovda Airport will cease serving civilian flights and, possibly, will again become a military air hub.
Ovda International Airport (Eilat Ovda Airport) is located approximately 60 kilometers north of Eilat.
Coordinates: 29°56′N; 34°56′E
Code: VDA
Official website of Ovda Airport: www.iaa.gov.il/Rashat/en-US/Airports/Ovda
Ovda airport scoreboard online
Below is the Ovda airport schedule. On the display you will see a schedule of departures and arrivals according to local time, points of departure and destination, flight numbers and airline names.
In addition, you can get information about flight schedules and prices for flights either on the page about tickets to Eilat, or using the search form (to do this you will have to enter the required information in the required fields):
How to get from Ovda Airport to Eilat
Several times a day, regular bus No. 392 runs from Ovda to Eilat (flies from Baer Sheva; stops at the airport). A taxi ride to Eilat will cost approximately US$50.
In the diagram below you can see a map of the airport's surroundings. To zoom in on the image, double-click with the left mouse button, and to remove it, double-click with the right mouse button.
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There is a menu at the top right of the image. By default, the "Maps" item opens. The “Satellite” item will allow you to see photos of the airport’s surroundings taken from space.
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 eighties of the last century. 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 arriving in 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 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.
Ovda Airport in Israel is considered the second largest after Ben Gurion. It is located 60 kilometers from Eilat, a city in southern Israel. It was built as a military airport in 1980. In addition, it accepted aircraft transporting people on a commercial basis. The territory allowed small planes to land, since each runway was only 1900 meters.
It was assumed that Ovda would end its existence as a civilian airport by the beginning of 2010. Not far from it, the walls of a new structure were erected, originally built as a civil airport. But even today it is not completed. The name comes from the name of the military operation that put an end to the actions and declared the freedom of mankind.
Flights Moscow Ovda
In the "City of Arrival" field, start typing the word "Eilat" and select from the suggestions that pop up Eilat VDA.
Distance from Ovda to Eilat
The distance of Ovda Eilat is exactly 60 kilometers along Highway 12 in Israel.
How to get from Ovda to Eilat and from Eilat to Ovda
Now there is no need to order a transfer. Since the end of October 2015, bus number 282 has been running from the airport to Eilat.
Here is an example of the schedule of this bus on the glass of the Information center at the bus station in Eilat. As you can see, the bus leaves exactly 3 hours before the plane departs.
Information about bus number 282 Ovda-Eilat-Ovda from the website of the bus company egged.co.il.
In English.
Ovda, where is this
From Ovda to Eilat the distance is exactly 59 km. Aqaba is approximately 75 kilometers away.
The airport can be reached from the city of Beersheba by hourly city bus No. 392. An alternative way is to take a taxi. There is an electronic terminal in the building itself where you can call it by indicating your final destination. While you wait for a taxi, you can sit comfortably in duty-free.
The price will depend on the class of the car, as well as the seats. The average price for one passenger to the city of Eilat is 20 dollars, and to the sea 50 dollars. You can and should negotiate with the drivers of this type of transport. This way you can reduce the price of a trip to $80, with a minimum trip of $100.
If a person has ordered a trip, then a tourist bus arrives at the airport and provides a map on which the most interesting places are marked. Sometimes people board these buses without a ticket. But usually drivers identify such people who like to ride for free.
Ovda airport board
Online flight board Ovda.Services
The airport is considered military, so the interior design is sparse. There are no ATMs, so it is better to take care of cash in advance. There is an exchange office, but their exchange rate differs too unfavorably from that in the city. The hall is small, comfortable, there is a place where you can eat and buy souvenirs.
At the airport you can find:
1. One terminal. 2. The terminal has a bookstore, a souvenir shop, a cosmetics salon and boutiques. They constantly have promotions and discounts.3. There is always a children's room in the terminal.4. There are restaurants and cafes on site where you can have a snack.5. There is a hotel near the airport. The airport operates frequent flights to cities such as: 1. Moscow-Ovda. in Sheremetyevo. 2. London. 3. Paris. 4. Haifa.5. Berlin. 6. Amsterdam. 7. Manchester. 8. Arkia. 9. Tallinn.
Weather
The weather in Eilat in the surrounding areas is changeable. Summers are dry and hot with temperatures up to +45 degrees, winters are warm with little precipitation and temperatures from +22 to +26 degrees.
Resort city of Eilat
Travelers to the resort are especially attracted to the Eilat Observatory, where they can get acquainted with the inhabitants of the marine world. Excellent five-star hotels in Israel add to the elegance of the resort. There are beach areas on the seashore. The rich marine world attracts many people to study its features. But the main attraction is the coral reefs.
In 1966, a sign was placed on the beach area declaring the beach a nature reserve. In this city you can purchase goods at low prices, and these purchases are not subject to state taxes.
Most people in Eilat work in the tourism industry. This is explained by the fact that thousands of tourists visit this city every year. There are many hotels of different classes there. In the city, any citizen can find an establishment to suit their taste: nightclubs, pubs, restaurants, cafes. Eilat receives various ships and oil tankers.
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, 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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