Is Tel Aviv Safe in January 2026?

Unlicensed drivers waiting in the arrivals hall at Ben Gurion Airport offer rides to Tel Aviv at flat rates that appear competitive but are two to three times the metered fare. They may also take long routes and claim toll charges that do not exist.

How to avoid: Use only the official metered taxis from the designated rank outside Arrivals Level G, or take the direct train from the airport to Tel Aviv HaHagana station. Always insist the meter is running.

In some bars and tourist restaurants in Tel Aviv, extra drinks or dishes that were never ordered appear on the bill. The venue counts on tourists not checking carefully, especially after a night of drinking.

How to avoid: Always request an itemized bill and review every line before paying. Question any charge you do not recognize. Pay with a card so you have a clear record and can dispute unauthorized charges with your bank.

Sherut (shared minibus taxi) operators outside Ben Gurion Airport approach tourists offering rides to Tel Aviv at seemingly fixed prices, but charge more than the official rate or add fees for luggage.

How to avoid: The official sherut rate to Tel Aviv is fixed and posted at the official sherut rank inside the terminal. Use the official rank, not operators who approach you outside. The train (NTA) from the airport to Tel Aviv is cheaper and faster.

Fraudulent short-term rental listings on Airbnb and local Israeli property platforms advertise Tel Aviv beach apartments at below-market rates. Victims are directed off-platform to pay by bank transfer, claiming the platform commission is avoided. Properties either do not exist or belong to someone else. Demand peaks around Jewish holidays and major events make the scam particularly lucrative.

How to avoid: Never move a booking off the Airbnb or Booking.com platform, regardless of claimed savings. Payments made outside the official platform have zero buyer protection. If a host insists on direct transfer, report the listing and find an alternative.

SMS phishing campaigns targeting tourists and visitors impersonate Israeli banks (Bank Hapoalim, Bank Leumi, Mizrahi Tefahot) with messages about account security alerts or required card verification. Links lead to convincing Hebrew-language fake bank portals. Israeli banks do send SMS verification codes for legitimate transactions, making it easy to confuse legitimate and fraudulent messages.

How to avoid: Contact your bank only through the official app or phone number on the back of your card. Israeli banks will never ask you to confirm card numbers or passwords via SMS link. Enable transaction notifications through your actual bank app to monitor usage.