Flying abroad for vacation soon? Israel Railways announces service disruptions

Israel Railways will suspend service at Ben Gurion Airport and Modiin stations to connect the 431 railway to the national network during the peak travel season. Here are the affected dates.

MaarivAuthor: Moshe Cohen
Source
Flying abroad for vacation soon? Israel Railways announces service disruptions
Photo: Maariv / תחנת רכבת ישראל בנתב"ג | צילום: רויטרס

During the peak vacation season, train service at Ben Gurion Airport and Modiin stations will be suspended for three weekends due to works connecting the 431 railway—currently in advanced stages of construction—to the national rail network.

Israel Railways announced that on Saturday night (August 22, including night trains), the high-speed line between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem will not serve Ben Gurion Airport or Modiin stations.

Further disruptions are scheduled for the following weekends (August 27–29 and September 3–5), starting Thursday at approximately 22:00 and continuing through Friday and Saturday night. Service will resume every Sunday at 04:00. During these closures, a free shuttle service will be provided at the affected stations.

The 431 railway project includes 30 km of new electrified double track, bridges, and tunnels, alongside new stations: Rishon LeZion Tashach and Ramle Darom-Kiryat HaOmanim. The project features the country's longest railway bridge (approx. 3.5 km), connecting the Tashach and HaRishonim stations in Rishon LeZion. Once completed in 2027 or 2028, the line is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion on Highway 1.


Train traffic in the Haifa and Northern regions will also be affected over the weekend. Due to infrastructure and safety upgrades scheduled for August 20–22, the following changes apply:

  • Modiin Center–Nahariya line trains will operate only between Modiin Center and Haifa Center HaShmona.

  • Be'er Sheva Center–Karmiel/Nahariya line trains will operate only between Be'er Sheva Center and Haifa Center HaShmona.

  • The Haifa Hof HaCarmel–Karmiel and Atlit–Beit Shean lines will not operate.

Stations including Nahariya, Akko, Ahihud, Karmiel, Kiryat Motzkin, Kiryat Haim, Chutzot HaMifratz, Merkazit HaMifratz, Yokneam-Kfar Yehoshua, Migdal HaEmek-Kfar Baruch, Afula, and Beit Shean will be temporarily closed. Israel Railways will provide free shuttle services and reinforce regular bus routes.

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