Getting to Haifa from Ben-Gurion (TLV) airport
Conference buses (No Train)
Unfortunately, the direct train from TLV to Haifa will not work between Aug 17 to 28. To address this difficulty, we organized four free buses (on Aug. 20 at 7:30, 10:00, 14:00, and 16:00), and we also try to coordinate taxi sharing (for those who cannot use these buses).
If your flight arrives 45 minutes before one of the buses, we recommend that you plan to take that bus. To reserve (a free) seat on one of the four SPUDM buses please answer the relevant question in the following Google Form (we can promise a seat to the first 50 registered participants).
https://goo.gl/forms/ydsV6zpY1vhK5uZH3
The meeting point for the buses will be near Cafe Kakao by exit gate 02 in the arrival hall. Please look for the sign “SPUDM”.
Sharing cabs
If the timing of the buses from the airport does not fit your schedule, we recommend that you try to coordinate sharing a taxi to Haifa with other SPUDMers. The official price of taxi from TLV to Haifa is 480 Shekels (plus a fee for extra stops and large luggage items). To facilitate the coordination, please take the following steps:
i. Add your arrival details to the following bulletin board (BB): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12Pvt25B8xx2Hq6FYArmRbNJIjpG2jjygzrm65SODBLg/edit?usp=sharing
ii. Use the data in this file to try to coordinate, via email, taxi sharing with people that arrive with you. Israeli participants driving to Haifa and pass near the airport are encouraged to use the BB to check if they can pick up other participants.
Shared shuttle
Amal Taxi operates shared taxi service from the Ben Gurion Airport to Haifa (costs 120NIS≈32USD). Taxis are available (continuously regardless of Shabbat) coming out of gate 02 directly on the right side (Amal shuttle service – Tel. 972-4-8662324). This transport serves up to 10 passengers per vehicle and will leave the airport upon filling the cabin, so you may experience some waiting time until departure.
This service takes each passenger to her/his own destination, thus possibly prolonging the trip in Haifa itself.
Daily Transportation to the conference activity
The conference program presents the exact timing of the busses from the hotels to the different activities. There will be one bus from Leonardo that will stop Hof HaCarmel train station (the mountain side). Second one bus from Dan panorama. People that stays in other hotels in the Carmel center, are asked to walk to Dan Panorama.
Instructions for drivers:
The street address (that WAZE understands) of Yama (the reception on Aug 20) is “David Elazar St 10, Haifa.” There is entrance for an indoor parking lot (20 Shekels) from the north side of the Building.
To enter the Technion, tell the people in the gate that you participate in the conference SPUDM. To be in the safe side, bring the first page of the program.
The safest parking place in the Technion is near Canada building (WAZE knows as “Canada Building, Haifa”). There is a nice 400 meter walking trail from Canada to Bloomfield.
If you cannot walk from Canada, inform Mili <milih@technion.ac.il>, and she will give you a phone number to call when you arrive to the faculty parking lot (to open the gate). In that case, ask WAZE to direct you to “Bloomfield Building, Haifa.”
Some Useful Information
Currency: New Israeli Shekel (NIS). In short “Shekel”. All major currencies are exchangeable. Current exchange varies: 1 USD = 3.5 NIS, 1 Euro = 4 NIS
All major credit cards are accepted in shops, restaurants ect. (not always by Taxi drivers) and are not accepted in public transportation.
Automatic bank machines for cash on Campus: Bank Leumi located on campus (see map). For any other transactions such as traveller checks. The Bank hours are: Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday: 08:30-13:30; Monday and Thursday: 08:30-12:30 and 15:00-17:00.
Electricity: The electric current in Israel is 220 volts AC, single phase, 50 Hz.
Most Israeli sockets are of the three-pronged variety (Type H). In most cases, it accepts the European two-pronged plugs (Types E and F), but does not accept the US Type A. See http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/
Internet: You have free access to internet at the hotel/guest house, and public WiFi at the Technion Campus.
Post Office: Situated on campus below the main library Building. It is open Sunday to Thursday from 08:00 to 15:00.
Student Store “Michlol”: Is located on campus and is open Sunday-Thursday 8:00-18:00; Friday 8:00-12.00.
Medical First Aid on Campus: A campus medical clinic (including a doctor) is situated below the Central Library (next to the post office). For Medical Emergencies dial 101 from any phone. Haifa has three excellent hospitals and many medical clinics. Campus security can be reached at 04-8294242 or 04-8293590 or internal extension 4242 or 3590 from any campus phone.
Tourism: For special attractions in Haifa, please visit the following website information. More places that worth visit (among other) are Jerusalem, Massada and Dead Sea. You might wish to have a look at the following site https://www.beinharimtours.com/ which organizes very nice tours and where you will find much more options.