Haifa Travel Forum

I plan to go to Haifa from the Dead Sea by car. My options are several. But if I rent a car inn Jerusalem and drive to the Dead Sea (Msada) in the morning and drive back to Tel Aviv and then Haifa late in the day. Would that be a good idea? Also, I heard that Haifa is a difficult place to drive around and orient oneself. We are not familiar with Haifa at all. Would it be hard to find a street?

1. Yes it is possible- a long drive, but still possible. Jer. to Massada in about 60-80 minutes, return is nearly the same. Driving directly from Jer. to Haifa (through road 6, or even the regular highway) is about 90-120 minutes. If you go into TLV itself, it would take much longer.

2. Haifa is spread on the Carmel Mountain, where there are several different sectors divided by valleys, on the slops of the mountain mostly toward the west and north and along the coast. This forms a labyrinth of curving roads, dead ends and various size neighborhoods in between. t may sound like a nightmare, but a careful preparation with a map could help you get orientated and get you objective in the easiest way. Still, unlike TLV of even Jerusalem, even if you'll settle there for a whole month, orientating would still be difficult. The main attractions and commercial area are easy to find since the road signs are clear.

If you only plan to drive in Haifa, you should consider going by train from Tel-Aviv and use taxis in Haifa itself. The train from Tel-Aviv to Haifa is about 40-45 minutes. There aren't too many tourist attractions in Haifa itself so using a taxi is not a problem. If you plan to drive in the vicinity of Haifa as well, you might consider leaving the car in a parking lot in the train station and take a taxi from there. I work in Haifa and has benn there dozens of time and still I find it very difficult to find my way.

Gil

Thanks! This and the other posting are very helpful for my planning. The reason I want to rent a car is to eventually get to Haifa to visit someone and then to Tiberias where I will return the car. On the way from Haifa, I plan to visit Nazareth.

Another option I am considering is to spend a more time to visit more places between Jerusalem and Masada along the highway 1 and 90. Rather than rush to Haifa, we will just return to Jerusalem, stay overnight and drive to Haifa the next morning.

How does this sound?

Oh, one more question: is the train station in Haifa a central place to meet people? Is it easy to get to from highway 1? From what you said, I am thinking of meeting my friend here and he can take us around.

Highway 1 is the one from Jerusalem to Tel-Aviv. From Tel-Aviv to Haifa you should take road number 2. If you want to take the quickest route, you should leave Jerusalem on highway 1 and switch to highway 6 (a toll road). This will bypass Tel-Aviv and will take you to road number 65 where you should take a left turn and join road number 2 in Caesaria, a right turn there and then all the way to Haifa. Or, if you want to stay on non-toll roads, take highway 1 from Jerusalem to Tel-Aviv, this will take you to the highway which goes thru Tel-Aviv (highway number 20). You drive in highway 20 to the Gelilot exit where you take a left turn and join road number 2. On the way to Haifa you might consider stopping in the ancient city of Caesaria. A beautiful archeological site right on the beach.

You can leave the car at "Hof Hacarmel" train station which is in the south exntrance to Haifa. From there it's very easy to go into the city. Also, there is a bus station there if you want to use public transportation.

Gil

All Haifa train stations are near the coast which would be quite far from mosr residential areas. Still going up to the Mt. Carmel districts, is a good way to get lost. The "Bat Galim" or "Haifa center" stations are close to lower Haifas centers and also to the "Carmelit" which is single line metro going up to the commercial center of the upper town where the very nice zoo, "Panorama mall", museums and promenate are.

The train station in Haifa is quite central the biggest is called Bat Galim station and it has good connection with buses for all ISRAEL the other one Hof Hacarmel that was mentioned here is smaller but nicer if you like to meet someone and have a coffee there is a bar by the seaside just next to it- it is called Camel or something like that - whatever you do in Haifa don't miss the Bahaian gardens and temple which are unique - you can check my site about more tips http://www.telaviv4fun.com

enjoy


Mary

Even though Bat Galim and Haifa center are closer to the lower city, the "Hof Hacarmel" station is the easiest to use. It's right next to Froyd road which goes up the Carmel to upper city of Haifa where most things are and you don't need to enter into the heavy lower city traffic. Also there are buses from there everywhere as they built a new Egged bus terminal there. So, if you need to get to one of the neighborhoods on the Carmel, you should use "Hof Hacarmel". If you need to get to the lower city or "Hadar", you better go to "Bat Galim".

Wow, thanks, Gil and Mary. You guys really make me feel Haifa is a place I must visit even just for its good people...The choices of the two stations are good. Which one we will go to will depend on my friend. I will report back to you for my Haifa experience. This is a great forum.

Gil, I noticed your photo was in China's Yun-nan province. A beautiful place.

Bob