Attend

SYSTOR 2023 will be held in the Samuel Neaman Institute of the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology at Haifa.

Participants arriving with their private car will be required to show their registration to SYSTOR in order to be let in within the Technion campus.  Parking will be available for SYSTOR participants – see details below.

From Ben-Gurion International Airport to Haifa

Ben-Gurion International Airport – Haifa: 115km/71.5 miles

Train
From the Ben Gurion Airport train station, located near the arrivals hall in the airport, you can take a direct train to Haifa – Hof HaCarmel station (connected to Bus and Taxi services), or HaMifrats Central Station (connected to the  cable car ( “Rachbalit” ) to the Technion, and bus service).

Note that trains and buses do not generally run on Saturdays in Israel. If you arrive on Friday afternoon or Saturday, you will probably want to rent a car or take a taxi to Haifa.

Shared Taxi Service (“Sherut”)
Sheruts are much cheaper than the price of a private taxi, but keep in mind that you may have to wait a while, since the taxi only leaves the airport when it is full. The rate for a one way trip from the airport to Haifa (city center) is about 75 NIS (~USD$20) or 115 NIS (~USD$32) for a specific address.

Taxi
As you exit from the terminal building, look for the supervised taxi stand. Give your destination to the dispatcher and he will direct you to the correct taxi. The fares from the airport to some destinations including Haifa are fixed, so the driver should not use the meter. The rate for a one way taxi trip from the airport to Haifa is about 521 NIS (~USD$140) or 637 NIS (~USD$172) during nights and Saturdays.

Rental Car
Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, and other local firms have offices at the airport.

Getting to the Technion Campus and to Samuel Neaman building

By Public Transportation

For bus lines and cable car consult Access Routes to the Technion Campus | Technion sustainability hub

Coming by bus, take the second stop inside the campus (“Technion/MEONOT HAAMIM), and walk down (physically, up/north on the map) according to the dashed green line (5 min).

Coming by the “Rachbalit” cable car – take the Technion Center stop and walk according to the dashed green line (12 min).

Coming by Taxi – the driver should take the green line from the Technion gate – he’ll probably  be allowed through the barrier to reach the Samuel Neaman building (otherwise you’ll need to walk the last 150 meters along the dashed green line).

By Car

Note: the conference is on the semester period and parking close to the Samuel Neaman building is difficult

Alternative A (recommended) – “Aeronautics Parking” (enter in Waze / Google Maps) and Shuttle:  Crossing the Technion Neve Shaanan gate, take the middle road (blue line on the map),  then second right, and then the second left – you can park along the road until and beyond the circle and wait by your car. You may then either walk to the Naeman building (some 15 mn) or use the shuttle which will operate continuously starting from the circle (see map) Mon 8:30 – 10:30 and Tue 8:15 – 10:30 and collect the drivers along this road. The shuttle service back  – Mon 12:30 – 15:30 and Tue 13:00-15:30, 17:00-19:00.

Alternative B:  Crossing the Technion Neve Shaanan gate take the left road (green line on the map), and try to find a parking place along the green line and walk along the dashed green line to the building. If no success,  connect by the purple line to Alternative A.

Note: walking from the parking to Samuel Neaman building is about 16 min down hill.

Participants from most EU countries and the USA do not need visas to Israel. For participants from other countries, we suggest you check with your travel agent, local Israeli embassy, or consulate.

All visitors to Israel must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date they enter the country. Please contact the conference secretariat if a letter of invitation is needed to assist in applying for a visa.

Visa Info

The Embassy of Israel to the United States website contains information on how to obtain a visa for those traveling to Israel.  This website includes contact information for the Israeli embassies and consulates worldwide.  Because regulations for visa authorization tend to change periodically, we recommend that you verify the information on the website with the relevant embassy or consulate.

For visa support letters, please send all requests to supportletters@acm.org as instructed here.

Liability

Participants are advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance coverage. The conference organizers shall not be liable for any loss or damage to property belonging to conference participants nor for personal injuries sustained during or as a result of the SYSTOR Conference.

Airport Information

Ben Gurion International Airport is the main international gateway to and from Israel. It is situated approximately 50km (31 miles) west of Jerusalem.

Climate and Clothing

It is summer in Israel in June. Average temperatures: 18°C – 28°C (64°F – 82°F). The weather forecast for June 5-7, 2023, indicates a temperature range of 22°C to 25°C (71°F to 77°F). Casual dress is appropriate for all conference occasions. Sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses are essential items throughout the year.

Electricity

The voltage in Israel is 220-240 volt AC.

Shopping

Stores are generally open Sunday through Thursday 09:00-19:00 and Friday 09:00-14:00. Most shopping malls are open also on Saturday from one hour after sundown until 22:00. All “Superpharm” and “Newpharm” stores include a pharmacy.

Banking and Changing Money

Banks are open Sunday through Thursday 08:30-12:00 and on some afternoons. Hours vary by branch. All banks are closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

The New Israeli Shekel (NIS) is the official currency in Israel. Foreign currency of all kinds may be exchanged at the airport, banks, post offices, most hotels or licensed exchange agencies. Most if not all establishments that accept credit cards will honor cards issued outside of Israel. These cards will also work in most ATMs to withdraw NIS or $US.

Tourism Information

Lonely Planet: Top Things to do in Haifa
PlanetWare: 14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Haifa
The Haifa Israel travel guide
Israel21c: 18 cool things to do in Haifa

Mirabelle Plaza Hotel
A block of rooms has been set aside for SYSTOR 2023

Deluxe room at the rate of 590 NIS + VAT

Executive room at the rate of 750 NIS + VAT

(single occupancy including breakfast). Additional charge for double occupancy – 130 NIS.

For reservation, please contact SYSTOR local organizers:  Mor.Wiener@ibm.com

 

Golden Crown Hotel
A block of rooms has been set aside for SYSTOR 2023:
Superior at the rate of 550  NIS + VAT
Business at the rate of 580  NIS + VAT
(single occupancy including breakfast). Additional charge for double occupancy- 60 NIS.
For reservation, please contact the hotel reservation center directly: business@goldencrown.co.il