World City Guide

Getting There By Water

Although Tel Aviv is on the coast, its nearest international passenger ports are Haifa (website: www.haifaport.org.il), about one hour north, and Ashdod (website: www.ashdodport.org.il), about half an hour south. Both ports are run by the Ports and Railways Authority – PRA (tel: (03) 565 7000; website: www.israports.org.il).

Most passenger shipping uses the port at Haifa, which has facilities for up to five ships to dock simultaneously. Haifa has a modern passenger terminal with comprehensive facilities including a duty-free shop, souvenir shop and cafeteria, as well as a helicopter landing pad for private use. Ashdod is one of the few ports in the world built on the open sea and it too has a passenger terminal with facilities including a bank, buffet and police station.

Ferry services: Regular passenger services are scheduled between Israel and mainland Greece, Rhodes, and Cyprus, operated by shipping lines Poseidon (website: www.ferries.gr/poseidon) and Salamis (website: www.ferries.gr/salamis), but both companies have temporarily suspended services to Israel owing to risks posed by the Palestinian intifada. Schedules can be checked with the Ports and Railways Authority.

Transport to the city: Frequent Egged bus services go to Tel Aviv from both Haifa (journey time – 1 hours) and Ashdod (journey time – 30 minutes). There is also a rail link from Haifa to Tel Aviv. Although slower than the bus, it is a comfortable and enjoyable ride; trains run approximately every hour and cost around NIS20 (journey time – 1 hour 15 minutes).

Haifa port is located near the railway station and close to the centre of town, to which it is linked by a footbridge; however, from Ashdod port, it is necessary to take a taxi to the bus station.