Transportation
Ben Gurion International Airport is located about 15 km southeast of Tel Aviv, and in normal traffic it is about a 25 minute taxi-ride to the Grand Beach Hotel where you will be staying. The easiest and recommended way to get to the hotel is by taxi (but there are also trains and buses).
When you take a taxi from the airport to the hotel, it is best to ask for the (regulated) flat rate to Tel Aviv, which is about 140 NIS. When you ask for the flat fee be sure to tell the driver to turn off the meter, and be sure to ask for a receipt at the end of the ride. (Most drivers are honest, but unfortunately some do try to take advantage of tourists.) No tipping of taxi drivers is required or expected. The regulated taxis operate from the airport 24 hours a day. The taxi dispatcher is to your left after you exit the arrivals hall out to the street on the ground level. Cash machines are available in the luggage pickup area before customs. The cash machines generally accept internationally valid credit cards.
We remind you that the hotel is the Grand Beach Hotel Tel Aviv. The address is 250 Hayarkon St., Tel Aviv (at the corner with Nordau St.). This location is a five minute walk to the sea.
We recommend that you take your invitation letter to the meeting along with you in your carry-on, in the (unlikely) event that you need this for any kind of security interview in the airports.
When you take a taxi from the airport to the hotel, it is best to ask for the (regulated) flat rate to Tel Aviv, which is about 140 NIS. When you ask for the flat fee be sure to tell the driver to turn off the meter, and be sure to ask for a receipt at the end of the ride. (Most drivers are honest, but unfortunately some do try to take advantage of tourists.) No tipping of taxi drivers is required or expected. The regulated taxis operate from the airport 24 hours a day. The taxi dispatcher is to your left after you exit the arrivals hall out to the street on the ground level. Cash machines are available in the luggage pickup area before customs. The cash machines generally accept internationally valid credit cards.
We remind you that the hotel is the Grand Beach Hotel Tel Aviv. The address is 250 Hayarkon St., Tel Aviv (at the corner with Nordau St.). This location is a five minute walk to the sea.
We recommend that you take your invitation letter to the meeting along with you in your carry-on, in the (unlikely) event that you need this for any kind of security interview in the airports.
Currency
The Israeli currency is the Shekel (formally called New Israeli Shekel [abreviated NIS, or with the currency sign ₪]). At current exchange rate 1 US dollar is about 4 NIS, and 1 Euro is about 5 NIS. Change offices are available all across Tel Aviv. Major credit cards are in widespread use, and are accepted in almost every store and restaurant. If you need to withdraw cash, ATM machines are also quite abundant. Tips of 10%-15% are expected in most restaurants, unless specifically written 'service is included'.
Weather
Typical December temperatures are 9-19 °C (48-66 °F) in Tel Aviv and 8-14 °C (46-57 °F) in Jerusalem. It can rain.
Communications
Israel's country code is 972.
Free wifi is quite common in many restaurants and coffee shops and also in some other public places. Sometimes you have to ask for a password. In most (not all) areas of the university campus you can find wifi networks 'Free TAU' and 'Public TAU'. Use 'Free TAU' with the password 'free-tau'.
Free wifi is quite common in many restaurants and coffee shops and also in some other public places. Sometimes you have to ask for a password. In most (not all) areas of the university campus you can find wifi networks 'Free TAU' and 'Public TAU'. Use 'Free TAU' with the password 'free-tau'.
Food and Dining
Tel Aviv has a large diversity of restaurants serving an endless variety of food styles. The Tel Aviv Sea Port and Boardwalk, is a ten minute walk to the northeast of the hotel and is filled with restaurants, pubs, and cafes. This area is highly recommended.
Tap water is perfectly safe for drinking.
Tap water is perfectly safe for drinking.
Electricity
Electricity in Israel is 230V, 50 Hz. Sockets are predominantly the unique 'revised type H', which is usually compatible with the European 'type C' (two round pins).
Time Zone
The standard time zone all over Israel is UTC/GMT+2 hours (one hour ahead of most Europe).
Weekends
The weekends in Israel are Friday/Saturday. Tel Aviv is the 'city that never sleeps', and most everything is open (and also croweded!) on the weekends (including) Saturdays, and taxis are available as usual. The University is closed on the weekends.