The journey from Tel Aviv to Haifa, or back is incredibly simple. The two cities are approximately 100 km apart, with Haifa sitting north of Tel Aviv, directly north, along the coast. Getting between these two citites, there are four options: bus, train, shared taxi, or car.
Taking the Bus
Bus 910 runs from Tel Aviv’s Central Bus Station to Haifa’s Hof Ha Carmel Central Bus Station, stopping along the way at the Arlozorof Bus Station at Tel Aviv’s Central Railway Station, alongside towns including Herzliya, Netanya, and Caesarea.
The bus runs pretty well every hour during the day, and the journey takes around 90 minutes. Like almost all buses in Israel, from Friday afternoon until Saturday evening, there is no service due to Shabbat. The cost is ca. 24 NIS per person for a one-way fare. The reverse route and bus is exactly the same.
Using the bus in Israel is fairly simple, however
Getting the Train from Tel Aviv to Haifa
Trains run from Tel Aviv’s four train stations to Haifa’s three train stations, throughout the day – usually two or more times an hour. The train is the fastest way to get to Haifa, taking between 40 minutes and an hour, depending on how often the train stops along the way.
The train is also less susceptible to long delays caused by traffic, which can be common on the coastal road during the busier hours.
A single fare costs 31 NIS per person, and again, the train does not run during Shabbat.
Tours
For those who are looking to explore Haifa, joining a tour is a simple and hassle-free way to reach the city. Departing three times a week from Tel Aviv, the guaranteed departure Caesarea, Haifa, Akko, and Rosh Hanikra tour gives a quick overview of the city, enough to give a taste of what Israel’s third city has to offer. It starts and ends in Tel Aviv and is a convenient way to get around.
Shared Taxis from Tel Aviv to Haifa
Running at all hours, seven days a week, a shared taxi, or sherut, is the most flexible way to travel The taxis are 10 seater minibuses which run to no fixed schedule and are particularly prevalent during times when there is a limited bus or train service (in the evenings) or none, at night, or particularly on Shabbat.
The taxis run from Tel Aviv’s Central Bus Station, through the same route as the bus, to Haifa. The main difference is that, within Tel Aviv and Haifa, they will pick up and drop off at any point along the way, and out of the city, at any junction or bus stop (even those not served by the bus route).
Driving
Driving to Haifa is a simple task. Road 2, the Coastal Road, starts at Tel Aviv and ends at Haifa. It is the fastest way to get between the two cities, and without traffic, driving takes around one hour. During busier hours, it could easily take twice this time. Check out the video below for a time-lapse video of that journey!
