Haifa
Haifa is Israel’s third largest city and is often referred to as the “San Francisco of Israel”. As the center of commercial, cultural and educational life in the north Haifa attracts a diverse population and is one of Israel’s mixed Jewish-Arab cities. The lower city stretches along the coastline and around the bay and flows upward on the slopes of the Carmel Mountains. The view from the top on Haifa’s scenic panorama drive is one of the most spectacular in Israel affording breathtaking views of the Bay and the exquisite Bahai Gardens.
Haifa Travel
Parking
If you’ve decided that Haifa car rental is the solution for you, below are some tips that could be useful. Parking in Haifa is quite reasonable. Curbs on the main roads are painted with blue and white stripes indicating that parking is allowed with vouchers that must be displayed in the car and can be purchased from vending machines on the streets. The blue and white zones have signs explaining the parking regulations.
In some of the more commercial districts parking meters insure a turnover of spots for the convenience of customers. Be on the lookout for grey curbs where parking is free with no time limit.
Haifa also has parking lots throughout the city which charge rates that vary during the day and night.
Road conditions
As Haifa is built on hillsides some of the roads are winding and steep as they climb to the peak of the Carmel. Road #4 is the main road along the coast that going north connects Haifa to Acre, Nahariya, and Israel’s northern border and going south connects the city to Netanya and Tel Aviv. Several roads branch off Road #4 and head up the Carmel slopes.-an important piece of information for any Haifa car rental.
Driving tips
Seatbelt use is mandatory in both the front and rear seats.
Children under the age of 14 are not permitted to sit in the front seat.
Speaking on cellphones is permitted only when they are installed in a holder that permits hands-free talking. The fines for talking on hand-held phones can be stiff.
A Haifa car rental requires that you have your driving license with you at all times. The car rental contract and insurance papers must also be in the vehicle whenever the car is being driven.
Speed Limits
Haifa car rental requires you to obey the regulations and according to the law.
Speed limit inside the city: 50 km/h.
Roads outside the city that are divided only with painted lines : 80 km/h.
Divided roads outside the city with guard rails: 90 km/h.
Divided Highways: 100 km/h.
Toll roads: 110 km/h.
Fines for speeding can be hefty and cars and be confiscated. Drive safely!