Conference Venue and Transport
SoCS 2015 will be held in Kibbutz Ein Gedi, Dead Sea.
Tel: 972-8-6594222, Fax: 972-8-6584328,
Web Site: http://www.ein-gedi.co.il/en_index.htm
Climate
The weather in Ein Gedi in early June is sunny and hot but dry. A typical range of temperatures is from 36°C at noon down to 25°C at night (97°F - 77°F). There is an outdoor swimming pool in the venue which will be opened to SoCS participants. There is also a fancy spa. Light clothes are suggested at all times.Visas
Participants from most EU countries and the US do not need visas to Israel. For participants from other countries we suggest you check with your local Israeli embassy or consulate. Invitation letters will be issued upon request.Insurance
Participants are advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance coverage. The Symposium Organizing Committee and/or Diesenhaus-Unitours Incoming Tourism Ltd., shall not be liable for any loss or damage to property that belongs to SoCS participants nor for personal injuries sustained during or as a result of SoCS, or during tours.Distances
Ben-Gurion International Airport – Ein-Gedi: 129km / 81 milesTel-Aviv – Ein-Gedi: 143km / 89 miles
Jerusalem – Ein-Gedi: 83km / 52 miles
Jerusalem – Ben-Gurion International Airport: 52km / 32.5 miles
Transportation
Symposium Transportation to Ein-Gedi, Thursday, June 11
Free transportation to Ein-Gedi will be provided for participants who have reserved seats on the Registration & Accommodation Form. The bus leaves shortly after ICAPS ends (approximately 17:30) From Beit Shmuel (ICAPS Venue). Pre-reservation of this service is required prior to the Symposium. Please register for it on the Registration Form.
Symposium Transportation from Ein-Gedi on Saturday, June 13
Free transportation from Ein-Gedi will be provided for participants who have reserved seats on the Registration & Accommodation Form.
Departure: After Symposium adjourns: 5pm
| Drop off: | First stop: | Dan Boutique Hotel, Jerusalem, (6:20pm, Estimated) |
| Second Stop: | Central Bus Station, Jerusalem (6:40pm, Estimated) | |
| Third stop: | International terminal, Ben-Gurion Airport. (7:20pm, Estimated) |
Individual Airport Transportation
Unfortunately, there is no convenient bus or train service from the airport to Jerusalem. However, the following transportation services are available:
NESHER Tours - Shared Taxi Service From/To Jerusalem
NESHER Tours operates a special shared taxi service from/to the Airport, drop off at your hotel in Jerusalem, and pick-up from hotels to the Airport. They are located outside the Airport terminal 3. Possible wait: 1 hour. This service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. On your way back, transfer from your hotel in Jerusalem to the Airport needs to be reserved 2 days prior to departure. Please ask the reception desk at your hotel. Price: US$ 22 per person per ride. They do not have round trips tickets.
Taxis From/To Jerusalem
Taxis are freely available outside the Airport terminal. There is a flat rate from/to Jerusalem, approx. 85 USD per car. A 25% surcharge for night trips is in effect from 21:01 until 05:29 and from 14:00 on Fridays and on Saturdays.
Airport Arrival/Departure Transfers to/from Ein Gedi
Offered to overseas participants whose arrival/departure time does not enable them to use the Workshop’s free transportation. A shared airport transfer service to/from Ein-Gedi is available at US$52 per person. Waiting time on arrival - up to two hours. The transfer should be booked in advance in the registration form. Upon arrivial, please approach the "SESHIR JC SERVICE" counter at Ben-Gurion Airport after going through customs, located at the Arrivals Hall, 1st floor (near the rent-a-car counters). Travel time: Approx. 2.5 hours. Flight details must be provided in advance.
Airport Arrival Transfers to/from Jerusalem (pre/post-symposium)
A shared airport transfer service from the airport from/to your hotel in Jerusalem is offered to Symposium participants at US$40 (one way). Possible wait - up to 1 hour. A Diesenhaus-Unitours representative will meet you upon arrival inside the Arrivals Hall, after you go through passport control. He/She will be holding a sign "SoCS". This service can be booked in the registration form.