This type of questions is better answered on the Information Desk on the wiki or on the OTRS queues, but what the heck.

Yes, the shuttle taxis wait to fill up. They have some kind of time from the arrival of the first passenger after which they must  to depart even if they're not full, but that time can be rather longish and it'll be difficult to argue about this with the driver. Bring some patience, and you can always take a nap in the van while it's waiting :) Or you can always take the train if you don't like waiting like this.

I doubt the senior citizen discount is applicable for visitors.

I think you'll arrive in Haifa between 7 and 8 am. Apart from asking for an early check-in at the hotel (not sure how easy it'll be to arrange, but one can try), my best recommendation is for you to come hang out at the conference venue, meet people (we have a few meetings taking place already on Tuesday), chill out, then go to your hotel at about 1 or 2 pm to check in and rest. If you're early at the venue before people start showing up, you can always spend an hour at one of the many coffee houses along HaNassi avenue (next to the venue), some of them surely open at about 8 am or even before.


Harel Cain
Wikimania 2011 local team




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Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum videtur.