Travel

Getting to Athens

At the crossroads of Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Athens is a city that is easily accessible from virtually any point of departure, via air, sea or road.

By Air

The Athens International Airport, “Eleftherios Venizelos”, has been serving Greece's capital since opening to the public on March 28th, 2001. Flights from major airport hubs in London, Berlin, Paris, New York, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Zurich, Rome, Milan, Larnaca and Dubai come in daily and frequently. Arrivals/Departures: (+30) 210-353-0000 General Information: (+30) 210-353-1000 www.aia.gr

By Sea

There are daily ferryboat connections from Italy (Ancona, Bari and Brindisi, Venice and Trieste) to Patras, the second largest port of entry to Greece which is approximately 220 km (135 miles) from Athens. You may reach Athens from Patra by taking the suburban bus service (KTEL) which takes 3 hours and costs 17.20 euro. Please consult the Public Transport section for more information on the suburban bus service. Superfast Ferries and Minoan Lines have scheduled ferries from Italy to Patras and vice versa. Please consult Greek Ferry Contacts for detailed timetables and price list information. If you are thinking of visiting one of the many Greek islands, Piraeus Port is the closest port to the conference venue, serving domestic ferry schedules. The Middle East part of Greece is accessible via the port of Volos. Piraeus Port is Greece’s main port with a year-round service to international destinations as well as to the Argosaronic (Hydra, Spetses, Poros, Aegina and Salamina), Dodecanese, Ionian and Cycladic islands. Please note that Piraeus does not service the islands of the Sporades.

Piraeus Port: (+30) 210-414-7800
Agios Konstantinos Port: (+30) 22350-31759
Lavrio Port: (+30) 22920-25249, (+30) 22920-22920
Lavrio port has a year-round service to Kea, Kithnos, Syros, Tinos, Andros, Ios, Sikinos, Folegandros, Milos, Paros, Naxos, Limnos, Agios Efstratios and Kavala
Rafina: (+30) 22940-22300
Year-round service to Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Marmari, Evoia.

By Train

In general, in Greece, train ticket prices are similar to those of suburban buses. The main railway network of Greece currently provides links between Athens, Northern and Southern Greece and the rest of Europe through the Western Balkan countries and Bulgaria. In order to travel to Athens from other European countries, you must change at Thessalonica station (contact tel.No: +30 2310 598120), located in the North of Greece. The journey time from Thessalonica to Athens is 4hrs and 15mins and the cost is around 50 euro (one-way) with the Intercity Express line. Some of the destinations served by Thessalonica station include Sofia, Constantinople, Vienna and Moscow.

Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE)
Peloponnisou (+30) 210-513-1601 (serves southern Greece)
Larisis (+30) 210-529-7777 (serves northern Greece and international routes)
For more information dial 1110 (from Greece) or visit www.ose.gr.
Information regarding disabled access: 210 5298838

Getting to the Conference venue from the Airport

By Airport Express bus

There is 24-hour bus service in the International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) at the Arrivals Level, between Exits 4 and 5. The departure frequency of the buses is approximately 20’ min until nightshift and approximately 40’ min from the beginning of nightshift.

The itinerary between the airport and the Divani Apollon Palace & Spa Hotel is covered by the Bus number X96 and the nearest point to the hotel for disembarkation is the stop Pigadakia.

There is a 10’ to 15’ min walking distance from the stop Pigadakia to the Divani Apollon Palace & Spa.

Bus Itinerary from Eleftherios Venizelos Airport to Divani Apollon Palace & Spa.

By Taxi

There is 24-hour taxi service at the Arrivals’ Terminal in Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos). Taxis are available at the designated area located at Exit 3 of Arrivals level.

The distance from the airport to the Divani Apollon Palace & Spa is approximately a 20’ to 30’ min ride. The cost is around 30€ with Tariff 1 (05:00 am - 00:00) and 35€ with Tariff 2 (00:01 - 04:59 am).

By rental car

Various car rental companies currently operate at the Athens International Airport. You can find their offices at the Arrivals Level of the Main Terminal Building.