Travel Info
Travelling to Patras
By Sea
There are direct overnight trips via ferries departing from Italy (ports of Ancona, Bari, Brindisi or Trieste). For schedule and prices look at the websites of Anek Lines, Minoan Lines, Superfast Ferries.
By Plane
From Araxos airport which is located 50 Km West of Patras and it is served by several airline companies (e.g.,Ryanair, LTU, TUIfly, SkyExpress, etc), especially in the period May to October. From Araxos, you can reach Patras either by bus, or by taxi (approx. 40-50 Euros).
From Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" which is located 250 Km East of Patras. There are regular flights connecting Athens to most European cities.
Reaching Patras from Athens airport
- By Car
Several car rental agencies operate on the airport. The new “Attiki Odos” high-speed toll motorway connects the airport with Athens and the main greek highways. Leave the airport following initially the signs to ATHINA and then to ELEFSINA to enter “Attiki Odos”. From that point on just stay on the highway following the signs to ELEFSINA, subsequenty to KORINTHOS, and finally to PATRA. After Korinthos, the highway splits into two and you must follow the right way (there are signs to PATRA). The total distance between Athens airport and Patras is about 250km. To reach Patras, take the exit “PATRA-CENTRE / PORT”, and then follow the signs to “Port”.
- By Train
The “Proastiakos” (suburban) railway, operated by “Trainose”, connects Athens airport to the railway network of the rest of Greece operated by the “OSE” company. You can take the train from the airport with direction to Peiraias port and then change at railway station «Kato Acharnai» to line Piraeus – Athens – Kiato with direction to Kiato. At the Kiato station passengers, with final destination Patras, transfer to buses serving the Kiato-Patras line. Trainose bus services operate between Kiato and Patras (and vice versa) due to ongoing infrastructure works on the railway line between those two stations. The current timetable can be seen here.
Tickets can be purchased through the Trainose web application (by selecting a specific train and then clicking on the "Seat selection and passangers" button) or through Android/iOS applications
- By Bus
The “KTEL Achaias” intercity bus company has regular buses to Patras. You must first get to the Kifisos Bus Station . You can get there from the airport, either by taxi or by taking the X93 express bus (24-hour service) that departs just outside the airport terminal at the Arrival level. The bus stop is next to Arrival Exit 5. You can buy ticket on the bus. Either way it takes about 60 min to get there, and the bus runs approximately every 30 minutes 24 hours a day, seven days a week (X93 timetable). Kifisos Bus Station is the last stop of X93.
From Kifisos Bus Station there is a bus to Patra almost every 30 minutes (current schedule). The first bus departs around 05:30 and the last one around 22:30. Trip time is around 3 hours 10 minutes (or 2 hours 40 minutes for an “express” bus). You must buy a ticket before boarding. There is a big ticket hall at the east side of the station. Head for the booth with the signs “Achaia” and/or “Patra”. There is no need to reserve tickets in advance, you will usually find a ticket for a bus leaving in the next hour. Ask at the ticket booth for directions on how to find the proper bus.
VISA
Please check the web page VISAS for foreigners traveling to Greece of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic whether you need a visa for entering Greece, and/or cross-check with your nearest Greek Embassy or Consulate.
Reaching the Conference Venue
From Patras Center
- By Suburban Railway
The Patras Suburban Railway (ΠΡΟΑΣΤΙΚΟΣ) runs every hour, 7 days per week, connecting Patra's main train station to the Universiry Campus. Trains depart from Patra's main station at xx:34, with the first train departing at 06:34 and the last one at 23:23. To reach the University Campus, you get off at "Kastelokampos" (fourth station) and transfer to a connecting local bus (ΠΡΟΑΣΤΙΚΟΣ) that brings you to the Campus. The conference venue is close to the first bus stop within the Campus (rail bus stop). You can buy tickets in the train station (the ticket is also valid for the connecting bus). Here is the full route's timetable and map.
- By Bus
From the city center, take bus No 6 (starting point at Ermou street), or bus No 9 (starting point at Othonos and Amalias street ), heading at University (ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟ) or Hospital (ΝΟΣΟΚΟΜΕΙΟ)- in case of doubt, confirm with the driver. Bus No 6 runs every 15 minutes, while bus No 9 every 30 minutes (for details, see the schedule of No 6 and No 9). The conference venue is close to the second bus stop within the campus. You must buy a ticket before getting on the bus, either from the special booths of the Local Bus company in the city center, or from some kiosk.
From Hotels near the Conference Venue
- From Airotel Achaia Beach Hotel
Take the bus from the suburban railway stop "Kastelokampos" (about 350m from the hotel). Buses depart at xx:48. - From Castello Hotel
By walking (about 600m from the hotel). - From Porto Rio Hotel
Take the bus from the suburban railway stop "Kastelokampos" (about 800m from the hotel). Buses depart at xx:48. - From Tzaki Hotel
Take the train from the suburban railway stop "Bozaitika" (about 550m from the hotel), departing at xx:44, get off at "Kastelokampos" (next stop) and transfer to the connecting local bus that brings you to the Campus. Alternatively, take the bus from the bus stop "No6 & No9 University-Hospital" (about 800m from the hotel).
Map Info
ICALP 2019 Conference Venue, Bus and Train Routes
Hotels
Local Info
Social Dinner
The ICALP 2019 social dinner will take place at the Omega Yachting Club, well known for its exquisite and unique cuisine, in a picturesque location by the sea with spectacular views at dusk, overlooking the Patras gulf and the Charilaos Trikoupis fully suspended bridge.