In the following you will find information about how to reach Patras from Athens and Araxos airports if you are flying to Greece, or from Italy if you are taking the ferry.  Please note that information on timetables for all means of transportation are subject to change by the time of the Symposium.  Updated information will be posted on our web site at a time closer to the dates of the Symposium.  Nevertheless, before travelling, you may check with the web sites of the transportation organisations marked in the following guide.

How to reach Patras from:  Athens International Airport

By Coach or Private Car through the Symposium Transportation Service

By Bus

By Car

By Taxi and Limousine

By Train

Italy (by ferry)

Araxos Airport (serving Charter flights only)

Various Greek cities through seaplane service

How to reach Venue from:  Patras

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How to reach Patras from Athens International Airport (ATH)

Patras is connected by air mainly through the Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” which is located in Spata, 33 km southeast of Athens, and at a distance of approximately 240 kms from Patras.  Patras is connected to Athens Airport by train, by bus or by taxi.  You have the following options concerning your transportation from Athens Airport to Patras:

By Coach or Private Car through the Symposium Transportation Service

Aiming to expedite your journey from the airport to your hotel, saving you time and effort as you will not have to swap various means of transport, the Organising Committee (through MeetingPlanner.gr) will provide, at an extra cost, direct airport transfers to/from Patras from/to Athens International Airport through a coach service and/or a private car service. Please note that coaches will be provided according to the anticipated demand, so if you are interested please do book in advance, as on-site booking will not be available. Airport transfers from Patras to Athens Airport can be booked at the Symposium Travel Arrangements desk during the Symposium. For more information on the Symposium Transportation Service please click here.

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By Bus

The public bus line connecting the airport with the Kifisos Intercity Bus (or KTEL) Station (central station for buses that run domestic routes all over the country) is the Express line X93.  The bus runs every 30 minutes on average (click here to download timetable) and its station is next to Exit 5 at the Arrivals Level.  The route duration from the airport to KTEL station is less than 1 h, depending on traffic load.  Alternatively, KTEL station can be reached by taxi (approx. 30 min, 40 €).  From the Kifisos Intercity Bus Station take the coach to Patras (this bus service is operated by the Greek Bus Operators - KTEL).  Buses depart every 30 min (please click here to download the timetable).  The trip duration taking the Express Bus to Patras is  about 2.5 h (the Express Bus itinerary does not include intermediate stops).

Current ticket prices:

For X93 line to KTEL 3.20 €;

For KTEL bus to Patras 16.20 €.

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By Car

Several car rental companies currently operate at Athens International Airport with offices located at the Arrivals level. The car rental area is within walking distance from the Main Terminal Building, located at the northern side of the building (for more info please click here).  The main corridor providing access to Athens International Airport is “Attiki Odos”, a high-speed 6-lane toll motorway, connecting Elefsina with the airport.  Take the “Attiki Odos” highway from the airport towards Athens, and follow the signs to “Elefsina”.  Stay on this course for ca 55 Km (this route bypasses Athens from the north side).  Do not take the exit to "Elefsina" (end of "Attiki Odos", start of E94 highway) and start following the signs to “Korinthos”.  This course will bring you to the Toll Station at the entrance of the Athens – Korinthos – Patras Highway (E65 highway).  Cross the Toll Station and follow the signs to “Korinthos” for ca 55 Km.  Just before reaching the exit to Korinthos, start following the signs to “Patras”.  Stay on this course for ca 120 Km.  Right after the Rio toll station (about 200 km from Athens), exit, and follow the signs to the University Campus.  Use the same exit to reach most of the hotels in the vicinity of the Symposium Venue.  Total toll fee is 7 €.

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By Taxi and Limousine

Taxis and limousines queue outside the airport (next to Exit 3, Arrivals Level) providing service on a 24-hour basis. The average trip duration to Patras by taxi/limousine is 2.5 hrs and the one-way fare (regardless of passenger numbers) will be in excess of 300 € (plus any extra charges for excessive luggage). The driver is obliged to have the meter running for the duration of your journey. Please note that legally, taxi drivers at the airport reserve the right not to accept to take you to Patras.

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By Train

The Suburban Railway System (Proastiakos) runs every 2 hours (from 07:05 to 23:05 - to view the timetable please click here).  Take the Proastiakos, from the airport station to Korinth (Korinthos) terminal station.  The  route duration is 1h & 20 min.  Change train at Korinth station to Patras (waiting time between Athens-Korinth and Korinth-Patras itineraries is currently 1 h).  The trains to Patras run under the Hellenic Railways Organisation - OSE.  It is advisable to use the InterCity ( Icity -  ) train type as it is faster and more comfortable.  Trains run from Korinth approximately every 2 hours. InterCity train leaves Korinth at: 07:27, 09:21, 13:27, 17:27 & 19:21 (to view the timetable please click here); the average travel to Patras is 2h.

Current ticket prices:

For Proastiakos 8 € (4 € for students);

For OSE Intercity train from Korinthos to Patras 6.40 € (5 € for students);

For OSE Regular train from Korinthos to Patras 3.20 € (1.60 € for students).

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How to reach Patras from Italy (by ferry)

Patras’ modern port (located very close to the centre) connects the city with Italy through over 50 scheduled ferry routes per week.  There are numerous operating companies departing from Venice, Ancona, Bari and Brindisi.

Useful links:

Patras Port Authority S.A. (Telephone: +30 2610 341002), http://www.greekferries.gr/ .

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How to reach Patras from Araxos National Airport (GPA)

The Αraxos National Airport covers the needs of charter flights, serving 30.000 passengers annually, with an increasing number of incoming flights.  The airport lies 40 km southwest of the city of Patras and it is classified as military.  Several charter flights from European Countries offer weekly flights to Patras. Currently the following companies operate at Araxos National Airport on a weekly basis during the summer months:

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How to reach Patras from various Greek cities through seaplane service

From April 7^th 2006, AirSea Lines operates commercial flights from and to Patras, connecting the biggest port of Western Greece with the Ionian Islands: Corfu, Kefalonia, Paxos (Paxi), Ithaka (Ithaki) and Lefkas (Lefkada), as well as with Ioannina and  the Port City of Brindisi (Italy). The company has announced the enhancement of their network with Athens - Patras and Thessaloniki - Patras routes.

How to reach the Symposium Venue when in Patras

Getting to the Symposium Venue (Conference and Culture Center - Patras University Campus) or to any of the Symposium hotels is easy.  The Intercity Bus Station, The Train Station and the Port Terminals are all located in close distance from the city centre and taxis are easy to find (fares being relatively inexpensive).  Driving time to either the Symposium Venue or to any of the hotels from these points takes less than 15 min. Transportation from/to the Symposium hotels to/from the Symposium Venue will be provided through a bus shuttle service on a daily basis.