Transportation
In the following you will find information about how to reach the ISWPC 2008 meeting venue and Santorini island, if you are flying to Greece or arriving by ferry. Please note that information on timetables for all means of transportation is subject to change by the time of the meeting. Updated information will be posted on our website at a time closer to the dates of the meeting. Nevertheless, before travelling, it is best to check the websites of the transportation organisations marked in the following guide.
Google Map (satellite image) showing Santorini in relation to Europe
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&om=1&msa=0&msid=114509144215019442741.000436b7228dee9628763&ll=46.860191,31.552734&spn=25.910973,59.0625&t=k&z=4
Getting to Santorini Island
Santorini is a very popular touristic destination and so is served by multiple connections via both air and sea. If you are coming from any European country you may reach Santorini by taking a connecting flight from Athens International Airport or a ferry from Pireaus port. In the summer time, many charter flights fly directly from various European cities to Santorini island.
By air
Travelling by air to Santorini is the least time consuming method. You can choose from 7-10 daily flights direct from Athens International Airport to Thera (Thira) Airport, Santorini, operated by Greece’s two national carriers – Olympic Airways and Aegean Airlines. The cost of a return flight from Thera (Thira) to Athens is approximately €150 and flight time is approximately 40 minutes.
Charter flights directly to Santorini (Thera) National Airport that operate from various European cities are also an option, if you are arriving from Europe.
Air Travel Contact Details
Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”
Arrivals/Departures: (+30) 210-353-0000;
General Information: (+30) 210-353-1000;
Website: www.aia.gr
Santorini (Thera) National Airport (JTR)
Tel.: +30 22860 28400
Fax: +30 22860 33349
Website: http://www.hcaa-eleng.gr/santor.htm
Aegean Airlines
Aegean Airlines operates 4-6 daily flights from Athens to Santorini and back. For more detailed information on prices and availability, please visit the Aegean Airlines website.
Website: www. aegeanair.com.
Tel: + 30 210 99 88 350
Olympic Airways
Olympic Airways operates 3-4 daily flights depending on the weekday. For more detailed information on prices and availability, please visit the Olympic Airways website.
Website: www.olympicairlines.com
Tel: +30 210 6261000
Charter Flights
For an indication of the airline companies that fly to Santorini airport during the summer months, please click here.
Charter Flights to Santorini (Thera) National Airport
Adria Airways |
Israir ltd |
Air Berlin |
Jetairfly-ex Tui |
Air Italy |
Jugoslavenski Aerotransport |
Air Malta |
Lithuanian Airlines |
Air Mediteranee |
Livingston S.P.A. |
Air One |
Malev |
Alitalia |
Map Jet |
Austrian Air Transport |
Mistral Air |
Blue Air Transport Aerian |
My Way Airlines |
Blue Panorama |
Neos S.P.A. |
Condor |
Nordic Airways AB |
Czech Airlines |
Nova Airlines |
Dubrovnik |
SAS- Norge |
Edelweiss |
SAS-Scandinavian Airlines |
Estonian Air |
Slovak Airlines |
Europe Airpost |
Swiss International Airlines |
Excel Airways |
Thomas Cook Belgium |
Excel France |
Thomas Cook UK |
Eurofly |
Thompsonfly |
Eurocyprian Airlines |
TNT Airways |
First Choice |
Transaero Airlines |
Finnair |
Transavia Airlines |
Gestion Aerea |
Travel Service |
Hamburg International |
Volare Airlines |
Iber World |
Wind Jet |
By Sea
Ferry connections between mainland Greece and Santorini are frequent, especially during the summer time. During the summer high season (June-August), ferries leave daily from Piraeus port to Santorini and vice-versa. A typical ferry journey is: Piraeus - Paros - Naxos - Ios - Santorini.
There are also frequent connections between Santorini and other Cyclades islands (Mykonos, Anafi, Amorgos) as well as Rhodes , Crete and Thessaloniki .
Taking the boat from Piraeus, the main port of Athens, you will to reach Santorini in around 9 hours with the classic ferry, 7 hours with the Blue Star Ferries and less with the catamaran or the hydrofoil (4.5hrs). During summer time there is a daily speed boat service (that takes 6hrs 20mins to reach Santorini) from the port of Rafina, an hour’s drive from Athens centre.
Getting to Pireaus port from Athens International Airport
You may reach Pireaus port from Athens International Airport either by taking a taxi (there is a taxi rank outside the airport arrivals level) or by public transport. A taxi journey from Athens International Airport to Pireaus will take about an hour and cost approximately 40 euro.
Athens Taxi Contact Numbers
Kosmos 18300 (quick dial from Athens) or +30 210-520-0020
Athina 1 1203 (quick dial from Athens) or +30 210-921-2800
Apollon +30 210-363-6508
Ikaros +30 210-515-2800
Asteras +30 210-614-4000
Enotita +30 210-645-9000
Ellas +30 210-645-7000
Protoporia +30 210-213-0400
Glyfada +30 210-960-5600
If you choose the public transport option, you will take the metro line (blue line) from the airport to Monastiraki station. At Monastiraki station you will change to the green line, in the direction of Pireaus. Pireaus port is then only a short walk from the train station. The total fare for this journey will be 6 euro and you may purchase your ticket from any metro station. Do not forget to validate your ticket before boarding.
Athens Metro PDF
Port Contact Details
Piraeus Port:
Tel: (+30) 210-414-7800
Rafina Port
Tel: (+30) 22940-22300
Ferry Contact Details:
Hellenic Seaways:
Tel: (+30) 210-419-9000
www.hellenicseaways.gr
Blue Star Ferries:
Tel: (+30) 210-891-9800
www.bluestarferries.gr
NEL:
Tel: (+30) 210-411-5015
www.nel.gr
Getting to the Meeting Venue
The meeting venue is easily accessible, located in Thera city, at a close distance to both Santorini’s airport and sea-port.
From Santorini (Thera) National Airport
Santorini (Thera) National Airport is in the eastern part of the island, close to Monolithos, 8 km from Thera city.
You may take a public transport bus from the airport to the centre of Thera. The bus will leave you at Thera’s central square and then it is a 10minute walk uphill along the caldera road to get to the meeting venue.
There are buses every hour and the fare is 1.20 euro one way and can be purchased from the bus driver.
The easiest way to reach your hotel/meeting venue is by taxi. The duration of the journey is 15 mins and will cost you around 10 euro. You may find a taxi outside the airport or call for one to come and pick you up.
Santorini (Thera) National Airport details (link to previous mention of these details)
From Santorini “Athinios” Port
Public buses are timetabled to meet every incoming ferry and will take you to the centre of Thera. The bus will leave you at Thera’s central square and then it is a 10minute walk uphill along the caldera road to get to the meeting venue. The cost of the ticket is around 1.50 euro one-way and can be purchased from the bus driver.
Taking a taxi from Athinios Port will take about 20 minutes and cost you around 15 euro.
Athinios Port Contact Details
Tel: +30 22860 22239
Getting Around the Island
The public bus service is quite well developed, however, if you would like to see some less touristy parts of Santorini, renting a car or motorbike from one of the many car rental agencies is perhaps a better option. Taxis are relatively inexpensive compared to European standards.
Public Transport
A very convenient and cheap way to get around the island is by bus. The service is reliable and reasonably punctual.
Buses run regularly from 7:30 am till late at night.
Sample fares (2007):
Kamari-Thera €1.20
Perissa-Thera €1.90
Akrotiri-Thera €1.60
Oia-Thera €1.20
Half-fare for children and disabled. Fares go up a touch late at night.
Detailed timetables can be found on the Santorini public bus website: www.ktel-santorini.gr or by calling: +30 22860 25404 or +30 22860 25462
By Taxi
Taxis in Santorini are a relatively inexpensive way to get around, however, at times can be hard to find.
Minimum charges start at 2 euro and then it depends where you go, if you share (the taxi driver considers each separate party as a second tariff), what time of the night it is, and of course there is an extra charge for luggage or having a taxi come to your hotel.
It is advisable to establish the fare before you get into the taxi.
Santorini Taxi Contact Numbers
+30 22860 22555
+30 22860 23951
+30 22860 23952
Car Rental
If you wish to explore the island on your own, you can rent a car, a motorbike or even a dune buggy at one of the many car rental agencies found on the island. The following car rental agencies are found at Santorini (Thera) National Airport:
Hertz : Tel. : +30 22860 33670
Europcar: Tel. : +30 22860 24610
Budget : Tel. : +30 22860 22900
Cable Car
You may take the cable car from Thera to the port and back. Journey duration is 3 minutes and it departs every 20 minutes from 07:20 to 10:45 daily.
The cost of a one-way ticket is 4 euros with an extra 2 euro for any luggage you may be carrying.
Tel: +30 22860 22978
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