SAND  3rd edition  (2024)

June 5-7, 2024
University of Patras, GREECE

Frequently Asked Questions

Conference Venue

Location

The 3rd edition of SAND will be hosted by the University of Patras, at the Conference & Cultural Center.

University of Patras	Aerial Photo of UP Campus	Main Hall of Conference & Cultural Center

Patra is the main city of Western Greece, at the northwestern coast of Peloponnesus. It is the third largest city in Greece and has always been the major sea port connecting Greece with Italy. The important archeological sites of Olympia and Delphi are close to the city (located at 90Km and 115 Km away). You may also enjoy a virtual tour of Patra.

Some photos of Patra

St. Georgiou Square	Municipal Theatre "Apollon"	Light House at the Old Port
Riga Feraiou Pedestrian Street	Agiou Nikolaou Stairs	Roman Odeon of Patras
New Port of Patras	Charilaos Trikoupis Suspended Bridge	Marina of Patras

Reaching Patras with Ferryboats or Charter Flights

By Ferry

There are direct overnight trips via ferries connecting Patras with the Italian ports of Ancona, Bari, Brindisi and Venice. You may have a look at the Online Ferry Booking database, or directly to the websites of the ferry companies that operate between Patras and these Italian ports, e.g., Anek Lines, Minoan Lines and Superfast Ferries.

By Charter Flights

The Araxos Airport, located 50 Km West of Patras, hosts mainly charter flights of several airline companies (e.g.,Ryanair, LTU, TUIfly, AirBerlin, SkyExpress, etc), especially in the period from May to October. From Araxos, you can reach Patras either by bus, or by taxi.

Reaching Patras from the Athens International Airport Airport (ATH)

The Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”, located 250 Km East of Patras, operates numerous regular flights connecting Athens to most European cities. Consequently, you will have to commute from ATH to Patras. There are mainly three alternatives for this last part of your trip.

By Bus

The “KTEL Achaias” intercity bus company has regular buses to Patras. You must first travel from the ATH Airport to the “Kifisos Bus Station” in the city of Athens, either by taxi or by taking the X93 express bus-line (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 X93 bus-line runs approximately every 30 minutes (you may have a look at the X93 timetable). The “Kifisos Bus Station” is the last stop of X93.

From the “Kifisos Bus Station”, there is an intercity-bus line connecting Athens to Patra, which operates roughly every 30 minutes. The 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.

By Car

Several car rental agencies operate at the ATH airport. The “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 the 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 “Hellenic Train”, connects the Athens airport to the railway network of the rest of Greece. You can take the train from the Athens airport to the (terminating) Kiato station of the “Proastiakos” line. From that point on, you will have to commute by buses serving the Kiato-Patras line. For example check the KTEL Achaias intercity-bus operator of the Achaia Prefecture.

Accommodation Information

The participants of SAND are strongly advised to make their arrengements for their accommodation as soon as possible, since Patras is already in the heart of of its touristic season. Please be reminded also that the program will run from June 5 morning (tentative start-time at 09:00) to June 7 afternoon (tentative end-time at 16:00). The SAND 2024 Organizing Committee has managed to reserve a limited number of 10 rooms available at the MOXY Hotel, in Patras Marina. The reservation will be valid until May 02 2024, and the rooms will be provided in a FCFS order. In order to be considered as eligible for a reservation of one of these rooms, please mention the passphrase "SAND 2024" as a comment.

Indicative Hotels Near the Conference Venue

Indicative Hotels in Patras Center