CSMR 2008 Athens Greece

The Electra Palace is approximately 0.7 miles from the Syntagma Metro station, which may be a more challenging walk if you have carry heavy luggage, but a very easy stroll if you travel light. Taxis can be easily found at the Syntagma square. If you decide to walk, just take the Filellinon Str, from Syntagma, and turn right to N. Nikodimou Str. The address of the Electra Palace is 18-20 N. Nikodimou (see map). The phone number is 210-337-0000

Area Map (Athens Center)

Directions to the “Athens Electra Hotel”

The Athens Electra Hotel along with Electra Palace Hotel is the designated accommodation hotel for the CSMR 2008 venue. It is located within a very short walking distance from the Syntagma Metro station and the venue place. You just walk straight to the Ermou Str upon exiting from the Syntagma Metro station . The address of the Athens Electra is 5 Ermou Str (see map). The phone number is 210-337-8000.

Traveling to Greece from Europe

The best way to arrive to Greece from abroad is by-air. All European cities have direct connections to Athens International Airport (AIA), Eleftherios Venizelos. Discount fares to Athens are offered by almost all national carriers of European countries. Travel web sites such as www.expedia.co.uk, www.expedia.fr or www.expedia.it provide discount air fares to Athens.

Traveling to Greece from the USA

Delta Airlines, US Airways and Continental have direct flights to Athens , Greece from major US cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta. Also Olympic Airways has direct daily flights from JFK, in New York . Another option to consider is to travel with a discount fare to one of the major European hubs such as London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Paris, and then book a discount fare to Athens. In this case make sure that all your flight reservations are pre-arranged for all the legs of your trip. Web sites such as www.expedia.com and www.travelocity.com offer discount fares to Europe and discount fares within Europe.

Traveling to Greece from Canada

Olympic Airways has direct almost daily flights (M/T/Th/Sat) from Toronto and Montreal. Also, Transat offers charter direct flights to Athens from Toronto and Montreal. Another option to consider is to travel with a discount fare to one of the major European hubs such as London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Paris, and then book a discount fare to Athens. In this case make sure that all your flight reservations are pre-arranged for all the legs of your trip. Web sites such as www.expedia.ca and www.travelocity.ca offer discount fares to Europe and discount fares within Europe .

Directions from the Airport to the Athens Center

From the Athens International Airport you can take the SubUrban railway and connect with the Metro Blue Line (Line 3) at Doukisis Plakentias station. The ticket price is 6 Euros. The closest station to get off for the Electra Palace and the Athens Electra is the Syntagma Metro station.

Alternatively, you can take from the Airport the public bus X95 to Syntagma.Square. The buses depart from the arrivals level outside the intra Schengen arrival exits 4 and 5, every 10 minutes, The fare is 3.20 Euros.

Finally, you can take a taxi to your hotel. The fare should be between 20-25 Euros.

Some very useful information of getting form the Airport to downtown can be found in this link.

The general area of the venue is Plaka, and the closest Metro stations are Syntagma, Monastiraki, and Acropolis.

Other Useful Travel Information

1. The voltage in Greece is 220V, 60 Hz. The plugs are the same as in Germany, Spain, Italy, etc.

2. The currency is the Euro.

3. Most stores accept major credit cards. Local tavernas and smaller restaurants accept mostly cash though.

4. All major inter-banking networks (Cirus,Plus) are available in ATM points. Check with your bank for any services charges for withdrawing funds abroad.

5. To call a local number in Athens you prefix it with (210).

6. All public phones work with prepaid smart cards. You can purchase such a card from any convenience store or kiosk (Peripteron). These cards are called “Telecards” (“telekarta” in Greek) and cost approximately 4, 10 and 12 Euros. A 4 Euro card is sufficient for all your local calls, and brief international calls.

7. For overseas calls, it is cheaper to use a prepaid calling card.

8. Cell phone frequencies are 900, and 1800 MHz. If you are coming from an outside EU country you may want to check for frequency compatibility.

9. You can purchase public transportation and Metro tickets at most convenience stores, kiosks, and Metro stations.

10. Some useful telephone numbers are listed below:

Greece - Country Code	+30
Greek Tourist Police	171
Police Emergency Service	100
Ambulance Service - Athens	166
Fire Brigade	199
Auto Road Assistance - ELPA	104
Telegrams by Phone	136
Directory Enquiries	11888
International Calls through an operator	139


Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) Yellow Pages
Other Useful Numbers

Portal with Useful Information about Athens

http://www.athensinfoguide.com/index.htm