How to get to the Physics Department

By Air

The closest airport is that of the city of Heraklion . Olympic Airways, and Aegean Airlines fly regularly to Heraklion from Athens and Thessaloniki. (Note that Aegean flights might not appear at travel agent computers in Europe and overseas). From April to October there are also numerous direct charter flights from many places in Europe.

From the airport the best way to reach the center of Heraklion (~5 Kms) and the Physics Department (~13 Kms) is by taxi.The prices are approximately: 0.75 Euro flat initial fee, 0.50 Euro per km (double tariff), 0.20 per piece of luggage , plus a 1.00 Euro airport surcharge.). A currency converter can be found here.

By sea

There are two shipping companies that serve Heraklion out of Piraeus and Thessaloniki: ANEK Lines and Minoan Lines. Typically the ships leave Piraeus in the evening and arrive in Heraklion at 5:30 - 6:00 am. All ships take 8 hours and a half to do the trip except two (Knossos and Festos Pallas) that take 6 hours. However this is not a terrible advantage since the trip is during the night.

There are also seasonal connections with the Cycladic Islands and elsewhere in the Aegean sea. The Heraklion Port is very close to the center of town (~1 Km) The best way to reach the department of physics from the port is again by taxi (~11 Kms). Some popular hotels are located by the beach in the Amoudara area: the best way to get there from the airport is again by taxi (~10 Kms). For taxi tariffs see above. There is a bus serving Amoudara starting from Heraklion center. It is infrequent in low season.

By land

If you are coming from another part of Crete most probably you are using the National Road that serves East-West the north of the island. There are 5 exits that serve the city of Heraklion and its surroundings. The first from the West is serving the suburb of Gazi and has been completed recently. The next one is the one you have to exit in order to go to the physics departement. The next one has traffic lights and serves the center of town. The one further East serves eastern Heraklion and the final one serves the Heraklion airport.

After exiting the National road you turn right on the perpedicular road. This leads to the south (direction Moires). You follow that road and in about a kilometer there are traffic lights. You turn right following the signals to the Hospital and Research Center FORTH. You continue on that road as it winds for about 2 Kms until you see on your right a Kiosque and immediately afterwards you turn right (there is a sign indicating FORTH). You continue for about a kilometer and then you see two white buildings, one to the left, the other to the right. The one to the right is the Physics and Biology building. You proceed to the main entrance and enter. There is a guard inside 24/24 hours. He will guide you inside the building.

If you are coming from the center of town you have to get on 62 Martiron Street and turn left onto the road that leads to Moires. You will pass under the National Road and then follow the previous directions.

Here you can find local maps of the city of Heraklion. Unfortunately for the moment only in Greek.

Heraklion region and Crete