Travel Information
Travelling to Greece and specifically Crete is relatively easy. The documentation required varies, depending on your nationality.
Crete is easily accessible as it is linked with numerous direct and connecting flights with all the main European cities, Middle East, Africa and Asian countries.
If you need assistance with flight itineraries and fares, please contact the Conference Secretariat, Top Kinisis Travel, who will be happy to offer their expert knowledge.
Travelling Documents
Greece is part of the Schengen Area, whichsignifies a zone where 26 European countries, abolished their internal borders, for the free and unrestricted movement of people. Schengen Area covers most of the EU countries, except the UK, Ireland and the countries that are soon to be part of: Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus. Although not members of the EU, countries like: Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Lichtenstein are also part of the Schengen zone.
The Schengen Visa has made traveling between its members much easier and less bureaucratic. Traveling on a Schengen Visa means that the visa holder can travel to any (or all) member countries using one single visa, thus avoiding the hassle and expense of obtaining individual visas for each country. A Schengen visa allows the holder to travel freely within the Schengen countries for a maximum stay of up to 90 days in a 6 month period. For further information click here.
For specific Greece Visa application requirements, click here.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic has a full list of countries requiring or not requiring a Visa to enter Greece. To find this list please click here.
Arriving to Crete
By Plane – There are three airports of entry into the island of Crete: Heraklion Airport (or “Kazantzakis” airport – code: HER) Chania Airport(or “Daskalogiannis” – code: CHQ) and the small Sitia Airport (code: JSH). All of them are international airports. Chania Airport is the most convenient one for the participants of the conference, as it is situated just 30km away from the conference venue (Porto Platanias Village Resort 4*).
By Boat – Ferries from Athens (port of Piraeus) to Chania (port of Souda) operate on a daily basis throughout the year. In the summer season there is an afternoon & an overnight connection every day, as well as a morning departure usually 5 days a week. The journey from Athens (Piraeus) to Chania normally takes from 6h to 9h depending on the ferry operator. The average ticket price starts from €38 for a standard economy ticket and each ferry operator offers a variety of options for cabins to make your ferry trip more comfortable.
Detailed timetable of boat trips can be found here.
Accessibility
The International Airport “I. Daskalogiannis” of Chania is approximately a 30 minutes’ drive (30 km) from the Conference Venue.
The International Airport “N. Kazantzakis” of Heraklion is approximately a 2 hours’ drive (151km) from the Conference Venue.
The port of Souda in Chania is approximately a 20 minutes’ drive (18km) from the conference venue.
Transfers to the Conference Venue
Option A – Bus
Bus routes connect the Chania Airport with the city center (line Chania Airport – Chania) served by the Greek inter-city bus system (KTEL). The route duration is approximately 30 minutes, and the ticket price is €2.50. Tickets can be purchased by the bus driver or online.
You may find updated information on bus routes, timetables, prices etc here.
Regular bus routes also connect the port with the city center (line No13, Souda – Chania). They last about 20-25 minutes, while the ticket costs €2.50. You may find updated information on bus routes and bus fares here.
Bus routes also connect the Conference Venue in Platanias with the city center. They last about 20 minutes and the ticket costs €4.00. More information are available at the official KTEL site.
Option B – Taxi
Taxis are always available at both airports for your transfer to the Conference Venue. Click here for a detailed and valid taxi pricelist for 2020, for transfers from Chania airport “I. Daskalogiannis” to the most popular destinations in Crete. The detailed pricelist for taxi transfers from the Heraklion Airport “N. Kazantzakis” can be found here.
The cost of transfer by taxi is approximately the following:
Chania Airport – Chania City Center €25
Chania Airport – Conference Venue €43
Chania City Center – Conference Venue €20
Heraklion Airport – Chania City Center €165
Heraklion Airport – Conference Venue €175
Letter of Invitation
Delegates requiring a letter of invitation in order to attend the conference may write to the Conference Secretariat specifying the necessary details. Please note that this procedure aims at assisting the delegates who need to obtain a visa or permission to attend the conference. It is not an official invitation covering fees or other expenses and does not imply any financial support.
Climate
Crete enjoys a Mediterranean climate with long sunny summers from mid-May to mid-October and with mild, rainy winters from December to mid-March, which are separated by short autumn and spring seasons. See Crete Weather for more details.
Language
Greek is the official language of Greece. English is the primary foreign language. The other most common foreign languages learned by the Greeks are German, French and Italian.
Currency / Banking hours
The currency of Crete – Greece is Euro (€).
Banks are open 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Monday- Thursday) and 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Friday). There are many Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) outside most branches of banks in all towns and in the main tourist resorts. Hotels, large shops and restaurants normally accept credit cards.
Tipping
Tipping in Greece may be customary, but it is not obligatory. Of course small change (5%-10%) is always welcome. Taxi-drivers, porters, hairdressers etc., always appreciate a small tip.
Insurance
It is recommended that participants arrange insurance for medical expenses, loss and accidents occurring during the conference. The organizers cannot be held responsible for any losses, damages or injuries.
Electric Current – Voltage
The supply in Crete-Greece is 230 volts, a.c. 50Hz. Sockets are of type C and F with round pin in most buildings. Many hotels provide adaptors upon request from the reception.
General Shopping Hours
Shops open around 9.00 am and close around 1.30 or 2.00 pm Monday to Saturday. On Tuesday, Thursday and Friday they are also open from around 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Shops are always closed on Sundays and holidays.
Generally the hours between 2.00pm and 5.30pm are dedicated to lunch and the sacred afternoon siesta, especially in the hot summer. However, you will come across various stores (mini-market, wholesale cigarette stores, kiosks) that remain open almost day and night -even on Sundays- especially those situated in tourist regions.
Chemist Pharmacies / Drug Stores
They stay open during shopping hours. Late night chemists are listed in the daily papers.