Workshop2019:logistics

Workshop Venue

The 10th OPTICON Gaia Science Alerts Workshop will be held in Catania (Sicily - Italy) at the INAF Astrophysical Observatory of Catania.

Workshop activities will take place in the “Aula Ovest” (West Hall), located on the ground floor of the Astrophysical Observatory.

INAF - Astrophysical Observatory of Catania | INAF - Osservatorio Astrofisico di Catania
Via S.Sofia 78, 95123
Catania, ITALY

LINKS: Position on Google Maps | INAF Astrophysical Observatory website

Travel Information

Catania is an ancient port city on the eastern coast of Sicily (Italy).
The city, located at the foot of volcano Etna, is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy and it is also a World Heritage Site, protected by UNESCO.

LINKS: Position on Google Maps | Catania on Wikipedia

How to reach Catania

The best way to reach Catania is by plane.

By Airplane

Here there are information about the main airports of the area and the distance by car/bus from the city center.

• CATANIA FONTANAROSSA AIRPORT | +15min
  The Fontanarossa International Airport is the closest airport to Catania.
  Several airlines offer flights to many national and international destinations.
  From Fontanarossa Airport is it possible to reach the City Center by Taxi or by Public transport.
  LINKS: Position on Google Maps | Airport Website

• COMISO AIRPORT | +1h 40min
  Comiso Airport is a small airport located in Comiso (Ragusa), mainly connected by Ryanair flights.
  From Comiso Airport there is a bus (Autolinee Giamporcaro) every few hours to get to Catania Central Station.
  LINKS: Bus timetable (Autolinee Giamporcaro) | Position on Google Maps | Airport Website

For further information on how to reach Catania by Train, by Bus and by Ferry, please see here.

How to reach Catania center from Fontanarossa Airport (and vice versa)

Catania Fontanarossa International Airport is the closest Airport to the city center. You can reach the downtown by taxi or bus.

LINKS: Airport Website | Position of the Fontanarossa Airport on Google Maps | Airport Parking Map

• BY TAXI (recommended)
  We recommend you to call Radio-taxi (+39 095 330966).
  Call for a taxi (available h 24/24) when ready to leave the baggage claim area. The fare to the center is about €22, but you can ask for confirmation when you call. The airport to/from Observatory rate is about €26.
  Taxi picks you up in few minutes at the Airport on the Departure level (at the 1st floor): take the escalator or lift at your left after leaving the baggage claim area, then exit on the right and wait for your taxi.

• BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT (ALIBUS)
  The AMT Alibus Bus Service leave every 25 minutes from 4:40 am to midnight, from the Airport to the City Center.
  Bus ticket (€4) can be purchased: at the Airport; from authorized AMT retailers and AMT vending machines; on the bus; online with the UpMobile App. Remember to stamp the ticket upon getting on the bus.
  At the Fontanarossa Airport we suggest you use the bus stop located outside the Terminal A at the Arrival level (at ground floor, on your right after the exit), as reported on the Airport Parking Map.
  Please refer to the Alibus route and stops map to choose the bus stop closest to your Hotel.
  LINKS: Alibus timetable – Price €4 | Alibus route and stops

How to reach the INAF Astrophysical Observatory of Catania from the city center

INAF Astrophysical Observatory of Catania is close to downtown but up on a hill inside the “Policlinico Gaspare Rodolico” General Hospital area and near the “Cittadella” University campus of Catania.

LINKS: Position on Google Maps | INAF Astrophysical Observatory website

From city center you can reach the venue by public transport, such as Metro and BRT1 Bus.From the entrance of Policlinico, which address is Via S. Sofia n.78, the Observatory gathers for a 8-minute walk.
However, if you prefer to use taxi, you can tell the driver to leave you inside the Observatory parking area.

• By Metro + Metro Shuttle
  The closest metro stop to the Observatory is the “Milo” one, from where you can reach the venue by a free Metro Shuttle service, stopping at the “Policlinico” bus stop.
  The metro trains have a frequency of one train every 10 minutes until 15:00; then the frequency will be one train every 15 minutes.
  The shuttles have frequency of a bus every 10 minutes.
  LINKS: Metro Timetable – Price €1,00 (90 minutes) | Metro Shuttle Timetable | Map of the Metro and Shuttles route (in red: the metro route; in yellow: shuttle route)

• BRT1 BUS
  The rapid bus BRT1 connects downtown to the entrance of the Hospital area (“Policlinico” bus stop).
  Because BRT1 is a circular line, you can take this bus to go from the Observatory to downtown at the same bus stop.
  Buy a ticket also for the return trip. There are no places where to buy a ticket close to the Observatory.
  LINKS: BRT1 Timetable - €1.00 (90 minutes)

For further information on logistics, please see this file or contact our WOC staff at INAF Astrophysical Observatory of Catania:

• Giuseppe Leto [1]
  
• Flavia Calderone [2]
  
• Giancarlo Bellassai [3]
  
• Ricardo Zanmar Sanchez [4]
  

Accommodation

Here it is a booking list on www.booking.com of suggested city center hotels and B&B that are close to Bus or Metro stops.
The Booking list offers the price for a double room by default: be careful to select the correct number of room guests before finalizing the reservation.