Contact Information

Image describing the Forth building

Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH)
Institute of Astrophysics

Director: Prof. Vassilis Charmandaris

Tel: +30-2810-394200     Email: info [at] ia.forth.gr

Postal Address: 
Institute of Astrophysics - FORTH
N. Plastira 100
GR-70013 Vassilika Vouton
Greece

How to reach IA

The Institute of Astrophysics is physically located 1.4km outside the main FORTH campus. It is on the 2nd floor of the Department of Physics of the University of Crete. The campus of the University of Crete is about 8km to the southwest of the city of Heraklion, near the village of Voutes.

There is a regular bus service from the city or the airport to the University (bus #11, direction Panepistimio/PAGNH or bus #8 direction ITE/FORTH). A detailed map with driving directions is available at the Department of Physics visitor information page.

Additional information on how to contact the members of IA-FORTH, as well as detailed maps of our facilities, are included in the phonebook of the Institute (PDF file).

A Google map of the Heraklion metro area, with all relevant locations marked, is also available here

How to move around in HERAKLION

Distances - approximately, from the center of Heraklion:

  • 5 km to Heraklion International Airport
  • approx. 20 minutes walking distance to the Port
  • 6 km to the Minoan Palace of Knossos
  • 8 to 10 km to FORTH

By Taxi:

The use of a taxi is a convenient and relatively inexpensive means of transportation in Heraklion. Taxis in Heraklion are colored silver. You may find a lot around in the city streets. You may find them also waiting at the airport, the port, the bus stations, in the Lions Square, as well as the squares of  "Platia Eleftherias" and "Platia Kornarou".

From the Airport to the center of town, the cost of a taxi is approximately 10 to 15 Euro.

By Public Transportation:

There is a frequent public bus service from Heraklion-airport to the center of town as well as from the center of town to FORTH. Ticket vending machines are located next to most main bus stops. You may also buy tickets from most kiosks around the city. It is advisable to buy your ticket prior to getting onto a public bus. The current price of the bus ticket from the airport to the centre of town is 1.20 Euro (one way) or 2.00 Euro if purchased on the bus. The current price of the bus ticket from the airport or from the centre of the town to FORTH is 1.70 Euro (one way) or 2.50 Euro if purchased on the bus.

How to reach HERAKLION - CRETE

By air :

There is a considerable number of flights daily (~10 depending on the season) connecting Heraklion International Airport ("Nikos Kazantzakis", airport Code: HER) with the Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" (ATH). There are also direct connections from Heraklion to various Greek islands as well as to major European cities. Aegean Air (which also operates Olympic Air) is the major carrier to Athens.

  • Aegean Airlines, Dimokratias 11, Tel. +30 2810344321, 2810344321, 2810344761
  • Sky Express, Heraklion Airport, Tel. +30 2810223500, 2810223500, 2810282828
  • Ellinair, Heraklion Airport, Tel. +30 2810244669, 2810336996

The distance from the airport to Heraklion center is approx. 5 km.

By sea:

There are two ferry lines connection daily between Athens (Departure from Piraeus Port) and Heraklion:

  • Minoan Lines (Departure at about 21:00, Arrival at 6:00)
  • ANEK Lines (Departure at about 21:00, Arrival at 6:00)

During the summer, Minoan Lines and ANEK lines also introduce daily routes to/from Athens typically departing around 11:00am, but these are not available every day.