The PLATO Payload Progress Meeting #22 is hosted by INAF Catania Astrophysical Observatory and is held in Catania (Italy) from 12 to 13 July 2022.
Meeting’s venue
The meeting will take place in the “Sala Azzurra” (Azzurra Room), located on the first floor of the INFN-LSN Department.
INFN - Laboratori Nazionali del Sud (LNS)
Via S. Sofia 62, 95123
Catania, ITALY
LINKS: Position on Google Maps | INFN website | LNS website | How to reach LNS | INAF Astrophysical Observatory website
How to reach the venue
The INFN-LNS can be reached from the city center by taxi and public transport, such as Metro Shuttle form the Milo Metro Station and BRT1 Bus.
When you arrive to the INFN-LNS or leave the venue, for security reasons please REMEMBER to go to the Reception Office, which is located at the entrance in Via S. Sofia n. 62, in order to have your daily presence checked when you arrive and unchecked when you leave.
From Catania Airport
Catania “Vincenzo Bellini” International Airport (called also Fontanarossa Airport) is close to the city center (<15 min by car in no traffic condition). Distance from INAF-LNS is about 20-30 min.
Connection airport downtown can be done by taxi or bus.
LINKS: Airport Website | Position of the Fontanarossa Airport on Google Maps | Airport Parking Map
- BY TAXI (recommended)
You can take a taxi at the normal taxi queue exit from the arrival.
However, we recommend you to call Radio-taxi (+39 095 330966), which is available h 24/24.
Call for radiotaxi when you are ready to leave the baggage claim area.
The taxi picks you up in few minutes at the airport on the Departure level (1st floor): after leaving the baggage claim area, go left and take the escalator (or the lift) to the 1str floor. Then exit on the right and wait for your taxi.
The fare to the center is about €22-24 (ask for the fare when you call). Taxi fare to INFN-LNS is €26.
All taxi by law accept credit card, but it is better to inform the driver you want pay by credit card during the early part of the travel, so they switch on the device on time.
- BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
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 (ground floor), as reported on the Airport Parking Map.
If you need to go directly to the meeting’s venue, stop at Central Train Station (Piazza Papa Giovanni XXII), take the metro till the “Milo” station + the free metro shuttle to the “Cittadella"; alternatively, stop in Via Etnea/Piazza Stesicoro and take the rapid bus BRT1 to the “Cittadella”.
About routes and prices of the public transport for connecting the city center to the meeting’s venue, see the following section.
LINKS: Alibus timetable and route – Price €4
From the city center to INFN-LNS (and vice versa)
By taxi/car
- Radio-taxi (+39 095 330966)
Taxis are available h 24/24.
This service is highly recommended when you chose an accommodation far from the metro/bus stops or far from the city center.
All taxi by law accept credit card, but it is better to inform the driver you want pay by credit card during the early part of the travel, so they switch on the device on time.
In case you reach the meeting by car and need to park inside the venue, please write to us in the "Special requests" field in the Registration Form.
By public transport
- By Metro + Metro Shuttle (recommended)
The closest metro stop to the INFN is the “Milo” Metro Station, where you can take the free bus shuttle to the "Cittadella" University Campus.- From the "Milo" Metro Station to Via Santa Sofia (blue route in the picture)
Take the free Metro Shuttle Bus (no extra ticket needed) just outside Milo Station and then get out at the “Cittadella Universitaria (Ovest)” bus stop (the first one in Via S. Sofia).
Metro trains frequency: one train every 10 minutes from 07:00 to 15:00; one train every 20 minutes from 15:00 to 19:20. Shuttles frequency: a bus every 10 minutes. - From Via Santa Sofia to the "Milo" Metro Station (red route in the picture)
The Metro Shuttle Bus Stop to come back to "Milo" Station can be reached inside the “Cittadella” University Campus, going towards the main entrance at Via S. Sofia 64 and following the road till the sign M-Bus (near the Math Department).
You do not need ticket to get on the Metro Shuttle, since you will buy the metro ticket when you arrive to the "Milo" Metro Station.
LINKS: Metro Route | Metro Timetable – Price €1,00 (90 minutes) | Metro Shuttle Route | Metro Shuttle Timetable |
- From the "Milo" Metro Station to Via Santa Sofia (blue route in the picture)
- BRT1 BUS
The rapid bus BRT1 connects downtown to the entrance of the University Campus area (“Cittadella Universitaria (Ovest)” bus stop).
Because BRT1 is a circular line, you can take this bus to go from the INFN 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 venue.
LINKS: BRT1 Timetable - €1.00 (90 minutes)
How to reach Sala Azzurra from the main entrance of the INFN
From the entrance of INFN, which address is Via S. Sofia n.62, the "Azzurra" Room gathers for a 3-minute walk.
The next image shows your way to reach the “Sala Azzurra” following the path from 1 to 10.
NOTICE
At the entrance (point 2), please tell your name at the Reception office: they have the complete list of the participants and let you enter.
When you leave the INFN please REMEMBER to go back to the Reception office (point 2) and get your daily presence unchecked.
