GENERAL INFORMATION. I. THE CITY of ZARAGOZA

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1 GENERAL INFORMATION I. THE CITY of ZARAGOZA Zaragoza offers the advantages of a medium-size city (700,000 inhabitants) and the facilities of a big capital. Zaragoza is situated in North-East Spain, between Madrid and Barcelona. Capital of Aragón and the most important city in the Ebro Valley, Zaragoza lies 200 metres above sea level, occupying the alluvial terraces of the great peninsular river and part of the lower valleys of its tributaries, the Rivers Gállego and Huerva. The climate is Mediterranean-Continental and rather arid. Its more than 675,000 inhabitants make it one of the most densely populated cities in Spain. During 2008 Zaragoza has been the venue of the International Exhibition EXPO 2008 "Water and Sustainable Development". This event has contributed to the modernization of the city, with a significant improvement on conventions and tourist infrastructures 1

2 II.-HOW TO COME TO ZARAGOZA II.1-ARRIVING BY AIRPLANE The airport is located 9 km from the city and it offers international flights to London, Milan, Brussels, Bucarest, Cluj Napoca and Paris. II.1.1-DIRECT FLIGHTS TO ZARAGOZA Brussels Charleroi (Ryanair) Bucarest (Wizz Air) Cluj Napoca (Wizz Air) London Stansted (Ryanair) Milan Bergamo (Ryanair) Paris Beauvais (Ryanair) Tenerife Sur (Orbest) The Zaragoza Airport is located at 20 minutes from the city centre by taxi. There is also a bus connection every 30 minutes. For those travelling by plane to the airports of Madrid or Barcelona, they can arrive to Zaragoza by high-speed train or by road (Madrid and Barcelona are both 300 km away, 1,15/1,30 hour by train ). II.1.2.-FLIGHT TO MADRID OR BARCELONA + HIGH SPEED TRAIN AVE TO ZARAGOZA The fastest option to get to Zaragoza from Barcelona or Madrid is to take the high-speed train (AVE). Trains run hourly from 5:50 to 21:00 and arrive at Zaragoza in 1h30min. Allow at least a 2h margin between flight arrival and AVE train departure. We recommend that you buy and print your AVE tickets in advance here. If you are buying a return ticket, you can select fare type "IDA Y VUELTA" for both inbound and outbound trips, as it is usually the most economical option. 2

3 To take the AVE train, please follow these steps : A) If you arrive from Barcelona-El Prat Airport Go to terminal T2 (there is a free bus connecting terminals), and follow the directions to take a commuter train ("cercanias") Take the commuter train to Barcelona Sants. The commuter train takes around 20 min. You can buy the ticket at the vending machines ( 3.80 or free with your AVE ticket*). You can check the timetables of Barcelona commuter trains here. In Barcelona Sants station, take the high speed AVE train to Zaragoza. B) If you arrive from Madrid-Barajas Airport, you can get to Atocha train station either by bus or by commuter train. BY BUS :Take the Línea Exprés (the express bus). You can find the timetables, stops and fares here BY TRAIN : Go to terminal T4 (there is a free bus connecting terminals), and follow the directions to take a commuter train ("cercanias"). Take the commuter train C-1 to Atocha Train Station. The commuter train takes around 25 min. You can buy the ticket at the vending machines (2.50 or free with your AVE ticket*). You can check the timetables of Madrid commuter trains here. In Atocha train station, take the high speed AVE train to Zaragoza. Depending on the AVE fare you choose, a code for the commuter train may be available on your AVE ticket ("Combinado Cercanias"). You can use this code at the vending machines to get a free ticket for commuter trains. If you arrive at Madrid-Barajas later than 19:00 you can still make it to 3

4 Zaragoza taking a coach from Barajas terminal T4 to Zaragoza (3h45min, 15.57, last coach at 1:15AM). You can book and print your ticket in advance here : or use the ALSA ticket vending machine (exit from T4 to the bus stop area and look to your right). II.2-ARRIVING BY TRAIN OR COACH From the train-coach station to the congress venue You can get to Zaragoza by train from virtually any point in Spain. Zaragoza-Delicias Intermodal Station receives travellers arriving by RENFE (Train) and Coach, who can make their way into the city centre by bus or on foot, depending on the area to which they wish to go, since the station is conveniently located within the city, between the Almozara neighbourhood and Avenida de Navarra. Zaragoza-Delicias Intermodal Station also houses a hotel, a business centre, shops and a variety of services for travellers. Zaragoza belongs to the Red de Ciudades AVE (Cities of the Spanish High-Speed Train Network). Bus lines: 51, Ci1, Ci2, 21, 25, 27 and 42 Lines 51, Ci1, Ci2 and 34 stop at the Station itself. The other lines stop outside the Centro Cívico Delicias, situated a stone?s throw from the station. More information about city buses: Taxis and Car Rental There is a Taxi Rank just outside the station Car rental service More information Permanent telephone: enquiries and bookings (number only available within Spain) Permanent telephone: enquiries about international routes (number only available within Spain) RENFE: 4

5 III.-ACCOMMODATION Zaragoza is equipped with a wide range of quality hotels, with over beds in establishments of 1 to 5 stars. Zaragoza boasts a hotel industry which offers a varied accomodation, as well as a high degree of professionalism and a wide experience in welcoming people. With its important position as a crossroads in Spanish communications, and as a conference venue, Zaragoza is used to welcoming guests from the cultural, business, scientific and academic worlds. There are hotels whose history is as lively as their decor, suitable for the most discerning clientele, together with new hotels built on historic sites. The former are establishments which compete with modern hotels, endowed as they are with the technological advances and perfection of computerised systems. The excellent price/quality ratio of accommodation complements Zaragoza's competitiveness as a conference venue. 5