ConTEL 2009

Getting to Zagreb

Some useful information on how to get to Zagreb by plane, train, bus, or car are listed below.

By air

Useful links:

• Croatia Airlines - national airline company is a regional member of Star Alliance (partner airlines Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, bmi, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Spanair, TAP, Thai Airways International, United, US Airways and VARIG).
• Zagreb airport - Zagreb Airport is called Pleso (airport code: ZAG). It is located 17 km from the city center (about 25 minutes by car or bus).

Transportation to/from the airport

The cheapest option to get to the city is by public transportation. There is a airport shuttle bus, operated by "Pleso prijevoz". Please note that public transportation fares are only payable in Croatian Kuna (HRK). A one-way ticket costs 30 HRK and may be bought from the driver. (The approximate exchange rate as of November 2008 is 1 EUR = 7.2 HRK and 1 USD = 5.4 HRK.)

The bus has two terminals, one located at the Airport, and the other located at the Main Bus Station in Zagreb (Autobusni kolodvor, Avenija Marina Držića). The bus terminal at the Airport is located just outside the airport building. Buses run at half-hour intervals for most of he day. See bus schedule.

Once at the Main Bus Station bus station, you can either walk or take a tram to your hotel. The Sheraton Zagreb Hotel is located within walking distance (10 min walk) from the station.

If you decide to take a tram, a single tram ticket costs 8 HRK when bought in advance (kiosk or newspaper stand - "Tisak", "Duhan"), and 10 HRK when bought from the driver. Night fares cost double. Remember to validate (stamp) your ticket once you get into the tram (look for an orange stamping machine). Stamp the ticket only once. The ticket is valid for valid for 90 minutes when traveling in one direction.

The ticket can also be purchased via SMS - a singe SMS ticket costs 10 HRK and it is valid for 90 minutes regardless of the direction of travel. [Do NOT use trams without a valid ticket - if caught, you pay a fine of 200 HRK on the spot.]

A more comfortable and more expensive option to get to the city from the airport is to take a taxi. The taxi terminal at the Airport is located just outside the airport building.

If you prefer to take a taxi, we suggest that you pre-order one to pick you up from the airport at a fixed price of 200 HRK (or 25 EUR). Taxi may be pre-ordered a few days before you leave for Zagreb by sending an e-mail to Mr. Milan Jesih at milan.j@vip.hr or by phone +385 91 200 30 40. In your e-mail, please note that you are attending ConTEL 2009, and specify your name, the date and time of your arrival and your flight number. You should receive an e-mail confirmation that your request is accepted.

By train

Useful links:

• Croatian Railways

By bus

Useful links:

• Zagreb Bus Terminal (domestic and international bus lines)

By car

A driver's licence, car papers and all relevant insurance documents (except for countries that have other regulations) are necessary to enter Croatia with a vehicle.

If you decide to rent a car, you can do it at any major airport, as well as in the city, but it is generally a good idea to make your reservations in advance.

Croatian National Tourist Board has more information.

Weather forecast

You can check the latest weather forecast for Zagreb here.

 

Visa information

Planning your travel

Start making your travel plans early, as mid-June is already the beginning of the tourist season in Croatia and (especially airplane) tickets may be more difficult to get for a specific date. Also, nationals of some countries need a visa to enter Croatia - if you need a visa, make sure to apply well in advance. 

Visa requirements

Citizens of some countries need an entry visa for the Republic of Croatia. Current visa regulations are given at the Web site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration. You can find out whether you need a visa to visit Croatia (under Visa Requirement Overview, please select your country). 

If you need a visa, make sure to apply for one well in advance, but not later than April 24th, 2009.

Getting a visa

The policy is that invitation letters can be issued only to the authors and committee members. In addition, registration fees must be paid in full before the letter is provided. Letters will only be sent by Postal Mail and only to the participants registered for the conference.

To apply for an invitation letter please do the following:

1. Register for the conference.
2. Book your accommodation.
3. Send an e-mail to the organizers (Vedran Podobnik,  vedran.podobnik@fer.hr), Subject: ConTEL 2009 Invitation Letter, providing the following data:
   • First and Last name,
   • Date and place of birth,
   • Citizenship,
   • Passport number, date and place of issuance, validity date,
   • Your address,
   • Your occupation,
   • The address at which you will be staying during the visit to Croatia (eg. hotel address).
4. Send a signed letter from your institute/company filled in according to the following template.
   
5. Send a copy of the letter confirming the reservation of your accommodation in Croatia.
   

Scanned copies of the signed guarantee letter (4.) and reservation confirmation (5.) should be sent by e-mail to vedran.podobnik@fer.hr (Subject: ConTEL 2009 Invitation letter).