Università degli Studi di Padova
NATIO SCOTA
The Thirteenth International Conference on Medieval and Renaissance Scottish Language and Literature
Padova 22-26 July 2011
In this section you will find information about how to get to Padova and what to do once you are here.
Getting to Padova
By Plane
If you are travelling by plane you’ll probably arrive at one of these airports:
Venezia – Marco Polo
Treviso Airport
Milano – Malpensa
Milano – Linate
Venezia – Marco Polo is the closest and the most convenient.
There is a shuttle service going to Padova every 30 minutes (at 5 past and 35 past of every hour, from 6.35 to 00.10).
The coach will leave you at Piazzale Boschetti, Padova’s main coach station (see below): the city centre is within walking distance and taxis are generally available there.
If you choose to go to Padova by taxi the fee will between 80 and 90 euros.
If you want to book your taxi in advance:
Cooperativa Artigiana Radiotaxi – Venezia e Mestre
Info e reservations office at the Airport: call 0039 041 5416363
Radiotaxi 24h/24h (from 22 to 7 with automatic service): call 0039 041 5952080
If you are willing to share a taxi and book it in advance, there is a service to and from all airports called
AIRSERVICE: you need to book at least 24 hours in advance (online at www.airservicepadova.it , or by phone, +39 049 8704425), but it is very good value for money and the rates go down as the number of passengers goes up (so the more, the merrier!).
Treviso Airport is also close and convenient.
There is a shuttle service to Padova every half hour or so just outside the airport: the bus stop is on the main road, as you exit the building you’ll have to cross the road. The bus runs only until 20.27 in the evening, so if you have a late flight the only way to get to Padova will be the taxi and that will cost approximately 70 euros.
If you are willing to share a taxi and book it in advance, there is a service to and from all airports called
AIRSERVICE (see above).
Milano - Malpensa Airport: it will take you at least 4/5 hours to get to Padova from Malpensa.
A train called Malpensa Express leaves from Terminal 1 and takes you to Piazzale Cadorna in central Milano in 40 minutes. Remember to buy your ticket at the terminal. From there you can take the green underground line to the main railway station, Stazione Centrale (approx. 10 minutes).
More info about the Malpensa Express at www.malpensaexpress.it
For a map of Milano’s underground click here
Alternatively, there is a shuttle service from both terminals of the airport (you can buy your ticket on board); the coaches will take you directly to the Stazione Centrale, the whole journey lasting approximately one hour (depending on the time of day).
From Milano’s Stazione Centrale you can catch a train to Padova: the journey is approximately two hours long. There are trains at least every hour, from 6.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Milano - Linate Airport: it will take you at between 3 and 4 hours to get to Padova from Linate.
From Linate airport you can reach Milano city centre by bus (n. 73) and the main railway station (Stazione Centrale) by coach (click here for more info). From Stazione Centrale you can catch a train to Padova: the journey is approximately two hours long, there are trains at least every hour, from 6.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.
AIRSERVICE (see above) is also available from Milano’s airports but it is of course more expensive.
Click here to check the rates.
By Train
Padova’s train station is connected with most Italian cities.
To check timetables and fares and to book online:
Italian website
English website
The conference sites and most hotels (but not those in the Basilica del Santo area) are no more than ten minutes’ walk from the railway station. If you don’t want to walk, the easiest way to reach the city centre from the station is the TRAM: the stop is just outside the station. You can also catch a regular bus, there are many leaving from the square in front of the station.
Taxis stop just outside the station, on your left as you exit the building from the main set of doors.
By Coach
All coaches arrive at Piazzale Boschetti which is very close to the city centre and within walking distance to most of the hotels recommended (not those in the Basilica del Santo area).
The conference sites are no more than ten minutes’ walk from the railway station.
For a map of the surroundings of Piazzale Boschetti click here.
By Car
The motorway exit we recommend is Padova Est.
From there, follow the signs for the city centre (centro città).
Please notice that you cannot enter the historic city centre by car: electronic devices are placed on the main accesses to the walled city and fines can be very high (approximately 80 euros).
Note that the railway and coach stations are just outside the city centre, and there are ample parking spaces nearby.
If you click here you’ll find a map of the main parking lots:
Park Sarpi is the nearest to the conference venue but it’s open only on working days.
Park Valeri is also quite close and it’s open on Saturday and Sunday too.
In Padova
Getting Around
The conference venues are within walking distance from all the hotels recommended.
Main attractions are also located in the city centre, which is absolutely walkable.
Bikes are very popular in Padova and they are the students’ favourite means of transportation. If you are interested in renting a bike you can do that in the square in front of the railway station. Rates are very reasonable. For information call 049 8759608.
The tram is the quickest way to get from the north to the south of the city.
Timetable and map of tram and bus routes
If you need a taxi:
Radio Taxi Padova
+39 049 651333 24/24
Bars and Restaurants
Services
Emergency Numbers
Hospital: call 118
Police: call 113
Firemen: call 115
For a medical emergency you can also call the Guardia medica: +39 049 88 08 325 (from 20.00 to 8.00 on working days and all weekend).
The main Police Station (Questura) is in piazzetta Palatucci 5, phone number: +39 049 833111
Pharmacies are open 8.30-12.30 and 16-19.30 on working days.
Find pharmacies open on Saturdays and Sundays
Post Office
The central post office is in Corso Garibaldi 25 and it is open from 8.00 to 18.00
Copying facilities
There is a xerox point in front of the main conference venue, and we have "emergency" facilities at the Department of English.
Cultural Attractions
Tourist information about cultural attractions is also available in English .
Don’t miss:
Cappella degli Scrovegni
Musei Civici degli Eremitani
La specola
Università e Palazzo del Bo
Odeo Cornaro