Observing and Simulating Galaxy Evolution in the Era of JWST 
Accommodation
Congressi Stefano Franscini conference centre at Monte Verità
Str. Collina 84, 6612 Ascona
»Link to Google Maps
Participants are encouraged to stay at the conference centre which is in beautiful surroundings on the hill behind Ascona overlooking Lago Maggiore. There is only a limited number of single rooms available at the centre - the registration form has an option where you can specify a name of someone you wish to share with.
Conference center prices:
Double room/twin beds: CHF 77.00 per person
Single room: CHF 102.00
Double room for single use: CHF 132.00
Accompanying person (non-participant in a double room): CHF 105.00
All prices are per person, per night and include breakfast.
Please note there will also be a ergistration fee of approx. 200 to 400 CHF, depending on academic career stage.
Travel Information
The Mt. Verita conference center can be reached via flights to Zurich airport, Lugano Airport or Milano-Malpensa airport (Italy). From any of the airports (Lugano being the closest but smallest), there is ground transportation by bus or train, which connects to the conference shuttle bus operating from Locarno train station to the Mt. Verita conference (schedule TBA).
By air
The option from Zürich is to fly to Zürich International Airport (ZHR) and then take a train across the Alps through the scenic Gotthard route to Locarno. You may have to change train in Bellinzona. Travelling time from Zürich International Airport to Locarno train station is approximately 3 hours (timetable TBA).
Alternatively, you can fly into Milan Malpensa (MPX), which is about 1.5 hours away by car. You may also use the Malpensa shuttle service (timetable TBA), which will take you to Bellinzona train station, from which you will need to catch a train to Locarno train station (about 30mins ride). Car rentals are available at the airport (drive time: 1.5 to 2 hours to Ascona. Be aware that you'll have to cross the border into Switzerland).
There is a train from Malpensa airport to Locarno with just one change in Cadenazzo, which runs roughly every two hours and take 2.5 hours (see www.sbb.ch). They run from Malpensa at 1150 and 1350, so the bus below fills in the gaps, running at 1040 and 1240. The distance is short and the train fare inexpensive, but the train from MXP to Cadenasso makes many stops so travel time is only 30 minutes shorter than from Zurich airport. If you should stay a night in Milan, transportation from Milano Centrale to both Locarno and Malpensa is a bit better than Milano Porta Garibaldi.
You may also find a flight to Lugano Airport (LUG). There are direct flights from Geneva and Rome. If you are flying Swiss International Airlines you may have the option of connecting in Zürich to Lugano (45mins flight). This is worthwhile exploring as the cost may be cheaper than a full-fare rail ticket from Zurich when purchased together with an international or intercontinental flight . There is a shuttle bus from the airport to the train station in Lugano, from which the train to Locarno takes about 40mins (change in Bellinzona or Giubiasco). Car rental is available at the airport (drive time: 45 mins to Ascona).
Most transatlantic flights arrive in Zurich before noon. Anticipating arrivals on Sunday, 18 August, trains to Locarno leave from the airport train station as listed below. Alternative schedules can be found via Swiss Railways. A few shuttles will run from the train station to the center on Sunday afternoon. Please check this page for more information closer to the start of the conference. If you do not catch the shuttle you can catch a bus until ~6pm, or take a taxi.
Shuttle bus to Mt. Verita conference center
Transfer Locarno train station - Monte Verità on Sunday 18/08:
15.20 – 16.00 – 16.40 – 17.20 – 18.00 – 18.40
Please note that you can also travel from Locarno to Ascona using public transportation (Bus 1 from Locarno railway station to Ascona "Posta"), but will have a ~15 minute walk up to the center on Monte Verita.
Transfer Monte Verità - Locarno train station on Friday 23/08:
16.00 – 16.40 – 17.20 – 18.00
Saturday 24/08:
10.00 – 10.40
Max capacity: 8 people per run. Service is free of charge for the conference participants.
By car
Drive along the federal highway A2 to Bellinzona, exit at Bellinzona Sud and follow the signs to Locarno. Before Locarno you will enter a tunnel that bypasses Locarno. When you exit the tunnel follow the signs to Ascona and when entering Ascona follow the signs to Monte Verità. Free parking is limited in Ascona, and car parks are quite expensive (> 25 EUR/day). At the Conference center there is only limited parking space.
Travel via Milan (Italy)
Train Schedule Malpensa Airport - Locarno
TBA.
