Visitors are kindly asked to read the safety rules (see menu on the left). We strongly recommend using the regular IRAM shuttle to and from the telescope (see below).
Transport from the IRAM office to the telescope and vice versa
IRAM provides transport to and from the telescope. Fill in your name on the white board in the IRAM entrance hall and be in the hall 10 minutes before the departure of the transport. The driver will not wait for late comers. There is no scheduled transport on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. If it eases travel arrangements, visitors can use the remote observing station from our Granada offices (contact F. Pierfederici). The duration of the transport is typically 1.5 to 2 hours.
From mid October till end of May transport may be delayed due to road conditions. During these months it is not 100% safe to assume that one can catch a flight that is leaving the same day as the transport down from the observatory. Sun glasses are useful. In winter, warm waterproof clothes and mountain shoes are required.
IRAM Transport Schedule
Summer schedule (typically May-November)
| DAY | DEPARTURE GRANADA | DEPARTURE TELESCOPE |
| Monday | 08:15 | 10:30 |
| Tuesday | 08:15 | 10:30 + 17:00 |
| Wednesday | – | – |
| Thursday | 10:00 | 17:00 |
| Friday | 08:15 | 10:30 + 17:00 |
Winter schedule (typically November-May)
| DAY | DEPARTURE GRANADA | DEPARTURE TELESCOPE |
| Monday | 08:15 | 10:45 |
| Tuesday | 08:15 | 10:45 + 16:15 |
| Wednesday | – | – |
| Thursday |
10.00h in principle (eventual changes are announced on the entrance board, please check the evening before)
|
16:15 |
| Friday | 08:15 | 10:45 + 16:15 |
Visitors are asked to adapt their travel plans as much as possible to the IRAM transport schedule. If absolutely needed, transport by taxi can be organized by IRAM (contact: Antonio Cordoba). Note that this is only possible during the summer months when the road is open and requires a special permit from the authorities of the Sierra Nevada National Park.
As a rule, IRAM will reimburse the taxi to visitors who are entitled to a reimbursement of travel and lodging by IRAM and if the number of nights spent at the telescope or the IRAM residencia can be reduced by at least two nights; agreement by IRAM should be given beforehand (contact: Carsten Kramer).
Access by rental car is in general not possible for visiting observers due to tight National Park regulations, and for safety reasons.
Travel, board and lodging
If you are supported by IRAM, you may get in touch with Marie-Wandrille Fournage at IRAM Grenoble, for the organization of your travel. Spanish observers are kindly asked to contact Laura Moreno at IRAM Granada.
IRAM Granada provides accomodation in our residencia or a hotel provided we have received a completed “Confirmation of Travel Dates” form. If you did not receive one, contact Laura Moreno Garcia or Jaimey Durand. If you arrive after office hours (Mo-Fri 9:00 – 15:00) the guard at the entrance of the garage next to the Bar Triunfo has a key for you, upon personal identification.
Insurance
IRAM has no health insurance for visiting astronomers. You should be insured by your own or via your institute. Since the Spanish Social Security System offers only a very basic care we recommend a travel insurance even if you are in a European social security system. We also recommend to obtain a mission permit signed by your institute (even if IRAM is paying the travel). This may help to claim your rights in case of an accident during travel or while at the observatory.