Getting to Sochi
Get to the Sochi Games ready to play!
There are several ways to get to Sochi: plane, train, boat, bus or car (only park&ride).
- By Plane
The fastest way to get to Sochi is by plane. Sochi has direct air connections with many cities in Russia, such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Saratov, Yakutsk, Ufa, Arkhangelsk, and Krasnodar. There are regular international flights to Sochi from Istanbul, Yerevan, and Tashkent. During the Games many cities world wide will introduce direct flights to Sochi.
On arrival to Sochi specially trained volunteers will be at the airport, do not hesitate to ask them for questions.
To get from the airport to downtown Sochi or the Olympic venues, you can take a taxi, a city shuttle bus or the
Sochi Aeroexpress
(a journey from Sochi airport to Sochi’s main train station (Sochi transport hub) on the Aeroexpress takes around 45 minutes and costs 200 rubles).
For more detailed information about how to get to or from the Sochi airport by public transportation or taxi, flights, and flight schedules, please visit the official website of the
Sochi Airport
.
You may also use the
Spectator transport system (railroad or bus)
.
Flights from Moscow to Sochi
There are more than 15 direct flights into Sochi every day from the Moscow airports:
Vnukovo
,
Domodedovo
and
Sheremetyeovo
.
In order to avoid airport immigration queues it is recommended to arrive early, 4-5 hours before departure. To shorten the waiting time at the airport, you also can use online registration or the self-check-in machines at the airport. If you are traveling with luggage, you can wrap your bags and get a name tag at the airport.
We bring your attention to the fact that you will need to go through a pre-flight security check. Please get familiar with the rules of flight, luggage and carry-on luggage on your airline’s website.
For comfort and to save time, we recommend that passengers transferring through Moscow book flights with companies that fly into Moscow and on to Sochi from the same airport (there are no direct transfers available between Moscow’s different airports, so changing airports will significantly increase your journey time). You can find information about traveling between airports or getting from the airports to downtown Moscow at the
Aeroexpress
company website. The cost of an Aeroexpress trip from an airport to downtown Moscow is 320 rubles.
In airports, please pay attention to information screens, and announcements via loud speaker presented in English and Russian.
"Aeroflot" airlines is the Official Airline of the Games in Sochi with over 5 direct daily flights to Sochi. For schedules and flight costs, please check the
Aeroflot website
. The flight duration from Moscow to Sochi is 2 hours and 20 minutes.
- By Train
Sochi 2014 General Partner Russian Railways provides train services to Sochi. The average journey time by train between Moscow and Sochi is 24 to 30 hours. For travel information, ticket prices and train timetables, please check the
Russian Railways website
.
The Russian rail system is one of the largest and most complex in the world. Whilst traveling to Sochi from any city in Russia you will experience incredible views and sceneries. The trains in Russia are safe and comfortable and while traveling may take a long time, the breathtaking surroundings more than make up for the time spent.
- By Sea
Sochi has direct sea connections with Novorossiysk and the port of Trabzon, Turkey. Travel time from Novorossiysk is 3 hours 30 minutes. From the port of Trabzon, travel takes from 4.5 to 12 hours, depending on the type of boat selected.
For information about ticket prices, schedules, and vessel types, please visit the
Sochi Commercial Seaport
website, or check directly at the counter at the Sochi Seaport.
The City of Sochi
Sochi is one of the biggest and most beautiful resorts in Russia. Officially, Sochi is only the name of the central part of the resort, which also includes the districts of Lazarevskoe, Khosta, and Adler. The city of Sochi is spread out among the foothills of the Caucasus and along the shores of the Black Sea. The city is situated at the same latitude as Nice and Toronto.
The territory of Sochi comprises 200,000 hectares, including 30,000 hectares of arboretums, botanical gardens and protected nature reserves with unique flora and fauna. Sochi is known for the unique combination of Mediterranean and Alpine climates. The natural environment of Sochi and its surroundings is so gorgeous that the resort is often called the Russian Riviera. The region has a Mediterranean-style climate, gentle and moderate, with an average winter temperature in the range of 8-10 °С along the coast. In the summer, the temperature can reach up to 38-40 °С. In the mountains, the air temperature in summer may never get above 8 °С, and in the winter, the temperature in the mountains is often below zero.
Thanks to the natural climate conditions, Sochi offers its guests and city residents multiple opportunities for recreation during all 12 months of the year, regardless of the season. Adventure-seekers can head off to explore the caves, raft down the White River, or take a parachute ride over the water. Sochi also offers many other ways to spend your time: yachting, horse riding, mountain hikes, waterfall excursions (there are huge numbers of waterfalls here), or trips to the observation tower at the peak of Akhun Mountain, where the panoramic view of the majesty of the Caucasus will take your breath away. Excursions are available all year round, nevertheless unusual weather conditions may occur, to avoid disappointment please check weather closer to the date.
- What to See.
Main tourist attractions:
THE ARBORETUM
The park is located at the very heart of the city of Sochi, at 74 Kurortny Prospekt. More than 1,500 types, forms and breeds of trees and shrub species grow there. There is a large collection of pines (76 types and 1,890 individual specimens), the biggest collection in Russia of oak trees (80 types) and palm trees (24 types), cypress trees, and many rare subtropical plants. The park consists of two parts: upper and lower. In the lower park, you will find the aquarium, exhibiting the variety of animals that live in the Black Sea, and a pond. The park offers separate corners where collections of plants from the Caucasus, Japan, China, Australia, the Mediterranean, and North and South America grow in compact groups.
Trinity Georgian Convent
The Trinity Georgian Convent is on the road to Krasnaya Polyana, deep in the mountains. The white water mountain river Sakhe winds around it.
The cathedral was named in honor of the Vladimir Mother of God icon. Those who pray before the icon, it is believed, have always found healing, hope, faith, love, rescue from danger, and help with their physical and creative labors.
Achishkho Ridge
Since the 1930s, there has been a pedestrian route to Achishkho, a ridge of astounding beauty with a unique natural environment and views over the Caucasus Mountains: sub-alpine meadows with flowers growing higher than a full-grown adult; the famous three-cascade Bratya waterfall, marking the beginning of the Achipse River; and viewing platforms in all directions - to the sea, Krasnaya Polyana, the Greater Caucasus Mountain Ridge, Khmelevsky Lake, Zerkalny Lake, and more.
It only takes one visit to Achishkho to fall in love forever with the natural beauty of the mountains around the Black Sea.
Achishko is also famous for having weather changes several times a day, please take note of that before going there.
Orlinye Skaly (The Eagle Cliffs) and the waterfalls of the Agur Gorge (with an approach to Mt. Akhun)
At 379 meters above sea level, Orlinye Skaly boasts a spectacular view across the Greater Caucasus Mountain Ridge and the Agur Gorge.
The horseshoe-shaped Orlinye Skaly, surrounding the Agur Gorge in a fluid arch from the west, consists of two vertically arranged tiers - upper and lower. The dropoff from the top tier reaches 85 meters. The elevation of the observation platform over the depths of the gorge is around 250 meters.
Below, in the Agur Gorge, there are three large waterfalls which are 21, 23, and 30 meters tall. Mt. Akhun rises 663 meters over sea level, and is crowned by a 30-meter-tall observation tower. The view from above is astounding: you can see Abkhazia and the whole of the Sochi coast.
- Where to Eat.
Sochi boasts a well-developed tourist infrastructure. Restaurants in Sochi demonstrate Russian hospitality and flavors. In many cafes vegetarian and faith-based diets are available. In addition the majority of restaurants and cafes have Internet access. Information about the infrastructure in Sochi (food, entertainment, walking tours) is available at the hotel where you are staying in Sochi and from tour operators.
- Where to Stay.
To choose the best location for your hotel and get the standard of accommodations you are accustomed to, make sure you
plan your accommodation and book a hotel in advance.
- How to Pay.
All goods and services purchased in the Russian Federation must be paid for with Russian rubles. Even if prices are displayed in euros or US dollars, your bill will be provided in Russian rubles at the official exchange rate or the exchange rate established by the seller.
Euros and dollars, as well as other currencies, may be exchanged at any bank in the city of Sochi, or at any branch of
Sberbank
a Sochi 2014 General Partner. Main Sberbank office in Sochi: 2 Voikov St.,
tel. 7 (862)2694248
Attention!
Attention! At sport competition, Sochi 2014 Live Sites and inside the Olympic Park, payments may only be made by cash or Visa payment card.
- Mobile communication and telephone numbers
Calls within the country: +7 (Russia's country code), then the city code
International calls: "+" followed by the country code
Sochi's city code: +7 (Russia's country code) then 8622 (Sochi's city code)
Moscow's city codes are +7 (495) и +7 (499)
Police / Ambulance service: Call 112 (service is provided in Russian and English)
Mobile communication service within the competitions area is provided by MegaFon - the Sochi 2014 General Partner. If your device has not automatically connected to the MegaFon network, please select MegaFon in your device settings and remain connected. You will be charged according to your tariff plan.
You can purchase a mobile phone SIM card or sign up for Mobile Internet service at the offices of the mobile communications company
Megafon
, a Sochi 2014 General Partner, as well as at supermarkets and other retail locations. A passport or other ID is required to obtain services. You can add money to your telephone account at any Megafon office, supermarket, or mobile phone terminal.
To learn more about the city of Sochi, please visit: