Novosibirsk

Good to know

1. 1The city began in the 1890s as a settlement built for the bridge carrying the Trans-Siberian Railway across the Ob River, and it grew very fast after that. This makes it young by Russian standards.
2. 2Akademgorodok, a science town south of the centre, was founded in the late 1950s and is home to institutes of the Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It sits among pine and birch forest near a large reservoir.
3. 3The Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre has one of the largest buildings of its kind in Russia, with a big green dome, and it is a city landmark. Ballet and opera are taken seriously here.
4. 4The Ob River divides the city into a left bank and a right bank, and the metro crosses it by a long bridge. The centre lies mostly on the left bank.
5. 5The Novosibirsk Zoo is well known in Russia for its work with animals from cold climates, and many locals count it as one of the city's main attractions.
6. 6Russian is spoken everywhere, and English is not widely used outside hotels and universities. The money is the Russian rouble.

Tips for a first visit

• Learn to read the Cyrillic alphabet before you go, since signs, menus and metro maps are mostly written in it. A translation app with a camera function also helps a lot.
• The metro is the quickest way to cross the city and the Ob River, and the main stations are easy to follow once you know the line names. Buses and trams cover the rest.
• Try Siberian dishes such as pelmeni, small dumplings served with sour cream or butter, and fish from Siberian rivers. Pine nuts and berries from the taiga also turn up in sweets and drinks.
• Bring cash as a backup, since foreign bank cards may not work in Russia. Check with your bank before you travel.
• Dress for the weather, with proper boots and layers in winter, because cold here is serious and sidewalks can be icy. Indoors, people often take off their coats and outdoor shoes at the door of theatres and homes.
• If you are invited into a home, take off your shoes at the door and bring a small gift such as cake or flowers.

When to go

Winters are long, dry and very cold, with deep snow, though the city looks lovely under it and holiday lights and ice sculptures are common. Spring is short and muddy, summer is warm and green with long days, and early autumn is often clear and mild. Most visitors find June to September the easiest time, while winter suits those who do not mind the cold.

From the airport

The main airport is Tolmachevo, to the west of the city, roughly 15 to 20 kilometres from the centre. Buses and minibuses run to the city and connect with the metro or the railway station, and taxis are available, with the trip usually taking around 30 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. A local express train service to the main railway station has also operated in the past, so check what is running when you arrive.