From Wikitravel

Vladivostok is a city in Russia, and serves as the eastern terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway. It also is the home of the Russian Pacific Fleet, and as such was off-limits to foreigners and Russians alike until 1992, although it is now open to tourism.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By train

The Trans-Siberian Railway takes you here from Moscow. Fares are from $200 single. Trains to Harbin, China take around 30 hours and cost $50.

[edit] By boat

You can reach Japan from here. Far Eastern Shipping Company (FESCO) ferries leave on alternate weeks for the ports of Niigata and Fushiki (Takaoka). Fares are from ($330) one-way and the trip takes two nights, with ferries both ways leaving around 6 PM and arriving two days later around 9 AM. Schedules, prices and tickets are available from FESCO's official agent in Japan, Bisintour [1].

There was previously a service connecting Vladivostok and Sokcho, South Korea. This service closed down in April 2008. [2] The Dung Chun Ferry company website seems to indicate that there are services to Slavyanka which is a port town 180km from Vladivostok (and only 50km by boat). [3]

It is also possible to go anywhere in the world (and come from anywhere as well) by booking a berth on a cargo boat. Usual caveats of freighter travel apply, though (it's definitely NOT for a casual tourist), and one need to keep in mind that Russian border and customs officials aren't used to people travelling this way.

[edit] By plane

Vladivostok International Airport (IATA: VVO, ICAO: UHWW) is located near Artyom, some 44 km off the city center, has two airfields with four paved runways, and is able to receive all types of aircraft. Principal carriers include Aeroflot Russian Airlines, Domodedovo Airlines, Kras Air and Vladivostok Air. Korean Air also offers flights from the continental US via Seoul-Incheon.

The international terminal is very small and usually crowded, but domestic terminal (located just next door to international one) recently underwent a major renovation and is THE most advanced and comfortable airport terminal in Russian Far East. Prices in the shops and airport restaurant are somewhat higher than city average, though. As Vladivostok is slated to receive APEC summit in 2012, the planning of further upgrades are underway. Currently the main connection of airport to the city is the local and shuttle bus (ticket price is 55 R one way), and rail link to the airport is proposed to supplement this.

[edit] By bus

There is a number of local bus routes from most suburban locations and nearby towns as well. Most places around the region are linked to Vladivostok by bus. There's also several international routes, linking Vladivostor to cities in Northeastern China, such as Harbin, Mudanjiang and Suifenhe. It takes about five hours to get to the city from Chinese border, and the road goes through one of the most picturesque places of the Russian Far East.

[edit] Get around

Vladivostok has wide choice of means of transportation, from streetcars to trolleybuses to funicular. By far the most common public transport is the bus, both large route buses and marshrutka shared taxis (they generally follow bus routes though). Bus fare is flat 10 R as of 2008, paid to the driver. As Vladivostok is a highly mountainous city, walking and bicycle access might be rather physically demanding. Also please note that very cold and windy winters, together with regular ice condition, mostly preclude bicycle use in winter.

There are a number of taxi companies, and hailing one is easy. There's no meter, because most companies and freelance drivers charge flat rate of ~150 R ($6) for one hour. However, being the main port of used Japanese car import in Russia, Vladivostok is highly automobilized, but as its century-old streets are ill suited to such massive number of cars, they are usually filled to capacity and traffic jams are common, especially in rush hours. Driving style is also rather aggressive, and speeding, cutting off, and tailgating are widespread.

Access to the outlying areas is generally best done by bus or suburban commuter train. The train station is very accessible and a great way to see neighboring cities like Khabarovsk (note that being some 700 km off it takes usually about one day just to get there).

[edit][add listing] See

A virtual Historic Walking Tour of Vladivostok has been put together by Washington State University and the Far Eastern National University.

[edit] Interests

• The Pacific Fleet
• Vladivostok Aquarium

[edit] Museums

• Arsenev Regional History Museum
• Pacific Fleet Military Museum

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit] Learn

The Far Eastern National University is one of the top five Russian universities and has over 35,000 students. It offers Russian courses online for foreigners at $200 a credit or on campus. The Vladivostok State University of Economics also offers Russian Courses for foreigners at decent prices. Both universities can set you up in their dorms as well as do the necessary paperwork for you to study in Russia.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Local markets are spread throughout Vladivostok and provide the basic groceries for a neighborhood. Some even have a butcher but most all provide sausages and frozen meat. Larger markets sell clothing, shoes, and everything else imaginable in addition to food.

Sportivnaya is the largest market in Vladivostok. Its maze-like warrens are full of people selling most everything. There is a large Chinese presence here, and knockoffs and Chinese imports abound. The range of food sold at this market is fabulous but is probably a bit unusual for everyday fare.

[edit][add listing] Eat

At the Vlad Motor Inn for Sunday morning brunch, a tradition for the handful of ex-pats living in the city. To reach the Vlad Motor Inn, take an elektrichki (commuter train) out to Sanaturnaya (approximately six stops outbound from the Vladivostok train station). From there, it is a short walk to the Vlad Motor Inn.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Hotels

Vlad Motor Inn, #35, 8-th Street Sanatornaya, 7 (4232) 38-88-88 (fax: 1 (508) 590-2432) [4] Reservations can be made online. They offer a free pickup service from the airport. Western-managed hotel and speaking-English staff--probably the nicest hotel in Vladivostok. Ranked very highly in reviews and recommended by consulates in the city for visitors. Also has a very well-reviewed restaurant on premises. $139 for standard room with one or two queen beds.

[edit] Dorms

Russian dorm rooms in Vladivostok range from awful to ok. Generally, foreigners are dormed in reasonable accommodations, but you should know exactly what you are getting into before arriving. Important things you might take for granted include: private or communal kitchen and bathrooms, number of roommates, number of clothing washers and dryers.

Far Eastern National University offers reasonable dorm rooms but foreigners are separated from Russian students, so if you are looking for more Russian immersion, ask them about arranging a home stay.

[edit] Stay safe

[edit] Contact

• Vladivostok News - Vladivostok Newspaper in English

[edit] Get out

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