Volgograd

[jj]

Has anyone ever been to Volzhsky , Volgograd area of Russia and can comment on its good and bad points.  Is it difficult for tourist get around there?  I am thinking of visiting a gal there and my first trip to Russia.-jj

[SANDRO43]

Never been there personally, but one aspect that struck me was the apparently higher percentage of pretty FSUW in that area, at least judging from their profiles on MOB sites and according to my subjective taste. 

[jinx13]

 Hi JJ,

  Yeah, I have been to Volgograd/Volzhsky, and so have other guys on this list, just do a search in the archives and I think you would find a lot of good info.

  I used www.anastasya.com agency the first time I went. They made it very easy, with airport pick-up, apartment, and driver and translator. All for a good price i think, $100 a day if I remember.

 Volzhsky is small, with some pollution, but it has it's charm. Many trees, and a nice central square (Lenin of course) and I have heard they are doing a lot of construction to modernize the city.

 Volgograd is a big city, with all the things big cities have, nice restaurants, clubs, shopping malls, theatre's, etc. The whole city seems like a monument to the victory over Germany in WWII, many museums, statues, memorials, and so on.

 Oh yeah, they're are also some of the most beautfiful women you will ever see in this area :-)  You will be breaking your neck, and trying not to get into trouble with the girl you came there to meet. Be careful my friend, but keep your options open too.

 I have friends that live there, let me know if you have any questions, I can try and help out. - David

[jj]

Thanks for the input!   Fortunately the lady speaks english and I talk with her daily on phone.  She can meet me at Volgograd airport and is checking with a local agency for me to contact about apartment in Volzhsky.  She did say that my connection flight in Moscow involves short trip to another smaller airport in Moscow to catch final flight to  Volgograd.  If you have any advice David on getting taxi, or other transportation to this other airport or air strip with out getting ripped off by any drivers let me know how you did it.  Thanks.  And also,  how is  customs in Moscow? Is it slow go or fairly expedient for Americans.  Thanks- jj  (John)

[happyguy]

She did say that my connection flight in Moscow involves short trip to another smaller airport in Moscow to catch final flight to  Volgograd.  If you have any advice David on getting taxi, or other transportation to this other airport or air strip with out getting ripped off by any drivers let me know how you did it. 

I have never been to Moscow, but have read a lot about others peoples experiences doing the airport switch.From what i understand.The best way is a free shuttle bus.

http://www.aeroflot.ru/eng/info.asp?ob_no=5128

[jinx13]

 Hey JJ,  I didn't do the shuttle thing because i stayed in Moscow a few days before going on to Volgograd, I arrived at Sheremtevo in Moscow, and departed from Domedevo (yeah, I know I mispelled these, but it's close) Beware of taxi drivers, better to have someone meet you there from an agency, but if you take a taxi, negotiate the price!

 Customs in Moscow, hmmmm....I had no problems, I just walk right through the "Green" line and no one ever asked me anything. Just don't carry more than a couple thousand cash on you. It was pretty easy, just a little intimidating the first time, but you get over it.   - Dave

[jj]

thanks happyguy for great map of terminal . It takes some of the confusion out it. I figured if I could get little longer layover it would give me time to get lost and still make the connection-
thanks jinx13 for insight about customs. I will try to limit cash to $2,000, but I wonder if they have atm's there in Volgograd or Volzhsky(her actual town). Do some restaurants there accept credit cards yet?    -jj

[jinx13]

 JJ, Do yourself a favor and contact Anastasya Agency in Volzhsky, I gave the website earlier. Nastya and her husband Igor are very nice people, and Igor can be your driver and guide for a very low price.

 Most restaurants do not take credit cards, especially in Volzhsky, you will need cash. There are ATM's, Igor can tell you where the ones are with the lowest transaction fee's.

 Am I understanding that this will be your first trip to Russia? Volzhsky was also my first destination, brings back many memories    It's a small city, with big apartment buildings, and lots of trees. The pollution is pretty bad there, you will smell something burning always, but usually smells like burning leaves, not so bad. I won't tell you too much because i want you to experience it yourself.

 Here is another good link, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SeekingVolgogradWomen/  this is a group that discusses everything about Volgograd/Volzhsky, There is a ton of info there, just look at the archives, you will see many have traveled the same path that you are headed for now, and we all have our stories

 

[Wayne]

A taxi between the two mentioned airports could be extremely expensive.  You should pre-arrange the transfer.  If you look at British Airlines, you can go directly to Dom... airport and get local flight without airport transfer.  There are twice daily flights London to Moscow.  The Dom.... airport is much better experience!  Someone I know paid $300 for a taxi between the airports.  Always set the price before stepping into a taxi at the airport.