Novosibirsk - thoughts, opinions, etc.

[MatryoshkaMan]

Looks like I am going WOVO again. Want to go to meet a woman in her city Novosibirsk around the end of September. I am sure a few of you guys have passed through there in the last couple of years.

- Impressions?
- Tips?
- Best things to see and do?
- Easiest way to get there from NA. I am in Vancouver, BC. From what I can see, easiest way is to fly direct to Frankfurt then connect to an S7 Siberian Airlines direct flight to Novo. Plus I can rent a car and go see a German friend that way. But maybe there is an easier way?

Thanks.

[I/O]

S-7 Direct into OVB out of your choice of European city is the way to go IMO. I'm about 500 kms down the track from Novosibirsk at the moment and the weather is sh*thouse, has been for a few days but not particularly cold. September will still be OK (Usually).

The capital of Siberia with plenty of action but as a foreigner, you'll probably walk right over the top of it for a while until you learn to notice local things.

Tips: Get your visa dates correct and take a torch. I did neither this time and it didn't stop me from either getting into the country or seeing my way up the darkened apartment stair wells but it was a bit of PITA.................

I/O

[Taz]

Novo is an interesting place. Siberian women are pretty much at my top of the list with respect to RW. In general I have the closest relationships with people from there. FYI- it can get VERY hot in the summer. I am sure you've heard of the winters in Siberia. They are not exaggerated and the summers can be just as brutal. Mosquito repellent is a necessity in the summer time.

Definitely take a small flashlight with you as mentioned. I took window screen material to seal up my windows from bugs for the hotter nights although end of Sept it will likely be cold weather. Expect evening lows to be below freezing and daytime highs about +5C to +10C. Once in a while you get a warmer day but those are rare.

Unfortunately the parks won't be quite as active since it will be colder but on warm days you might see a lot of people out and about. Often I'd see little shahslik stands near some of the parks. I love shashlik so I'd usually stop and grab a snack. Food in general was pretty decent if somewhat bland. Then again I think most Russian food is sort of bland. I always bring my own spices.

I personally dislike the visa hassle of Russia so it's been about 2 years since I've been back. The LONG flights to get there are not one of the joys of travel, that is for sure. While I've been to Frankfurt frequently, I've never flow from FRA to any airport into Siberia. Normal I did the flight from Moscow. What kind of price are you getting for that leg? I've found when I checked in the past, it was substantially cheaper to fly from Moscow but maybe that has changed. I also found there were also limited days that some of those flights operated and not every day and typically never when I wanted to fly. Maybe that has changed. If so, I might consider that the next time I go.

[MatryoshkaMan]

If I go Vancouver-Frankfurt-Novo its 2 flights. If I go through Moscow it will certainly be 3 flights. Back in 2003 I flew direct to Moscow from Seattle but I think Aeroflot does not do that leg anymore.

[Faux Pas]

If I go Vancouver-Frankfurt-Novo its 2 flights. If I go through Moscow it will certainly be 3 flights. Back in 2003 I flew direct to Moscow from Seattle but I think Aeroflot does not do that leg anymore.

If you can go direct with no stop over from Vancouver to Frankfort and second leg straight to Novo.....I don't see how you go wrong no matter the difference in cost. IIRC the flight from Frankfort to Novo is a fairly new option. I say avoid Moscow/St Pete unless it is completely cost prohibitive.

[GQBlues]

IIRC, Air Siberia serves Novo as Lufthansa removed Novo from their schedule. Not sure if Aeroflot has a Novo/Frankfurt first leg flight these days.

The last time my in-Laws came over from Novo was by way of Aeroflot (Novo-Moscow-LA) which was pretty cool considering the first time they were here was absolutely brutal. They flew Air Siberia from Novo and connected from Frankfurt to LA by way of Lufthansa with a gruelling 16-hour layover at Frankfurt. Same schedule going back.

Aeroflot Seattle-Moscow connection was replaced by LAX-Moscow about 4-5 years ago.

One other possibility maybe from the other way around: Vancouver-Beijing-Novo...