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Vladivostok
Vladivostok is a city in Russia. It is 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.
Travel to Vladivostok, visa requirements
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.
By boat
You can reach Japan from here. Ferries leave on alternate weeks for the ports of Niigata and Fushiki. Fares are from ¥25,200 ($235) one-way and the trip takes 2 days. A schedule for the Fushiki-Vladivostok line is here, though it may be outdated.
Ferry service runs to Sokcho on the East coast of South Korea. From Russia to Korea: Only on Saturday does the boat leave from Vladivostok itself, departing for Zarubino at 10:30, arriving there at 15:30. From Zarubina boats leave at 18:00 on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday during summer, but only on Wednesday and Saturday during winter (September-May). From Korea to Russia: Boats leave from Sokcho at 15:00. During summer on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, and during Winter only on Monday and Thursday. All boats arrive in Zarubino at 10:00 the next day, only the Thursday boat continues on to Vladivostok, arriving there at 20:00 on Friday. Fares are US$170 one-way, US$300 round-trip. (Site in Korean only.)
Flights to Vladivostok, airtickets
The airport code is VVO and a list of carriers servicing the airport is available at WikiPedia:Vladivostok_International_Airport
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 airport is very small and about a 30 minute drive out of Vladivostok so have your transportation plans set before you get there.
The airport is 30 km (19 mi) from the centre. There are suburban trains and local buses.
Get around
Vladivostok is best traversed by bus or by foot. They have yet to embrace the traffic light on a lot of their intersections and whoever pushes thru first has the right of way. Access to the out lying areas is generally best done by tour bus. The Train station is very accessable and a great way to see neighboring cities like Khabarovsk.
Bring good walking shoes as if you stay for any length of time you will end up walking to the market, cafes, or restaurants daily.
Vladivostok attractions and sightseeing
A virtual Historic Walking Tour of Vladivostok has been put together by Washington State University and the Far Eastern National University.
Interests
- The Pacific Fleet
- Vladivostok Aquarium
Museums
- Arsenev Regional History Museum
- Pacific Fleet Military Museum
City tours
Learn
The Far Eastern National University is one of the top 5 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.
Shopping, Vladivostok souvenirs
Local markets are spread throughout Vladivostok. They 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 its probably a bit out of the way for every day fare.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
Vladivostok nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
Hotels
Vlad Motor Inn, #35, 8-th Street Sanatornaya, 7 (4232) 38-88-88 (fax: 1 (508) 590-2432) [1] Reservations can be made online. They offer a free pickup service from the airport. Western managed hotel, staff speak english - probably the nicest hotel to stay at in Vladivostok. Ranked very highly in reviews, used 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.
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.
Stay safe
Contact
- Vladivostok News - Vladivostok Newspaper in English
Get out
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