Novosibirsk: practical information - A to Z Guide

 

Of course, better to stick to the common sense: don't’ "flash" your cash, avoid dark, empty streets during the night etc.  

However, there are a lot of official taxis in the city and around at any time of the day and night, so you can always move around in a car (e.g. Taxi Lider (383)319-19-19). 

 

When we were in Novosibirsk, we didn't stay in a hotel, but just went to Akademgorodok, which is a university campus area on the outskirts of the city. We camped in a forest there for two nights - something we would never have done in Moscow or St. Petersburg, or any other city, except Ulan-Ude maybe, which also seemed to be quite calm.

 

 

 

If you got ill, you can go to the government hospitals, but you'll have to stand long queues, talk to the doctor who speaks Russian only (in most cases) and I'm not sure about the quality of service. So, it's better to find a western clinic or wait until you get to Moscow.

 

To protect against encephalitis (read more about this illness on Health and Safety section), to get either a vaccination or after-treatment, in Novosibirsk contact:

The Hospital for Neuroinfections Prevention. Novosibirsk, Akademgorodok, Pirogova St., 25. Tel.: (3832) 330-97-88. 

 

 

Novosibirsk is the best place for shopping. Never thought it was, but after I came there, I left with nice new clothes, good stock of food and travel gear, interesting books, and a lot of other useful stuff.

 

All the best shops are located on Vokzalnaya Magistral St., which is a big avenue going from the railway station to the center. It takes about 15 minutes to walk it.

 

For personal hygiene, household goods, brand clothes, and basic travel gear try TSUM department store, located 5 minutes walking from the railway station along Vokzalnaya Magistral St. 

 

Fotoland - Photo Shop. A good choice of photography equipment and films (including professional Kodak films), film developing and printing, digital photo.

Open mon-fri 8.00 to 20.00, sat-sun: 10.00-20.00 Address: 59, Krasny Prospekt st. (near the metro Krasny Prospekt) 

 

 

AlpIndustria Travel Gear Shop. The best choice of trekking gear in Novosibirsk. You can find backpacks, clothes, gas, various alpinist and trekking equipment and anything else. Located outside of the center, 15 minutes by metro, just outside of Pl. Marksa metro (down the red line to the south). Open: 10.00 to 20.00 daily.

Address: 83, 1905 Goda St. (near metro Krasny Prospekt) 27, Vagutina St., Contact: 8 (383) 328-44-14, www.alpindustria.ru/shops/novosibirsk/ 

 

Also, try "Aleut" store. This travel gear and outdoor equipment shop is owned and run by professionals in skiing, mountaineering, trekking and extreme sports.

You can find all kinds of travel equipment there as well as a good advice. However, expect to pay about 50% more than in Moscow or St. Pete. 

 

From time to time people who work at the shop go on trips to nearby Altai mountains, which you can join as well. Ask Pavel (director) or Max.

Open: 10.00 to 19.00, Monday to Saturday Address: Dmitrova Prospekt, 18, tel.: 8 (383) 222-22-24, email: z3000@online.nsk.su

 

Among other good travel equipment store are "Na Grani", which also sells skateboards, snowboard equipment, bikes etc.

Open: 10.00 to 20.00 daily. Address: Sovetskaya, 65. tel.: (3832) 125-113.

 

If you love fishing, also try "Rybolov Center", where you can find all kinds of equipment. Address: Sovetskaya, 20. tel.: (3832) 22-40-57.