What could be better than a summer vacation in Karelia? Mushrooms and berries, lakes with clean and clear water, forests, amazing air ... There is no stupefying heat, but just very comfortable. In addition, you will find not only fabulous nature, but also a rich history and interesting national flavor.
How to get to Karelia? Of course, this question is of interest to many tourists who are going there on vacation or at least for the weekend. Karelia is a very developed region of Russia. Therefore, there is an airport and bus stations.
Of course, there are trains to Karelia. Many Russians prefer to drive here in their own car to get more pleasure from traveling. Most often they stop in the largest city of the republic - Petrozavodsk to be able to ride throughout the region.
Now we will tell you about how to get to Karelia, and describe what experienced tourists say about this. After all, if you have already decided to visit this mystical land, you just have to choose your own path and can afford it.
By air
There is only one airport in this republic. It is located in the city of Petrozavodsk. Directly here you can fly only from Moscow. Therefore, if you are thinking about how to get to Karelia by air from other regions of Russia, then first of all you need to get to the capital of the country.
From there, the plane gets to Petrozavodsk from the Domodedovo hub for an hour and a half or two. Right at the Besovets airport you can catch a bus, the schedule of which is connected with the arrival of various flights.
If you want to be in fabulous Karelia very quickly, an airplane is the best way for you. In addition, the service on board is excellent, they will even feed you and give you a drink. But do not forget that flights are often delayed due to weather conditions, and not every tourist can afford the cost of a ticket.
By rail
Karelia is crossed by two branches along which trains run. The first of them passes through Petrozavodsk, Medvezhyegorsk, Belomorsk and Kem. The second goes to Sortavala and there it reaches a fork in Yushkozero and Kostomuksha.
How to get to Karelia by train? This can be done from different Russian regions, including from the outback. It’s quite convenient to travel, trains run on schedule, and you can be sure that you will reach the final destination of your trip on time.
Tourists believe that in a car, especially a branded one, you don’t even think about how much to go to Karelia. Convenient, comfortable, you can read a book or talk with companionable neighbors, or even solve a crossword puzzle. The main thing is to buy tickets in advance so as not to run into a problem when there are no more empty seats.
Therefore, the train is the most common way to get to Karelia. On the other hand, if you travel alone, you need to carefully monitor your luggage and try not to leave it unattended.
By train from St. Petersburg
The easiest way to get to Karelia is from St. Petersburg. Residents of North Palmyra prefer the high-speed train "Swallow". He walks several times a day and gets to Petrozavodsk in just five to six hours.
Tourists write that it’s so convenient to travel that you simply won’t notice this trip. But already to Kostomuksha trains run only three times a week. You’ll have to spend 19 hours on the road.
Trains to Karelia from St. Petersburg leave mainly from Moscow and Ladoga stations.
By rail from the capital
The Moscow-Petrozavodsk train also runs several times a day. Ride it for about 15 hours. There are trains that go directly to Petrozavodsk, and there are those that go to Murmansk, but stop in the capital of Karelia.
To Kostomuksha trains leave twice a week, and on the way you will spend about a day. Tourists believe that the best option for such a trip is the Karelia branded train. He will take you to Petrozavodsk in a night.
Buses to Karelia
This type of public transport is most often used by residents of St. Petersburg. From there, three flights depart daily to Petrozavodsk. They leave from bus station No. 2. It is located on the embankment of the Obvodny Canal. Ride long enough - about nine hours.
But the salon itself is very comfortable, there is a TV and air conditioning. In addition, you will get the opportunity to look at the landscapes along the road. There are many stops along the way, and you will always have time to stretch your legs and have a bite. Buses arrive at the Petrozavodsk station, which is located on Chapaeva Street.
But getting in this way from Moscow will take more than a day, and even with a transfer in Veliky Novgorod. Therefore, they use a bus to get from Karelia to the capital, unless extreme lovers.
By car
This is the most common and convenient way to travel to Karelia. The easiest way, again, is to get there from St. Petersburg along the M18 highway (Kola). Only six hours - and you are already in the republic.
But the distance from Moscow to Karelia by car is about a thousand kilometers. Go there - at least 12-15 hours. Most often, tourists use the E105 highway. This is an excellent road surface that will allow you to get with the breeze. But in high season, the highway can be filled with cars, so the travel time will increase further.
As for other tracks, in winter the roads can be brought, so if you are going to ski, do not forget to bring a shovel with you. And in the summer there is a danger of falling into the rain and getting stuck in the mud. The fact is that closer to Karelia the roads become unpaved and unpaved.
On many trees along the route there are signs with phone numbers by which you can call a tow truck. Keep this in mind when traveling.
Driving options
If you are driving through St. Petersburg, then from there you will follow the M18. You can also use the tracks M10 and A115.
That is, you get out of the capital along the M10 leading to Veliky Novgorod, then turn off at A115 near the village of Babino and follow to the village of Yushkovo (near Volkhov). And then turn right onto the M18 federal highway .
Residents of the capital recommend another option to get to Petrozavodsk. It is a little longer, but the roads are better here. You leave Moscow towards Tver, head for Khimki, then to Klin.
Then you go to Veliky Novgorod and get to its suburbs. Near the village of the Proletariat, turn north-east and move to Kirishi, through Staraya Ladoga and Lodeynoye Pole. There you go to E105 and after some time you get to Petrozavodsk.
Reviews
Tourists who traveled around Karelia in their own car were mostly satisfied. They think this is a great alternative to public transportation.
You can take with you more luggage (for example, fishing rods or skiing), which is inconvenient to carry on the train. You are your own masters, are not tied to any schedule and are free to visit the places you want.
In addition, such a trip will cost less. You can pitch a tent and cook yourself at the stake. This is much cheaper than living in hotels and eating in cafes. The pros and cons of this way of travel we have analyzed above.
In addition, there is another drawback. For example, the route Moscow - Petrozavodsk is quite long, and if you go to Kostomuksha, you will need to spend even more time. Therefore, if only one person is driving with you, then he should often rest. Or take with you at least two people in the status of a driver so that they can replace each other.
Traveling by train is more comfortable and safer. Maybe that's why many people choose this option to get to Karelia.