Vorkuta is a northern city located beyond the Arctic Circle in the Komi Republic. It is considered the easternmost point on the European continent. Its population is about 60 thousand people, which is quite a lot for the harsh region on the expanses of the tundra. The city borrowed its name from the river of the same name, on the banks of which it was built after a coal deposit was discovered in the area in the summer of 1930. Traveling to such harsh places, rightfully worthy of the title of end of the world, is associated with understandable inconveniences and difficulties. About the features of moving along the route Vorkuta - Moscow and the possibilities of returning will be described later.
Air traffic
This locality developed especially rapidly in Soviet times. From a small geological base, it first turned into a settlement near coal mines. Over a short period of time, a railway, thermal power station, cement plant, and factories were built in Vorkuta . Housing complexes grew and developed, and the Puppet Theater opened. But since Soviet times, the appearance of the city has not changed. Huge streets still remain half empty, almost no buildings are being built, shops, shopping centers. And the population over the past few decades has declined significantly.
For a long time, for those who wanted to make a trip from Vorkuta to Moscow by plane, there was only the opportunity to do this with a transfer. An intermediate point could be, for example, Usinsk, which was reached by car or bus. In this case, the road took up to 8 hours. And the passage cost quite expensive.
Now there are direct flights. The ticket price varies depending on the time of the year, expressed in the amount of approximately 25 thousand rubles, but using a variety of promotions, you can save a lot. At the same time, the flight time is just over three hours. Often the movement of this type of transport is impossible due to the vagaries of the weather.
By train
The most convenient, perhaps, when connecting Vorkuta - Moscow was always railway transport. The narrow gauge railway to the pier on the river Usa was built back in 1934. A little later, the Vorkuta-Kotlas highway was put into operation.
Today, one can get to the capital from this city by two direct flights and, after traveling about 44 hours, arrive at the Yaroslavsky railway station. Moreover, the cost of tickets will be at least 7,000 rubles, and the trip, judging by the reviews, is not always pleasant and comfortable.
There is also the opportunity to get with a change in Ukhta, but in this case, the Vorkuta - Moscow transfer save does not work, just the opposite. So this route cannot be called profitable. Tickets are purchased not only at the box office. They can be ordered over the Internet using electronic registration.
Travel by car
There are no traffic jams in this city, as in the capital and many other cities. Actually, there are few cars in the wide and empty streets of Vorkuta, even on weekdays and rush hours. And pedestrians can cross the road without fear. But the intercity road trip is full of difficulties and surprises, and in the middle of the snowy tundra there is often a feeling of complete loss. You can easily go to the sidelines, bogged down in snowdrifts. At the same time, it will be necessary to overcome the distance of 2340 km from Vorkuta to Moscow, although it is somewhat smaller in a straight line.
But in the summer, such a journey should be fascinating, since the route can pass through such interesting cities of Russia as Veliky Ustyug, Rostov, Vologda, Yaroslavl. Apart from the stops, then the travel time will take about 44 hours, that is, approximately like on a train.
Northern Lights
Traveling from the capital to a snowy city is not very popular. No wonder, this is not a resort. But the people in the north are sociable, talkative and friendly. The city center can be called quite comfortable and beautiful. The architecture stands out with a peculiar exoticism of the Soviet era. It is also convenient that there is no time difference between Vorkuta and Moscow.
The cold in this region is not felt as strongly as people who are unfamiliar with the north imagine. It's all about dry air in winter. Moreover, during this period there is a very interesting opportunity for visitors from southern latitudes to observe the aurora. This amazing and beautiful natural phenomenon will certainly remain in memory for a lifetime.