The climate in Nizhniy Novgorod is very similar with Moscow and it's different each year. So the coldest temperature in winter could be -33 oC, coldest month is February, and of course you need winter jacket, gloves, cap, and winter shoes. Sometimes it's not like this and we have 0-3 oC, so here there is a lot of snow, water, slush. Then the footwear which does not soak through is necessary for you. During the summer the temperature is not above +33 oC, this time is very hot, because there is no sea and asphalt, roads, houses, roofs are heat up and you become very warm. During autumn the nature becomes very beautiful and multi-colored, especially in regions. But in the same time there are a lot of rain and all becomes grey till the first white snow will drop out. So, it's up to you to take clothes with yourself or to buy it here, but I can tell, that the prices for clothes here even are more expensive, than in Europe. Here you check weather in Nizhniy Novgorod: http://weather.yandex.ru/27459/
In Russia there is a mobile phone frequency band MHz 1800. And I'll appreciate if you will have mobile phones with you, because it's the best way to stay in contact with coordinator, mentor of other friends. Besides, public telephones are not popular in Russia, so if you need to make a call in the street, you can do it only from your mobile phone. SFERA will provide you with Russian SIM cards, it'll much more cheaper for you. Please, check at your mobile provider if your phone is not blocked and will work with Russian SIM-card.
There are some places in Nizhniy Novgorod where you can use WiFi for free, but still not everywhere. So, if you would like to be in depended from office computer, you can bring your laptop with you. But be careful, don't leave it anywhere, it can be stolen.
All bank cards as VISA, MASTER card … are available in any supermarkets, shops and shop centers. But it's quite complicated to use it in a markets, kiosks and small old shops. So, it's better for you to have some cash always with you.
Russian currency is called rubles, RUB. 1 RUB is 100 kopek.
To give you an idea:
Small bottle of water costs 15 RUBs;
Bread 20 RUBs;
Milk 25 RUBs
Beer in a pub - 80-150 RUBs;
Cinema - 300-500 RUBs.
"What to pack" from Rachel Holmes (volunteer from UK)?
1. A verrrry warm coat. But remember, you are not going to the North Pole, and you are not an Eskimo. Your coat should be the delicate balance of fashion and practicality that beautiful Russian women have perfected.
2. Very warm gloves. But small enough to get coins out of your pocket when the bus conductor begins to harass you, while you are balancing between five hundred Russians.
3. A camera. To photograph every single thing you see, from your seventh tour of the Kremlin to drunken Masha who crashed your birthday party to Dinesh's discoball in the medicinski hostel.
4. A toothbrush. So that your teeth gleam. But if they don't smile back it's not because they don't like you, just because streets are no-smiling zones.
5. Perfume. Spray it on everyday; bring nice smells into stinky places. And cheer where there is none.
6. Music. There will be a lot of crazy dancing and parties that end at 9am..
7. A flexible back. Bath tubs, floors, sofas and people all mean 'bed' when you are exhausted.
8. Sweets to barter for friendship.
9. A 'I understand exactly what you are trying to tell me' face.
10. "Kak de la? Hiroshaw spaseba, a tebya?" It forms the basis of Russian conversation everywhere.
11. Something to hug when you get lonely and/or homesick.
12. A pen. To write down the latest random event; jumping into a lake when its -20 degrees. Or singing Silent Night in Swahili in a country that does not celebrate Christmas.
13. Perseverance.
14. A mirror. To check your reflection when you become braver then you ever thought you could be.
15. A map. You are going to Wonderland.
Every person who has taken part in EVS is entitled to receive a Youthpass certificate, which describes and validates the non-formal and informal learning experience acquired during the project.
Youthpass certificate has a structure and contains the following information:
• personal details about the volunteer
• general description of the project/activities
• key information concerning the project and the activities realised by the volunteer
• description and assessment of the volunteer's learning outcome during the project.
Through the Youthpass, the European Commission ensures that participation in the EVS is recognised as an educational experience and a period of non-formal learning and informal learning. This document can be of great benefit for the future educational or professional pathway of the volunteer.
The Youthpass certificate is filled in jointly by the volunteer and a representative of the SFERA, is signed by both, and handed over to the volunteer directly at the end of the project.
In spite of the fact that there is an international airport in Nizhniy Novgorod, we expect that the most of volunteers will arrive throw Moscow. Thus, if you plan your travel to Nizhniy Novgorod throw Moscow, please read carefully the following information:
Arriving by plane to Moscow:
Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports in Moscow are served by most of the international airline companies.
NB! Please don't change all your money in the Airport, only for your travel to Moscow city (Euro 10-20 not more). You can change it in Moscow city; it will be more beneficial for you (Euro 1 costs 42 - 45 rubbles). And please change them at Currency Exchange, not in a private way.
When you are in a metro you need to buy a metro-ticket (it costs 22 rubles for one way).
How to get Moscow train stations from airports
If you arrive to SHEREMETYEVO airport:
Go out of the Airport building and take a bus or mini-bus to metro-station "Rechnoy Vokzal" (Речной вокзал) or Planernaya metro station (Планерная).
To get the metro station Rechnoy vokzal (Речной вокзал) you need to take a bus # 851 or mini bus # 148.
To get the metro station "Planernaya" you need the bus # 817 or mini bus # 149.
The mini bus costs 50-60 rubles (1,5-2 EUR), the bus costs 25-30 rubles (70-80 cents). In fact they come almost every 5 minutes so you'll not wait for a long!
If you bought your train ticket in advance, please check in your booking the name of the train station you need. It should be Kurskiy, Kazanskiy or Yaroslavskiy train stations (trains to Nizhniy Novgorod leaves only from these train stations).
If you need Kurskiy vokzal:
From metro station "Rechnoy vokzal":
If you need Kourskiy train station (Курский вокзал) please take a green line (the only line you can take from this station) and change it at station "Belorusskaya" (Белорусская). Take the circle line (direction station "Novoslobodskaya" (Новослободская) and pass 3 stations, get out on the forth "Kurskaya" (Курская). Get out and actually you are at Kurskiy Voksal (train station).
From metro station "Planernaya":
Please take a purple line - the only possible from Planernaya metro station and change the train at Barikadnaya metro station for the circle line (direction Kurskaya station). Pass 4 stations the 5th one will be Kurskaya. Get out and actually you are at Kurskiy Voksal (train station).
If you need Kazanskiy vokzal or Yaroslavsiy vokzal:
From metro station "Rechnoy vokzal":
Please take a green line (the only line you can take from this station) and change it at station "Belorusskaya" (Белорусская). Take the circle line (direction station "Komsomolskaya" (Комсомольская) and pass 2 stations, get out on the third "Komsomolskaya" (Комсомольская). Get out and you are at the Komsomolskaya place. Here you will find three train stations, please follow the indications and you will find Kazanskiy Voksal (train station) and Yaroslavskiy vokzal (train station).
From metro station "Planernaya":
Please take a purple line - the only possible from Planernaya metro station and change the train at Barikadnaya metro station for the circle line (direction Komsomolskaya metro station). Pass 3 stations the fourth one will be Komsomolskaya. Get out and you are at the Komsomolskaya place. Here you will find three train stations, please follow the indications and you will find Kazanskiy Voksal (train station) and Yaroslavskiy vokzal (train station).
If you arrive to DOMODEDOVO airport:
In order to reach the city from Domodedovo airport you can choose the most convenient for you means of transport among the following key options:
1. AEROEXPRESS TRAIN
AEROEXPRESS TRAIN is a comfortable high-speed train that goes non-stop from Moscow, Paveletsky station, to Domodedovo airport and from Domodedovo airport to Moscow, Paveletsky station.
Journey time: 40-50 minutes
Fare: 200 rubles (about 4,5 EUR)
More detailed information on the AEROEXPRESS TRAIN:
2. COMMUTER TRAIN
This train goes from Domodedovo airport to Moscow, Paveletsky station, with all stops en route. Time of journey - 1 hour 10 minutes.
Fare: 72 rub (about 1,5 EUR)
3. EXPRESS BUSES
Modern Scania express buses travel from Domodedovo airport to Domodedovskaya metro station.
Travel time: 25-30 minutes.
Service fee: 60 rubles (about 1,3 EUR). Luggage carriage is free of charge.
Ticketing: one may acquire a bus ticket in the passenger terminal, near the 0 (zero) counter at the domestic arrivals area.
Bus stop: at the right wing of the Domodedovo passenger terminal.
Bus service: from 6.00 to 24.00
Departure: every 15 minutes
4. SHUTTLES
There is a shuttles service between the Domodedovskaya underground station and the airport.
Official carriers: "AutoRoad" & "Elex Polus"
Journey time: 25-30 minutes.
Fare: 80 RUB
Ticket: payment for a journey should be made to the driver when boarding a taxi. There is no additional luggage payment.
Timetable: from 6.00 to 24.00
Taxi stops:
- at the right wing of the Domodedovo airport, in front of the arrivals exit of the Russian airlines;
- at Domodedovskaya underground station, from the first or last carriage of an underground train approaching from the center, turn right in the subway and take the right from stairs up to the exit. The taxi stand is just near these exits.
How to get to Kurskiy/Kazanskiy/Yaroslavskiy vokzals (train stations) from Paveletskaya metro station:
Get a metro-ticket (costs 19 rubles). In the Paveletskaya metro station you have to take brown circle line (koltsevaya liniya). If you need Kazanskiy / Yaroslavskiy train station, just pass 2 stops and get out, there is the Komsomolskaya metro and Kazanskiy /Yaroslavskiy train station.
If you need Kurskiy train station, get out on the second "Kurskaya" (Курская). Get out and actually you are at Kurskiy Voksal (train station).
How to get Kurskiy/Kazanskiy/Yaroslavskiy vokzals from Domodedovskaya metrostation:
Please take a metro at the metro station Domodedovskaya (green line - the only possible line from this station) and change a train at Paveletskaya metro station for the circle line. At the Paveletskaya metro station you have to take brown circle line (koltsevaya liniya). If you need Kazanskiy train station, just pass 2 stops and get out, there is the Komsomolskaya metro and Kazanskiy train station.
If you need Kurskiy train station, get out on the second "Kurskaya" (Курская). Get out and actually you are at Kurskiy Voksal (train station).
If you arrive to VNUKOVO airport:
http://moscowguide.rbcsoft.ru/ru/trip_planning/transport/airports/vnukovo/ http://www.vnukovo-airport.ru/
From the airport "Vnukovo" your could go by bus, by route taxi or by train in case to reach different metro stations of Moscow. №705м goes till the metro station "Oktyabrskaya" ("Октябрьская"). The trip takes 35-40 minutes and costs about 100 rubles и 10 rubles for a luggage place. Buses №611 and №611C and route taxi № 45 and № 611 В go till the metro station "Yugo-zapadnaya" ("Юго-западная")
For bus №611 you could buy ticket at the ticket office at the bus stop or from the driver. (15 - 25 rubles). It is an ordinary public bus, so it stops at every bus stop on the route. The trip till the "Yugo-zapadnaya" takes about 25-30 minutes. Working hours - 5.30-0.50.
The bus № 611С is express so it stops at bus stops only according to passenger request. It goes every 10-15 minutes. Working hours: 6.00-11.00, 15.30- 20.00 (Monday- Friday), 6.00-19.30 (Saturday - Sunday).
Route taxi № 45 and № 611 В. Comfortable minibuses Ford go every 15-20 minutes and cost about 70 and 10 rubles for laggage. Working hours 7.00- 23.00. Trip takes about 10-15 minutes, but could differ because of traffic.
Train "аэроэкспресс" goes till the metro station "Kievskaya" (м. Киевская) and Kievskij train station. Underground train station is about 50 meters from the terminals Vnukovo. The trip takes about 35 minutes and cost for adults about 200 rubles.
Vnukovo
Moscow
7:55
8:35
8:55
9:30
9:55
10:30
10:55
11:30
11:55
12:30
13:30
14:08
14:53
15:30
16:55
17:30
17:55
18:30
18:55
19:30
19:55
20:30
20:55
21:30
22:12
22:47
00:01
00:37
How to get to Kurskiy/Kazanskiy/Yaroslavskiy vokzals (train stations) from the metro station "Oktyabrskaya" ("Октябрьская"):
Get a metro-ticket (costs 19 rubles). In the "Oktyabrskaya" ("Октябрьская") metro station you have to take brown circle line (koltsevaya liniya). If you need Kazanskiy / Yaroslavskiy train station, just pass 4 stops and get out at the fives one, there is the Komsomolskaya metro and Kazanskiy /Yaroslavskiy train station.
If you need Kurskiy train station, get out on the fourths station "Kurskaya" (Курская). Get out and actually you are at Kurskiy Voksal (train station).
How to get to Kurskiy/Kazanskiy/Yaroslavskiy vokzals (train stations) from the metro station "Yugo-zapadnaya" ("Юго-западная"):
Get a metro-ticket (costs 19 rubles). In the "Yugo-zapadnaya" ("Юго-западная") metro station you should take a red line the only possible from this station and go till "Park Kultury metro station. Their please change a train for the brown circle line (koltsevaya liniya). If you need Kazanskiy / Yaroslavskiy train station, just pass 5 stops and get out at the sixes one, there is the Komsomolskaya metro and Kazanskiy /Yaroslavskiy train station.
If you need Kurskiy train station, get out on the fives station "Kurskaya" (Курская). Get out and actually you are at Kurskiy Voksal (train station).
How to get to Kurskiy/Kazanskiy/Yaroslavskiy vokzals (train stations) from the metro station "Kievskaya" (м. Киевская):
Get a metro-ticket (costs 19 rubles). In the "Kievskaya" (м. Киевская) metro station please take the brown circle line (koltsevaya liniya). If you need Kazanskiy / Yaroslavskiy train station, just pass 5 stops and get out at the sixes one, there is the Komsomolskaya metro and Kazanskiy /Yaroslavskiy train station.
If you need Kurskiy train station, get out on the fives station "Kurskaya" (Курская). Get out and actually you are at Kurskiy Voksal (train station).
How to get Nizhniy Novgorod from Moscow
ATTANTION! Nizhniy Novgorod train station is named Gor'kij (Gorkiy - Горький) in the time table of Russian railways.
Here you can check time table of trains from Moscow to Gor'kij (Nizhniy Novgorod): http://eng.rzd.ru/
We also advise you to buy train tickets beforehand on-line using the bank cards (e.g. Visa, MasterCard etc.). The web page is http://ticket.rzd.ru. However it is available only on Russian. We can help you to buy tickets via internet and send it to you.
How to read the timetable:
МОСКВА КУР is a Kurskiy train station (Курский вокзал) - Kurskaya metro station.
МОСКВА КАЗ is Kazanskiy train station (Казанский вокзал) - Komsomolskaya metro station.
MОСКВА ЯР is Yaroslavskiy trainstation (Ярославский вокзал) - Komsomolskaya metro station.
ATTANTION! Nizhniy Novgorod train station is named Gor'kij (Gorkiy - Горький) in the time table of Russian railways.
Here you can check time table of trains from Moscow to Gor'kij (Nizhniy Novgorod): http://eng.rzd.ru/
We also advise you to buy train tickets beforehand on-line using the bank cards (e.g. Visa, MasterCard etc.). The web page is http://ticket.rzd.ru. However it is available only on Russian. We can help you to buy tickets via internet and send it to you.
How to read the timetable:
МОСКВА КУР is a Kurskiy train station (Курский вокзал) - Kurskaya metro station.
МОСКВА КАЗ is Kazanskiy train station (Казанский вокзал) - Komsomolskaya metro station.
MОСКВА ЯР is Yaroslavskiy trainstation (Ярославский вокзал) - Komsomolskaya metro station.
NB! Please note, that when you buy a train ticket through internet, you should print a ticket confirmation and take it with you to the train station. In every train station there is "electronic ticket registration", where you should register your travel and get the passenger ticket to enter the train.
If you prefer or have to buy tickets at the train station, just before the journey please call Darina Stepanova or write an sms, because we would like to know, when we can meet you. Her number is: +79200431819.
All the volunteers will be met in the train station in the main hall under big lamp, but we need to know in advance the exact time of your arrival.
