How to get to Altai. Mountain Altai for tourists. From Novosibirsk to Barnaul

The Republic of Gorny Altai is a land of secrets and mysteries, the main wealth of which is its amazing and diverse nature. It is the landscape beauty that attracts hundreds of thousands of vacationers here every year. Mountain ranges, whose peaks reach 4 thousand meters above sea level and thousands of glaciers have made Altai a kind of Mecca for climbers. More than ten thousand rivers and lakes attract tourists - watermen from all over Russia. And if we add to this the beauty of the Siberian taiga, steppe and semi-desert, then the desire of many to spend their holidays in Altai becomes understandable. In addition, the level of service at local tourist centers has increased significantly recently. New hotels are being built in the republic, vying for European stardom.

So, when a vacation spot has been chosen, you need to decide the main thing - how to get to Gorny Altai? There are a lot of opportunities here. It is important to simply plan the entire route in advance. Because, as a rule, it is not possible to get by with just one type of transport.

Road to Gorny Altai from Moscow

Here are some tips for those starting from Moscow: St. Petersburg or other cities in central Russia:

The fastest and most convenient way is, of course, by plane. Various airlines(Aeroflot, Ural Airlines, S 7, etc.) offer direct and transit flights from the capital. It’s easier to buy cheap tickets by subscribing to online resources that track airline promotions, for example, on the Hotelok website.

You can fly to the airports of Gorno-Altaisk, Barnaul and Novosibirsk by plane. Many Muscovites think that Gorny Altai is somewhere extremely far away. At the same time, a flight from Moscow to Gorno-Altaisk or Barnaul takes only 4 hours! Just 4 hours - and you will find yourself in a wonderful land of amazing nature, extreme and even (in some places) recreation and extreme adventures!

When purchasing tickets, keep in mind that it is better to choose a night flight to Gorno-Altaisk. Then you arrive at your destination in the morning.

Prices for transit flights are somewhat cheaper, but the game is not worth the trouble, because more time will be spent on transfers than on the flight itself.

Those who do not like to travel by air can travel to Gorny Altai by train. When making a choice in favor of such a means of transportation, you should take into account that you will have to spend about three to four days on the road. An undoubted advantage of traveling by train is the opportunity to see almost half of Russia, even just briefly. This option is most optimal for those traveling in a large friendly company. In addition, the ticket price will be almost the same as on a plane. And if you add to this the need to spend money on food, then you should seriously think about whether it’s worth choosing the train.

There is no railway connection with Gorno-Altaisk, so it is better to choose Biysk for your trip. You can, of course, get to Novosibirsk or Barnaul, but from there you again need to use something to get there. But the ticket prices are still the same.

A trip to the Altai Mountains by car is an option for experienced drivers who are willing to spend about three days on the road. From Moscow to Gorno-Altaisk you will have to cover 3800 km. A minimum of two overnight stays will be required. Although the road itself is not very difficult. Here is a list of routes along which the route runs: M 7 to Ufa, then M 5 to Chelyabinsk, after that E 30 to Omsk, then P 254 to Novosibirsk and the last one – P 256 to Gorno-Altaisk. There are many decent motels, cafes and gas stations open along the entire route. So, you can get there comfortably.

How to get there from Barnaul, Novosibirsk, Gorno-Altaisk

It is easy to get from Gorno-Altaisk to your holiday destination in several ways:

- by bus;
- by taxi. Top tip– bargain with private cab drivers. There is a lot of competition in this area, so you can reduce the price significantly;
- good service for travelers. Here you can find a car that goes exactly to the point you need and book it. It will cost much less than a private cab;

rent a car. There are many companies in Gorno-Altaisk that rent out cars. By the way, many tourists prefer to get to Gorny Altai by public transport, and rent a car on the spot. Then they appear additional features to explore Altai natural attractions. You can arrange a rental in Gorno-Altaisk, Biysk, Barnaul and Novosibirsk. The prices for the service are very reasonable compared to other regions. The advantage of this method is that you not only get a transfer to your vacation spot, but also the opportunity to travel around the Altai Mountains for the entire duration of the trip.
Detkitur also organizes transfers from the airport (any other point) in Barnaul

Those who choose airports in neighboring regions for flights must also decide how to get to Gorny Altai from Novosibirsk and Barnaul. To do this, you will have to take either a train to Biysk (train) or a bus. From Barnaul it will be faster - from 4 to 6 hours versus Novosibirsk 8 to 10 hours. From Barnaul to the Altai Mountains there are two routes in two directions: to Artybash () and to Chemal (along the Chuysky tract). In the second direction there are such Famous places recreation like Lake Aya, “Turquoise Katun”, recreation center “Rublyovka”, Chemalskaya HPP, Seminsky pass.

But any of the two options will be cheaper than a flight to Gorno-Altaisk. Well, or again, rent a car.
Thus, everyone decides for themselves how to get to Altai. The main thing is just to visit this wonderful place.

Bystroletova Irina

You can get to the Altai Republic in several ways:

1. By plane. This is the fastest and easiest way to get into the res. Altai. But also the most expensive. The only airport is located in Gorno-Altaisk. You can fly there by direct flights from Moscow, Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk. But the cost of air tickets, especially during the season, is quite high, about 30,000 rubles. from Moscow, there and back. You can save a lot by flying to Novosibirsk. There are direct flights to this city from all major cities Russia and many cities around the world. The cost of an air ticket, for example from Moscow, round-trip, is from 8,000 to 15,000 rubles. You can fly there and back from Yekaterinburg for 3000-5000 rubles. 80% of travelers fly to Novosibirsk, because this allows them to save significant amounts of money. Also, you can fly to Barnaul, air tickets there are more expensive than to Novosibirsk, but there are various promotions. Get from Novosibirsk or Barnaul to Res. Altai can be taken from the bus station by bus (the cost of a ticket from Novosibirsk to Chemal is about 1800 rubles with luggage) or by ordering private transfer, the approximate cost for a passenger car is 10,000 rubles. Novosibirsk-Chemal.

2. By train. This is the most affordable way to get to Novosibirsk, Baranaul, Biysk for residents of Siberia and the Urals. All trains traveling along the Trans-Siberian Railway pass through Novosibirsk. Therefore, if you decide to travel by train, keep in mind that extreme point to the republic, where you can get by train - Biysk, from there you will also need to go to the Republic. Altai by bus or order an individual transfer.

3. On own car. If you decide to go to Altai by car, then most likely you already know how many kilometers of the road you have to cover and through which cities you will go. The quality of the Chuysky Trakt highway is excellent. But if you want to see the most Beautiful places Altai, then you can get there only in a prepared, passable car, or by signing up for a hiking or horseback trek. Here, we would recommend that you join an organized tour group (the cost of transfers and car transfers is usually the basis for the pricing of the tour, so if you have your own car, the trip will cost you much less).

4. By rental car. This method of travel is not at all developed in the region due to the high cost and small number of rental agencies. You can rent a car in Barnaul or Novosibirsk. Each car is equipped with a device that determines your location. A separate coefficient is awarded for traveling around Altai. Also, there is a rule not to leave the highway, which is quite difficult to implement due to the incredible beauty of the dirt roads.

5. Hitchhiking. This method is chosen by a fairly small number of people. If you have not had such experience before, then Altai will not the best place to try. If you still decide, then you should have a backpack with you, prepared for autonomous overnight stays in nature. Be prepared that in remote areas of Altai there may simply be no transport, or it will be very rare. Also, be prepared for the fact that if local residents stop, in 70% of cases they will ask for money for travel, and it is very important to resolve the financial issue before the start of the trip. You can go only after making sure that the person really understood that you want to go for free and agreed to take you for free. Otherwise, there may be problems at the end of your journey together.

Every year Gorny Altai becomes more and more popular among tourists, and for good reason: Altai is famous for the beauty and diversity of nature, and lovers active rest Find here many opportunities for an exciting pastime. Mountain rivers, emerald lakes, green meadows, landscapes that take your breath away - all this attracts everyone from year to year more tourists from all over the world.

Many Russians do not even suspect how diverse and beautiful the nature of their homeland is, and a tour to Altai is an excellent opportunity to discover their native country from a new side. By going on one of the hikes with the Tour Club “Transition”, you will be able to see the famous lakes, climb to the foot of the most high peak Altai or rafting down the main Gorno-Altai river - Katun. What exactly to choose depends on your desire and physical fitness: among the routes there are those that are suitable for everyone, even beginner tourists, and those that require experience and endurance.

How to get to Altai from Moscow

The meeting with the instructor and the rest of the group takes place in Barnaul, so you will have to take care of purchasing tickets to the starting point of the hike yourself.

There are various ways to get to Barnaul from Moscow, the most popular of which are plane and train.

By plane

Several flights fly daily from Moscow to Barnaul. Travel time is about 4 hours. It is better to buy tickets in advance, as demand increases closer to summer, and, consequently, prices for them increase.

By train

Trains to Barnaul depart daily from Kazansky Station in Moscow. Travel time is about 55 hours, while for a seat in a reserved seat carriage you will have to pay only slightly less than for a pre-purchased plane ticket, and travel in a compartment can even cost more than a flight.

When is the best time to go to Altai?

Our club’s tours are designed to visit Altai in the warm season, but many tourists wonder what specific month is best for such a trip. The answer to this question is ambiguous and depends on what goals you are pursuing.

For those who want to see with their own eyes the lush flowering of Altai grasses and trees, it is better to visit Altai in early May, but at this time it is still quite cold in the mountains.
By the end of May, the water in the reservoirs warms up to a temperature acceptable for swimming. July is the warmest, but also the rainiest month. In Altai you don’t have to be afraid of the main summer enemies of tourists - mosquitoes and midges - there are very few of them here. Ticks are also rare, especially in August and September.
In August, berries and mushrooms appear in the forests, and the amount of rain decreases. It is still quite warm, but towards the end of the month frosts are becoming more and more frequent.
In September, the air temperature drops, and the first snow already falls in high mountain areas.

You have finally decided to buy a ticket to Altai, and now everything comes down to finding the simplest and most inexpensive way to travel, because the most attractive tour loses in the “battle” with the road. I would like the tour to be as interesting as good vacation from everyday routine. But if it starts somewhere in the outback, in a village or at a tourist center, where it is difficult to get to, the desire to go will quickly disappear. Choice tourist trip always depends on your capabilities and preferences, but you need to know in detail how to get to Altai, and then get to the specific group gathering place. Solving the last problem is simplified by the fact that most travel agencies provide transfers, this makes the trip more comfortable.

We hope that detailed description how to get to Altai different types transport will help you decide, choose the most convenient travel option, taking into account the location of your city, time and finances.

Possible ways to travel to Altai

By train:

The most wonderful thing about traveling by train is the constantly changing landscapes outside the window, the cities that you will catch a glimpse of. In fact, your vacation will begin as soon as you board the train, because the train travels from Moscow to Novosibirsk for almost three days. There will be time for long conversations, but for this you need to travel not alone, but at least in a small group; the road will be more fun with friends. Random travel companions can become a serious hindrance if the relationship does not work out from the very beginning of the trip;
keep in mind that the extensive network railway transport There are no trains on the territory of the Altai Republic, there are only the central highways of Russia, the trains of which will take you to Novosibirsk, Biysk or Barnaul. Ticket prices vary from 3.5 to 7 thousand rubles, and this is the cost of a one-way trip only! To the price of a ticket (reserved seat, compartment, vip), feel free to add the cost of food, payment for the services of a conductor and finances for the purchase of various types of entertainment literature, games, souvenirs, etc.;
if you go to Novosibirsk or Barnaul, then you will have to get to Biysk, as the point closest to the Altai Mountains by commuter train, bus or private taxi. Beyond Biysk there are only roads, so there will be another transfer to another transport before the place where the tour itself will begin. From Barnaul you can also get to the camp site by wheeled transport, but this is still about 150 kilometers of bus “accommodation”. Gorno-Altaisk does not have railway, but there is an excellent bus station;
railway stations in Barnaul and Biysk they are located almost next to bus stations, and for transporting things there are private “cabs” - a minimum of effort on your part, but also an additional expense. Private cars will take you to any accessible point in the Altai Mountains, but there is some danger - you don’t know the person, and the price for moving will be “exorbitant”. There are private companies that provide passenger transportation, and if you call in advance, a taxi or minibus will be waiting for you where you arrive by train;
schedule commuter service in Barnaul you can find out from a travel agency, via the Internet, and all bus stations have their own websites with a feedback function to clarify the schedule of intercity buses.

By plane:

convenient, fast and in some cases inexpensive option trips from Moscow to Gorny Altai. Similarly for other cities where there are direct or transit flights to Novosibirsk, Gorno-Altaisk or Barnaul. If necessary, you can combine an airplane flight with commuter schedule electric trains from Barnaul. Flights to Gorno-Altaisk and Barnaul from Moscow 2-3 times a week, to Novosibirsk daily;
The cost of one-way tickets is from 4 to 5 thousand rubles, depending on the air carrier; you can find even cheaper tickets with promotions. For example, the cost of air tickets to Novosibirsk varies depending on the day of purchase and the method of purchase (with online or offline booking). So it turns out that the flight will be cheaper than traveling by train, and faster - direct flights on average last up to 4.5 hours of flight, with a transfer - from 6 to 18 hours. The time savings compared to the train are simply amazing, and transfers from the airport are provided by almost all travel agencies;
Don’t think that flying to Altai is cheap, the point above is promotions and other “delights” offered by airlines to attract customers. Regular tickets with reservation cost from 7-8 to 10-11 thousand rubles one way with direct flight. But the money still pays off, because there is no need to stock up on food and other “supplies” for the road. Flights with a transfer are slightly cheaper, but the transfer to another flight usually takes longer than the flight itself;

You should take into account the arrival time of the plane if you are traveling on your own:

It’s better to fly to Gorno-Altaisk at night to be in the city in the morning, when there are more buses and taxis. This will make it possible to reach the starting point of the route in the evening. Advice for independent tourists: never immediately agree to the price quoted by a private cab driver, you can and should bargain, and besides, there is a choice of private drivers. The competition is strong and you will most likely be taken to your destination for less.
To arrive in Novosibirsk, time is not critical; you will still have to travel further by bus (by train) to Biysk or Gorno-Altaisk (by bus). It is inconvenient for those who take a lot of things on the road or are traveling with children, because there will be at least two transfers to the vacation spot. Upon arrival in Barnaul, you will also have one or two transfers, although this is a more economical option for traveling to Altai. The bus takes about three hours to Biysk, a trip by train or train will take the same amount of time, and to Gorno-Altaisk the bus takes longer - almost 5 hours. Another transfer, and you are already traveling to the starting point of the tour or the place of stationary rest.

By car:

important: the car must be suitable not only for driving on the highway, but also on dirt roads. Before the trip, you need a complete technical inspection of the car, purchasing spare parts that you can replace yourself;
a thorough study of the route is necessary not only in Altai, but also before entering the Republic. It’s even better if you follow in the footsteps of friends who will give a detailed description and maps of their trip. You need to know not only where to stop for the night, but also gas stations, decent cafes, medical centers (you never know what can happen on the road?);
It is clear that this method of transportation is suitable for those who love their car and freedom. The option is convenient, but there are some nuances: you should not plan such a trip with small children, or with those who do not tolerate prolonged sitting in one position, or with chronic diseases of the joints or cardiovascular system;
The average travel time from Moscow to Novosibirsk will be about three days with bio-stops and an overnight rest. And this is not the final point of the route - there are still more than 200 kilometers to Barnaul, and more than 250 kilometers to Gorno-Altaisk via Biysk. Next will be those protected places for which you are going to Altai, and again you need to know where everything is located:
The Chuysky tract from Biysk is a magnificent and majestic sight, even for it it’s worth driving a car. If you have free travel time, you can see a lot in Altai: popular places recreation, attractions, nature reserves, mountain passes and many, many extraordinarily beautiful landscapes.

Now you know how to get to Altai, and you can choose an option that will completely suit you both in terms of time and money.

Below we will look at options on how to get to Altai from Moscow by plane, train and car, as well as combined options. The same methods are suitable for many other large cities in Russia. We also publish useful links, where you can find out transport schedules, purchase tickets and book accommodation.

If your route to Altai lies from another city in Russia, then the key question that you have to decide is: get through Moscow or directly go/fly to Altai. Everything will depend on geographical location your city and the presence or absence of convenient flights and railway connections.

Airplane + bus/train

The plane is certainly the most comfortable and fastest way to get to Altai from Moscow; it is the most preferred option. You can fly to Gorno-Altaisk, Barnaul and Novosibirsk, and your further route depends on the city of arrival and the place where you are going. The prices are not very low, but you save a lot of time and effort if you fly on a direct flight! You can, of course, combine it with a train (in one direction by plane, and in the other by train), but this, in our opinion, is tiring.

Gorno-Altaisk

A flight from Moscow to Gorno-Altaisk and back in 2019 is not very expensive - the cheapest tickets are on this moment, cost 14-16 thousand rubles in both directions (S7, economy fare without luggage, with 1 or 2 transfers), on average a ticket can be purchased for 17-22 thousand rubles. Direct flights - from 20 thousand rubles. Transfers are usually quite long; it is better to take a direct flight.

You can get from Gorno-Alataysk to your desired destination by bus or car - there are quite a lot of private drivers who make their living as drivers, bargain. We advise you to choose trusted taxi companies, for example - they will meet you at the airport, the prices are fixed, and you can pay for the trip online.

It is better to fly to Gorno-Altaisk as early as possible in order to get to your final destination in the dark. Eat Shuttle Buses to Belokurikha, Aktash, Ulagan, Tungur and other villages.

Pros: direct flight, the least amount of travel, saving effort and time.

Minuses: not very cheap.

Barnaul

Plane tickets to Barnaul from Moscow in 2019 cost from 14 thousand rubles. Then from Barnaul you can get by train or electric train to Biysk (about 3 hours on the road, cost - 500-600 rubles in both directions by train and about 1000 in a reserved seat). In addition, there are buses to Biysk (3 hours on the road, from 275 rubles one way) and Gorno-Altaisk (about 5 hours on the road, from 580 rubles one way). Then take a taxi to Lake Aya and other places.

Pros: slightly cheaper than the first option.

Minuses: there are many transfers, which is inconvenient with large luggage and takes a lot of time.

Novosibirsk

You can also get from Moscow to Altai through Novosibirsk - it’s cheaper, but longer. You can fly to Novosibirsk in the spring of 2019 from 6-7 thousand, in the summer - from 10 thousand rubles (round trip). Then you can take a train or bus to Biysk (from 558 and 666 rubles, respectively), there is also a bus to Gorno-Altaisk (from 1,150 rubles one way, the journey takes about 8-9 hours).

The pros and cons are the same as the previous option.

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How to get to Altai by train?

You can also get to Altai from Moscow by train, provided you are able to withstand about 60-62 hours one way (since you don’t know what fellow travelers you will meet). Let's consider a train to Biysk, the city closest to the Altai Mountains (prices for Barnaul and Novosibirsk are approximately the same).

Ticket to econom-class train the Moscow-Biysk train costs from 3 thousand rubles, and the compartment train costs from 6 thousand rubles. one way (sometimes you can fly to Novosibirsk for this money!), add to this the cost of food and taxi fare to your final destination. This method is good if you are traveling with a cheerful group, love trains and changing landscapes outside the window.

By train you can get to Biysk, Novosibirsk and Barnaul, then by bus or train, and then by taxi. There is no railway in Gorno-Altaisk.

Pros: romance, beautiful landscapes, fun time (if you are traveling in a group), cheap (if you are traveling in a reserved seat).

Minuses: discomfort, waste of time, possible unpleasant fellow travelers, stuffiness in the carriage (if old), high price(if you are traveling in a compartment).

How to get to Altai by car?

This option is suitable for those who like to travel by car. The advantage of this method is that a long road is an adventure and a journey in itself, especially if you stop at passing cities and see the sights. And what landscapes along the way! The Chuya tract will not leave anyone indifferent.

Another advantage of traveling to Altai by car is that you don’t have to worry about overweight and take as many things as you can fit in the trunk. Tents, sleeping bags and other camping equipment can easily fit into the car. And the main advantage: having a car (or better yet, an SUV) will allow you to see much more than backpackers.

You can get to Gorny Altai from Moscow by car along the M7 or M5 highway, then along the M51 and M52 highways (P256). Overall the road is good. According to tourists, the route to Chelyabinsk is very busy.

As you can see, there are many advantages of this method, but there are also minuses: waste of time, inconvenience on the road (not everyone can withstand a long journey in one position), poor coverage in some places, congestion on the road, etc.

So, what is the best way to get to the Altai Mountains? In our opinion, the most in an interesting way is a car, and the most comfortable and fastest is a plane to Gorno-Altaisk +. Weigh all the pros and cons, calculate your budget and choose the most optimal option for you.

Where to live in Altai? Search for hotels and recreation centers on the Roomguru search engine; it will select the most profitable options among many booking systems. But we recommend looking for and booking housing in the private sector on the popular Airbnb service - there are many interesting and inexpensive options there.