Nizhny Novgorod / Strigino International Airport

Mezhdunarodnyy Aeroport Nizhny Novgorod Imeni V. P. Chkalova, commonly known as Nizhny Novgorod International Airport or Strigino Airport, sits 18 kilometres southwest of the city centre. It handles a mix of domestic and international flights from a single terminal, serving as the main air gateway for the Volga Federal District. The airport is named after Valery Chkalov, a Soviet test pilot famous for a non-stop flight from Moscow to Vancouver via the North Pole. While not a massive hub, the airport moves around a million passengers annually, with connections to Moscow, St. Petersburg, and seasonal flights to Turkey, Egypt, and the UAE. For a city of 1.2 million, this airport offers a straightforward, no-frills experience that reflects the pragmatic character of Nizhny Novgorod itself.

Getting There

The airport is accessible by road and public transport from Nizhny Novgorod city centre. By taxi, the journey takes 30–40 minutes depending on traffic, with fares typically ranging from 800 to 1,200 rubles. Official taxis wait outside the arrivals hall; it is worth confirming the price before getting in. For a cheaper option, take bus No. 11 or bus No. 20 from the city centre (stops near "Ploshchad Gorkogo" and "Moskovsky Vokzal" respectively). The ride takes about 45–60 minutes and costs around 30 rubles. Marshrutkas (minibuses) also ply the route. If driving from the city, follow the M7 highway towards Moscow and then the signs for Strigino. Parking at the airport includes a short-term lot close to the terminal and a long-term lot a few minutes' walk away; rates are reasonable by European standards.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal is compact but adequately equipped for the traffic it handles. Arrivals and departures are on different levels: departures on the upper level, arrivals below. Check-in desks open two hours before scheduled flights. Security screening is efficient but can get congested during peak hours – particularly on Monday at 2 pm, Tuesday at 1 pm, Wednesday at 12 pm, and Thursday at 1 pm. The terminal has a single security lane, so expect queuing during these times. Once through, the airside area contains a few duty-free shops selling perfumes and souvenirs, a small café with decent coffee and pre-packaged sandwiches, and seating that fills up quickly. Free Wi-Fi is available, though the connection can be slow. The airport provides wheelchair-accessible entrance, car park, and toilets, as well as baggage storage for a fee. There are baby changing tables in the restrooms. Note that there are no lounges or premium services beyond basic amenities, so travelers looking for comfort should bring their own entertainment and snacks.

Mezhdunarodnyy Aeroport Nizhny Novgorod Imeni V. P. Chkalova and Nizhny Novgorod

Nizhny Novgorod is the fifth-largest city in Russia and the unofficial capital of the Volga region. Its history stretches back to 1221, when it was founded as a fortress at the confluence of the Volga and Oka rivers. During the Soviet era, the city was closed to foreigners because of its military industry – it was known as Gorky from 1932 to 1990 – and that legacy gives the place a distinctive, gritty character. Today, Nizhny Novgorod is open and increasingly popular with tourists. The main attraction is the Kremlin, a red-brick fortress that has never been captured, housing the government buildings and the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael. The Volga embankment offers panoramic views of the river, and the Chkalov Staircase – a monumental stairway of 560 steps – connects the embankment to the Upper Volga embankment. Art lovers should visit the Nizhny Novgorod State Art Museum, which has a strong collection of Russian icons and paintings by Repin and Shishkin. The nearby Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, one of the largest in Russia, is another landmark. For insight into the city's industrial past, the Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ) offers tours on request. The city also has a thriving restaurant scene, with hearty Russian cuisine and a growing number of Georgian and Uzbek eateries. Nizhny Novgorod is a city that rewards slow exploration – walking along the old streets of the Upper Town reveals wooden houses and faded pre-revolutionary architecture. The airport's location 18 km from the centre makes it an easy starting point for a visit.

Practical Information

The airport is not open 24 hours; it operates from approximately 6:00 am to 1:00 am daily. Check with your airline for departure times outside these hours. Contact the airport by phone at +7 831 261-80-80 or visit the website http://goj.aero/ for flight information and parking details. Bus service to the city runs roughly from 5:30 am to midnight; after that, only taxis are available. The airport has a single ATM near the check-in area, and most shops accept credit cards. One concrete piece of advice: arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. The terminal is small, but boarding gates can take time to announce, and queues at security are unpredictable. If you are travelling to Nizhny Novgorod, consider downloading offline maps before you leave – mobile data coverage on the approach road can be patchy.