Princess Olga Pskov International Airport

Mezhdunarodnyy Aeroport Pskov Imeni Knyagini Ol'gi sits about 6 kilometres southeast of Pskov's city centre, serving a region that borders Estonia and Latvia. The airport is named after Princess Olga, the 10th-century ruler traditionally credited with founding the city. It handles limited domestic and seasonal international flights — a scale that makes it practical rather than flashy, and functional rather than crowded.

Getting There

The airport lies along the M20 highway connecting Pskov to St. Petersburg. From the city centre, the drive takes roughly 15 minutes in normal traffic. Taxis are the most reliable option; expect a fare of around 400–600 rubles (depending on the time of day and whether you pre-book). Local bus route 6 runs from the main bus station near the train station to a stop called "Aeroport" — journey time about 25 minutes, with departures roughly every hour. The bus stop is a short walk from the terminal entrance. For those driving, the airport has a small car park directly in front of the terminal, free of charge for short stays. Parking is unguarded, so leave valuables out of sight. Bicycle parking is not available. Road signage to the airport is clear from the city centre but sparse on the approach; relying on a GPS or a local driver is advisable.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal is a single, compact building handling both domestic and international departures. Two floors: check-in and security on the ground level, the departure lounge upstairs. The wheelchair-accessible entrance at the front leads into a small hall with a few check-in desks — usually two or three open for scheduled flights. Security is thorough but quick, as passenger volumes are low. Past security, a narrow corridor leads to the departure lounge, which has seating for about 50 people, a small kiosk selling snacks and drinks, and a vending machine. There is one changing table in the accessible toilet on the ground floor and another in the main toilet block. The airport has confirmed facilities include wheelchair-accessible car park spaces, an accessible toilet, and a changing table. The atmosphere is quiet, often with piped local radio. No duty-free shop, no café with hot food — bring your own snacks if you have specific needs. Boarding is by bus to the aircraft on the apron; no jet bridges. For arriving passengers, baggage claim consists of a single belt. Customs is straightforward but expect a quick check for international arrivals. The busiest times are Monday through Thursday at 8 pm, when the last departures of the day occur. Arrive at least 1.5 hours before domestic flights, 2 hours for international. The building closes after the last flight, so there is no overnight waiting area.

Mezhdunarodnyy Aeroport Pskov Imeni Knyagini Ol'gi and Pskov

Pskov itself is one of Russia’s oldest cities, first mentioned in chronicles in 903 AD. It was a key medieval trading centre of the Hanseatic League and a formidable fortress guarding Russia’s western borders. The city’s Kremlin (Krom) sits on a promontory where the Velikaya and Pskova rivers meet, its thick stone walls and towers still intact. Inside, the Trinity Cathedral (1699) dominates the skyline with its pale yellow façade and gilded domes. The kremlin grounds are open to the public, free of charge, and offer panoramic river views.

Beyond the Kremlin, the city’s historic centre is dotted with medieval churches bearing frescoes, many of them UNESCO World Heritage sites as part of the “Churches of the Pskov School of Architecture.” Mirozhsky Monastery, with its 12th-century frescoes, is a short walk from the airport. The city also has a lively pedestrian street — Oktyabrsky Prospekt — lined with cafés, souvenir shops, and a small market selling local honey and crafted items.

Pskov’s location near the Estonian border makes it a potential stopover for travellers crossing between Russia and the Baltic states. The airport’s international status primarily serves charter flights to Turkey, Egypt, and occasionally Belarus. For most visitors, though, the airport is the entry point to the Pskov region, which includes the Pushkin Museum-Reserve at Mikhailovskoye (the poet’s family estate, about 120 km south), the Izborsk Fortress (30 km west), and the Pechory Monastery (50 km west), a functioning monastery with a dramatic cliffside setting.

The city has a small but growing tourism infrastructure: a handful of mid-range hotels, a few decent restaurants serving Russian and European cuisine, and a train station with overnight services to Moscow and St. Petersburg. English is not widely spoken outside hotels and major sites, so having a translation app or phrasebook helps. The airport’s limited schedule means most visitors arrive and depart on specific days — plan your itinerary around flight availability.

Practical Information

The airport is not open every day. Hours align with flight schedules; typically it opens two hours before the first departure and closes after the last arrival. Confirmed hours are not published as a fixed daily schedule, so check your flight's status and the airport's official website (currently not available) or call +7 811 266-46-53. No Wi-Fi is available inside the terminal. ATMs are not present on site; bring enough cash for taxi and snacks. The nearest ATM is at a gas station about 1 km from the airport. If you have a layover, there is no hotel directly at the airport; the closest accommodation is in Pskov city centre. Wheelchair users: the entrance is level, and an accessible toilet is available on each floor. Smoking is prohibited inside; there is a designated area outside the entrance. One concrete piece of advice: if your flight departs at the busy 8 pm slot, arrive 10 to 15 minutes earlier than you think necessary — the small check-in area can become congested when multiple flights are processed simultaneously.