About Nalchik
The city of Nalchik, the capital of the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria in the North Caucasus, is located in the south of Russia. The city, which is named after the Nalchik River, is located on the skirts of the Caucasus Mountains at an altitude of 550 meters and spreads over an area of 150 kilometers. Surrounded by lakes and rivers, Nalchik is the starting point for tours with regards to mountain tourism and there are many accommodation and camping sites in Nalchik. Swimming and diving trainings are also given in this town, which is visited for skiing in winter and for its lakes and spas in summer. Nalchik is a very nice city where you can see every shade of green.
The colorful flowers in and spectacular scenery of Nalchik Park, a wonderful park for hiking, creates a pleasant view. Chegem Canyon also offers a wonderful view as Nalchik Park. Chegem waterfalls on this side freeze in winter and create an incredibly beautiful picture. Bezengi Valley is also one of the places where visitors can get a walk.
The Verhniyaya Balkaria Tourism Complex influences the visitors by its indefinite atmosphere. At the same time you can see all the natural beauties of Nalchik's mountains, rivers, lakes and plains in Gallery Panorama, and buy the works there. If you wish, you can get lots of interesting information at the Kabardino-Balkar Republic Museum. You can see performances at Balkar Drama Theater, visit the Gedmish Waterfalls, and ski in Cheget Elbrus in the winter.
It is easy to reach this city where you can do almost all of these activities. From many countries you can fly to Moscow and from there you can come to Nalchik by train or by car. Although Nalchik Airport is located 3 kilometers north-east of the city, this airport is usually used by small aircraft.
Transportation to Nalchik City Center from Airport
Nalchik Airport
Nalchik is the capital of the Republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, which is located in the North Caucasus region in the south of Russia. The city, whose history dates back to a fairly recent history, has a population of about 300,000 and is situated on the Nalchik River. Urban transportation in Nalchik is provided to a great extent by buses, mini-buses and trolleybuses.
The tourists visiting the city usually prefer car rental and taxi transport services. Because the surface area of the city is quite small and the taxi fares are quite affordable. As an alternative, it is also possible to go to every part of the city by walking or renting a bicycle.
There are a railway station and a bus terminal in Nalchik. The train lines 061C and 0624 regularly depart from Nalchik railway station, but the Kabardino-Balkaria train passes through the town of Prohladny, not from Nalchik. Normal buses and mini-buses depart from the bus terminal to the city center and the neighboring cities of Nalchik. International transportation is also provided by buses to a great extent. Bus tickets for Stuttgart-Nalchik and Berlin-Nalchik cost 140 Euros according to the latest tariff.
The international bus services are operated by the company KVN Internationaler Linienverkehr. You can get more detailed information from this company's website. Taxis, which are another means of transportation in the city, are highly developed and affordable. The federal highway Rostov-on-Don Baku passes through the city of Nalchik. If you prefer, you can also reach the city center on foot because Nalchik Airport is only 3 kilometers away from the city center. However, if your luggage is too heavy to walk, you can also take advantage of taxi or the airport shuttle buses.
If you prefer to walk from the airport to Nalchik city center, you can complete your transportation in about 25-30 minutes.
Bus and Mini-bus
The distance between the airport and Nalchik bus terminal in Ulitsa Zalikhanova is 16.5 kilometers. There are intercity and urban bus services from the bus terminal. If you rent a car from the airport, it is possible to go to the bus terminal in about 28 minutes.
The bus number 14 is the bus line which has the busiest and longest route in Nalchik. The fare is the same for both buses and trolleybuses, and shared ticket system is available. Bus ticket price is 10 rubles according to 2015 tariff. The route of bus number 14 starts from Kadirova, passes through Konchnaya and end at Musukeva. Bus services are provided between 7 am and 10 pm. Mini-buses are more common in the city and the number of lines of the mini-buses is much more.
There are nine mini-bus lines including the lines 3, 11, 14, 19, 27, 101, 333, 527 and 536 in total. Most of the mini-buses run between 7 am and 9 pm. Although the shared and single ticket system is valid in buses and trolleybuses in the city, the ticket prices of mini-buses that are like minibuses vary according to the line number.
The terminal stops of the mini-bus line 3 are Detskoya poliklinika and Konechnaya, and the ticket price is 6 rubles. The mini-bus number 11 runs between Licei No 1 and Konechnaya and ticket price is 13 rubles. The mini-bus number 14 runs between automobil’nie and masterskie-Konechnaya with a 13-ruble ticket price; the mini-bus number 19 runs between Rinok “Strelka”-“Pervaya Apteka” na gornoi and Torgovii Kompleks Yugo-Zapadnii-Konechnaya; and the mini-bus number 27 runs between Rinok-Dubki-Torgovii Kompleks and Yugo-Zapadnii.
Trolleybus
There are 53 trolleybuses that actively serve in the city with a total of 44-kilometer transportation network and 7 lines. There is a single ticket system for all trolleybus lines. The updated ticket price for a trolleybus ticket costs 10 rubles. Trolleybus lines 1, 2, 3 and 4 are interconnected and a large majority of trolley buses run between 06.00 and 23.00 working hours.
The trolleybuses 1 and 4 run between Gornaya and Dubki; the trolleybus number 2 runs between Gornaya and “Strelka”; and the trolleybus 3 runs between “Strelka” and Dubki.
Taxi
Transportation from Nalchik Airport to the city center takes about 4 minutes by taxi. In Nalchik city, taxi fares are affordable, yet it is possible to come across the taxi drivers who overcharge. Therefore, if you are told the taxi fare is above 220-260 rubles from the airport to the city center, you can ask for a discount or get a price from another taxi driver.
Rent a car
There are not many car rental alternatives you can prefer at the exit of Nalchik Airport terminal. If you are planning to travel Nalchik and the nearby cities, renting a car is the most appropriate and economical option for you. It is possible to reach the city from Nalchik Airport in about 5 minutes by renting a car.
