'''Sochi''' [http://www.sochiadm.ru/] is a Russian city along the Black Sea coast and it will be hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Understand

This city is the capital of what is known as the 'Russian Riviera'. With its palm trees and occasional banana trees, Sochi is not exactly what many people expect from the stereotypes of 'Russia'.

Get in

By plane

Sochi's primary gateway is '''Sochi International Airport''' [http://sochi-airport.com/] ({{IATA|AER}} {{ICAO|URSS}}) is located in the Adler district of Sochi. Several airlines fly to Sochi, including '''Aeroflot''' [http://www.aeroflot.ru] which flies from Moscow-Sheremetyevo, '''Austrian Airlines''' [http://www.aua.com/us/eng/] (operated by Tyrolean Airways) flies from Vienna, and '''Aeroflot-Don''' which flies from Dubai and Istanbul. Russian authorities are planning to construct a brand new multi-billion-dollar airport as they prepare to host 2014 Olympics and one could expect that flying to Sochi will get easier.

By train

By car

  • From Moscow take the Moscow - Voronezh - Rostov - Krasnodar - Dzhubga - Sochi route. Beware of the Voronezh - Rostov section of the road is in really bad condition: only one lane each way, separated only by dashed white line; asphalt is pushed in and forms tracks; no safe way to pass, so you'll see many accidents even in perfect weather. Besides that, the Dzhubga - Sochi part is the most beautiful (if driving during daylight), yet the most difficult part of the way. It straddles along the sea only over mountains. Up and down, left and right, with very few opportunities to pass trucks and buses. There are practically no straight or flat parts of this road. This shortest part of the way will take around 5 hours to complete.
  • Krasnodar to Sochi will take 2-3 hours of driving.
  • For American drivers: your licenses are valid in Russia with an International Driving Permit, which you can obtain from AAA (even if you're not a member).

    By bus

    By boat

  • From Poti, Georgia — note, this border crossing is closed to all non-CIS country nationals
  • From Trabzon, Turkey in the Summer [http://www.morport-sochi.ru/lines/]
  • Get around

    See

    Do

    In 2014 the Olympic winter games will be held in Sochi [http://sochi2014.com/] and Krasnaya Polyana.

    Learn

    Work

    Buy

    Eat

    Budget

    Mid-range

    Splurge

    Drink

    Sleep

    Budget

    Mid-range

    Splurge

    Contact

    Stay safe

    Cope

    Get out

  • '''"Riviera" Park'''
  • Nearby Krasnaya Polyana, a major ski and mountain resort just east of Sochi