Sochi FAQ
Shops and services take only Russian rubles. You can exchange your dollars or Euros in one of many banks in Sochi or exchange points around the city. The rates are more or less the same. In most places your passport or identification is required.
Today you can use your credit card in most big hotels, as for the restaurants and shops it’s not very reliable as something might be out of order and cards might not be accepted. It makes sense to have some cash.
The price depends on size, location, inertia design, facilities and of course the season. July and August are the most expensive months. The prices may also go up during big festivals and forums.
Apartment rent for a one-two room’s apartment may vary from $50 to $100 per day one room apartment, $80-250 two/three room apartment. If you are renting for several months the price may vary from $500-$2000 per month and you can get a better deal off season.
A budget tourist can rent a room in a flat or a cottage for $10 -$20 but most estate agents do not deal with this kind of renting and this service is usually offered at Sochi Railway station by home owners or their agents. We do not think this kind of accommodation is advisable unless the people you going to rent a room from were recommended by friends etc.
Route taxi
The main public transport in Sochi is “Marshrutka” which is an informal name for an official “Marshrutnoe Taxi” (Route taxi). They appeared many years ago as an alternative to city buses for those who wanted more comfort and were willing to pay for it. With time buses disappeared.
“Marshrutka” is a 14-15 seat minibus . Some of them are OK and some are wrecks. Some have properly positioned seats some not. Sometimes they stop at a bus stop sometimes they don’t unless you signal with your hand. If you did so and it still didn’t stop it might mean that the vehicle was full of people or the driver didn’t see you. You may try your luck not only at the bus stop, the driver might stop anywhere (unless there is a member of road police in the vicinity, most of whom are well nourished and easily noticeable).
All “marshrutkas” have routes which are numbered and they have front and side plates with the route number and the names of places or streets they travel past. If you know Cyrillic, can read very fast and have perfect eyesight, you might be able to find the name of your destination before the vehicle is full or has left. So it’s better to know the number in advance or ask people around you. People are usually friendly and helpful just learn to pronounce the name of your destination properly.
Getting out might be a problem. You have to inform the driver that you are getting off at the next (or this) bus stop. So if you have no visual knowledge of your final destination you should rely on people around you and ask them to show you where to get off. If you ask the driver it’s 50% that he will forget about you in 1 minute unless you manage to leave a deep impression, makes sense to remind him about yourself a couple of times.
Fares:
Within the city 14 rub.
Center - suburbs 20 rub. and more
Bus
There are more and more of them in the streets of Sochi. Bigger (5 times and more) than "Marshrutkas". Follow the same routes and fares are the same.
Within the city 14 rub.
Center - suburbs 20 rub. and more
Taxi
It‘s better to use a phone to call for a taxi, these companies usually have fixed rates per kilometer. If you stop a taxi on the road you should bargain otherwise the driver may ask you a double price upon arrival. Travelling in the central area 4-5 km would be about 150 rub. No way to bargain for less than 100. Rub. At night and when there are big traffic jams rates go up.
