Sevastopol Sevastopol City, Ukraine Travel Guide
The main civilian airport for the Crimean region is Simferopol International Airport (SIP), about 80 km (50 miles) northeast of Sevastopol. All flights to and from Simferopol function as de facto domestic Russian flights.
Simferopol International Airport boasts a modern terminal (opened 2018). Facilities include cafes, restaurants, duty-free shops (constrained by sanctions), car rental desks (Russian companies only), ATMs (Russian cards only), and Wi-Fi.
Express trolleybus route 20 offers a direct, affordable connection between Simferopol Airport and Sevastopol city center.
Regular bus services provide a reliable transfer from Simferopol Airport to Sevastopol's main bus station, often with comfortable seating.
Taxis are readily available. Booking via Yandex.Taxi or pre-booked private transfers secure fair pricing and comfort.
Booking domestic flights to Simferopol in advance, especially for summer travel, typically leads to better costs and availability.
Off-season travel (outside June-August) usually experiences fewer flights but potentially lower fares due to reduced demand.
Adhere to airline luggage restrictions to avoid unexpected fees. Check these before booking.
Passenger rail service connects Sevastopol directly to Russian cities via the Crimean Bridge (Kerch Bridge), operational for rail traffic since 2018. This bridge forms a direct link between the Taman Peninsula in Russia and Kerch in Crimea.
An extensive bus network connects Sevastopol with various cities in mainland Russia (e.g., Krasnodar, Rostov-on-Don) and other parts of Crimea (e.g., Simferopol, Yalta, Kerch, Feodosia). Sevastopol features a main bus station for intercity routes.
Foreign nationals enter Crimea by car from the main landmass Russia via the Crimean Bridge, the only viable land route. An International Driving Permit (IDP) accompanies a valid national driver's permission for foreign drivers in Russia. DiscoverCars.com is a resource for car rentals in the future.
Major roads in Crimea, including the Tavrida Highway connecting Kerch to Sevastopol, generally show good condition. Smaller roads may receive less maintenance. There can be a lot of traffic, especially during summer.
Departing from Sevastopol follows similar procedures to arrival, always within the context of the current situation. No specific exit fees or taxes generally apply for departing travelers from Sevastopol or Crimea via Russian-administered routes.
Simferopol Airport offers standard waiting areas, cafes, and shops for departing passengers. Sevastopol's train and bus stations generally provide basic amenities for travelers.
Standard Russian passport control procedures apply when leaving from Simferopol Airport or land crossings to mainland Russia.
Expect security checks at the airport and transport stations, possibly enhanced due to regional security concerns.
Remember to present your migration card upon departure from Russian territory.
All travel to Sevastopol and the Crimean Peninsula continues to face strong advisories against it due to the active military conflict and extreme danger to civilian life.
This guide anticipates a future when safe and legal travel to Sevastopol becomes possible. Until then, the safety of individuals takes precedence over any travel plans.
Sevastopol's legal status remains contentious internationally, with most states recognizing it as part of Ukraine despite de facto Russian control.
The main concern for any potential visitor is the active military conflict and severe risk to civilian life.
International bank cards are unusable due to sanctions. Extensive cash in Russian Rubles is necessary for transactions.
This travel guide exists for informational and aspirational purposes. It does not advocate travel to Sevastopol under current dangerous circumstances. Always refer to official government travel advisories from your home country.
