Moscow to Ulyanovsk Itinerary: A Week of Russian Exploration

  1. Day 1: Moscow
    Estimated travel time from Moscow International Airport: 1 hour 20 minutes (52.5 km)

    Begin your Russian adventure at Red Square - home to the iconic St. Basil's Cathedral and the Kremlin. Visit the Bolshoi Theatre for a world-class performance and end the day with a gourmet dinner at Café Pushkin.

  2. Day 2: Kazan
    Estimated travel time from Moscow: 1 hour 20 minutes (830 km)

    Explore the history of the Tatar people at the Kazan Kremlin, then head to the Bauman Street for street performances and souvenirs. End your day with a delicious meal of local cuisine at Chateau Marquette.

  3. Day 3: Nizhny Novgorod
    Estimated travel time from Kazan: 7 hours 20 minutes (464 km)

    Visit The Kremlin of Nizhny Novgorod for panoramic river views and a history lesson. Next, head to the State Bank Building for a taste of Soviet architecture. End your day at Khachapuri House for delicious Georgian food.

  4. Day 4: Samara
    Estimated travel time from Nizhny Novgorod: 7 hours 30 minutes (561 km)

    Take a stroll through Samara's historic Old Town, then head to the Stalin's Bunker Museum for an eerie look into the past. End the day with a relaxing boat tour along the Volga River.

  5. Day 5: Saransk
    Estimated travel time from Samara: 5 hours 15 minutes (423 km)

    Visit the Mordovia National Museum of Local History and Culture for a window into local culture, then explore the nearby Svyato-Troitsky Monastery. Finish the day with a hearty meal at UZHA Mukha.

  6. Day 6: Penza
    Estimated travel time from Saransk: 5 hours 45 minutes (390 km)

    Visit the Penza Art Gallery for a look at Russian art and sculptures, followed by a visit to the Penza Regional Museum of Local Lore. Dine at KeMonDO for a taste of Japanese cuisine.

  7. Day 7: Ulyanovsk
    Estimated travel time from Penza: 3 hours 45 minutes (277 km)

    Discover Russia's revolutionary history at the Lenin Memorial Complex, birthplace of the Soviet leader, before visiting nearby Museum of the Civil Aviation History. Enjoy a final dinner at The Black Cat.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Red Square, Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral (4 hours, free)
  • Bolshoi Theatre (3-4 hours, $50+ for tickets)
  • Café Pushkin (2 hours, $50+ for dinner)
  • Kazan Kremlin, Bauman Street (6 hours, free)
  • Chateau Marquette (2 hours, $25+ for dinner)
  • The Kremlin of Nizhny Novgorod, State Bank Building (5 hours, free)
  • Khachapuri House (2 hours, $20+ for dinner)
  • Samara Old Town, Stalin's Bunker Museum (5 hours, $10+ for museum)
  • Volga River boat tour (2 hours, $30+)
  • Mordovia National Museum of Local History and Culture, Svyato-Troitsky Monastery (6 hours, $5+ for museum)
  • UZHA Mukha (2 hours, $20+ for dinner)
  • Penza Art Gallery, Penza Regional Museum of Local Lore (6 hours, $10+ for museum)
  • KeMonDO (2 hours, $30+ for dinner)
  • Lenin Memorial Complex, Museum of Civil Aviation History (5 hours, free)
  • The Black Cat (2 hours, $25+ for dinner)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $320+

Useful Tips

If you have more time in Kazan, visit the Kul Sharif Mosque and the Museum of Soviet Life. If you have less time, skip the Samara boat tour and the Penza museums. For a real Russian experience, try some of the local street food at each destination!

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