On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invaded its neighbor country Ukraine, starting a war between these two countries.
This act of invasion caused many Ukrainians to flee their country and seek shelter in places like Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, etc…
At this time, we recommend no travel to Russia or Ukraine, or any neighboring countries for your own safety.
Russia : Safety by City
Russia - safety as a country Nizhny Novgorod is a city in Russia and the administrative center of Volga Federal State also known as Nizhny – the capital of Nizhny Novgorod Oblast.
It is considered to be the city with the most river routes of Russia, cultural, educational as well as an economic center of this specific region of Russia.
Even if it is the fifth-largest city and the third capital of Russia it can sometimes get unnoticed by tourists, but due to its hilltop kremlin overlooking the confluence of two wide rivers: the Volga and Oka, it’s definitely an interesting place to visit!
Warnings & Dangers in Nizhny Novgorod
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Overall it can be claimed that it is a safe destination for tourists if all precautions measures will be taken into account and choose wisely your accommodation.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Transport infrastructure is considered to be developed in the city and as a result, traveling facilities are available everywhere and are claimed to be safe. However, still, there are some risks related to transportation means provided due to their lack of policy-makers' interventions.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
Pickpockets are often met here and therefore it is advisable to keep a close look at your belongings especially on your documents and try if possible not to carry all you have with you but instead store them in a safe place.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
There are no considerable natural disaster risks that can somehow affect you negatively.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
There is a stable low number of violent crimes in the city, but in order for you to avoid such unpleasant cases you should opt for not walking alone at night is not so populated places and take all measures to safeguard your possessions as well as yourself.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Terrorist attacks happening in the city can not be ruled out and the only solution to this would be to follow the advice of public authorities. These will take care of you and diminish as much as possible the negative effect it can have on you.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
There are scammers in the city but these could be easily avoided through using your common sense and not being easily influenced. If you feel the pressure from a person regarding a decision report it immediately and get rid of that person as soon as possible.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
This is definitely a safe place for solo traveling women but still, it is advisable to not walk alone in the dark part of the day.
So... How Safe Is Nizhny Novgorod Really?
Overall it is a safe destination for you as a tourist from almost all perspectives, but it is advisable to take all measures in order to preserve your safety and security.
In recent years with the development of tourism in the city the cases of robberies, thefts, and crime, in general, have increased, which means that you as a tourist should choose wisely your accommodation which will ensure your safety.
Be aware of a big gang of pickpockets that operate in the most populated areas of the city and keep a close look at your belongings, especially your documents.
Also, it is recommended to always have a mobile phone from which in case of emergency you will be able to call as well as have a list of numbers.
Even if it is claimed to be relatively safe there are some neighborhoods that are advisable especially by night to not be visited however, during the day these could be and are recommended to be visited.
These one could be easily found at the tourist information point together with a lot of more interesting and important updates related to tours, guides, experiences of any kind as well as the must-see and do of the city which will ensure you a safe and great trip.
Taking everything into account and following all the above-mentioned pieces of advice you will be able to safely enjoy your trip.
How Does Nizhny Novgorod Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Nizhny Novgorod | 71 |
| Kazan | 66 |
| Sochi | 66 |
| Moscow | 51 |
| Saint Petersburg | 56 |
| Novosibirsk | 76 |
| Yekaterinburg | 72 |
| Phnom Penh (Cambodia) | 61 |
| Niagara Falls (Canada) | 87 |
| Calgary (Canada) | 82 |
| Buenos Aires (Argentina) | 60 |
| Vancouver (Canada) | 82 |
| Cordoba (Argentina) | 61 |
Useful Information
Visas
It depends on your citizenship whether you need a visa or not, but all the required information is clearly provided by the web-site of the public authorities.
Currency
The locally used currency is the Russian rouble which was the currency of the entire empire and nowadays is used only by Russia, Belarus, and Transnistria.
Weather
Nizhny Novgorod has a humid continental climate which is considered to be similar to the climate in Moscow however it is colder here which lasts from late November until late March with a permanent snow cover.
Airports
Strigino Airport is the international airport of Nizhny Novgorod that has direct flights to major Russian cities, Europe and the Middle East.
Travel Insurance
As it is always recommended to have travel insurance while traveling, no matter the destination, therefore, Nizhny Novgorod is not an exception.
Nizhny Novgorod Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | -6 | -5 | 1 | 11 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 22 | 16 | 8 | 0 | -4 |
| Low °C | -12 | -12 | -6 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 7 | 2 | -5 | -10 |
| High °F | 21 | 23 | 34 | 52 | 66 | 73 | 77 | 72 | 61 | 46 | 32 | 25 |
| Low °F | 10 | 10 | 21 | 34 | 45 | 54 | 57 | 54 | 45 | 36 | 23 | 14 |
Russia - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Kazan | 66 |
| Moscow | 51 |
| Nizhny Novgorod | 71 |
| Novosibirsk | 76 |
| Saint Petersburg | 56 |
| Sochi | 66 |
| Yekaterinburg | 72 |
I need to go back!
I had spent one day in Nizhny Novgorod on my trip to Russia as I had not anticipated on needing more time in the city and I was wrong! There is so much to do and see, it is a beautiful place. The post above is correct though. There are some safety issues usually with non-violent theft. If you look like a tourist and act like one, you bring more attention to yourself.