Top 5 coldest cities in Russia. List for extreme tourists

The territory of Russia has a huge area of over 17 million square kilometers and stretches across 11 time zones. From Kaliningrad to Vladivostok, one can observe the change of not only time, but also climatic zones. The harshest is observed in the Northern and North-Eastern regions, Siberia and along the Arctic Ocean. It is here that polar nights and record low winter temperatures can be observed – the thermometer can fall to minus 70 degrees Celsius.

For people living in temperate and subtropical climates, it is hard to imagine how it is possible to be in such conditions. But the harsh regions attract more than just researchers, archaeologists and tourists. They continue to be centers where a large number of people live, work and love their native places.

In our list of the coldest cities in Russia, where record low temperatures have been recorded during the climate research. Take a risk, visit permafrost places and experience the charm of harsh winter personally.

Verkhoyansk (Republic of Yakutia)

In 1982, the hydrometeorological station, which has been working here for more than 150 years, recorded an absolute temperature minimum of 67.8 degrees below zero. Frosts in Verkhoyansk last for seven months – from October to April. Because of the severe climatic conditions, only hot water flows through the pipes to keep them from freezing. You can’t drink it. For drinking water, locals cut ice bricks in the frozen river. The main trades are fur harvesting and cattle breeding.

How to get there: you can reach the destination only by air. The airplane flies to Batagai settlement, then you go by car or snowmobile to Verkhoyansk. The cost of a one-way ticket from Moscow starts from 19 thousand rubles.

Oymyakon (Republic of Yakutia)

Another city in the Republic of Sakha, which competes for the title of the coldest place in Russia. According to the memories of local residents, in the early twentieth century, the thermometer column showed minus 71.2 degrees. However, the record was not recorded. Officially, the result of only 67.7 degrees below zero was noted.

The town is interesting for its non-freezing thermal spring, which gave the name to the place. From Yakut “oymyakon” translates as “hot key”. The locals are engaged in reindeer breeding, fishing, and in the Soviet times there was a farm for breeding black bearded foxes.

How to get there: Oymyakon can be reached by car or by airplane. The small town has its own airport. However, flights are irregular due to weather conditions. The cost of a ticket from Moscow starts from 20 thousand rubles. The distance by car is 9566 km.

Yakutsk (Republic of Yakutia)

It would be unfair to bypass the largest city in the world, built in permafrost conditions. Especially since, according to the official data of meteorologists, back in the XIX century, the minimum maximum temperature of 64.4 degrees below zero was recorded here.

Despite the decent area, which the city occupies, the population does not exceed 315 thousand people. The main activity of enterprises is mining of minerals, gemstones, fuel and energy sector.

How to get there: the most convenient way is by air. Regular direct flights from Moscow will take six hours. Tickets cost from 19 thousand rubles. In winter time, the price of flights increases. There are no direct trains to Yakutsk. The nearest railway station is in Neryungri (about 600 km to Yakutsk). The cost of a parlor car from 9 thousand rubles, in a compartment from 15 402 rubles. Travel time by train from five days.

Pechora (Komi Republic)

The city is known not only for its oil and gas fields, and there are 20 of them here, the largest energy enterprise in the European part of the Russian North – Pechora TPP, but also for temperature records. The absolute temperature minimum of -54.70 degrees was registered in January 1973. The industrial city is original and suitable for geological study.

How to get there: Pechora has an airport and a railway station. Travel time by train from Moscow will be more than 30 hours. The cost of a placekarta – from 3 thousand rubles, a compartment will cost 7.5 thousand. A flight from the capital, without transfers, will take two and a half hours. The cost of tickets starts from 7400 rubles.

Norilsk (Krasnoyarsk Territory)

The city is located in the north of the Krasnoyarsk Territory south of the Taimyr. Back in the early twentieth century, deposits of metal ores were discovered here. A metallurgical plant was built. Now it is known as Norilsk Nickel. In January 1967, meteorologists recorded an absolute minimum of 53.1 degrees below zero. Due to strong winds, minus temperatures are felt here much colder. In the vicinity of the city tourists can observe a unique natural phenomenon – the northern lights.

How to get there: if you want to see a cold industrial region, use ground and air transportation. A flight from Moscow to Norilsk will take 4 hours and 20 minutes. One-way tickets start at 19 thousand rubles. Train tickets in a floating car will cost 4 thousand rubles, coupe – from 7 thousand. But in this case you will have to spend almost a day and a half on the road.