Getting Around Abakan
Abakan is the capital of Khakassia, set in the Minusinsk Depression where the Yenisei and Abakan Rivers meet. It is a compact Siberian city, and visitors generally find that its public transport, taxis, and walkable centre cover most needs. The practical options are set out below.
Buses and Public Transport
Abakan has a reliable bus system, and it is the main form of public transport for getting around the city. Locals are generally willing to help you with directions, so it is worth asking if you are unsure which bus to take.
- Buses are useful for straightforward trips, such as travelling between the railway station and the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral.
- Because English is rarely spoken, it helps to carry pictures or written names of your destination to show to the driver or to other passengers.
- Buses also connect the city's main arrival points: services from Kyzyl stop at both the railway station and the bus station.
Rail
Abakan is a rail terminus, historically the endpoint (together with Tayshet) of the major Abakan–Tayshet Railway. For visitors, the most relevant long-distance service is the fast Sayany train from Moscow, which makes stop-overs in Yekaterinburg, Omsk, and Novosibirsk along the way. Note that this train does not run daily, so check the schedule carefully before planning a journey around it.
There is no metro or tram network in Abakan; the city's public transport is based on buses.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available in Abakan and are a convenient option, particularly for trips where language or route-finding might be a barrier on the bus. They are a practical choice for reaching specific addresses or for travel when you are carrying luggage.
Walking
Abakan is a manageable city to explore on foot in its central areas. Walking works well for short trips between nearby landmarks, and it is a good complement to the bus system for the final stretch of a journey.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Abakan is served by Abakan International Airport (IATA code ABA), located on Ulitsa Druzhby Narodov. It is a domestic airport with flights to and from Moscow as well as nearby cities in Siberia. The airport can be contacted on +7 390 228-28-54.
- From the airport, taxis are the most direct way into the city.
- The city's bus system is the alternative for reaching central Abakan and its main stations.
Arriving by Bus
If you arrive from Kyzyl, there are several buses daily. They stop at two points in Abakan: the railway station and the bus station. Both are useful starting points for continuing into the city by local bus or taxi.