Getting Around Tula
Tula is a compact Russian city and the administrative center of Tula Oblast, and getting around it is straightforward for a visitor. The city is served by a mix of rail, road-based public transport, and taxis, with the main sights and transport hubs reasonably well connected. The guidance below covers the practical options available to you.
Arriving by Train
If you are coming into Tula by rail, note that the city is served by two railway stations, so check which one your train uses before you arrive.
- Moskovsky Vokzal (Tula-1-Kurskaya Stantsiya), on Ulitsa Puteyskaya, in the western part of the city. This is the station you are most likely to use if arriving from Moscow.
- Ryazhsky Vokzal (Tula-Vyazemskaya), on Ulitsa Ryazhskaya.
Trains arrive from Moscow, Oryol, and Kaluga. The journey from Moscow takes roughly two to three and a half hours, making Tula an easy day trip or short break from the capital.
Public Transport Within the City
Tula's public transport network is road-based and varied. The main modes you will encounter are:
- Buses — the workhorse of the network, covering routes across the city.
- Trolleybuses — electric buses running on overhead wires, useful on the routes they serve.
- Marshrutkas — shared minibuses that run fixed routes, often more frequent and flexible than larger buses. They are a common and practical way for visitors to get around.
These modes together connect the railway stations, the city center, and the main visitor areas. As with most Russian cities, tickets are typically bought from the driver or conductor on board, and it is worth having small change with you. Fares are generally low by Western European standards.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are readily available and are a convenient option, especially if you are arriving at a railway station with luggage or traveling outside the main public transport corridors. Two local taxi companies are worth noting:
- Taxi Visit — phone: 360-360.
- Taxi Volga — phone: 370-370.
You can call these numbers to book a car. Ride-hailing apps are also widely used in Russian cities and are a practical way to arrange a taxi without needing to speak Russian on the phone, though you should confirm availability locally when you arrive.
Walkability
Tula's central area is compact enough that many of the main sights and the central transport hubs can be reached on foot. Walking is a good way to get between the center and nearby attractions, and the city's layout makes it easy to combine walking with short hops on public transport or a taxi. For longer distances, or when the weather is poor, the bus, trolleybus, and marshrutka network fills the gaps.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Tula is served by Klokovo, a Russian Air Force airbase located near the city. Note that this is a military airbase rather than a civilian commercial airport, so it is not a point of arrival for ordinary visitors. Travelers reaching the Tula area by air will generally arrive via Moscow's commercial airports and continue to Tula by train — the most practical option, with direct services from Moscow taking roughly two to three and a half hours — or by road.
Practical Tips
- Check whether your train arrives at Moskovsky Vokzal or Ryazhsky Vokzal before you set out, as they are in different parts of the city.
- Keep small change handy for buses, trolleybuses, and marshrutkas.
- Save the local taxi numbers (360-360 and 370-370) in your phone, or use a ride-hailing app.
- Combine walking in the compact center with public transport or taxis for longer trips.