Getting Around Kerch
Kerch is a compact city at the eastern tip of the Kerch Peninsula, and much of what a visitor wants to see near the centre can be covered on foot. For the outlying districts, the beaches on the outskirts, or the transport hubs, you will rely on a mix of minibuses, trolleybuses, and taxis. The city's transport is practical rather than polished, so a little local knowledge goes a long way.
On Foot
All places near the city centre are accessible on foot. This is the simplest and often most pleasant way to explore the central area, and it means you can treat walking as your default mode for sightseeing rather than something you do only between transport stops.
Once your destination moves beyond the centre — a distant district or one of the sea beaches on the outskirts — walking stops being practical and you should switch to public transport or a taxi.
Trams, Trolleybuses, and Rail
Kerch does not have a metro or a tram network. What it does have is a trolleybus system, which connects Kerch Central Bus Station (Avtovokzal) with the Kerch Train Terminal and the Voykov Metal Works factory. For a visitor, this is mainly useful as a link between the bus station and the rail terminal, and as a way to reach that part of the city.
On the rail side, Kerch has a train terminal served by long-distance sleeper trains from Moscow, as well as regional train connections with Simferopol and Dzhankoy. The regional trains are cheap but slow. Note that the rail terminal is a distinct point on the trolleybus network rather than being in the immediate centre, so plan how you will cover the last stretch of your journey.
Buses and Minibuses
For getting to a distant district or an outlying beach, marshrutka minibuses are your best option. They are the workhorse of local movement in Kerch.
Buying a ticket is informal and simple: the price is usually written on a paper sheet inside the bus, and there are no tickets — you just pass the money to the driver. This is worth remembering, because it means you should carry small change and be ready to pay on board rather than looking for a ticket machine or kiosk.
Marshrutkas also connect the city's transport hubs. Port Krym, the Crimean harbour on the eastern outskirts of Kerch, is linked to Kerch Central Bus Station (Avtovokzal) by marshrutka lines #1 and #18. If you are arriving or departing by ferry, this is how you bridge the gap to the main bus station.
Taxis
Taxis are readily available: there are always a few cabs at Kerch Central Bus Station, which makes them a convenient fallback when you arrive by bus or need to reach a specific address without navigating the minibus network.
You can also call a taxi directly. Local operators include Taxi Kerch and Mega Taxi, the latter based on Frunze Street. Having a phone number to hand is useful if you are not near the bus station and want a car to come to you.
Wherever you pick up a taxi, agree the price before you get in and confirm that it covers the whole route rather than being charged per kilometre. This is the standard precaution for private cabs in the region and will save you unpleasant surprises.
Getting There from the Airport
Kerch itself has no airport. The main airport of Crimea is in Simferopol, roughly to the west of Kerch, and this is the usual air gateway for visitors. There are also international airports at Krasnodar and Anapa on mainland Russia, which some travellers use instead.
Via Simferopol
From Simferopol International Airport, your first task is to reach Simferopol Central Intercity Bus Station (Avtovokzal). You have two options:
- Taxi. Plenty of private cabs wait in front of the airport, but prices are usually not reasonable and many drivers are dishonest. Always negotiate the price before boarding, and make sure it is for the entire route, not per kilometre.
- Public transport. Take marshrutka bus #49; the stop is in the middle of the square in front of the airport. The price is written on paper sheets inside the bus, and there are no tickets — just pass your money to the driver. The ride to Avtovozkal usually takes a while, and Avtovozkal is only an intermediate stop on the route, so do not miss it. Ask the driver or fellow passengers if you are unsure where to get off; most locals do not speak English, but they should understand the word "Avtovozkal". A GPS device can help you confirm the location.
Once inside the Avtovozkal terminal, buy a ticket for the next bus to Kerch. During the day, intercity buses to Kerch depart frequently. There is a small fee if you have a lot of luggage and need to use the bus's luggage compartment. Your departure time, platform number, bus number, and seat are printed on the ticket. The bus arrives at the platform about fifteen minutes before departure, so find your platform in good time.
The journey to Kerch from Simferopol takes several hours, usually with a short intermediate stop at Feodosia.
Via Krasnodar or Anapa
If you fly into mainland Russia instead, you can reach Kerch by intercity bus. There are many intercity bus routes connecting Kerch with mainland Russia via the Crimean Bridge, and all of them start from the Kerch Bus Station (Avtovozkal). From Anapa airport the trip to Kerch is relatively short, while from Krasnodar airport it takes considerably longer.
By Ferry
The Kerch ferry line carries cars, passengers, and cargo trains across the Kerch Strait to mainland Russia. On the Crimean side, the harbour is Port Krym, on the eastern outskirts of Kerch, connected to Kerch Central Bus Station by marshrutka lines #1 and #18. On the mainland side, the ferry harbour is Port Kavkaz, which has an intercity bus connection with Krasnodar; the trip from Krasnodar to Port Kavkaz takes several hours.
Practical Summary
- Walk in the centre; take a marshrutka for outlying districts and beaches.
- Pay minibus fares in cash to the driver — the price is posted inside the vehicle.
- Use the trolleybus to link the Central Bus Station with the Train Terminal and the Voykov Metal Works area.
- Taxis are available at the Central Bus Station and by phone; always fix the full-route price before boarding.
- Fly into Simferopol, Krasnodar, or Anapa, then continue by bus; from Simferopol, take marshrutka #49 to the Avtovozkal and buy an onward ticket to Kerch there.
- Ferry arrivals at Port Krym connect to the Central Bus Station by marshrutka lines #1 and #18.