Tolmachevo

Tolmachevo Airport is not merely an airport, but the main aerial gateway to Siberia and the largest transit hub east of the Urals, connecting routes from Europe to Asia. Located in the city of Novosibirsk, Russia, it plays a key role in the transport system of the entire region. Its modern infrastructure and ability to handle even the world's largest aircraft make it an important centre for both passenger and cargo transportation.

One of the airport's main features is its new Terminal C, commissioned in 2023. It is a modern building with a futuristic design, where massive 30-metre columns resemble aircraft turbines, and the façade forms a continuous glass ribbon. Tolmachevo serves as the base airport for S7 Airlines, ensuring a wide route network throughout the country and beyond. Thanks to its two runways and advanced navigation equipment, the airport can operate in almost any weather conditions, ensuring high flight regularity.

To ensure your journey through Tolmachevo Airport goes smoothly, we have gathered all necessary contacts in one place. Here you will find phone numbers, the address, and the airport's official pages.

• Official Website: Here you can find flight schedules, baggage allowance rules, and other useful information. Website address: tolmachevo.ru
• Information Desk Phone: A single 24-hour number for enquiries on all matters: +7 (383) 216-99-99.
• Airport Address: Novosibirsk Region, City of Ob, Mozzherina Prospect 8, postcode 633104.
• Email for Enquiries: For official requests and feedback, you can use the e-mail: info@ovbport.ru
• Social Media: Follow airport news and updates on VKontakte and Telegram.
• Lost Luggage Information: If your luggage has not arrived or has been damaged, contact the Lost & Found service by phone: +7 (383) 216-97-66.
• Passenger Support: For general questions, please contact the unified information desk. Passengers with reduced mobility are advised to contact the airline and the airport in advance to arrange assistance.

You can get to Tolmachevo Airport from Novosibirsk in several ways, allowing you to choose the most convenient option depending on your budget, time, and amount of luggage. The airport is located approximately 20 km west of the city centre, and the trip usually takes 40 to 60 minutes, although this time may increase during peak hours.

Public Transport is the most economical method. Express bus No. 111E runs from the "Novosibirsk-Glavny" railway station and the bus station, taking you directly to the terminal. City bus No. 112 also goes to the airport. Another option is to take a suburban train to "Ob" station and transfer to a special shuttle bus that takes passengers to the airport building. This method can be convenient to avoid city traffic jams.

For those who value comfort and are travelling with a lot of luggage, the optimal choice is taxi or transfer. Popular online taxi booking services operate in the city, and rides with them will cost significantly less than the services of private drivers at the airport. You can also pre-book an individual transfer, which is especially convenient for large groups or families with children.

If you plan to travel around the region by car, you can use the car rental service. Rental desks for many companies are located directly inside the airport building. For those arriving in their own vehicle, Tolmachevo offers both short-term and long-term parking lots with varying tariff rates. This is convenient if you are flying away for a few days and want to leave your car in a secure place.

When planning a trip across Siberia, it is worth noting that Tolmachevo is a major transport hub. However, depending on your route through Russia, other airports in the region might be convenient, such as Barnaul Airport or Bogashevo in Tomsk, located a few hours' drive away.

Novosibirsk Tolmachevo Airport (OVB), following extensive reconstruction, presents a unified, modern, and spacious terminal that serves both domestic and international flights. The old Terminals A (domestic lines) and B (international) have been integrated into the new structure and now function as sectors of a single complex. Thanks to this, passengers do not need to move between different buildings, which significantly simplifies navigation and the transfer process.

The structure of the new terminal is intuitive. The Departure Zone is located primarily on the first floor (Level 2), where check-in counters, security checkpoints, and boarding gates are situated. The Arrival Zone occupies the ground floor (Level 1) — here passengers collect their luggage and undergo necessary border and customs control procedures. A modern navigation system with signs in Russian and English is installed inside the terminal, helping you easily orient yourself and find the necessary zones: from check-in counters to cafés and shops.

For passenger convenience, the flows of domestic and international flights are separated. After the general check-in area, passengers flying abroad proceed to the international flight sector, where they undergo passport and customs control. Domestic flight passengers only undergo security screening. Upon arrival, the scheme is similar: those arriving from abroad first pass through border control, and then enter the general baggage claim hall together with domestic flight passengers.

Despite the high capacity of the new terminal, it is recommended to arrive at the airport well in advance. For domestic flights, you should allow at least 2 hours before departure, and for international flights — about 3 hours. This time will be sufficient to check in, drop off luggage, pass through all control stages, and find your boarding gate without rushing. During peak hours and holidays, waiting times at security may increase, so it is better to have a time buffer.

To navigate the terminal, first pay attention to the electronic boards with flight information — they indicate the numbers of check-in counters and boarding gates. If you are transferring from one flight to another, follow the "Transfer" signs. Thoughtful logistics and spacious halls make moving through Tolmachevo comfortable even for those visiting for the first time.

The history of Tolmachevo Airport is a vivid example of the development of aviation infrastructure in Siberia. The official birth date of the airport is considered to be July 12, 1957. On this day, the first passenger flight on a Tu-104 jet aircraft took place on the Novosibirsk — Moscow route. This flight opened a new era in regional air travel, making flights to the capital fast and accessible.

Originally created as a military airfield, Tolmachevo quickly reoriented towards civil transport. In 1963, the first terminal building was commissioned, capable of serving up to 1,000 passengers per hour — an impressive figure for that time. Over the following decades, the airport constantly expanded, accepting increasingly larger aircraft, including the wide-body Il-86, and becoming a key transit hub on the way from Europe to Asia.

A landmark event was receiving international status in 1992, which opened direct flights abroad for residents of Siberia. In subsequent years, the airport went through several stages of modernization: runways were reconstructed, a modern cargo terminal was built, and international Terminal B was opened in 2015. The most large-scale reconstruction was completed in 2023 with the opening of the new Terminal C, which united domestic and international flights under one roof and became one of the largest in Russia.

Among the interesting facts of the airport's history is its constant role as an alternate aerodrome for transcontinental flights. Thanks to its strategic location and technical equipment, Tolmachevo has repeatedly accepted aircraft making emergency landings. Today, it is not just an airport, but a major multimodal hub that continues to break records for passenger traffic and cargo volume, confirming its status as the main aerial gateway to Siberia.

Tolmachevo Airport in Novosibirsk offers passengers a full range of services to make waiting for a flight comfortable and productive. For those who are hungry, numerous cafés and restaurants are open, where you can have a quick snack or a full meal. Shops, including Duty Free, souvenir stalls, and travel goods outlets, are located in the secure area.

For passengers who value enhanced comfort, business lounges and a VIP terminal with individual service are provided. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport, and numerous counters and power sockets allow you to easily charge electronic devices. For business travellers, conference halls and meeting rooms equipped with everything necessary for work are available.

Tolmachevo pays great attention to the convenience of all categories of passengers. A mother and child room is open around the clock for families with small children. Passengers with reduced mobility are provided with special assistance: escorting through the airport territory, provision of wheelchairs, and boarding the aircraft using an ambulift. All zones of the terminal are designed taking into account the needs of citizens with limited mobility.

ATMs of various banks and currency exchange points are located within the terminal. In case of necessity, you can contact the 24-hour medical unit, where first aid will be provided. For those who need to rest between flights, a modern hotel is located directly next to the terminal, offering comfortable rooms for transit passengers and guests of the city.

At Tolmachevo Airport, travellers will find plenty of options to refresh themselves before a flight or have a full lunch. Dining establishments are conveniently located both in the public area and in the departure zone after passing control, offering menus to suit any taste and budget.

In the public area (before security), you can find several cosy cafés and coffee shops. This is an excellent option for those seeing off or meeting passengers, as well as for passengers who have arrived at the airport early. Here you can quietly drink coffee with fresh pastries or order a set lunch.

The main selection of establishments awaits passengers in the secure departure area. Sandwich bars and coffee shops are ideal for a quick snack, where you can take food and drinks with you. If time permits, it is worth visiting one of the restaurants offering dishes of Russian and European cuisine. Being in the heart of Siberia, be sure to try some local specialities, for example, Siberian pelmeni (dumplings) or dishes with taiga berries. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the gastronomic culture of Novosibirsk.

Passengers with specific dietary preferences should study the menu carefully: many establishments have vegetarian salads, soups, and side dishes. It is best to check the availability of gluten-free or Halal dishes with the staff of the specific café or restaurant. Most food outlets in the departure zone operate around the clock or according to a schedule coordinated with flight times, so even passengers on night flights will not go hungry.

Prices in airport establishments are generally higher than in the city. The cost of a snack can vary from a few hundred rubles for coffee with a sandwich to several thousand for a full dinner in a restaurant. Regardless of budget, everyone will be able to find a suitable option to spend time comfortably while waiting for their flight.

To ensure your trip through Tolmachevo Airport in Novosibirsk leaves only pleasant impressions, it is useful to know a few nuances. A thoughtful approach will help avoid hustle and start the trip in a good mood.

Arrival time at the airport: For domestic flights within Russia, it is better to arrive 2–2.5 hours before departure. If an international flight awaits you, allow at least 3 hours. This time reserve is usually sufficient to check in, drop off luggage, and pass all pre-flight formalities without rushing.

Check-in and Security: To save time, complete online check-in on your airline's website. This is especially convenient if you are flying light, with only hand luggage, and will allow you to skip the queues at the counters. After check-in, security screening awaits you: be ready to present laptops and other gadgets for inspection, as well as liquids in separate packaging.

Seat Selection: When choosing a seat on the plane, be guided by your preferences. Do you love looking out the window? Your seats are A and F. Do you prefer having the ability to stand up freely and stretch? Choose aisle seats — C and D. Seats at emergency exits often offer more legroom, but certain restrictions apply to them.

Hand Luggage Rules: Carefully study your airline's hand luggage rules, especially weight and size requirements. Remember general safety rules: the volume of liquid containers must not exceed 100 ml, and they must all be packed in one transparent bag. Sharp objects and flammable substances are prohibited in the cabin.

For Transit Passengers: Passengers transferring at Tolmachevo should follow the "Transfer" signs. Even when checking in for the first flight segment, clarify whether you will need to collect and re-check your luggage. Plan your connection with a sufficient time margin, especially if the transfer involves moving between international and domestic terminals.

Customs Clearance: When departing or arriving on an international flight, it is necessary to pass customs control. If you do not have goods subject to declaration, your path lies through the "Green Channel". If you are carrying goods that need to be declared (for example, large sums of cash or cultural valuables), you should go through the "Red Channel" and fill out a customs declaration.

Money-Saving Hacks: Order a taxi or transfer to the airport via online apps — this is often better value than hiring a car on the spot. To avoid spending extra on water, take an empty bottle with you and, after passing security control, fill it at a drinking fountain if available in the secure area.

If the Flight is Delayed: In case of a flight delay, remain calm and contact the airline representative. Depending on the duration of the wait, you should be provided with drinks, hot meals, and in case of a long delay — accommodation in a hotel. Be sure to keep all receipts for unforeseen expenses — they may be useful for obtaining compensation.