Adler

V.I. Sevastyanov International Airport Sochi (Adler) is not merely an air gateway, but the main portal to the famous Black Sea coast and the snow-capped peaks of the Caucasus Mountains. Located in the Adler district, it serves as the starting point for millions of travellers seeking the sea, Olympic sites, and ski resorts. The modern and spacious terminal, built for the 2014 Olympics, welcomes guests with comfort and a high level of service, creating a pleasant impression of Russia from the very first minutes of your stay.

One of the main features of the airport is its unique location: due to the proximity of the mountains, aircraft landings are performed exclusively from the sea side, offering passengers breathtaking views of the coastline. The terminal complex, with an area of 65,000 square metres, is one of the largest in Russia and is capable of serving up to 2,500 passengers per hour. For the most discerning travellers, a separate VIP terminal is provided. Developed transport infrastructure, including buses and "Lastochka" high-speed trains, allows for quick and convenient travel to both the centre of Sochi and the resorts of Krasnaya Polyana.

If you need to contact representatives of the International Airport Sochi (Adler), please use the following contact information. Here are the main channels for communication with various airport services.

• Official Website: Up-to-date information on flights, services, and airport rules can always be found at aer.aero.
• Help Desk Phone: For information on schedules, delays, and general inquiries, call the 24-hour number +7 (800) 301-19-91 (calls within Russia are free).
• Airport Address: Krasnodar Krai, Sochi, Airport.
• Email: For general questions, it is recommended to use the feedback form on the official website. For press inquiries, you can use the address: pr@aer.aero.
• Social Networks: Follow news and updates on the official airport pages on VKontakte and Telegram.
• Lost Luggage Information: If your luggage has not arrived or has been damaged, contact the luggage tracing service by phone: +7 (862) 249-77-74.
• Passenger Support Service: The main support channel is the unified help desk. Additionally, information desks are located within the terminal, where staff are ready to assist you personally.

You can reach Adler International Airport (AER), the main air gateway to the city of Sochi, in several convenient ways. The choice depends on your budget, amount of luggage, and comfort preferences. When planning your trip, be sure to consider the traffic situation, which can be busy, especially during the height of the tourist season.

Public Transport is the most economical option. City and suburban buses run to the airport. Routes No. 105 and No. 105s (express) connect the airport with the centre of Sochi and the "Rosa Khutor" ski resort. Route No. 558 runs from the airport to the border with Abkhazia (Psou checkpoint). A bus trip from the city centre will take about 1-1.5 hours but may take longer due to traffic jams. The "Lastochka" electric train is also popular — it is a fast and comfortable way to get to the terminal, bypassing all congestion. The "Sochi Airport" railway station is located right at the exit from the arrivals hall. Trains run to the stations of Sochi, Adler, as well as towards Krasnaya Polyana and Tuapse. Travel time from the Sochi station on the "Lastochka" will be approximately 45-50 minutes.

Taxi and Transfer is the ideal choice for those who value comfort, travel with children, or have a large amount of luggage. Popular taxi booking apps operate in the city, allowing you to know the cost of the trip in advance. A trip from the centre of Sochi to the airport will take on average 40-60 minutes, excluding traffic jams. You can also book a private transfer where a driver will meet you at a specified location — this is especially convenient for large groups.

Car Rental suits independent travellers who plan to actively move around the entire resort region of Russia. Many rental companies have counters both at the airport itself and in the city, allowing you to pick up a car in one place and return it in another. For those arriving at the airport in their own vehicle, parking is provided. There are several parking zones on the territory: short-term (for quick pick-up/drop-off of passengers) and long-term, where you can leave the car for several days at a more favourable rate.

International Airport Sochi (Adler), known by the code AER, is a single modern passenger terminal that serves both domestic and international flights. Thanks to this, passengers do not need to move between different buildings, making the transfer and waiting process as convenient and straightforward as possible.

The airport layout is logical and intuitively simple. The terminal has several levels:

• First Floor — this is the arrivals area. Baggage claim halls, taxi stands, car rental desks, and information centres are located here. Those meeting passengers wait here.
• Second Floor — the departures area. Check-in counters and baggage drop-off points are located here. After check-in, passengers proceed to the security screening and passport control area.

All navigation inside the building is duplicated in Russian and English, which helps to orient oneself easily.

After passing all pre-flight formalities, passengers enter the "clean zone" (airside) to wait for departure. It is divided into two main sectors: Sector A for international flights and Sector B for domestic ones. Each sector has its own boarding gates. A Duty Free shop operates in the international zone, and both zones feature a wide selection of cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops where you can comfortably spend time before boarding your flight.

To avoid rushing, it is recommended to arrive at the airport in advance. For domestic flights — 2–2.5 hours before departure, and for international flights — no less than 3 hours. During the peak tourist season, especially in summer and during holidays, the airport can be very busy. At such times, it is worth allowing an extra hour for check-in and security screening. Follow the signs and regularly check information about your flight on the electronic boards to find your boarding gate without hassle.

The history of International Airport Sochi (Adler) is a vivid example of how a modest military facility transformed into one of the most modern and busy aviation hubs in Russia. Its story began on July 8, 1941, when a military airfield was urgently built on the site of a collective farm field to protect the Black Sea coast during the Great Patriotic War. After the war, in 1945, it was converted into a civil airport and began receiving its first passenger flights, connecting the resort with Moscow and other major cities.

As Sochi developed as the country's main resort, the airport grew as well. In 1956, the first terminal building was erected, and the runway was reconstructed to accommodate more modern aircraft. In subsequent decades, the airport constantly expanded to cope with the growing flow of holidaymakers, which reached several million people a year by the 1980s.

A turning point in the airport's history was the preparation for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. As part of a large-scale modernisation, a new, modern terminal complex was built, uniting the international and domestic sectors. Its capacity increased several times over, runways were lengthened, and the latest navigation equipment was installed. This reconstruction turned Adler Airport into a world-class hub capable of receiving almost all types of aircraft.

Today, Airport Sochi consistently ranks among the top five busiest airports in the country. It regularly sets records for passenger traffic, especially during the peak tourist season. An interesting fact: its runway has a unique location — it is sandwiched between the Black Sea coast and the foothills of the Caucasus Ridge. Thanks to this, landing and take-off here offer passengers unforgettable views and are considered among the most picturesque in the world.

Adler (Sochi) Airport offers passengers a modern and developed infrastructure that makes waiting for a flight comfortable and pleasant. The terminal houses numerous cafes, lounges, and restaurants where you can have a quick snack or a full meal, enjoying dishes of local and international cuisine. For shopping enthusiasts, various stores are open: from souvenir shops to boutiques of famous brands and a spacious Duty Free zone.

Comfortable halls are provided for waiting for flights at the airport. Passengers preferring enhanced comfort can use the services of business lounges and the VIP terminal, where snacks, beverages, and individual service are offered. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport, and numerous charging stations for electronic devices allow you to stay connected at all times.

It is easy to solve financial matters at Adler Airport. Travellers have access to bank branches, ATMs, and currency exchange points. Here you can withdraw cash, exchange money, or perform other banking operations, which is convenient for both Russian and international tourists.

Special attention is paid to passengers with children and people with disabilities. The terminal is equipped with a mother and child room, where you can feed and change a baby in a quiet environment. For passengers with special needs, an escort service is provided, and there are special parking spaces, ramps, and equipped restrooms. Also, a medical centre operates around the clock on the premises, ready to provide first aid.

Although hotels are not located directly inside the terminal building, there are several hotels of various price categories in the immediate vicinity of the airport, which can be reached in a few minutes. For business travellers, the airport provides conference halls and business centres equipped with everything necessary for meetings and negotiations.

Airport Sochi (Adler) offers passengers a wide selection of establishments for every taste and budget. Whether you are looking for a quick coffee before departure or a full lunch while waiting for your flight, you will find a suitable option. Dining outlets are located both in the public area before security control and in the "sterile zone" of departure.

In the public zone (landside), accessible to all visitors, there are several cafes and fast-food points. This is a convenient option for those seeing someone off or for those who arrived at the airport early. Here you can leisurely drink coffee with fresh pastries or have a full meal in chain restaurants.

The main part of the establishments is concentrated in the departure zone (airside), after passing pre-flight screening. The choice here is much more diverse: from popular fast-food chains like Burger King for a quick bite to restaurants with à la carte service serving Russian and European cuisine. There are also several lounges where you can order beverages while waiting for boarding.

For those who want to enjoy local flavour, it is worth looking for establishments offering dishes of Caucasian or Black Sea cuisine. This is an excellent opportunity to try something authentic before departing from Russia. If you are short on time, numerous coffee shops and food courts offer sandwiches, salads, and desserts to go.

Prices at the airport are expectedly higher than the city average. Most cafes and restaurants in the departure zone operate around the clock or on a flexible schedule adjusted to the flight timetable, so you can have a snack even at night. Passengers with special dietary preferences (vegetarian, gluten-free diet) are recommended to check the composition of dishes with the staff, as there may not be specialised establishments, but many restaurants offer suitable options on their menu.

Planning a trip through Adler Airport, the main air gateway of Sochi, requires a little preparation to make your journey as comfortable as possible. Given the popularity of this destination in Russia, especially in the summer season and during the New Year holidays, we recommend arriving in advance: 2-3 hours before a domestic flight and 3-4 hours before an international one. To save time, use online check-in, which most airlines open 24 hours before departure. This will allow you to avoid queues at counters and go straight to baggage drop-off or security screening if you are flying light.

The security screening procedure at the airport is standard, but to pass it faster, prepare liquids in advance (in containers up to 100 ml, packed in a transparent bag), laptops, and other large electronics. Regarding hand luggage, always check the rules of your airline, as weight and dimension allowances may differ. A small life hack for those flying to or from Sochi: when choosing a seat on the plane, ask for a window seat on the right side (if looking towards the cockpit). It is from this side that breathtaking views of the Black Sea coast and the peaks of the Caucasus Mountains open up.

If you have a connecting flight in Adler, pay close attention to the "Transit/Transfer" signs. The airport is quite compact and understandable, but it is important to clarify whether you need to collect and re-register your luggage. As a rule, when transferring from an international flight to a domestic one, this must be done. When flying abroad, you will have to pass customs control. If you are not carrying goods subject to declaration, feel free to go through the "Green Channel". If in doubt, it is better to contact a customs officer for advice or choose the "Red Channel".

To save money, order a taxi via mobile apps — this is often more profitable than using the services of carriers at the terminal exit. You can also take an empty water bottle with you and fill it at drinking fountains after passing security. In case of a flight delay, remain calm. The airline is obliged to provide you with beverages (for a delay of 2 hours or more) and hot meals (4 hours or more). Find a representative of your carrier at the airport to clarify details. Cafes, shops, and free Wi-Fi, available throughout the terminal, will help brighten up the wait.