Saratov

Saratov (Сара́тов suh-RAH-tuhf) is a city in the Volga Region|Volga region of Russia.

Travel as a Muslim to Saratov

File:Саратов Железнодорожный вокзал - Saratov Train Station

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Saratov

The only way to fly to Saratov is from Domodedovo Airport in Moscow with Saravia. The flight takes about an hour and a half and can cost roughly 5100 rubles. They fly Yak40 and Yak42 aircraft which have been made in Saratov. Saravia also operates summer seasonal Flights from Frankfurt and Hanover.

Flights must usually be booked and paid same day at the airport in cash. Optionally flights can be purchased at TK Primavera and the only DMC in Saratov. Pickup of the tickets is then available at the airport before departure.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Saratov

Otherwise the best way to get there is by Saratov Rail from Moscow's Pavletsky Station, which takes roughly 15-16 h. The trains operate overnight, departing in the afternoon/evening, arriving in the morning.

Saratov is also accessible via rail from Samara to the north (train 10 hours, 400 kilometers) and Volgograd and Astrakhan to the south. The St. Petersburg-Astrakhan' line passes through Saratov. It takes about 26 hours to travel from St. Petersburg to Saratov on train.

Travel on a Bus in Saratov

There are also buses between Saratov and many other cities, including Moscow. However and the comfort and value of the rail system over the vast distances involved makes the bus service a comparatively unattractive option.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Saratov

River cruises down the Volga operate during the summer months (early May to end of September). Dozens of boats operated by different companies run from Moscow to Astrakhan. One way or return cruises may be reserved to/from practically any city along the Volga. Moscow to Astrakhan (one-way) with three daily meals is 15,000 rubles (roughly $500 US). Without meals, roughly 8000-9000 rubles.

How to get around in Saratov

Saratov (Russia) Bridge - Saratov Bridge, a 3-kilometre span linking the city with Engels

Saratov, like most provincial Russian towns, is served by a network of trams, buses and marshrutkas (set-route shuttle vanes). The main terminus for most forms of transport is the area around the Kritiy Rynok (market) at the top of Prospekt Kirova. There are also taxis, both official and non-official. As with all non-official taxis in Russia, agree a price with the driver before setting off.

Getting around Saratov generally requires cash since credit cards are not widely accepted in many non-hotel or non-retail shopping endeavors including travel. It is important to have rubles or an ATM card with which to get rubles because US dollars are not widely accepted and banks, even with proper identification, typically only convert one hundred dollars at a time and even then only accept certain series of US bills. During the Christmas period banks have a very limited schedule of hours. Be aware that after January 1, 2008, Western Union transfers are difficult if they are made to a foreigner since new rules require not just a passport but that the passport be notarized by a Russian notary. There is a translation service on Bolshaia Kazakshia near the junction with Astrakhan street on the right when facing back towards the town centre.

Saravia tickets require cash and can be purchased at the Saratov airport, and the Saratov train station, near the Technical University on Bolshaia Sadovaia and at the Saravia offices near the main open market. There is a small booking charge at most places in Saratov. It is anticipated that in the not too distant future Saravia will follow Russian air carriers like S-7 in utilizing online booking via eHalal Hotels]. Since Saravia does not have international partners, if you miss a Saravia flight because of a late flight to DME will not receive a refund or ticket on another flight.

Since overweight baggage incurs charges which may approach the cost of the ticket, be careful about baggage weight. Because overweight charges are paid at a different counter in DME, allow yourself extra time for the check-in process in case it turns out you are overweight. British Airways gives a baggage allowance of 25 kg but Saravia's limit is 20 kg. If you can possibly manage it, arrive in Moscow at Domodedovo airport. Sheremetyevo (IATA Code: SVO) is a 2500 ruble taxi fare away, more by gypsy cab. Delays are long at SVO and on the orbital motorway connecting the two (an hour and a half journey). You can easily miss a connection.

While there are money exchanges at both the Saratov airport and train station and the hours of operation are limited. Usually there are men in the train station who will exchange US dollars but at bad rates and with the risk of getting counterfeited rubles. Euros are probably easier to work with in Saratov. ATM's give good rates but the payouts are limited. NEVER take travellers cheques. Only Sberbank and only the main branch will deal with them and it takes 6-8 h to go through the process.

What to see in Saratov

File:Троицкий Собор Саратов - |Trinity Gothic Church on Moskovskaya Street Saratov museum - Radishchev Art Museum

See the magnificent Volga river and the longest river in Europe. At the most popular spot (Naberezhnaya Kosmonavtov and the Cosmonauts Embankment) the Volga is 3km wide, whereas at some other spots nearby Saratov its width reaches as much as 11km. The Embankment also features the beautiful "Old Bridge", built in mid-20th century. The bridge was the longest in Europe until the 1980s.

Gagarin trained in Saratov and he landed near by. There is a museum and a monument.

Best things to do in Saratov

File:Саратовский цирк 01 - Saratov Circus

Despite its provincial setting, Saratov has much to offer by way of culture. Enjoy a classical concert in the pseudo-gothic Conservatory on Prospekt Kirova, or an opera or ballet in the nearby Bolshoy Teatr. Tickets are very reasonably priced and available from the box offices of both venues. In January of 2008 ticket prices were less than four dollars US and represent an incredible bargain.

Take in a play at the Saratov Kiselev Academic Youth Theater, known by the acronym TYuZ ("ТЮЗ"). TYuZ is located about a block off of Prospect Kirova on Volskaya Street. Although described as a "children's theater", TYuZ is mostly visited by adults. The theater features a rotating list of light plays.

For more serious fare, head over to Saratov Slonov Academic Drama Theater. Founded in 1802 and the Saratov Drama Theater is one of the oldest theaters in Russia. Its current building, however, is very modern in style.

Dom Kino (House of Cinema), located on Oktyabrskaya Street, features foreign film and film series. Tickets cost 100 rubles as of October 2010. Located on the second floor of a nondescript building on a side street, Dom Kino is rather difficult to find. The interior is modest: a large room with folding chairs and a projector screen.

If you aren't interested in such quaint movie-watching experiences, check out Pobeda, Sinema Park, or Illuminator.

Visit the circus, one of the first in Russia to be established in its own dedicated building.

Go to the Radischev art gallery — the first public art gallery opened in Russia (19th century). Some fine European, as well as Russian pieces of art are gathered here. The gallery also features a computer room where visitors can access various art-related programms, including one showing scenes of architectural gems lost under Communism and their modern replacements.

Support the local soccer team — Sokol — and attend a match in the stadium beside the train station.

Take a stroll in Gorodskii Park and try out the bumper cars, ferris wheel and waltzers in its fairground. Most of the rides are open even on the coldest days of winter. Victory Park is another great place to visit. Before Christmas the area around Lenin's statue in the central part of the city is a fun place for kids with sleigh rides and photo opportunities with Russian version of Santa Claus. There is also an affordable large public outdoor ice skating rink a few blocks from Lenin's statue but although they rent skates be prepared for a long wait to rent them. There are also large beautiful forests in and around Saratov.

There are several beaches on the Volga river including some on an island.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Saratov

Saratov Markthal - Saratov Market Building

The usual Russian souvenirs such as matryoshkas are available in Saratov, although if travelling through Moscow it is probably best to wait to get them there as they will be cheaper.

The markets in Saratov are useful spots to pick up winter clothes if necessary, including coats, boots, leather gloves and of course hats. Haggling is indulged.

Prospekt Kirova is the most upmarket shopping area in the city, with fancy boutiques selling expensive shoes, bags and jewellery. There are branches for Mango, Nike, Reebok, Adidas (currently on the BDS List so for the time don't purchase any Adidas products), United Colors of Benetton, and L'Occitane among others. Also on Prospekt Kirova is an excellent tobacconist, selling all kinds of pipes and tobacco including hookah pipes, as well as a speciality tea shop.

Barrikada, on Ulitsa Gorkogo, is an excellent alternative music store that sells legitimate (i.e. non-pirate) albums and music DVDs at prices much cheaper than in Western Europe, and stocks a diversity of artists unparalleled by even Moscow's gargantuan Gorbushka market.

Electronics can be purchased from one of the city's branches of El Dorado (one particularly large one is located on the embankment near the river station).

Dom Knigi and the book shop on the junction of Ulitsa Volskaya and Prospekt Kirova, has an English language section and is also a good spot to pick up postcards, maps and souvenirs such as books of old postcard views of Saratov. Noviy Knizhniy, on the fourth floor of the Aurora Shopping Center (Chapaeva and Sovetskaya), also features an English language section. Grab a coffee at the nearby cafe, bring your laptop, and enjoy the free wireless on the fourth floor.

Despite its name, Detsky Mir ('Children's World') at the top of Prospekt Kirova near McDonalds, stocks all kinds of everything (clothes, accessories, stationery, hipflasks, penknives...) in cabinets, behind counters, and at individually manned stalls. TsUM (Tsentralniy Universalniy Magazin, 'Central Universal Store') across the way is a similar sort of operation.

Halal Restaurants in Saratov

File:Саратовская православная духовная семинария 19.09.2014 - |Saratov Orthodox Theological Seminary

Cafe Fortuna, above an internet cafe on Prospekt Kirova, is reliable for good Russian food like blini, borshch and solyanka, as well as omelettes and chips and the like.

Papa's Irish Bar, also on the Prospekt, serves a decent menu including a fry and Irish stew, as well as other slightly Russified Western pub food.

There is a Tinkoff Restaurant and Bar in Saratov. Tinkoff hosts live groups, as it does in its other locations in Russia. Decor inside is clean and swanky, with dimmed lights and lounge-style tables. The food is overpriced and uninspiring. Expect to go through security by stocky bouncers if you arrive to see a concert.

There are a number of passable sushi restaurants around, while street food like shwarma and hot pirogi are readily available.

For those unwilling to spread their wings and there is a McDonalds on Prospekt Kirova. There is also an ice-cream parlour called Pingvin on the Prospekt and a Baskin Robbins by the multi-coloured church off the end of the Prospekt.

Near the circus there is perhaps Russia's only branch of Papa John's. Like many American junk-food imports, Russian Papa John's appears to be a decent, sit-down restaurant. The restaurant provides free wireless to its guests.

Saratov is also home to a locally-owned chain of overpriced coffee shops called Vostok-Zapad ('East-West'), where no two cappuccinos are ever the same (or, indeed, ever much like a cappuccino). They are, however, a pleasant place to hang out and the coffee is decent enough, if not exactly what you may have in mind but the quality is consistently better than the used dishwater served in most US and UK randed coffee chains. Another café is Café et Chocolat which, as the name suggests, is a French-style establishment, serving crepes and pastries. They have several branches. Bars along the main pedestrian street, Prospekt Kirova, include Pivnoy Zavod (Beer Factory, a sheesha lounge); Papa's Irish Pub; Pivnoy Bul'var (with American swimmingpool tables as well as Russian billiards); and Grand Michel (with bowling).

There are also numerous bars around the city where can be sampled by the cup.

Saratov's main late night restaurants include Jumanji and Ars. Both operate rigorous security checks (metal detectors and body searches are par for the course) and face control policies (nonwhite ethnic minorities may be refused point blank).

In summer, barges along the naberezhnaya (embankment) become floating restaurants.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Saratov

Saratov - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Saratov, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Saratov. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Saratov and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Saratov. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Saratov. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inSaratov: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Saratov.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Saratov: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Saratov, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Saratov.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Saratov, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Saratov, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Saratov and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Saratov, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Saratov, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Saratov without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Saratov is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Saratov.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Saratov is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Saratov, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Saratov Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Saratov

eHalal Group Saratov is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Saratov. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Saratov.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Saratov ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Saratov. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Saratov, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Saratov are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at realestate@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly hotels in Saratov

Saratov does not offer much choice in terms of accommodation. Visitors on tourist visas are mainly confined to one of the following four hotels:

Hotel Volga — located in the centre of the city, in a turn of the century (19th/20th) building on Prospekt Kirova. This is a small hotel; comfortable, but probably in need of some modernisation.

• Hotel Slovakia - Mermontova Street, 30 51.52650, 46.05392 ☎ +7 8452 28 95 01A large, purpose-built, more modern hotel located further from the centre, on the river embankment. Seems popular with business types.

The other two hotels are Hotel Olympia and Hotel Zagreb.

If you have a business visa then you are confined to the Slovakia and the Volga. However and the Bohemia, a very comfortable and modern hotel has an arrangement for registration with the Volga and will sometimes accept business travellers.

• Hotel Bohemia - on Vavilova | Zheleznodorozhnaya Street, 72 - GPS: 51.53597, 46.00671 1.5 kilometers from Saratov-1 train station - The three locations of Hotel Bohemia can also be booked in advance via the only incoming tour operator in Saratov TK Primavera (they speak English). The rates have been cheaper than the other four hotels.

Alternatively, if you have local contacts, it is feasible to book a furnished apartment in Saratov at a rate of 600-900 rubles a night. As with the taxis and these rates explode if you are identified as a non-Russian. If you decide to do this, it is strongly recommended only with an advance stay of two nights at one of the hotels handling then the necessary registration with OWIR and the office of migration where all visitors (business or leisure) must register within three days upon arrival in Russia!

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Saratov

Just opposite Saratov, on the other side of the Volga, is the smaller town of Engels, accessible via a quick bus journey across the bridge. Catch the bus on Ulitsa Moskovskaya.

If you have a car, you can visit the sight of Yuri Gagarin's landing in 1958. It is located south of Engels off of a main thoroughfare. The landing site features a statue of Gagarin.

Other towns in the Saratovskaya Oblast', accessible via marshrutka, include Marks and Balakovo.

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