Yaroslavl

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Yaroslavl
<map lat='57.6261' lng='39.8845' zoom='9' view='0' />
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Information
Country:	Russia
State:	Yaroslavl Oblast
Major roads:	M8, R151
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Yaroslavl (Russian: Ярославль) is the administrative centre of Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia. It lies on the federal highway M8 “Kholmogory”.

Yaroslavl is a large industrial city with a well-developed transport system. It constantly attracts hitchhikers for weekend trips from Moscow, as well as those traveling through via Vologda and Arkhangelsk and back.

Hitchhiking out

South towards Moscow, Rostov Veliky (M8)

• The best place to hitchhike towards Moscow is at the end of the ring road and Moskovsky Prospekt (take marshrutka 73 or 76). Sometimes police may watch here, so it is better to walk at least past the gas station. The best option is to get to the bus station and buy a ticket for a bus to the Spitsino turn-off (routes 104, 105, 110); this is a request stop, so don’t miss it. You will end up at a crossroads: left towards Moscow, right towards Krasnye Tkachi, Dubki, and Karabiha.

North towards Vologda, Arkhangelsk (M8)

• The way out towards Vologda is in the Zavolzhsky district, in the settlement “Lesnaya Polyana” – from "Krasnaya Ploshchad" stop take marshrutka 21 or 93. The position is after the bridge exit, past the railway crossing. Distance to Vologda – 195 km (Danilov town is 63 km on the way).
• From Krasnaya Ploshchad take trolleybus 9 to the city limit ("Ul. Neftyanikov" stop). From there, switch to bus 21, 21-a, or marshrutka 93 and get off at "Selkhoztekhnika" (turn for Ochapki). Long stretch, well lit with streetlights, and local residents about – stand past them and start hitchhiking.

East towards Kostroma

• Kostroma highway: If coming from Moscow, before entering Yaroslavl, turn right following the signs. From Yaroslavl, take marshrutka 36 from Krasnaya Ploshchad to the edge of the city. Distance to Kostroma – 76 km.

South-East towards Ivanovo, Vladimir

• From Krasnaya Ploshchad take marshrutka 94 or 71 (37 and 47 also go but slower) to the "Novoselki" stop, walk back a bit and turn left onto the highway. It's better to walk about a kilometre further to the intersection with the Kostroma highway and stand past the crossroad.

North-West towards Rybinsk (R151)

• The way out to Rybinsk is at the end of Leninsky Prospekt ("15 microdistrict" stop). If coming from Moscow, transfer at "Krasnaya Ploshchad". Distance to Rybinsk – 82 km. Preferably take cars going all the way to Rybinsk, or at least to Tutayev.

Accommodation and Sleep

Free

• Couchsurfing – as of early 2025, more than 5000 hosts registered, but only 14 active within the last month.
• BeWelcome, Servas, Trustroots, Couchers, and other hospitality networks.
• You can also search for hosts using CouchBot: write the city name in the VK group chat or via CouchBot on Telegram.
• How and when to send requests to get accepted: Read here.
• With your own tent – add recommendations.
• iOverlander — website/mobile app to find wild camping and traveler spots, crowdsourced.
• Municipal shelter for the homeless and those in need: "Dom nochnogo prebyvaniya" 42 Chekhova St, phone 21-98-43.

Paid

• Rest rooms at Yaroslavl-Glavniy railway station on the second floor. Two-, three-, and four-person rooms. Showers available.
• Hostels on 2GIS
• Hostels on Flamp

Other useful info

• Cheap meals: "Svoi Da Nashi" restaurant is an affordable cafeteria on weekdays 11:30–17:00 at Svobody 34v; BAZAR in Aura mall (open 10–22, meals from 100 rub). Also: Canteens on 2GIS, Canteens on Flamp.
• Youth gathering points: City centre, riverside, Strelka (confluence of Volga and Kotorosl), pedestrian Kirova street near Volkov Square (place of street musicians).