February 28, 2026
10 min read
Myagko i Tochka
Tula is one of the most underrated cities for a weekend getaway. Just 180 kilometers from Moscow, two and a half hours on the high-speed express train, and you find yourself in a city that gave Russia its weapons, pryaniki (gingerbread), and samovars. In just two days, you can explore one of the oldest kremlins in the country, touch the history of Russian weaponry, taste a real Tula pryanik fresh from the oven, and stroll through Leo Tolstoy's estate. All of this on a budget starting from three thousand rubles. We have put together a detailed itinerary that lets you see the most while spending the least.
Tula is a city with more than five centuries of history. Founded in 1146, it is one year older than Moscow. For centuries, Tula served as the southern outpost of the Russian state, a shield against nomadic raids. This is why a mighty stone kremlin was built here, and the city's arms-making traditions turned it into the forge of the Russian army. But Tula is not just about defense and steel. It is a city of craftsmen, where the art of making pryaniki, samovars, and harmonicas has been refined for centuries. Today, all these traditions are alive and accessible to every traveler.
A weekend trip to Tula is ideal for just about anyone: young couples, families with children, solo travelers, and groups of friends. There is something here for history buffs and foodies, architecture lovers and nature enthusiasts. And its proximity to Moscow makes the trip as convenient as possible: in the morning you board the train, and by the evening of the next day you are already home -- rested, with a bag of pryaniki and hundreds of photos.
How to Get to Tula
You can reach Tula from Moscow in three main ways: by train, by bus, or by car. Each option has its advantages, and the choice depends on your budget, schedule, and preferences.
Express Train and Suburban Rail
The most convenient and popular option is the high-speed Lastochka express train, which departs from Moscow's Kursky railway station. The journey takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes, with trains running every 1-2 hours from early morning to late evening. Tickets start from 500 rubles one way when purchased in advance through the RZD app or the tutu.ru website. On weekends, it is best to book a week ahead, especially for morning departures -- they sell out quickly.
You can also take a regular suburban elektrichka from Kursky station, though the journey takes 3 to 3.5 hours. The trade-off is a cheaper ticket at around 350-400 rubles. You arrive at Tula-1 station (Moskovsky Vokzal), from where the city center is a scenic 15-20 minute walk along Lenin Prospekt.
Bus
Buses to Tula depart from the Shchyolkovskaya bus station (Shchyolkovskaya metro) and from the Krasnogvardeyskaya bus station. The journey takes 3 to 3.5 hours depending on traffic. Tickets start from 400 rubles. Buses run regularly, about every hour. The main advantage is affordability and convenience if you live in southern Moscow. The downside is dependence on traffic jams on the M2 highway, especially on Friday evenings when dacha-goers leave the city.
By Car
By car, the M2 Krym highway covers about 180 kilometers. Without traffic, the drive takes 2 to 2.5 hours. Note the toll section of the highway: it costs about 300 rubles but saves you 30-40 minutes. Fuel costs for the round trip will be roughly 1,000-1,500 rubles. The advantage of driving is mobility: you can easily reach Yasnaya Polyana and other suburban attractions without being tied to bus schedules.
Money-saving hack: buy Lastochka tickets through the RZD app 7-10 days before your trip. Early bookings are often 20-30% cheaper. Also watch for promotions: RZD occasionally offers promo codes for 10-15% off on suburban routes.
Day 1: Kremlin, Arms Museum, Embankment
Devote the first day in Tula to the main historical landmarks. The itinerary is designed so you can walk from one site to the next without wasting time on transport. All key points are within a two-kilometer radius of each other.
Day 1: Where to Eat on a Budget
Tula is a city where you can eat well and affordably. Unlike Moscow, genuine canteens with home-style cooking have survived here, and the average restaurant bill is pleasantly surprising.
Canteens and fast food (150-350₽):
- Stolovaya No.1 on Lenin Prospekt -- a classic Soviet-style canteen with trays and a serving counter. Soup, main course, kompot, and a pastry for 250-300₽. Portions are generous and the food tastes homemade.
- Shchi-Borshchi -- a chain of canteens serving Russian cuisine. Locations near the kremlin and on Lenin Prospekt. Lunch costs 200-350₽.
- Khleb Nasushchny and Pryanikoff bakeries -- ideal for a quick snack. Pies from 50₽, coffee from 100₽.
Mid-range cafes (400-700₽):
- Lukomorye -- a cozy cafe with Russian and European cuisine near the kremlin. Business lunch on weekdays from 350₽.
- Myata Lounge on Metallistov Street -- a modern cafe with a signature menu and pleasant interior. Average bill 500-700₽.
- Botanika -- a gastrobar with craft dishes. Great for a special dinner (from 600₽).
How to save on food: have breakfast at the hostel -- the shared kitchen has everything you need to make a simple breakfast (porridge, eggs, sandwiches). This saves 200-300₽ per day. At the Pyatyorochka and Magnit supermarkets near the hostel you can buy snacks and groceries.
Accommodation: Myagko i Tochka Hostel
The accommodation question is key to a budget trip. Hotels in central Tula cost 2,500-4,000 rubles per night, while short-term apartment rentals run 1,500-2,500 rubles. A hostel lets you cut this expense several times over while still getting all the essentials.
The Myagko i Tochka Hostel is located at 171 Karl Marx Street, in the very center of Tula. It is a 10-minute walk to the Tula Kremlin, 15 minutes to the Kazanskaya Embankment, and 12 minutes to the Arms Museum. Rates start from 400₽ per night for a bed in a comfortable shared room.
What is included:
- Fresh bed linen and towels
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the hostel
- Fully equipped kitchen with stove, refrigerator, microwave, kettle, and cookware
- Washing machine (free of charge)
- Individual lockable storage lockers
- Common lounge area with TV
- Hot water available 24/7
Booking is available through the Telegram bot @HostellAutomationBot or by phone at +7 (920) 775-00-11. No prepayment required -- pay upon check-in with cash or bank transfer. Check-in is from 14:00, check-out by 12:00. Early check-in or late check-out is available by arrangement with the administrator.
Day 2: Pryaniki, Samovars, Yasnaya Polyana
The second day is dedicated to Tula's artisan traditions and the estate of the great writer. The itinerary starts in the city and ends outside it, so it is best to plan your return to Moscow for the evening.
Total Trip Budget
One of Tula's main advantages as a weekend destination is affordability. The city is significantly cheaper than Moscow and Saint Petersburg, yet matches them in the number of attractions per square kilometer. We have calculated all expenses for one traveler for 2 days and 1 night.
| Expense Category | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Transport (round trip) | 1,000-1,500₽ | Lastochka express train |
| Accommodation (1 night) | 400₽ | Myagko i Tochka hostel |
| Food (2 days) | 1,000-1,500₽ | Cafes + hostel kitchen |
| Museums and attractions | 1,000-1,500₽ | Kremlin + Arms Museum + Pryanik Museum |
| Yasnaya Polyana (transport + admission) | 700₽ | Bus + ticket |
| Souvenirs | 500-1,000₽ | Pryaniki, magnets |
| TOTAL | 3,600-6,900₽ | For 2 days / 1 night |
As you can see, a budget weekend trip to Tula fits within 3,600 rubles if you choose economical options: early ticket booking, a hostel instead of a hotel, canteens instead of restaurants, and making your own breakfast. The maximum comfortable budget is about 7,000 rubles, which is still significantly cheaper than a similar trip to Saint Petersburg or Kazan.
For a couple, the budget works out roughly as follows: transport doubles, accommodation is 800₽ (two beds), food is 1,500-2,500₽, museums and souvenirs are 2,000-3,000₽. The total for two comes to 6,500-11,000₽ for two full days in one of the most beautiful cities in Central Russia.
Book the Myagko i Tochka hostel for your Tula weekend!
From 400₽/night in the city center. 10 minutes to the Kremlin. Kitchen, Wi-Fi, lockers -- all included. No prepayment!
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Frequently Asked Questions
A budget trip to Tula for 2 days and 1 night costs between 3,600 and 6,900 rubles per person. This includes: a round-trip Lastochka express train (1,000-1,500₽), a night at the Myagko i Tochka hostel (from 400₽), meals at cafes and canteens (1,000-1,500₽), museum entrance tickets (1,000-1,500₽), a trip to Yasnaya Polyana (700₽), and souvenirs (500-1,000₽). If you cook breakfast in the hostel kitchen and choose free attractions, you can keep it under 3,000₽.
The quintessential Tula souvenir is, of course, the Tula pryanik (gingerbread). It is best to buy them at the official shop at the Tula Pryanik Museum or at the Tulskie Pryaniki chain on Lenin Prospekt. Other popular souvenirs include: Tula samovars (from miniature collectibles to full-size ones), Belyov pastila (a natural apple dessert), Tula harmonica magnets, local honey, and herbal teas. The average souvenir budget is 500-1,000 rubles.
From the Moskovsky railway station in Tula (Tula-1 station) to the Myagko i Tochka hostel at 171 Karl Marx Street, you have several options. On foot: 20-25 minutes along Lenin Prospekt -- the most scenic route through the city center. By bus or trolleybus: routes 1, 2, 4, 7 from the Moskovsky Vokzal stop to Ploshchad Lenina stop, then 5 minutes on foot. By taxi: the ride costs 100-150 rubles and takes 5-10 minutes.
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