It is easy to get to Mineralnye Vody by flying directly from Moscow, Saint Petersburg, or certain other large Russian airports. Note, however, that MinVody's airport is very strange and run by especially corrupt authorities. The airport is weirdly cold and uncomfortable. Moreover, they sell Caucasian daggers and swords behind the security check, so people are just carrying those souvenirs on board — that's either a good sign that there haven't been any problems? or a very bad sign the officials do not care.
This is pretty poor. Arrival is greeted with a 40yr old Russian truck towing a cattle wagon but designed for passengers the doors flew open as it turned swerved on the runway at 30 mph. Scary. The arrivals hall is new. No trolleys, no advice - just a big room with crazy security guys and closed doors to the people outside waiting for the arrivals. It's mirrored glass, you can see them but they can't see you. Outside - a swarm of hungry taxi drivers trying to grab your bags. Be warned! Non RU travellers will need Visa support documentation because - once inside your taxi, you will be stopped at the perimeter by the militia and unless your documentation is correct, you will be returned to the departure hall so that you can leave the region.
Leaving is not so simple. Everyone is screened at the entrance to the departure hall. There are 2 check-in desks and nothing resembling an organized queue. It is a free for all! Having been processed for departure, you are directed to weigh your luggage and - if given the 'all clear' - you have to merge the free-for-all again, to collect your baggage identification. Then you need to join the next queue - to scan the luggage again and wait for instructions - if it is to be accepted or not.
The departures hall is a shock to westerners. The toilets are "pissoirs", the crappers are holes in the ground with no paper. Refreshments consist of a babushka selling home-made sandwiches and bottled water - from 2 wallpaper pasting tables, the till is a biscuit tin. It is possible to buy swords and daggers from the region and the woman next to this - will get them engraved for you, while you wait, for your onward flight.
If you try to take the photo of the 40yr old Russian truck they will most likely arrest you. Someone needs to tell them that the cold war is over.
