Airport Guide

Moscow has 4 international airports – Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo and Zhukovsky
Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) is one of three international airports that serve the city of Moscow. It’s located around 29 km from the centre of Moscow, the capital of Russia. With more than 45 million passengers annually, Sheremetyevo is the busiest airport in the Russian Federation. This airport serves as a main hub for the Russian International airline Aeroflot and a hub for more than 30 airline companies, including Air France, British Airways and Finnair.
Domodedovo Airport (DME), officially known as Mikhail Lomonosov International Airport, is an international airport located in Domodedovo, approximately 42 km from Moscow. With around 30 million passengers annually, Domodedovo ranks as the second busiest airport in Russia. Being also one of the largest airports in Russia, Domodedovo Airport is a hub for major airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways and British Airways. The airport serves as a main hub for Red Wings Airlines, S7 Airlines, Smartavia and Ural Airlines.
Vnukovo Airport (VKO) is the oldest and smallest out of three Russian international airports, located around 28 km from Moscow. Vnukovo is one of the biggest charter airlines in Russia with around 24 million passengers a year. Therefore, the airport connects to nearly 100 destinations all around the globe. The airport serves as a main hub for airlines like Azur AIr, Pobeda and Utair.
Zhukovsky Airport (ZIA) is situated in Moscow Oblast, around 45 km from the center of Moscow. Also known as Ramenskoye Airport or Zhukovsky Airfield, Zhukovsky operates with all charter and low-cost flights. It serves as a hub for Pegas Fly, Belavia, Ural Airlines and Somon Air.

From The Airports To City Center

Moscow Transport

All Moscow public transport is accessible from 5:30 until 1:00. As a rule, bus stops are fitted with schedules for whole transport system. The waiting time is considered to be 5-20 minutes. The average fare is about 1$. You can buy bus, trolley or tram tickets at metro stations, from kiosks near the bus stops or directly in the transport
The Bus is the most popular above ground transport in Moscow. It goes into every city district, runs in the centre and in the suburbs. The Bus is also the first transport to appear in new areas. You will recognize bus stops being marked with a letter "A" on the pavement
The Trolley is an electricity-powered trackless bus. Trolley stops are usually the same as bus but they are also marked by the letter "T". Trolleys are used frequently by pensioners, students and others who have discount fares for public transport. It can be rather slow and crowded.
Marshrutka is a private minibus, a fixed route taxi, which has the same routes and often the same numbers as buses and trolleys, but is faster and more comfortable, so it has already become a favorite transport for the Muscovites.
The Tram is the oldest Russian form of transport, one of the symbols of Moscow and an adorable way of getting around for the Muscovites that are tired of the awful traffic jams. You can find tram stops by the "Tp" markers. The majority of the routes are daily, some of them servicing big housing estates and industrial areas are not available on weekends and holidays
Taxis are mainly centered around places such as restaurants, malls, parks and so on. But taking a taxi or using picker-uppers is not very safety today. But the best way is to hire a cab in one of the numerous taxi firms such as ASAP, Wheely and others. Also you can use the application GetTaxi for all mobile devices, it is very convinient if you need taxi to come very quickly. The price for Moscow taxi cabs usually based on distance, time and area of journey.

Moscow Budget Hotels

Gostiniy Dom: Gostiniy Dom is favourably located at a riverside northwest of Moscow, 800 m from Moscow Trikotazhnaya Station, a 10-minute drive away from the Crocus Expo Centre, and only 30 minutes from Sheremetyevo Airport. Cost: From $12/Night.
SunFlower Park: Located 15-minute drive of Kant Ski Slope and Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. This 4-star hotel is 10.5 mi (16.9 km) from Moscow Kremlin and 11.7 mi (18.8 km) from Red Square. Cost: From $16/Night.
Cosmos Hotel Moscow: located 120 m from VDNKh Station, This hotel features elegant interiors and a legendary living experience by offering suites that provide guests with tranquility and comfort. Being just a stone’s throw away from the Ostankino TV Tower, the Olympic Sports complex can be seen from the hotel, and there are many iconic tourist attractions nearby. Cost: From $12/Night.
Business-Hotel Rosso RivaSet on River Moskva, BUSINESS-HOTEL ROSSO RIVA is less than 10 minutes’ walk from Paveletskaya Metro Station. It offers a spa and air-conditioned rooms with satellite TV. The hotel features a free-use gym with saunas and a hot tub. The Paveletskiy Railway Terminal, 900 metres from the hotel, provides direct access to Domodedovo Airport. The hotel is also just 4.5 km away from the Kremlin. Cost: From $14/Night.
Greenwood Hotel The hotel offers free shuttle service to Skhodnenskaya Metro Station. A swimming pool, a sauna and a fitness centre are available to the guests free of charge. Sheremetyevo International Airport is a 30-minute drive from Greenwood Hotel, while Moscow city centre is 14.3 miles away. A shuttle service is provided on request. Cost: From $15/Night.

Red Square

The heart of Russia’s capital, Red Square is arguably Moscow’s most visited attraction. The cobblestone square is surrounded by beautiful architecture, and is the place where most of the city’s (and country’s) history unfolded. What was once a market square where traders would sell their goods is now a key location in the city, surrounded by unforgettable sites such as the Kremlin, St.Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum and other celebrated attractions.

St Basil's Cathedral

Soak up the archetypal image of Russia’s capital with the glistening rainbow domes of St Basil’s cathedral. The onion-shaped domes were designed to make the building look like the shape of a flame on a bonfire. The cathedral was commissioned in the 1500s by Ivan the Terrible and according to legend, the Tsar thought it so beautiful he ordered that the architect be blinded so that he would never surpass this creation.

Lenin's Mausoleum

Lenin’s Mausoleum houses a glass sarcophagus with the embalmed body of the legendary Russian revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin. First opened to the public in August 1924, the Mausoleum attracts around 2.5 million visitors every year, who don’t mind standing in line and going through a thorough body search to get into the illustrious building...

Moscow Kremlin

The Kremlin is the biggest active fortress in Europe. It offers a week’s worth of attractions. Once you get behind the 2,235 metre-long kremlin walls, there are five squares to wander around, various buildings to explore, 20 towers to learn the names of, and the world’s largest bell and cannon to see.

State Historical Museum

An attraction in its own right, the State Historical Museum, sheltered in a neo-Russian style building, was founded in 1872 by Ivan Zabelin and Aleksey Uvarov. What once was the Principal Medicine Store now houses an impressive collection, which includes relics of prehistoric tribes that once inhabited the territory of present-day Russia, the country’s largest coin collection, as well as 6th-century manuscripts and artworks collected by the Romanov dynasty among other treasures

GUM Store

Russia’s main department store, GUM’s stunning interior houses a variety of high-end boutiques. Built between 1890 and 1893 and known as the Upper Trading Rows until the 1920s, the legendary store is now home to over 200 boutiques selling a variety of brands: from luxurious Dior to the more affordable Zara. Even if shopping is not on your to-do list, the GUM is still worth a visit; the glass-roofed arcade faces Red Square and offers a variety of classy eateries.

Arbat Street

An elegant historic street right in the city centre, Arbat is one of Moscow’s most touristy spots. With lots of cafés and restaurants, live music performers and caricaturists, as well as souvenir shops and tattoo salons, monuments and a theatre, Arbat draws crowds of visitors every day..

Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve

The former summer residence of Empress Catherine the Great was commissioned in 1775, and succumbed to deterioration during the Soviet era. The whole of Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve has been fundamentally renovated since 1980s to look even brighter than the original. With its opulently decorated buildings, gardens, meadows and forests, Tsaritsyno Park is the perfect place for a green respite in Moscow.

Novodevichy Convent

Founded in 1524, the Novodevichy Convent is a place steeped in history. Behind the walls that once served as a fortress, there are four cathedrals with a fascinating icon collection and a venerable cemetery. Back in the day it was common for women from noble families to retire in monasteries, and the Novodevichy Convent had some particularly famous residents such as Princess Sophia and Eudoxia Lopukhina, both related to Peter the Great (and imprisoned by him). The former was his half-sister who claimed the throne; latter was his first wife, who stood in the way of his marriage to Catherine I.

Moscow City

Home to Europe’s tallest office building, Moscow City, also referred to as Moscow International Business Center, is one Russia’s most ambitious engineering projects over recent years. With its various high-rises, the business district is where you should come for great crowd-free shopping and the best panoramic views of the city.

Izmailovsky Market

If you are on slightly more limited budget, ditch window shopping at the exclusive GUM and take a foray into the madly bustling world of Izmailovsky, Russia’s best flea market. Delve into the bargains, rifle through the artisan crafts, admire the local handiwork and be tempted by the silky smooth traditional fur hats. Expect walls of matryoshka dolls, fascinating Soviet memorabilia, and glittering hand-crafted jewellery. Head up to one of Izmailovsky market‘s cafés for a warming mulled wine before continuing your shopping spree..

Best Clubs in Moscow

If you’re heading to Moscow, the capital of Russia, and hoping to experience the nightlife for yourself, these are the unmissable clubs to visit for an epic night out:
Night Flight: Located on Tverskaya Street, and a short walk from Red Square. Restaurant, Nightclub, European, Russian, $$$
Krysha Mira Restaurant, Nightclub, European, Russian, $$$. Also offers regular neon yoga classes that mix electronic music, club fashion and regular yoga.
Propaganda Bar, Cocktail Bar, Nightclub, European, $$
16 Tons Bar, Nightclub, European, Russian, $$$
Pravda Club Bar, Restaurant, Nightclub, European, Russian, $$$
Lookin Rooms Bar, Restaurant, Nightclub, Russian, European, $$$
Gipsy Bar, Nightclub, European, Russian, $$$

Food & Drinks

Pelmeni Dumplings are popular throughout Eastern Europe, but what sets Russia’s version apart is the semi-circular shape and thinness of the dough.
Borshch Moskovsky There’s much more to borscht than beetroot. Beloved by the Slavs, this sour soup has spread far and wide across Eastern Europe, adopted to local tastes along the way
Blini Similar to crepes, these traditional Russian pancakes are wafer-thin. They’re made from wheat or buckwheat flour and served either sweet or savoury, with ingredients/additions such as jam, sour cream, butter and caviar.
Ponchiki Moscow’s doughnuts are round and can be filled with just about anything sweet, but are always served piping hot and with powdered sugar
Kasha This staple breakfast porridge is traditionally made of crumbly buckwheat that has been thickened with water or milk and seasoned with butter
Shchi Cabbage soup has been around since the 9th century and is a large part of Russian culture, usually enjoyed in the summertime.
Pirozhki Enjoyed as a snack, these large baked or fried buns are typically stuffed with beef but also come with other fillings, like salmon, mashed potatoes, mushrooms, onions and egg, or cabbage
Pastila Once considered an expensive treat, this traditional dessert dates back to the 16th century and is made from baked fruit puree, egg whites, sugar or honey.
Vodka Think vodka isn’t for you? Try the real deal in Moscow and think again. Specifically, you should seek out local brands like Moskovskaya Osobaya.
Nalivka Known as the drink of the 18th century, this sweet liquor is homemade by mixing various fruit and berries with vodka – making for a good vodka-alternative if you’re not a fan of drinking it neat