Getting from the airport to the city

Getting from airport to the city in Moscow

Personal driver booked in advance

If it is your first time in Moscow and you feel shy and uncomfortable, if you do not know a word in Russian and cannot say you are a salted tourist, the easiest way for you to take care about your transfer in a good time.

Use our travel agents’ services and order a transfer with an English-speaking driver who can meet you with a sign and safely deliver to the destination. You can even hire a guide to accompany you on the way and put you in the way of things.

  • You do not get lost anywhere.
  • You stay calm.
  • You do not have to rush about looking for alternatives.
  • It is the most expensive way of transfer.
  • You most likely become a hostage of traffic jams just as whenever you use the aboveground transport. Be sure you have enough time.

Taxi on spot

Taxi is one of the calmest ways to get delivered to your hotel, but only in case you choose a reliable transport company.

When you exit the customs, many unofficial taxi drivers attack you offering their services. Please mind that they are unofficial even if they are clothed in uniform and have badges. Ignore them or, if you feel power, haggle (you can check the rates in advance). Otherwise, they will rip you off. Almost every car in Moscow can be a private taxi, eager to make money at trustful tourists, so, whenever you are, follow the rule above.

  1. At the official cab desks in the airports. Staff speaks English and you may be lucky to have an English-speaking driver (not often).
  2. Call one of the enormous number of transport companies. Let us advise you our partner MosTaxi.ru/en/. The car delivery time is 15-30 minutes. For added convenience use mobile application (iOs and Android) to order a car in any point of the city.
  3. Ask your hotel to call a taxi.
  • When you finally get your taxi, you can relax and contemplate the surroundings
  • There are still cheaper ways of transfers.
  • If you use an unofficial cab, be watchful and not be burned.
  • Did you forget about the jams? Do not

BUS

You have no need to buy bus tickets in advance, looking for ticket offices in the airport. Just give the appropriate sum to the driver and take the ticket. Insert the ticket into the slot in the ticket barrier (the yellow one) and get it back validated. Keep it until the end of your journey

Please choose which airport you are arriving at

Domodedovo
Express buses and route taxis connect Domodedovo with Domodedovskaya metro station (Green line 2).
The bus ticket price is 100-120 rubles.
Operating hours 6:00-24:00 every 15 minutes, 24:00-06:00 every 40 minutes.
The travel time is 30-40 minutes.
For more information, please visit www.domodedovo.ru
Sheremetyevo
Route taxis and regular buses will take you to the following Metro stations:
Rechnoy Vokzal (Green line 2),
Planernaya station (Purple line 7) and
Leninskiy Prospect (Orange line 6).
The bus ticket price is 30-75 rubles.
Operation hours is round-o’clock (depending on the metro station), every 20 minutes.
The travel time is 30-40 minutes.
Please find all additional information here: svo.aero
Vnukovo
From the airport you can get to Yugo-Zapadnaya or Troparyovo metro stations.
The bus ticket price is 30-100 rubles.
Operating hours: 05:00-01:00, every 11-25 minutes.
The travel time is 35-40 minutes.
More detailed information is available here: www.vnukovo.ru

METRO

When you arrive to the metro station, you have to decide which route to choose. Interactive Moscow metro map (free Yandex.Metro app for iOs and Android) is very helpful. It calculates your timeand route taking into account information about closed stations. In case you do not know Cyrillic alphabet, print out the metro map in both languages to identify the stations names (for example here). In metro there are bi-lingual metro maps everywhere: near the ticket windows, on the platform and in the trains. But before you have the pleasure to dive into the bustling underground life, you have to buy a ticket. First, let’s see what kinds of tickets are available for metro passengers

Metro Tariffs

“Yedinyy” tariff (means “unified”) valid for metro, monorail, trolleybus, bus, tram. You can choose any number of rides, the more, the cheaper. 1-day unlimited ticket, which is valid within 24 hours after the first pass, is the most convenient for tourists who is planning to move a lot and see many sites within a day.

Number of rides Ticket price (rubles) Average price for a ride (rubles)
1 50 50
2 100 50
20 650 32.5
40 1300 32.5
60 1570 26.2
1 day 210 -
3 days 400 -
7 days 800 -

“90 minutes” allows a single ride on the Metro or monorail plus an unlimited number of transfers (touch-ins) to trolleybus, bus, or trams. You have 90 minutes to complete all the touch-ins, but your actual journey can last longer. 1-ride “90 minutes” is good for a long-lasting journey with one or two transfers.

Number of rides Price (rub.) Price of a single 90 minute ride (rub.)
1 50 50
2 100 50
5 220 44
11 450 41
20 750 38
40 1500 38
60 1800 30

“Troyka” an e-card for all kinds of transport. The refund value is 50 rubles (you can take it back any time). "Troika" card can be topped up with any amount up to 3000 rub, and it is also possible to аdd any paper ticket from the current fare menu.
You can buy a Troika card at any Metro ticket office and automated Mosgortrans ticket kiosks. You can top it up at Metro ticket windows, Metro vending machines and automated Mosgortrans ticket kiosks.

Kind of transport Price
Metro, monorail 32
Above-ground transport 31

How To Use Moscow Metro

First of all, always mind that the metro is closed from 1 a.m. until 5.30 a.m.
The entrance to the metro station is identified with the red letter “M”. Usually you have to go down to the subway and through glass doors. Behind them find ticket offices (with the word “КАССА” above them) or tickets vending machines.

If you do not speak Russian at all just come up to the ticket window and hold up as many fingers as many tickets you want and give the money. The lady behind the glass is sure to give you the tickets with the basic tariff “Unified”. Any number of passengers can use one ticket.

Then find the row of card-readers. Take the card in your right hand and put it close to the yellow round with the letter “M”. Wait until the red light is changed by the green one and proceed through the gates on the left side of the validator. Mission completed. On the display you can see the number of rides left on your ticket.

After that the escalator takes you down to the platform.

The main problem about the Moscow metro is that the most signs are in Russian only. There appear more and more English signs but the situation approves very slowly. Here you’ll need your bi-lingual metro map.

Over the platform there are signs showing which stations you can get if you choose the right or the left side of it. In the center of the city you can find directions on the floor in both languages. It would be helpful to know the color of the line you want if you need transfer, and even better to know it’s number (as some colors may be ambiguous). The signs are color-coded for easier orientation.

When you reach your destination, find the way out “выход в город”. At some stations there are two ways out at each end of the platform. In case you read Cyrillic you can find out which way is more convenient and shorter for you with the help of the appropriate sign. If you travel during rush hours, mind that your personal space is not what everybody think about.

The best way to behave is to relax and let the crowd bring you into the train. Once in, fasten upon a handrail and survive. When you enter the train, do not try to sleek through the doors when they are going to close. They are closed once and forever and it can hurt.

It’s difficult to identify the station you are on being in the wagon even if you read Cyrillic. Announcement are of little help as they are made mostly in Russian. Therefore, it seems like a good idea to count the number of stops you need to make before your destination station. If you miss your station, just go out of the wagon and reach the other side of the platform. Usually the other side is the opposite direction of the same line. But there are several station where this rule does not work. So, it’s still better to check the signs (compare the color or the number). When you need to change the line, or transfer, you usually have to go up and down stairs, sometimes the transfer takes as much as 10 minutes.

Nevertheless, the Moscow metro is a beautiful place, full of mosaics, statues, crystal chandeliers and soaring arches. Find time and enjoy this huge piece of art. Out if rush hours, of course.

  • The cheapest way to get to the city.
  • It’s fun.
  • You’ll have to puzzle out metro schemes and find your way.

Aeroexpress + metro

All three airports are connected to the metro stations with railway. There are express trains (Aeroexpress), which make their way without stops and jams, so you can be sure you’ll be on time. It’s very easy to find aeroexpress trains, all you need is to follow the signs.

These are conceptually new electric trains, which have an attractive design and aerodynamic configuration. The passenger cabins of these trains are equipped with easy chairs, seats for the individuals with disabilities, luggage racks, video and audio systems, climate control system, as well as the environmentally-responsible vacuum toilets. These comfortable Aeroexpress trains can drive at 130 km/h (80 miles/h). On the way the passengers are offered hot and cooling beverages, printed and related goods. The entertaining programs are shown on the monitors.

Standard class

One journey
420 rub.
Bought via mobile application and website
Tickets are valid on the date indicated on them
Round trip
840 rub.
Bought via mobile application and website 2 journeys (one trip to the airport, one trip to the rail terminal). Electronic tickets are valid during 30 days of the date shown on them.
One journey
470 rub.
in ticket offices, ticket vending machines and turnstiles Valid for the specified route and date shown on the ticket
Round trip
940 rub.
in ticket offices, ticket vending machines and turnstiles Hard-copy tickets purchased from ticket offices and ticket vending machines are valid for all three routes to and from the Moscow airports during 30 days of the date of purchase.

Business class

1000 rub.
One journey in a deluxe carriage with an assigned seat. Tickets are valid on the date, time, and route indicated on them

Family

950 rub.
1-2 adults (over 18 years) + up to 3 children below 14 years. Valid on the date shown on the ticket, to be issued in the presence of the child, with documented proof of age provided. Issued on the date of travel only. Issued in ticket offices at terminals and Aeroexpress ticket offices located at the airports only.

Group

990 rub.
One journey in a standard class carriage. Valid for three passengers travelling from Vnukovo Airport, Domodedovo Airport, Sheremetyevo Airport on the date shown on the ticket.
It is issued by ticket sales clerks in the arrivals hall at Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo (Terminal D) airports only on the day of travel.
The ticket will be blocked 30 minutes after the first pass through the Aeroexpress turnstile.

Children

130 rub.
One journey. Valid on the date shown on the ticket, to be issued in the presence of the child, with documented proof of age provided.
Issued on the date of travel only
Issued in ticket offices at terminals, in Aeroexpress ticket offices located at the airports only, by ticket sales clerks.

Please choose the airport you are going to travel from.

Domodedovo

The express train will take you to the Paveletskiy railway station. There you can transfer to Paveletskaya metro station.

How to find: the railway platform is opposite the exit from the domestic flights arrival hall. Follow the signs at the AirRail complex to reach the platform from the international flights arrival hall.

The operating hours: 6 a.m. – 00.00 a.m. every 30 minutes.

The journey takes 40-50 minutes.

Price: 420 rub.

Payment: there are Aeroexpress ticket vending machines at the Terminal. The machines dispense change and accept bank card payments. Tickets can also be purchased on-line.
For more detailed information please visit site.

Sheremetyevo.

The express train takes you to Belorusskiy railway station, where you can transfer to Belorusskaya metro station.

How to find: Passenger air terminals E, D, and F at Sheremetyevo International Airport and the Aeroexpress Terminal are connected by pedestrian galleries. Follow the signs.

Public transport operate between Terminal С; and free shuttle buses (for air passengers only) operate between Terminal C and the Aeroexpress Terminal. Travel time is about 20 minutes.

The operating hours: 5 a.m. – 00.30 a.m. every 30 minutes.

The journey takes 35 minutes.

Price: 420 rub.

Payment: There are Aeroexpress ticket vending machines at the Terminal. The machines dispense change and accept bankcard payments. Tickets can also be purchased on-line

Please check current information here

Vnukovo

The destination is Kievskiy railway station, transfer to Kievskaya metro station.

How to find: The ground entrance to the Aeroexpress station is within walking distance of Terminals A, B, and D. Passengers travelling from international Terminal A need to go down to floor zero by lift or escalator to enter the Aeroexpress station. Follow the signs.

The operating hours: 6 a.m. – 00.00 a.m. every 30 minutes.

The journey takes 35 minutes.

Price: 420 rub.

Payment: There are Aeroexpress ticket vending machines at the Terminal. The machines dispense change and accept bankcard payments. Tickets can also be purchased on-line

Please check current information here

When you reach the metro station, you’ll have to cope with it (see information above).

If you have a lot of luggage think about how you are going to overcome staircase flights and sleek through the doors.
If you have an appointment in the city this way is surely the most reliable, you do not have to worry about getting late because of the traffic (worry about getting lost).
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