russia is a beautiful country with lots to offer and do. reccomend it to anyone
7 September 2006 A Yahoo! User (Report Problem)
i love moscow. it has everything i want from a holiday. history, architucture, great nightlife and nice people.
13 July 2006 A Yahoo! User (Report Problem)
I'm jet lagged, beat, warm, and sweaty. The hotel looks nice from the front lobby. Lots of knickknack shops, a bar in the lobby, a sushi place, a bowling alley, pool hall, casino, 4 other e...
5 June 2005 A Yahoo! User (Report Problem)
Anyone who goes there should bring a lot of money and go with a guide. The air and water are poluted. Worst of all getting a visa is difficult.
5 June 2005 A Yahoo! User (Report Problem)
Moscow has four airports:
Moscow is, by far, the main air traffic hub of Russia and will continue to be as both Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo are undergoing major development plans (both are due to build brand new and large terminals in the next years) and Domodedovo plans to more than double terminal space to 225,000 m˛ in 2006 and to invest a further $300 million into construction and upgrades in 2007-2008.
In the past, nearly all international flights (from outside the former USSR) landed at Sheremetyevo International Airport, commonly called Sheremetyevo II. Sheremetyevo I is actually Terminal I of the same airport; however, it is located a considerable distance from Sheremetyevo II and for practical purposes is a separate airport. Sheremetyevo I handles mostly domestic flights as well as charter flights to resort destinations. However, Domodedovo and Vnukovo are increasingly competing for international flights, and several international carriers, including British Airways, have switched to Domodedovo and so it happened in the year 2005 that Domodedovo ended up as Russia's leading airport in number of passengers, both domestic and international.
If you prefer to go to the airport by car, it is best to call a taxi agency and book a cab. There are many agencies that can provide this service, and the cost ranges from $20-30 or more. All airports have taxi kiosks where you can negotiate the price and get yourself a driver. Don't listen to people offering you a taxi around the terminal, it is most of the time either not safe or will all end up in a major rip-off. For public transportation see below:
Sheremetyevo II is located north from city centre and is best reached by going to the metro station Rechnoi Voksal and taking a bus 851 or a shared, fixed-price taxi called Marshrutka from there. Buses depart very regularly (about 15-30 minutes). Without jams (a very rare occasion) the trip takes about 30-40 minutes and costs 10-40 RUB, depending which one you take and amount of your luggage. If you have plenty of bulky luggage, you should not take Marshrutka. Be careful because the same bus/Marshrutka goes also to Sheremetyevo I and remember that when going to the airport they stop first at Sheremetyevo II and then at Sheremetyevo I. They arrive and depart right in front of the terminal.
Other (and better during peak traffic hours) option is to take a bus 817 or Marshrutka to/from metro station Planernaya. Trip takes 40-50 minutes.
Most flights from/to Sheremetyevo II are either operated by Aeroflot, or by its partner international carriers. For Aeroflot's own flights, registration starts straight 2hrs before departure time.
If you fly by economic class and there're several people in your group, for check-in it's better to have someone to stand in business class queue, especially if you arrive before registration start--business-class clerk may start with economic class passengers if there's no/not too many business-class passengers.
In the pre-check-in area there's only TGI Friday plus few no-name cafes. TGI can serve coffee to go, but charges ab.360rub for mid-sized cafe latte and serves it in CocaCola-branded paper cups. Most cafes and restaurants beyond passport control are equally faceless and overpriced. Club Bar boasts Ronnefeldt teas and decent pancakes, however.
Duty-free shops operated by Aerofirst Moscow Duty Free cover a large space, but merely repeat the same choice in 5 or 6 outlets. As elsewhere, only most popular local souvenirs are sold, still with a huge margin.
Domodedovo is located south from city centre and is most conveniently reached by AeroExpress train from Paveletsky Train Station (near a metro of the same name). The trip takes about 40 minutes and takes you directly into the airport. Trains depart every hour starting at 6AM (every 30 minutes in peak hours). Several per day of them reach Kurskaya metro station. In late 2006 another express to Belorusskaya station was launched, giving another edge against Sheremetyevo. Alternatively, you can go to the Domodedovskaya metro station and catch a bus 405 or a shuttle from there--neither is operating at night. There is an express bus connection between Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports, which departs about every 90 minutes.
Vnukovo is located southwest from city centre. Take bus 611 or Marshrutka to/from metro station Yugo-Zapadnaya. Buses depart about every 15 minutes with a trip time of about 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can take an express train from Kievsky Train Station, which departs every 60 minutes in peak hours (with intervals of about 4 hours out of peak hours). There is an expressbus connection between Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports, which departs about every 90 minutes.
Bykovo is a regional airport located southeast from city centre. It serves mainly short-haul domestic flights due to its short runway. Take the "elektrichka" train from Kazansky Train Station. It takes about 50 min and runs every 15-20 minutes. Get off at the Bykovo Station. Bykovo Airport is about 400 meters away.
| Month | Avg. Max. | Avg. Min. | Avg. Precip. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -6°C | -12°C | 36 mm |
| Feb | -4°C | -11°C | 28 mm |
| Mar | 1°C | -6°C | 33 mm |
| Apr | 9°C | 1°C | 38 mm |
| May | 17°C | 7°C | 51 mm |
| Jun | 21°C | 11°C | 66 mm |
| Jul | 22°C | 13°C | 81 mm |
| Aug | 20°C | 11°C | 71 mm |
| Sep | 14°C | 6°C | 58 mm |
| Oct | 7°C | 1°C | 51 mm |
| Nov | 0°C | -4°C | 43 mm |
| Dec | -4°C | -9°C | 43 mm |