Moscow: Best way to transfer between Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo?

[Manny]

As the title suggests, I am looking at some flights, but they involve a transfer between Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo.


For anyone that has done it in recent times, what is the most effective and fastest way to do it? I am less interested in price and more interested in no hassle, efficiency and speed.


Speaking English is not necessary.


Thanks in advance.

[LAman]

This is not recent but a couple years ago I looked into this same transfer. It ended up with me staying in Moscow a couple days with a close friend, the time in between flights was too risky, only 3+ hours. I'm sure the prices have gone up by now.
These were the sites I checked out:

http://www.aroundmoscow.com/moscow-taxi/prices.php

http://www.toandfromtheairport.com/moscow.html

[Ade]

As the title suggests, I am looking at some flights, but they involve a transfer between Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo.


For anyone that has done it in recent times, what is the most effective and fastest way to do it? I am less interested in price and more interested in no hassle, efficiency and speed.


Speaking English is not necessary.


Thanks in advance.

Depends on the time of day. We did it a couple of years ago - landed around midday at DME and had a flight out of SVO at 19:00. Thought we had plenty of time so took a bus into Moscow which took forever because of traffic, then took the subway, changed, took another subway, realized we'd be late, tried to take the fast train to SVO, missed it, then managed to get a taxi to take us and he promised to get us there on time. He didn't but only just - if the plane hadn't been late we'd have been buggered. It was the worse travelling day of my life.

On the way back, ordered a meet and greet cab to meet me at SVO - cost around 1200 rub I think - sat back and relaxed and made it in 2 hours or so without any of the stress - he got a big tip from me that day.

[GQBlues]

As the title suggests, I am looking at some flights, but they involve a transfer between Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo.


For anyone that has done it in recent times, what is the most effective and fastest way to do it? I am less interested in price and more interested in no hassle, efficiency and speed.


Speaking English is not necessary.


Thanks in advance.

Manny-

Send 'Chivo' a PM. He hasn't posted here in a while, but he should get your message anyway if his PM is set to notify him on his email...Chivo's been living in Moscow so he should be able to address your query.

If that isn't an option, based on what you said above, I'd just assume just to 'hire' the pros to get you point-to-point with the least amount of hassle. Someone who's intimate with the city navigation.

I have used these guys. As when traveling, I'm more concerned with comfort, efficiency, and safety above all else than penny pinch my way to trouble and discomfort. You likely will 'pay' a bit more but to me IMO, it's always worth the extra 'money' than taking one too many chances.

http://www.waytorussia.net/Services/Car/TransfersMoscow.html

[mendeleyev]

Not that difficult but you need a little time.

The main highway leading to/from Sheremetyevo is partially closed now thru mid-February due to construction of a new bridge and section of roadway for the new Moscow-St Petersburg highway. It is 71 km between DME and SVO but due to the construction this makes double to triple normal driving times the new norm until the construction is completed. There is one lane open each way, leading to long wait times and winter weather only makes it worse.

AeroExpress leaves each airport on the half hour. It takes AE 35 minutes travel time between the Belorussky rail station and SVO, and 45 minutes between Paveletsky rail station and DME.

Instead of buying individual AeroExpress tickets which are 320p per person each segment from airport to rail terminal, get a family pass which is just 650p and good for 2 adults and up to 3 children (under 14). Save time by buying tickets online in advance or buy them at the first stop. AeroExpress tickets usually expire after 5 days so don't buy yet for the return trip. There is a inter-airport rate designed to get you from one airport to the other, including metro or bus between rail stations, but it is 680p per person and the biggest disadvantage that once swiped it cannot be used again for 30 minutes which could add to the delays.

Photo 1 is attached to illustrate what you want to accomplish.

Photo 2 shows how easy it is to move between the Rail-Metro-Rail.

I know that it seems natural to get on the ring (brown) line but you save walking time and the travel time is 11 minutes instead of 14 by staying from Pavel to Bela as shown in photo 3.

Both Metro stations are transfer stations so you'll walk from one area to the next. Just follow the signs.

Given the current highway construction this will be much, much shorter than by vehicle of any sort.

[Misha]

Given the infernal state of Moscow traffic, it would certainly be faster based on my experience, to take the Aeroexpress trains and metro than a taxi using the route Mendy traces as there is zero chance you will be stuck in traffic. However, if you have a lot of luggage, then it would certainly be easier to arrange a taxi pick-up in advance.

[Manny]

Send 'Chivo' a PM. He hasn't posted here in a while, but he should get your message anyway if his PM is set to notify him on his email...Chivo's been living in Moscow so he should be able to address your query.

Yes, I know Chivo. I was going to email him and ask. I know he can supply cars and drivers, etc. But I wanted wider opinions first.

I did trawl the various forums, but didn't find reference of any direct trains. Now I see the only option is either a traffic jam or several trains.

I haven't been in Moscow for about four years. The traffic was busy but doable then. So we are saying 57 miles in Moscow by car means 3 hours to be on the safe side?

[Gator]

I have made the trip several times in the past.  I had a driver to meet me rather than try to negotiate with the taxi mafia who knew you had no options.  Back then it was about 2+ hours. 


Is it possible to do this by train now that SVO is served by a train?  DME to Paveletskaya.   Metro to Belorussky train station to SVO. 

Train will save a few dollars but probably not time unless the highway is jammed.  And lugging baggage through train and metro stations is a PITA.  And if there are two of you, the train fares are of course doubled, while the taxi is the same for one or two riders.   

[mendeleyev]

So we are saying 57 miles in Moscow by car means 3 hours to be on the safe side?

Given the construction as I mentioned earlier, with one lane of traffic going each direction and in winter weather to boot, I'd not consider 3 hours as safe.

If your travel is after 14 February when the construction will supposedly be finished, then 3 hours would be safe.

I recently did SVO to Добрынинская (about half the distance you're going to travel) and it was easily 2 hours in mid-day given traffic and the bridge construction.

[steveboy]

Thats an easy trip, I have done many times. Aeroexpress from Domodedovo to Paveletsky Metro - Paveletsky Metro to Belorussky Metro then take the Aeroexpress to Sherematavo.

I know the Brits are always penny pinchers so you can save a few roubles by taking the Metro from Paveletsky to Rechnoy Vokzal and catching the bus with the locals , which is pretty well just outside the metro station and costs next to nothing

I would forget about a taxi!

[mendeleyev]

He'll have children in tow, Steve. I don't think he plans to pinch pennies by riding local buses.

[steveboy]

What do you mean??? I have two kids and took a 35 hour bus trip from St Petersburg via Belarus/Ukraine to Moldova! $60.00 each free kids I'm doing it again shortly

[Chicagoguy]

Mendy,

What about if you are bringing large bags ?  How about a taxi between Belorusskaya and Paveletsky Rail Station. I have trouble visualizing this on the Metro. I am guilty of bringing way too much - especially since I had so many Winter visits.

[TS]

Plan on 4 hours if you do taxi even with pre arranged driver on safe side. 

[mendeleyev]

How about a taxi between Belorusskaya and Paveletsky Rail Station. I have trouble visualizing this on the Metro. I am guilty of bringing way too much - especially since I had so many Winter visits.

The Metro will make it faster as it doesn't have to slowly wade thru city traffic. However the taxi certainly has the edge on that leg if they are traveling with lots of bags.

Many and his wife are Europeans and save for merchants or folks from the village who have come to stock up on winter necessities, usually it is we Americans who are loaded down with extra luggage.

[Manny]

You haven't seen the amount of crap my wife takes Mendy. One year a customs guy helped her carry it all out of the airport in Samara she had so much.

[Shadow]

I would still suggest the AeroExpress. They have on-board security as well, and some luggage carts must be available here and there.

[Misha]

I agree with Shadow. Take the Aeroexpress, then a cab from one Aeroexpress terminal to the other if you don't want to haul piles of luggage through the airport and the other train to the second airport. There will be more than a few taxis waiting.

[mendeleyev]

Depending on size and weight there may be extra AeroExpress charges: "For individuals carrying extra baggage of up to 50 kg, the standard baggage weight is 36 kg, and the height-width-length dimensions shall not exceed 180 cm."  You can take larger/heavier but there are fees, and depending on size you may be required to have an Employee handle it for you--with a fee of course. (http://aeroexpress.ru/en/forPassengers/prices.html)

For lots of luggage you can hire an AeroExpress taxi to meet you. They meet you at the first train station and take you and your luggage to the next rail destination. They operate only between the Belorussky, Paveletsky and Kievsky railway stations, not the airports. The driver is contracted to meet you at a certain time as agreed. These taxis are operated by AeroExpress and so are safe. The price per km is 20p (per adult I think) and the average fare is around 500-600p depending on time of travel which should be no more than 30 minutes or so.

You can order in advance at www.2150150.ru or call +7 800 700 33 77 or 495 2 150 150. You can also order an AeroExpress taxi at the airport AE desk.

[Misha]

That is really good to know Mendy. Огромное спасибо!

[mendeleyev]

с удовольствием. 

[2tallbill]

I recently went from SVO to DME Aero Express, then the subway then a walk,
then another train then another walk. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone getting
on the subway / metro with kids and a multitude of bags.


The 45 degree sloping escalator with bags and kids would be a total nightmare.
I would worry myself sick about them tumbling down a few hundred stairs buried
under the bags.

[Anotherkiwi]

The 45 degree sloping escalator with bags and kids would be a total nightmare.  I would worry myself sick about them tumbling down a few hundred stairs buried under the bags.

Very true, and a point to watch for.  I never had any trouble in Moscow, but I did fall backwards on a comparatively short escalator going up to the Maglev station in Shanghai, with my full suitcase landing on top of me.  It's unreal just how difficult it is to try to get upright again when you're travelling feet first uphill!    Luckily, with the help of a couple of guys who saw me fall and rushed to help (there was nobody else on the escalator at the time), I was able to get up just before I got to the top.  It took a few minutes for the adrenalin high to subside, and I was still sore when I reached Moscow a couple of days later.

You don't need a lot of bags to be in real trouble if you fall - I only had my case and cabin bag, but even 25 kg total was impossible to shift because of the angle at which I had fallen.  The lesson learnt here is to never, NEVER, NEVER go on an escalator with bags on the step or steps above you!