Need some advice

[canuck064]

I will be flying from Toronto to Moscow in the last week of January. I then will take a train to Kazan to meet my RW for the first time. We have been chatting for about 6 months. I plan on staying for 10 days and would like advice on what to expect. I have travelled to Europe before so I have some experience.   

[Faux Pas]

I will be flying from Toronto to Moscow in the last week of January. I then will take a train to Kazan to meet my RW for the first time. We have been chatting for about 6 months. I plan on staying for 10 days and would like advice on what to expect. I have travelled to Europe before so I have some experience.   

If you've traveled Europe and other destinations it won't be very much different from what you've already experienced except fraught with extremely bad customer service, inadequate facilities on almost all fronts. Expect to wait no longer for everything. In all seriousness, everything I stated is true but not as bad as it might sound. Keep an open mind, slow down and just take it all in. It's really not about being critical but understanding.

I've never traveled on a train in Russia but I would like to. I expect that will be an experience of a lifetime. How long is your train ride?

[Enot]

If possible, I would have your girl meet you in Moscow.  Offer to pay for her train ride when you arrive. 

When you get off the plane, say Nyet to all the cabbies in the terminal.  Go outside to get a cab, much cheaper.  Also don't take the first offer, do some haggling.

If you use a public rest room, be prepared for a shock.  Use the rest room at the airport before leaving. 

Moscow is the most expensive place in the world so take something like a trail mix to eat when you land.

Also take your own soft toilet paper.  I sware, their toilet paper is like re-cycled newspaper!

If you plan to use a credit card, call you credit card company and tell them you will be using the card in Russia during the end of January.

If you give flowers, make sure it is an odd number.  Even numbers are given during sad events such as funerals.

Take an English/Russian Russian/English dictionary and maybe a phrase book. 

The best advice I can give you is to go with the attitude of a vacation and meeting a new friend.  Don't pressure yourself or her into a relationship.  Be honest and don't lie.  And finally don't go with the attitude of meeting your future wife.

Just enjoy your time with a beautiful woman and enjoy the new culture.  It will be an experience you will never forget.

Good luck, be safe, and have a good time!

[GoodOlBoy]

Another important thing.........take some bribe money with you! 


Also, take some American sweets to her and if she like champagne, take a bottle of Perrier Jouet (about $30. here in USA) with you. When my wife met me for the first time she was very impressed with my gifts. She was in a very good mood after we drank the champagne!

[Chicagoguy]

Canuck,

Kazan should be about 12 or 13 hours. As you will learn, many trains and planes in Russia travel at night.

Ist class is two people in a room and is what I like best. 2nd class is 4 people and is second choice. Don't even think about 3rd !

And yes, it would be much easier for you if your girl met you in Moscow. This is especially true since this is your first time.

I have never arrived there without some plan to get out of the airport.

[dispozo]

If you go it alone, make enough time between airport and train station.

I landed at SVO1 and had a connecting flight at SVO2. What a nightmare... Late arrival.... very heavy traffic..... a crowded SVO2..... equals a missed flight

I see they have a direct train from SVO2 to Savelovsky Rail Station. http://www.aero-express.ru/en/index.php?page=sheremetievo-ras-eng

I have traveled by train in Ukraine and it was very enjoyable!!! It is about 14 hours and it was a overnight.

Good luck

[Vaughn]

Canuck must get to Kazansky Station and depart from there. Train No. 050M leaves (promptly) at
19:20 and arrives Kazan 0835 the next morning. There are other trains as well, Canuck. Having
navigated SVO2 to Kazansky several times, I would advise you allow at least five hours between
your scheduled arrival in Moscow and your train departure.

You may even want to select your flight based moreso on its arrival time to coordinate with
your preferred train. And choose a train that is backed up by later departing trains - just in
case you land late / catch traffic / etc.

I take local transportation from SVO. Catch a marshrutnoe (shuttle) to Rechnoi Vokzal, from
there enter the Metro system and navigate to Komsomolskaya - Kazansky lies across the
street. Note - this path is not recommended for first-timers, especially traveling alone, or
for those who cannot read Cyrillic. Cost a couple of dollars vs. the airport taxi bandits. If
ones hesitates at this for even a split second, by all means take a taxi.

It would be nice if she was willing and able to meet your plane. The overnight train trip can
be a nice way to get acquainted. 

I have travelled to Europe before so I have some experience.   

Then you already know that pickpockets abound - especially in train stations.

[dogspot]

I landed at SVO1 and had a connecting flight at SVO2. What a nightmare... Late arrival.... very heavy traffic..... a crowded SVO2..... equals a missed flight

Hey Dispozo,

I am travelling to Tyumen via Moscow on Saturday and have to change planes and terminals (SVO2 to SVO1). This is my first time flying into and out of Sheremetyevo and was curious about the distance between the 2 terminals. Will I need to walk or is there transportation provided to get from one to another? Thanks.

[Vaughn]

Dogspot,

 There's a free hourly shuttle between the two airports (15 miles distance) although they really share
the same runways. Look for the Intourist Office in the arrivals area - they can be of great help.

[GoodOlBoy]

Dogspot, you cannot walk between the 2 terminals. It is to far.

When you clear customs, walk with your bags out to the front lobby. You will walk through a "gauntlet" of cab drivers. These people are VERY rude. They will grab at your arms, trying to take your bags from you. Just keep a firm grip and keep walking. Tell them NYET!

After you get to the exit doors, look to your right at the end of the platform and you will see several mini buses (large vans). Go to them and ask who is going to SVO1. It should cost around 75 - 100 roubles ($3-$4), a little more if you have several bags.

Do not take a taxi. They are outrageous and they will lie to you. You will negotiate a low price with them and then when you get to SVO1, the price will mysteriously change.

There is also a city bus that runs from that front platform between the 2 airports, but I cannot remember the bus number. It only cost's about 50 rubles.

Make sure you get rubles exchanged BEFORE you leave the airport. You will need rubles in Russia. Some will take dollars, but they usually over charge. There are money (credit card) machines and a currency exchange in SVO2.

Make sure to contact your credit card company BEFORE you leave for Russia. Otherwise, the bank will put a freeze on your card after the first time you use it!

OH YEAH....one other thing...WATCH YOUR WALLET. Thieves are all over the place.

Good Luck!

[Gator]

I plan on staying for 10 days and would like advice on what to expect.

I expect:

-  Your travel experience will be interesting, but it will pale in comparison with the experience of meeting your lady. 

-  Your lady will make sure that you have no problems once you arrive.

[Sculler]

Hi Canuck,

For your first trip to Moscow and SVO, I highly recommend scheduling a driver pick you up at the airport and driving you to your train station, unless your lady friend will there, then she can negotiate the taxis. It will be a little pricey, but much less stressful for your first encounter with Russia. I'm am very glad I did on my first trip. Now I do what Vaughn does and ride the marshrutka to rechnoi vokzal and then use the metro to get around Moscow. But this is not recommended unless you can read and speak some Russian. Russia is not like Europe. Once you get out of Moscow, you cannot expect anyone to speak English (except St Petersburg). On my short time in Kazan, the only English I heard was between me and my fiancee. Though, if you hang out near the university, you may find English speaking students. On the train, I also recommend 1st (lux)or 2nd (spalny vagon - SV) class. But remember, train accommodations are coed, so shortly after the train departs, be sure to step out of the compartment if there is a woman there so she can change into her "train clothes". Most Russians have train clothes they wear on the train that are comfortable, but not necessarily something they would wear in public. The colors and designs can be quite hideous.

I hope this helps. Enjoy your trip. Kazan is a nice city.

1x

[UTRO]

I will be flying from Toronto to Moscow in the last week of January. I then will take a train to Kazan to meet my RW for the first time. We have been chatting for about 6 months. I plan on staying for 10 days and would like advice on what to expect. I have travelled to Europe before so I have some experience.   

Canuck, I have a number for a Taxi Driver if you want it. He's a big friendly chatty guy who is very reasonable on price, reliable and has English skills. If you're going to take the train to Kazan, you'll probably want a taxi to get you from SVO II to Kazansky Rail station. The transfer train that Dispozo talks about has been delayed until this January. It will now go to Belorussky Railway Station instead of the initially planned Savelovsky Railway Station. Tickets will cost 200 R. There are no trains to Kazan from Kazansky Rail station.
You can also fly to Kazan from SVO I by Tatarstan Airlines.
I fly out of Toronto too. PM if you have any specifics you need to know

Dave.

[UTRO]

Dogspot, you cannot walk between the 2 terminals. It is to far.

There is also a city bus that runs from that front platform between the 2 airports, but I cannot remember the bus number. It only cost's about 50 rubles.

That would be Bus #817 from SVO II to I and Bus #851 from SVO I to II...... 35 R last February.

[canuck064]

I have confirmed my trip from January 18 to January 25, 2009. I took the advice given and my RW is meeting me in the Moscow airport. We will then make our way to the train and to her city of Zelenodolsk. She also wants me to stay at her apartment. I am very excited about the trip and will enjoy whatever happens. Thats for the advice.   

[Shadow]

Good luck, and re the trip from SVO1 to SVO2, when you exit the plane do not take the bus but cross both start/landing strips with your luggage. If you manage to dodge the planes and outrun the militia trying to shoot you, its a short walk.
Less of a risk-taker ? There is a free shuttle. 

[GoodOlBoy]

There is a free shuttle. 

It's been a few years, but the "free" shuttle bus is for AEROFLOP flyer's only though, correct?

And if I remember correctly, you have to have your AEROFLOP connecting flight ticket with you to get on the shuttle for free?

[BC]

It's been a few years, but the "free" shuttle bus is for AEROFLOP flyer's only though, correct?

And if I remember correctly, you have to have your AEROFLOP connecting flight ticket with you to get on the shuttle for free?

After arriving at SVOI, I saw the sign for the shuttle stating that it would be outside terminal 4 or something.. when it actually arrived at terminal 2.  No one asked for tickets, but it was fairly late.

Look for the crowd of confused folks wandering around.

No one asked for tickets or such, just hop on.

[mendeleyev]

Kazan is a wonderful place to visit.  Its much more "Muslim" that other parts of Russia and you'll get to see how a true republic (with its own President and Legislature) operates within the wider "Russian Federation."  Because of the dominant religious influence being Islam you might wish to take some simple precautions that you'd not think about in more western styled Euro cities.  They're not dangerous fanatics at any stretch, but there are some sensibilities you might wish to observe.