visa, flight booked, what to expect/bring

[Johnny2009]

Good, maybe he can get some better advice.

I hope i didn't make you cry. Really, not a very passionate reply either. You want to see passionate, believe me, i'll show what passionate is, and you'll definately see the difference.  You do give hope to all the others if indeed you got a RW to marry you.

I failed to see how I was so personal also. Show me where I personally attacked you? And no, I am not a taxi driver, just someone who has travelled here many times. My first time in Russia in 2000 I hired a driver.

Again, I thought these guys were evil mafia guys too, until I started to deal with them. They're harmless, and many now speak some English.

If you can't hire a driver, then deal with the taxi drivers there. They're not so bad. Yes, if you are a *snip*ing moron, you'll get ripped. But if someone tells you not to spend over $50, or 1500 rubles to get into town, how much trouble is this? How are you going to get ripped off? This isn't 2001. Really, seriously.

I've never been ripped off, the price is set beforehand so no surprises and you pay before you leave so you just get out at your destination. You'll probably find yourself in the backseat of a BMW, or at the very least a Ford Mondero, with all your attention on your lady. Or, you can get on a dirty Russian bus with 50-100 other Russians, hopefully find a seat, hopefully know where you're going, and take 2 to 3 times the amount time getting where you want to go, and then have to walk with your luggage a small distance after that. Am I missing something here?

You know, the mafia do drive nice cars  .

You never answered my questions. What bus? and to where? Just any old bus? Maybe he should have his lady carry his bags also, yeah.

You either hire a driver beforehand, or if push comes to shove, deal with the taxi drivers. Tell them what you'll pay, and if they don't like it, *snip*'em, and move on. What do you think they will do, kill you? 

If anyone here, who is going to Russia and thinks that loading your lady and your bags into a Russian bus that you have no idea where it's going (probably to the metro, and then what?) is the right thing to do, then heaven help you.

chivo

Please show me passion, I will try not to cry! 

This is pretty typical, I offer an opinion, another member offers his, but remember his is the gospel!!!

Do me a favour, give it rest before you get to excited!!!!!!

[ScottinCrimea]

I'm going to back up chivo here.  although I haven't spent much time in Russia, I did live for awhile in Ukraine and there isn't really any difference.  In all the time I was there I never got ripped off by a taxi driver.  Most of them are pretty nice guys.  Even when I approached them as an obvious foreigner and asked the price, they would usually quote me what I knew was the correct price.  On occasion, like with anyone foreign or not, they woud offer an inflated price, but a few seconds of negotiation brought the price down.  The same would happen with my wife, so I know it wasn't just about me being a foreigner. They throw a higher price out to see if you are stupid enough to bite.  If not, they quickly settle for the correct price.

I can't imagine a first meeting and hauling luggage onto a bus, fighting for a seat and sitting in discomfort for the long ride.  No matter what your woman might say, it really doesn't leave a good first impression.

[Johnny2009]

I'm going to back up chivo here.  although I haven't spent much time in Russia, I did live for awhile in Ukraine and there isn't really any difference.  In all the time I was there I never got ripped off by a taxi driver.  Most of them are pretty nice guys.  Even when I approached them as an obvious foreigner and asked the price, they would usually quote me what I knew was the correct price.  On occasion, like with anyone foreign or not, they woud offer an inflated price, but a few seconds of negotiation brought the price down.  The same would happen with my wife, so I know it wasn't just about me being a foreigner. They throw a higher price out to see if you are stupid enough to bite.  If not, they quickly settle for the correct price.

I can't imagine a first meeting and hauling luggage onto a bus, fighting for a seat and sitting in discomfort for the long ride.  No matter what your woman might say, it really doesn't leave a good first impression.

Hi

This post proves that you do not have to be rude or personal to give opinion.

I think its safe to say that there are many different experiences on this forum to share and people will not always agree.

2 for and 1 against I will not mention the topic again, its really not that important and basically down to individual choice.

[Shadow]

Hi

This post proves that you do not have to be rude or personal to give opinion.

I think its safe to say that there are many different experiences on this forum to share and people will not always agree.

2 for and 1 against I will not mention the topic again, its really not that important and basically down to individual choice.

As for my choice, on the first meeting I arranged a driver through a local RW that was member on another forum to get me to the hotel. For the road back, MrsShadow called a car that was cheaper two-way as I paid one-way.
The next time, we took the minibus/metro and saved a lot of time and money.

[boaterguy]

I also back chivo on this discussion. The only time I took a bus from SVO1 was to SVO2. It was a pain in the arse and if it had been crowded possibly not doable because of my luggage. I could see doing it if your traveling light.

Try dragging a descent roller type suitcase very far in Moscow. We ended up in that situation because of refusing an apartment I reserved online. The suitcase did not...I repeat did not survive the trip!

[Shadow]

I also back chivo on this discussion. The only time I took a bus from SVO1 was to SVO2. It was a pain in the arse and if it had been crowded possibly not doable because of my luggage. I could see doing it if your traveling light.

Try dragging a descent roller type suitcase very far in Moscow. We ended up in that situation because of refusing an apartment I reserved online. The suitcase did not...I repeat did not survive the trip!

My 30 year old Skyway survived about anything, including cats using it as scratchpole.
US suitcases are the best

[chivo]

Please show me passion, I will try not to cry! 

This is pretty typical, I offer an opinion, another member offers his, but remember his is the gospel!!!

Do me a favour, give it rest before you get to excited!!!!!!

I thought you were out of this thread. What happened?

You still haven't answered my simple questions.

I think, and yes it's only my opinion, but you need to stop posting, you're much to sensitive.

As for my opinion being gospel, well, of course the OP can/will do whatever he wants. If he thinks your idea is good, what can I say.

I said it wasn't a good idea.

Again, show me the personal attacks. Back up your BS or stop your crying.

[chivo]

As for my choice, on the first meeting I arranged a driver through a local RW that was member on another forum to get me to the hotel. For the road back, MrsShadow called a car that was cheaper two-way as I paid one-way.
The next time, we took the minibus/metro and saved a lot of time and money.

For the second time this is surely doable, but you need to being travelling light. IOW, no more than 1 piece of luggage. Hopefully, you'll catch the metro at a good time, otherwise you'll hear about it, and it will be difficult to manoeuvre in the metro.

I've done some crazy things here, but i would never take the bus on my first visit.

Two weeks ago i bought a small computer desk and instead of paying someone 300 rubles to take me home, I decided to take the metro. It was only me, and the box I was carrying weighed about 55 lbs.

I was sweating bullets when I finally got to my metro stop, and I was thinking all the time, why in the hell did i carry this box through the metro. I must of knocked 3 people over, and finally someone offered to help me. Hey, I did save 300 rubles though.

Anything is doable, but is it what you should do? Understand the situation. Be smart, and save when you should save, and spend when you should spend. You'll thank yourself later.

chivo

[Shadow]

I agree, and that is why on the first arrival I used a driver.
When arriving first time in a big city, it is comfortable to know someone will be waiting that you already have agreed the price with. No negotiations, no searching and no hassle.
As for the desk, in Moscow I would stop a car in such cases. I may be happy to take public transport when on holiday, but I am not greedy 

[boaterguy]

My 30 year old Skyway survived about anything, including cats using it as scratchpole.
US suitcases are the best

LOL! I brought that sucker home and unloaded a case of shootgun shells into it.    It was a samsonite. The damn slide handle broke inside...which is also integral to the frame. I must say it was dragged up an over quite a few curbs,through potholes, etc.

[RussianWind]

What can I expect at customs? 

Actually the correct question should be: "What can they expect from me at customs?"
Just don't make silly jokes as they are normally very lack with sense of humour and you're going to be allright.

Agree about airport/railway station taxi mafias, they are complete robbers. Divide their prices by five and you will get what it really costs.

[groovlstk]

I've had taxi drivers attempt to rip me off all over the world, including my home city. They're in a separate category when it comes to corruption and, at least from my experience, there's not a country in the world where taxi drivers don't try to rook tourists.

[phantom]

She has made the arrangement for the ride from the airport.  As far as customs, joking is far from my mind.  Tell them I'm there for tourism and answer any guestions they have. 

A friend of mine, will be driving me to the airport tomorrow.  As for the suitcase, I'm not sure of the brand, but it has served me well for a number of years. 

Thanks for all the replies, tips, and information, it's very handy.  Wrapped up everything here, all packed, yada yada.  Very excited, the night seems to be dragging along.

I'll write a TR soon after my return.

[Vaughn]

Phantom, have a great time...

[OlgaH]

Make the copies of all your documents in case if your documents will be lost or stolen.

Put the information how to find you (your phone number) in your checked baggage.

Take a low dose of aspirin before a long flight. I feel much better after flight if I take a dose of aspirin and my feet are not swollen.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/hci/hacc/departmentofhealthreportrevi2958?page=3

Be sure you don't have a temperature. In Moscow the sanitary control screens the passengers with a temperature gun right in plane and if you have a temperature above normal they can put you in quarantine.

[Johnny2009]

Chivo
All your replies to my posts are full of bravado and arrogance, and I simply love the way you imply that it is impossible to impress a FSUW without spending vast amounts of money for anything or everything.  And in all replies to my posts chose to be sarcastic, of course it’s your choice!

My first post on this thread was to advise about taking unsolicited taxi’s, obviously if is lady orders a taxi ahead of his arrival, no problems. I am aware of this and did'nt require sarcasm to enforce the point.

In some parts of Russia public transport is very good, in others very poor, my wife’s home city is Vladivostok, in truth there I would use a taxi to cross the road. However in Moscow, public transport is quite good, but agreed it depends on what you are carrying and maybe the weather.

Below is the paragraph that has really annoyed me.
“I hope i didn't make you cry. Really, not a very passionate reply either. You want to see passionate, believe me, i'll show what passionate is, and you'll definately see the difference.  You do give hope to all the others if indeed you got a RW to marry you.”

I work in commercial sales and deal with arrogance and brashness everyday, I can assure you there will be no tears, however you may make me laugh!

I do not wish to waste anymore space on the OPs tread with petty disagreements, so lets agree to disagree, but judging by your previous posts, you will wish to have the final say!! So please do!

[chivo]

Hi

This may be the most obvious piece of advice, and judging by your post that your young lady will be meeting you at the airport, but please "DO NOT take a taxi from the the sharks at Moscow airport"!!! If you need to take internal transport there are lots of buses to whatever destination you wish to go to.

This is your first post. I'm having trouble following you myself. Taking a bus is what you are suggesting. This is terrible advice, especially to a first time traveller. You're new here, I guess, but terrible advice gets what it deserves. Believe me, I reread my posts and thought I was very "light' on you. Try reading some of the nastier threads.

When I first moved here the metro was somewhat of a problem to deal with. I couldn't understand what they were saying on the trains, and I would count the number of stops to know what station to get off at. I can't imagine anyone successfully dealing with the metro their first time here. This goes double for riding the buses.

If you want to call my post semi sarcastic, you'll get no argument here. It's how I make my points, but, no personal attacks were made. Matter of fact, as I reread them, I was surprised how  weak my sarcasm was (I'm much worse) and that you reacted so emotionally to them. I have asked you a few times to point the personal attacks out to me, and again you haven't done this. I have also asked you to tell us what buses, and to where? Nothing.

I'll ask a couple other questions; how many times have you been to Moscow? and How many times have you dealt with the taxi drivers at SVOII?

I would like to know your credibility, because you disagreed with me by firstly saying, "their is no difference between the taxi's and the buses" with regard to comfort, and this is just a ridiculous statement, and then secondly by saying "the taxi drivers will rip you off 100%", another statement that is easily refuted, even for a first time traveller.

Maybe you wanted to offer this new advice and it came out this way in your first post, then OK, but there is really no other way to understand this as it reads.

You say you understand people well, but you sure haven't convinced me. I am very confident in what I post, and maybe that bothers you. As I have said in other posts, when I post I absolutely know what I'm talking about. Not because I'm so smart, but because I have been through it dozens and dozens of times, and have seen and done just about everything one can experience here.

You'll never, or rarely see me posting about what some poor guy should do with his life because I don't have these answers. I don't comment much about Ukraine, because I don't know.

When it comes to Russia in general, and especially Moscow, there is no Non Russian on this board who knows more about how to deal with things here, period. Call it what you want, but if this fact bothers you, that is your problem, not mine as they say in Russia. The ignore button is to your left.

chivo

[chivo]

Chivo
All your replies to my posts are full of bravado and arrogance, and I simply love the way you imply that it is impossible to impress a FSUW without spending vast amounts of money for anything or everything.  And in all replies to my posts chose to be sarcastic, of course it’s your choice!

Again, I'll ask you to show me where I said anything about money and impressing a women. Stop putting words in my mouth to try to make your obvious weak points.

I have no doubt you're in sales, does anything you say resemble the truth?

My first post on this thread was to advise about taking unsolicited taxi’s, obviously if is lady orders a taxi ahead of his arrival, no problems. I am aware of this and did'nt require sarcasm to enforce the point.

See the above post.

In some parts of Russia public transport is very good, in others very poor, my wife’s home city is Vladivostok, in truth there I would use a taxi to cross the road. However in Moscow, public transport is quite good, but agreed it depends on what you are carrying and maybe the weather.

See, we can agree on some things 

Below is the paragraph that has really annoyed me.
“I hope i didn't make you cry. Really, not a very passionate reply either. You want to see passionate, believe me, i'll show what passionate is, and you'll definately see the difference.  You do give hope to all the others if indeed you got a RW to marry you.”

This was as sarcastic as it got.  In my defense, you made me say it . I'm sorry if it bothered you, and I will apologise, but really, you're married to a RW, one would think you would have a thicker skin.

I work in commercial sales and deal with arrogance and brashness everyday, I can assure you there will be no tears, however you may make me laugh!

Great, I like making people laugh.

I do not wish to waste anymore space on the OPs tread with petty disagreements, so lets agree to disagree, but judging by your previous posts, you will wish to have the final say!! So please do!

I hope that you keep your promise this time, because you've said this once already.

As for the last word, if you think that this matters to me, then what can I say.

chivo

[LAman]

Good luck Phantom....first trip, wow!!!!

I usually don't meet the family on a first trip but do leave box of see's chocolates for the Mum. Nice necklace and/or purfume for the girl($20-$30). One week is not very long, for me it takes a couple days to adjust to new time zone( 10 hours difference). One thing I didn't see mentioned is if you are staying in an apt or hotel. You need to be registered by 72 hours for your papers...VERY IMPORTANT. In a hotel, they can register you, if not you need to find the place that can register you, not sure of cost now. Others here I'm sure can fill you in better.
Since I don't have that 'russian look', I was constantly stopped by police to see my papers, so always carry them with you.

[tfcrew]

  As for the suitcase, I'm not sure of the brand, but it has served me well for a number of years. 

A note to everyone about that...
Even international flights are beginning to charge extra for baggage.
There are newer lighter weight/ultra strong brands.
Check the luggage empty weight and see how much that will be.
Perhaps worth updating..................................

Karl

[Faux Pas]

A note to everyone about that...
Even international flights are beginning to charge extra for baggage.
There are newer lighter weight/ultra strong brands.
Check the luggage empty weight and see how much that will be.
Perhaps worth updating..................................

Karl

I get hammered for overweight baggage on every S7 flight. I've chalked it up to the cost of doing business. The 2nd and 3rd time I really tried to reduce my weight and did but to no avail, I still had to pay the penalty. Since then, fuggit. I just pay and go on.

[XMan]

Ah yes, Taxis.

My first trip to Russia, took the taxi from SVO2 to SVO1. 
I was warned in advance. 
Are you ready for this? 
They tried to charge me $200. 
I'm not joking. 

I found, and overpaid, a $40 taxi. 

Next trip, with a little better Russian language under my belt (though not tremendously better), an older gentleman tried to get $60.  I said (in Russian, and to his surprise), no thanks, I'll take the bus.  His price dropped lower and lower until he finally asked me if it would be worth $20.  I agreed. 

Next trip, I did take the shuttle / bus.  To me, not that big a deal. 
But, as someone said earlier, everyone has different experiences.