planning a trip to moscow

[BarryIRE]

Actually the Paris underground was the worst I'd travelled on. No english options on ticket machines (which i found in Thailand, Germany, Sweden and China) and seriously unhelpful staff. The 4 or 50 times i had to ask for directions or advice in Russia I've always received a friendly enough response even if it was just a shrug and a 'no english sorry'.

[Faux Pas]

Hi Faux,
Well i was at a disadvantage as Ireland doesn't have a subway/metro system but between trips abroad at least it wasn't my first. Yes i used it straight off as i had been 'warned' that Taxi drivers were inclined to add a 'foreigner tax' (btw Moscow/Russia isn't alone in the world for that kinda thing) so i figured i'd give it a go. I hadn't planned ahead like yourself so the first day i worked off the method, with mixed results, that 5 cyrillic letters would equal 5 english letters and i kinda bluffed my way through. Worked out ok as on the first day i just went to see the Kremlin etc and discovered that my hotel was just a 30 minute walk so i strolled back that evening.

They are like taxis drivers anywhere else in the world maybe, just a bit more aggressive at times. Dudes need a fare, who can blame them? But like most other taxi drivers, anything is negotiable.

I just memorized my metro stop and the line, circled it on my cyrillic map and never really had anymore problem. The NYC subways was very easy to navigate as well but, like London don't expect any friendly assistance. I have ridden the metro in Paris with a native so I didn't need to or did not pay much attention. I would highly recommend the metro in St Pete, I have never ridden it in Moscow just because I've never had the need. I don't expect it would be much different.

[mendeleyev]

Where else but deep inside the Moscow Metro could you have a professional musical concert?




If you follow the good advice given here so far, you may not need a taxi and instead use the airport train and then the Metro. I recommend learning more about the Metro here: http://russianreport.wordpress.com/come-to-russia-get-a-visa/moscow-the-metro-city-transportation/


And about apartments here: http://russianreport.wordpress.com/come-to-russia-get-a-visa/lodging-restaurants-entertainment/

[mendeleyev]

Since you're going as a vacation, spend a LOT of time in individual Metro stations. Wait past the morning rush (more people ride Moscow's Metro between 6-10am than the New York subway in an entire day) and enjoy the history and the architecture.

[BarryIRE]

As regards hotels, i stayed in the Holiday Inn Lesnaya. Basic holiday Inn fare, same as anywhere else but the location was handy enough for the city centre and as i recall only involved changing once on the subway after taking the Airport train.

[rambler]

I stayed here last trip. "Artel"  It was much more fun than the other places I stayed before.   There is live music in the bar / restaurant downstairs at weekends. (Forget sleeping)  It's just across the road from Red Square nestled in beside the drug squad buildings of the Lubiyanka district. The bar attracts some lively people, expats and a fair spattering of cool Russians.  Prices range from about $80- 200 but avoid the really small rooms - all are very sparse.  WiFi around the reception area is free, so get onto Mamba and put your location as the nearest Metro station and they will find you.   I also stayed at the Swissotel which basically is a 5 star that will impress and drain the wallet at an alarming rate, great bar at the top with stunning views of Moscow at night, nice pool, avoid the restaurant. For clubs visit the area known as the chocolate factory (converted from).  If I had been single on that last trip- it would have been no problem ... but I'm married so ...  I advocate going with no previous arrangements and meeting girls wherever, however.   
BTW my Russian wife got a 2 yr multiple entry tourist visa to the USA from London with no problems. Well 5 hours wait in the Embassy, made to throw away her earphones, told to throw her belt away (refused), $140 to register the application online then another 100 when you get there plus 25 for the courier to bring the passport back - that's OK but I didn't see the notice that said it would be another 120 when you get to the embassy and that catches a lot of people out - they don't accept cash. And wtf security risk are a pair of earphones with no phone or MP3 player??? Anyway I digress.  Read a book before you go. 2 books - Snowdrops and  Deception  by Howard Lucas. You will better understand what you are up against. And put Google translate on your Android phone.  Talk and translate over wifi / 3g/ sms.  Bon voyage! 


Artel Teatralniy Proezd 3 bld.3, Meshchansky, 127051 Moscow

[chivo]

It lands at SVO, thats what my intinerary says.  Delta/Comair

SVO has been renovated and is quite English friendly now. Easily on par with DME. What I would recommend is taking the train into Moscow. It's about $10. Once you clear passport control and customs, just follow the sign; English "Train to Moscow", Russian "электропоезд в Москву". it's about a 5-10 minute walk from where you'll be.
http://www.aeroexpress.ru/en/sheremetyevo/terminal.htm
 
Exchange about $50-100 beforehand and you can buy your ticket from a vending machine. You'll see them easily. I'm not sure if they're in English, but just put in 320rubles and you'll see something like this,  "один билет". The ticket will have a bar code that you'll use when you exit at Metro Belorusskaya, or they'll ask you for it on the way there. Just listen for the word "билет" (bilyet).
 
Have your lady pick you up there (Beloruskaya). If you're staying in the center, it will be another 300 rubles from there by taxi. Have your lady do the talking.
 
Enjoy, Moscow is a great city in many ways. 

[ML]

Thanks Chivo.  Great info for anyone planning to visit Moscow.

[LAman]

But I wonder if someone is in moscow for first time wants/need to have complications trying to get around after long flight....easy to miss stops and get lost.....
But thanks for info Chivo....I will have to remember this....
I was posed this question.....if someone connects in SVO but lands in terminal C (many flights out of ukraine) and takes bus over to terminal E....do they need to still get visa? It seems so reading info.....but no firm answer....

[Anotherkiwi]

But I wonder if someone is in moscow for first time wants/need to have complications trying to get around after long flight....easy to miss stops and get lost.....
But thanks for info Chivo....I will have to remember this....

If you're referring to the AeroExpress train, there are no intermediate stops from either SVO or DME.  If you mean the Metro - no real problem.  Count the stops on the map from where you start (e.g. Belorusskaya if you've caught the train from SVO) to your destination or to your interchange station and listen to the announcements in the train.  If you get it wrong and overshoot or get off early, all you need to do is go the opposite platform to come back, or just wait for the next train in the same direction.  Either way, you will be waiting less than two minutes.  The interchanges themselves are well-signposted, but in some of them you do have a long walk to change platforms (and in some of them the station name changes!).
 
You're more likely to get confused when you leave the Metro by picking the wrong exit, and ending up on the opposite side of the street ring road    from where you want to be.

[mendeleyev]

I was posed this question.....if someone connects in SVO but lands in terminal C (many flights out of ukraine) and takes bus over to terminal E....do they need to still get visa? It seems so reading info.....but no firm answer....

Transit visa if landing at SVO and going on to another country.

Here is the info and map on how to go from one SVO terminal to another: http://svo.aero/en/transport/#between

[steste1122]

Does anyone use a gps app for their iphone or android phone? I was looking at some in the app store that can be used offline and was wondering if any have had much luck with them.

[Spoon]

Does anyone use a gps app for their iphone or android phone? I was looking at some in the app store that can be used offline and was wondering if any have had much luck with them.

A couple of apps I have on my iPhone are 'Moscow Metro by Zuti' (Visual IT Ltd) a great little app that helps you plan your metro trips, I'm pretty sure you can run it offline, although there are some extra features that require you to turn on your location services. I also have 'Speakeasy Russian' a super little app loaded with helpful phrases (you can buy 'phrase packs' from $1 - $2, but for a couple of extra bucks buy the bundle and get all of the packs) the phrases are in English & Cyrillic, and can be played aloud through your phone with a very good Russian pronunciation

Not sure if these are avail on android.

I have used this company for apartments in St Petersburg http://www.cityrealtyrussia.com/moscow_apartments.html  and they were very good, but sounds like you have a place sorted, Pushkinskaya is an excellent location, a lot of thing are within walking distance - and plenty to see and do on Tverskaya.

I was there at end of March last year and some days it was T-shirt weather , in fact I distinctively remember waiting in the little park opposite Pushkinskaya Metro for my Wife and thinking what a beautiful warm and sunny day it was

[mendeleyev]

Better bring that heavy jacket just in case. Last March wasn't ordinary and so far this March is back to normal. Check the weather before you come but at night you'll need something warmer even if we move to a warming trend.

[Spoon]

Better bring that heavy jacket just in case. Last March wasn't ordinary and so far this March is back to normal. Check the weather before you come but at night you'll need something warmer even if we move to a warming trend.

I concur and I realize I had my dates wrong I was there end of April, early May. Mornings and evenings were considerably cooler than midday temperatures.

[steste1122]

I checked the forecast.  It looks like it will be highs in the mid 30's for most of the time im there. Which it might as well be -30, since we have been enjoying b tee shirt and shorts weather for two months. Im carrying my full length leather trench coat. Should be fine.

Thanks everyone for the great advice. Trip starts in 2 days!