Moscow Taxis
Taxi fares are often quoted in Euros or Dollars to foreign arrivals, but officially the fare is supposed to be paid in Rubles. Drivers will argue that they are ferrying riders from the airports who have no rubles on them, but in reality as you say, Jone, they'd love to have either dollars or euros.
There is a taxi desk at each airport, but sometimes the representatives do not speak English.
The rates when approached by drivers are negotiable and the quickest way to get a better price is to refuse an offer. If you really want a good deal, arrive late at night or in the wee hours of the morning when the pace of arriving flights is slow. However the best way to get a good rate is to make pre-arrangements.
Moscow taxis generally organize their rates much like airline seats: Executive/Comfort or Economy. That means that the type of car will vary depending on your class of service. You pay more to ride in a Mercedes/BMW than in a Ford/Lada.
Recognized cab companies are safest and there are no surprises in the rates. Many cab companies now have 24-hour representatives with English speakers. There is a surcharge of about 300-500 rubles if an English speaking driver is requested. (Chances are he will speak some English anyway, even if not requested.)
Most cab companies charge between $25 and $60 dollars from any airport to the centre (anywhere within the ring road). That will vary depending on whether one rides Economy or Executive. If you request a hard to find apartment address, and a massive city like Moscow has plenty of those, expect to be charged an additional $10 to $15 dollars per hour extra once you've reached the centre, for example.
Driving from one airport to another (they are not close to each other) seems to be from $70 to $100.
Taxi companies and drivers at the airports are checked frequently, and thus the old days of nabbing a "gypsy taxi" at your airport is pretty much a distant memory.
Licensed taxi companies:
http://angel-taxi.com/transfers-from-moscow-airports/ Angel taxi usually has very low rates and does not charge extra for traffic jams which are common in peak hours. Tel: 7 495 956 08 00 Up to one hour waiting time for your flight to arrive is included, and the driver holds a sign with your name at no extra fee.
http://welcometaxi.ru/ 24 hour service with 24 hour call center: Tel 7 499 533 00 56
http://taxi-in-moscow.com/en/index.php 24 hour service with 24 hour call center: Tel 7 499 995 06 54
http://citymobil.com/ 24 hour service with 24 hour call center: Tel 7 495 500 50 50
http://lingotaxi.com/moscow-airport-taxi-transfer/ (they pride themselves on having only English speaking airport drivers). They offer 3 classes of service: Executive, Comfort, and Economy. Lingo Taxi has a phone number 7 495 204 21 34 but they offer online chat operators who speak English and that is easier for most travelers.
http://easy2airport.com/ 24 hour service with 24 hour dispatch: Tel7 495 255 18 30 All drivers speak English and one hour waiting time is included, as is a sign with your name on arrival.
Extended taxi tours of Moscow:
http://moscowtransporter.weebly.com/ charges (you must pay in Rubles) about 9,000 rubles for 3 to 4 hours. That is about $125. You can negotiate for longer tours. English speaking driver with a Ford Focus or Ford Galaxy. This is not a big company but they offer personalized service. Mobile telephone: 7 916 680 69 72, or email:
vbagaev68@gmail.comAngel Taxi also offers Angel Tours with English speaking drivers. For rates call their tel: 7 926 435 86 87
Things to know:
- Your class of service (Executive or Economy) may be changed depending on how much luggage you bring. When I first moved to Moscow, I had something like 9 suitcases on my arrival flight. Most travelers are not moving there, but if you have lots of bags, you will be charged for the size of car (or minivan) needed.
- Some cab companies will have the driver wait in the terminal holding a sign with your name. Some include that service, others charge extra. Know what services you will receive, and at what cost, before ordering.
- Every car, including taxis, that enters the terminal areas of a Moscow airport pays a fee to exit. Make sure to find out if that fee is included with your reservation, how much it will be (fee is based on time) in order to avoid an unexpected charge.
- Most cab companies, but not all, will give you an arrival window from one to two hours depending on the contract rate. This is good if your flight is late arriving. Ask about the fee before booking. Some cabs charge 15 to 25 rubles (.25 to .30 cents) per minute for waiting, but when it reaches 950 rubles ($13.50) the rate is capped by most services. Even if not capped, that is only about $15 for an hour.
- Some cab companies, but not all, charge to assist with carrying your luggage. That averages about 300 rubles ($4 USD). No biggie in my estimation, and sometimes when tipping the driver that will be dropped from the expected fee.
Mendeleyev Journal's Favourites:While all the above are reputable, we appreciate Angel Taxi. Not only are they typically among the lowest in overall cost, this company channels a percentage of their profits to Angel Charities which includes financial support for special cases at Children's Clinical Hospital, and a school for special needs children at the Bogorodsk Cathedral. There is no link between Angel Taxi and the Mendeleyev Journal, nor myself. We like how they operate, and that they give back even during the current economic crisis in Russia.
(Material above from the
Mendeleyev Journal page on Metro-Buses-Taxis. Photo copyrights reserved.)
