taxi in Moscow

[corp]

I wonder if anyone has a connection to a reasonable and reliable taxi or "all around person" I can use to get me from the airport to hotel and back in Moscow?


** I think this is my first post on this board although I see a lot of familar faces from RWG.

[Turboguy]

One reliable source of transfers from Airport to hotel and so on is www.gotorussia.com   I believe they charge $ 45.00 from SVO to the city and $ 39.00 going the other way.   I am glad you posted that because I am heading for moscow in 2 1/2 weeks and should make those same arrangements myself.   I hate that taxi driver scene at the airport.

[Elen]

What hotel?

I think GTR is slightly overpriced..   I like to use Alexei Konchev..  this is his site.

http://www.geocities.com/russianfaq/index.html

Alexei is married, lives in Moscow and has good english language skills.

He will meet you at airport and transfer you to railroad station of hotel.  Is easy to work with and you can pay him in dollars or ruble..

 

[Vaughn]

For a real adventure, there's the marshrutnoe taxi to Rechnoi Vokzal, and to almost anywhere from there by Metro. Not recommended if you're heavily laden with bags and toys, or not able to read some Russian.

Ron wrote: "I like to use Alexei Konchev.."

A great way to go for the first-timer. I'd avoid the "banditi" hackers at the curb, hell, they'll be crawling all over you when you approach the downstairs lobby to exit. Alex is fair, reasonable, and will get you where you must go.

Vaughn

 

[Turboguy]

Ron, I looked at Alexi's web site for a bit but could not find anything about transers or any other services.    Do you have any idea what he charges?

Send email and ask...   His usual fee is $40 from SVO to city center hotel or to Kazansky railroad station...

  Tguy;

Forgot to mention that he is booked on some dates that I travel.  So is good to contact him soon as you know travel plans...

  There are some other transfer services that I have found in Moscow that cost less $$$, but drivers do not speak english...    If you like I will attempt to find those links again.. 

Ron

[Turboguy]

I sent him an e-mail and asked.   The rate you mentioned is not too different from GoToRussia but If he is the $ 40.00 price you quoted I will likely use him.   Actually I will want him to pick me up at the airport and take me to the medical center.  My gal is getting her exam for the visa that morning then.  We will probably pick her up and go to the train station for a trip to N. Novgorod.

Don't worry about the other links unless he is busy.  I will let you know.  I have also used hotels-russia transfer but only when I booked the hotels through them.

 

Tguy,

  Yes, I believe that other transfer services were related to hotel links.

  Ever stay at Danielovskay Hotel?   Was $40 for transfer all way south to that hotel.

  Is in very quiet neighborhood, close to metro station. 

  That is cool that you go for med exam.    So when is interview?

Ron

[Turboguy]

Hi Ron,

No, I have never stayed at the Danielovskay Hotel.  In Moscow I have stayed at the Cosmos many times and at the Ukraina and the Roussia  (I think I misspelled that)   I have also stayed in apartments. 

We don't have a date on our interview yet.  Moscow seems pretty backed up at the moment.    I had origionally thought it would be early July.  Right now I would say late July or Early August.   We were going to be in Moscow so we thought it was good to get it out of the way.   I keep watching the Moscow embassy website with crossed fingers but .......

Tguy,

  For comparison of our K-1 petitions:  what was date of Approval Notice I-797?

  My Natashas was approved on April 19.

  I have also stayed at Russiya hotel.  Is good.     

 Have stayed at Belgrade.  Was OK some years ago.  My Natasha did not like it this year..    Cosmos, not yet.. 

  Ron

[Turboguy]

Our NOA-2 was the 17th of March and My letter from the NVC saying they were sending my file to the Moscow embassy and my fiancee would soon recieve the packet was April 6th.   No packet yet.

Cosmos is far and away my favorite but it was also the first place I stayed in Moscow and I have spent a lot of time there so it is sort of like home to me.  It is French owned and was built for the olympics in 1980.   It is not close to the center of town but the VDYK metro station is right across the street so it does not take long to get there.

[MandM]

Turboguy,

This medical exam, is it a standard procedure? And what are they checking for? And is it only for girls coming to the US on Fiance visa?

[Turboguy]

Yes, it is standard procedure.   My guess is that most everyone immigrating to the USA needs it.   They primairly look for communicable diseases.   Things like aids, tb and so on.   The main things fiancees have to do is the police report and the medical exam.  They are tying to keep from importing crooks and diseases.   We have enough here that a few more are not going to matter much though:?

[corp]

Thanks for the info so far, I don't have a hotel picked out yet but I got a suggestion to try one called the "Vega" I think it is on the south side.
I am not really looking for a holiday inn,type place, I would rather save a few bucks if I can since I don't spend much time in the room any way.

NOw that I think about it, I may get in to Moscow around 7 or 8 pm and I plan to head right out to another city by train or air, maybe it would make more sense to use a hotel by the airport, I wonder what they run?

In Ukraine I stayed in this one old soviet hotel, it wasn't the best but it had a lot of historical charm and I liked it.

TGuy,

 OK, so neither of us know date of interview for fiancee... 

I have not received letter from NVC.

  My Natasha went to her clinc and had all of shot record updated..  She also did HIV test.  So perhaps only thing is some xray for TB?

  Is interesting that Natasha said to me:  if I take HIV test, you take same test and send result to me...    All is fair so I accept...  She is correct...

  Believe me that Natasha way out thinks me about what is proceedure for K1.  Is her future away from her home, family and friends..  She worries..    I care....

  She is my doll, and I love her..

Ron

Corp.

 

  I have stayed at Vega complex..  Is in Ismailova Park..  Taxi costs are forbidden to city center... 

  One night lady and I are in city center and take taxi back to Vega, cost was $50.

  metro station near front of complex...   I stayed at suite at Vega..  Do not expect any person to speak english.....   Is totally Parusski...      with exception of currency exchange booth...  They know $ and euro and ruble..    Some nice cafes and clubs near to complex..  Is casino in complex...  

  Is way out there so you gotta read parusski, know metro system and Moscow..

  Is good place to stay, good sauna, resturant in complex are fair...  expensive.

  Is excellent outdoor market at south end of complex..  I do not know what is recovered from recent fire at market...   I had purchased some good Russian art and books when there in 2002.

 

  Ron

Corp,

BTW,  Vega is on north side, so turn your map around

Ron

Corp,

  Vega, Omega, Alfa complex was built for 1980 Olympics...  Ismailova Park has many of structures that will be used if Mosow get bid for 2012 Olympics..

  And the park is across road from Vega Complex...  I walk many miles, greet some Russkis..  Is Olympic in porportion..    

  Was great to know and experience this are for ten days...

  Ron

Corp.

  Now have more time to reflect and remember...     Was most unique Russian experience to stay way out there...   No english... 

 And the booths, stands, vendors, women; wow was totally great experience.

 That is why I write increments, as I remember..

  Ron

[Turboguy]

Corp, Most of the hotels out by the Airport are a little pricey.   You are probalby looking at $ 175-275.00    One that is not near the airport but is fairly reasonable, and descent would be the Ukraina.    Off season it is about $ 75.00   This time of year it is likely around $ 100.00.   By the way Ron, so far I have not heard back from my e-mail to Alexi.  If I don't hear back by tomorrow, I think I had better find a plan B.

Tguy,

  I sent email to Alexei, to ask him about delay in contact with you.

  You will hear from him soon.

  Ron

[Turboguy]

Thanks Ron,  I appreciate that.

[Vaughn]

There is also a very dependable lady named Zina in Moscow who offers transportation and translation services. Zina can be e-mailed directly at:

zinaida@orc.ru