Moscow airport help

[Mir]

Anyone here who had to spend a night at Moscow airport?

I might have to spend 12 PM at night till 9 AM in transit at Moscow.
Is stay at airport recommended?
Or can I pay and stay at a first class lounge?
I don't think it is worth booking a hotel for this.
Any advise is appreciated.

[ScottinCrimea]

The longest layover I had at the Moscow airport was 7 hours and it was spent in the transit area of the terminal.  I was told that to leave the transit area and enter official Russian soil I would need a visa at a cost of $100.  There are some okay cafes there, but no comfortable places to sit or lay down, typical of most airports.  I suspect it would be too much of a hassle for you to leave the terminal and book a hotel, and I'm not aware of any first class lounges there, so you may be stuck wandering around for the 9 hours.

[William3rd]

If you are traveling into russia, you will be changing airports to SVO 1. There is nothing to speak of at SVO1.

The Novotel is right outside the SVO2 complex. They have a shuttle. Good rooms and moderately priced if you book ahead. If you dont book ahead, it is expensive.

There are no pay lounges there and nothing in the way of lounges that I saw as being open during the hours you are holding over. Lounges in Moscow are the strictest I have ever seen as far as who gets in there.

Your best investment will be a pillow. Or you can join the transit folk sleeping on cardboard sheets on the upper deck. Transit passengers might qualify for wienees and rice and bread about 7AM.

Dont know if this is any help to you. I stopped flying with long holdovers as I like comfort. The prices on airfare are pretty good, though.

[Mir]

I checked Novotel : they quote euros 400 for a night which sounds crazy.
Well I think I can avoid the night and get a flight where I waste a day there

[DKMM]

If you don't have a lot of luggage you can take public transit and get a semi decent pad to crash at in town for about 50 euro.

[Mir]

DK

True
But traveling on public transport after midnight (I am not sure it runs that late) in Moscow is rather scary

[Turboguy]

I stayed over in the airport about 2 months ago.  It was really one of my nicer airport sleep overs.   

The benches there are long enough you can stretch out a bit.  I found the benches near the restrooms at SVO-2 to be the best.   You need to lay claim to one by about 11 or so because by 1 they are taken and you need to wait for someone to leave.  The lights are fairly bright so you might want to get one of those eye coverings like they give you on the airplane.  I had put mine from my flight in my pocket accidentally and it helped far more there than in the airport. 

There is a baggage check downstairs.  I did not use it.  I slept with my carry on as a pillow and my strap from my suitcase through my arm but checking it would make it much easier. 

I stocked up on a soda and some snacks before I sacked out but the store there and some of the restaurants are open all night.   My favorite was the TGI-Fridays.  There is a nice internet cafe there so you can update us on your experiences. 

I would definitely recommend you stay in SVO-2 not SVO-1 for the night but all in all it wasn't bad.  There are lots of police around and lots of people.  It is very safe.  The Airport hotels were all booked when I was there and my layover was unexpected.  To me the extra expense would not have been worth it anyway.

[Bruce]

Novotel is well worth it.  Decent room, comfortable bed, hot shower and free shuttle to Svo-1.  Book with an agent in advance.  Last time I did the short stay it was $99.  It really refreshed me for the next stage of my journey.

[CaptB]

Mir,

I belive I am the record holder for being stuck in Sheremetyevo II.................3 1/2 days.....3 nights. Planes were not taking off from the airport in stavropol on a beautiful cloudless day.........because of 1 1/2" of snow that no one seemed to be able to remove. Busses were brought in........and shipped us to Minvody. More hold-ups in Minvody.......and my 5 hour layover in sheremetyevo......vanished......missing my connection. This was about a week after the new year.......on a Saturday. I was told they could guarantee me a flight on Tuesday!!!! Waiting on standby everday....was a waste of time. I did'nt leave until Tuesday!!!!

Great place to sleep over-night. No one hassles you. Decent padded benches.......go to the bottom level. Also make any purchases (pop, snacks etc) down at the lower level.......much cheaper prices. By the second night........I was pretty comfortable.....actually. Even the 47 cab drivers........finally left me alone


Capt B