Moscow Getting Around

Getting around Moscow
Walking in Moscow is a fascinating experience and the best way to get to know the city. Many of the key central sights and theatres are relatively close to each other. Nevertheless, Moscow is a large city and virtually every Moscow city break visitor will need to use public transport or taxis to get around. Fortunately the metro system is spectacularly beautiful as well as being cheap and efficient.

Walking
For pleasant walking in Moscow try Red Square, the Alexandrovsky Gardens, the Boulevard Ring and the Kitai-Gorod and Old Arbat areas.

Moscow Metro
The Moscow metro is exceptionally efficient, extremely cheap and easy to use. Metro stations are marked with a red “M”. Each line has its own colour. Metro stations are found all over the centre of Moscow and extend to most of the suburbs. Tickets are valid for the entire system and there is no time limit. Buying convenient multiple tickets will make things even cheaper. Trains run from 05.30 to 01.00. Try to avoid the very busy rush hours. Moscow metro stations are worth seeing in their own right, with amazing ceilings and fantastic mosaics and statues. Many of the most beautiful Moscow metro stations are on the brown circle line. If you develop a taste for Moscow Metro stations make sure you visit Kievskaya, Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Arbatskaya, Chkalovskaya and Ploshchad.

Buses, Trolley buses & Trams
Moscow buses, trolleybuses and trams run from 5:30 until 1:00. Bus stops are marked with a yellow “A”, trolley buses “T” and trams “Tp”. Tickets can be bought from the driver or from metro stations and certain kiosks. Recommended trips for sightseeing are the 119 bus, the 7, 15, 44 and circular “B” trolley buses, and the “A” tram. Minibuses sometimes run the same routes as buses and you can get on and off at will anywhere on the route.

Taxi
Moscow taxis can be official or unofficial. Plenty of people will stop to offer you a ride! Use common sense. Drivers accept dollars. Have the correct money ready as getting change might be troublesome! You will need to negotiate the fare beforehand. Ask the locals to get a rough idea of prices for short trips and a trip across the city. Official taxis are sometimes hard to find but can usually be found at stations and bigger hotels.

Bicycles
Cycling in Moscow is possible in the summer but the traffic can be tough. Few places hire bicycles and they are often stolen!

Sightseeing tours
Moscow sightseeing tours are a very sensible option given the size of the city and the sheer quantity of sights to see. Most Moscow sightseeing tours will take in major Moscow sights like Red Square, the Sophia Embankment, the Kremlin, Prechistenka Street, the Novodevichy Convent and the Vorobyev Hills.

Getting to Moscow airport
Moscow has 3 major airports: Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and Vnukovo. Getting to Sheremetyevo airport is relatively easy. There are plenty of official and unofficial taxis. Taxi counters are more reliable. There is also an airport transfer service. Buses run to Moscow metro stations from 05.30 to 01.00. The journey is also possible by an infrequent train/shuttle bus service. The best way of getting to Domodedovo airport is the Aeroexpress train which takes about 45 minutes and leaves from Paveletsky station. Commuter trains take a little longer. Buses for Domodedovo airport leave from Domodedovskaya metro station and take about 30 minutes. There is also a 24-hour minibus shuttle service. Vnukovo airport is served by taxis and minibuses.

Moscow City Breaks  Getting Around Moscow

Things To Do In Moscow  Moscow Weather