ateabag

Hi, Sorry to repost a topic that has previously done but unable to pull up any old posts on subject. Not sure if I will be flying into Moscow or St petersburg or the reverse but will need transport to/from the airports to/from where the cruise ships are docked. Any recommendations for a single woman who does not speak Russian? Going to try to study the written language but in the airport are the directional signs in English as well?
Thx in advance for your kind replies!
PS. Are there hotels at these airports for early morning flights?

Gordon_R

I've been through Moscow a few times. The signs in Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo airports are in both English and Russian, and I seem to remember most customer facing staff spoke some (basic) English, so don't expect any major problems in the airport itself.

I once stayed overnight at the Aerotel hotel near Domodedovo. It's only positive is that it has a short complementary transfer (which is good for an early flight), otherwise it's pretty basic accommodation, though safe. There are better hotel choices in the city centre, but the traffic is just TERRIBLE - in rush hour periods, it can easily take over 2 hours to get from the centre to the airport. All "western-standard" hotels in Moscow are ridiculously expensive IME.

ateabag

ttt-any else, pls?

ateabag

ttt, Thank you Gordon, anyone else?

Marc_David_Miller

Gordon's comments are a good starting point. I spend probably 10-25% of my time in Moscow (have an apartment there) and regularly visit St Petersburg; we work with many clients who are taking the cruise ships between Moscow and St Peterburg. The first choice would be to contact the cruise ship company and see if they can arrange the transfers for you. Alternatively, you could make the arrangements through the hotel. I would NOT recommend getting the taxis at the airport unless you know Russian and the area.

Are you staying before or after the cruise?

Without knowing your precise itinerary I can offer only broad recommendations.

In St Petersburg, there are really no first-class hotels near the airport, so you'll go from whatever hotel you are staying in the City. Traffic early morning (6am or so) is not bad.

In Moscow, which airport are you using? Sheremetyevo has a hotel, the Novotel (there is another which I would never recommend). We have a lot of clients stay there when they are on connecting flights to Central Asia. As Gordon says, traffic is a serious issue...allow at LEAST two hours from most of the hotels in the Center to either Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo.

As for navigating within the airport, as Gordon mentioned there is not much of an issue. Although not as many people speak English as you would assume, you shouldn't have much of a problem getting around.

ateabag

Thank you Marc. The cruise ship company is unable to help me with transport to & from the area. Understanding now the traffic issue, I think I will simply go from the airport [DME] to the ship of vice versa. Can you recommend any drivers or taxi services that I can pre-book,pls? Many, many thanks again!

Marc_David_Miller

Unfortunately I cannot on Fodors (as we run such a service ourselves).

I am still confused with regards to your hotel situation: are you staying in hotels or just on the river cruise ship?

ateabag

Sorry, I think at this point, I will be simply transferring from the airport to the ship. Thx again.

laurie_ann

For St Petersburg did you see this previous post?

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...urg-driver.cfm

Bob is a Fodors regular and he recommends this driver. Bob used him as more of a guide/driver for sightseeing but you could see if he would do your airport/cruise ship transport or maybe he could recommend other options (or even recommend airport hotels).

mindthegapNapoli

Hi ateabag...I'm an Italian citizen who is currently in Saint Petersburg for a trainship.
I will tell you the terrible adventure I had in Moskow airport..I arrived in Sait Petersburg from Rome through Moskow. When I arrived in Moskow I had to change the terminal to catch my flight to Saint Pete, as the international flights usually arrive at terminal 2 and the domestic flights leave from terminal 1. When I arrived, I asked the info point the way I could get the other terminal and they told me there was a FREE bus to go there...So I went to the bus stop, and there the person in charge told me that I was not in time to take the bus and he suggested me to take a taxi, introducing me "taxi boss"...I was really in a hurry, as my flight was in less than one hour, and when the boss understood my situation, that I was really late and that I was not Russian, he charged me 130 EUROS to drive me to the other terminal!!!Can you imagine???130 euro for not more than 10 minutes in the taxi...I had no choice, I had to pay because otherwise I would not have taken my flight to Sait Pete...So I simply advice you to avoid such kind of flights and to be really careful...
By the way airport_transfers_ru what do you think about this situation???

5ta5

As I wrote in previous posts, I preordered my journey from airport to hotel (by email). It is cheaper than getting a taxi at the airport. The cost from Sheremetyevo was $45. The driver met me with a nameboard. No delays and no problems. I recommend the transfers company (2nd on the list)

This a useful link to help you choose!
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g2...i.Service.html

tower

<i>Unfortunately I cannot on Fodors (as we run such a service ourselves). </i>

Marc...you've been a member since '03...and have been a consistent and interesting contributor, especially on art and Russian matters.
I, personally, see <b>NO</b> reason why you can't offer the OP a driver in whom you must have some degree of trust.
Does anyone else agree with this?
(Katie, please check me if I'm wrong!)

Thank you, Marc..

stu tower