kopp

I am happy to report that our visas have arrived from the Russian Embassy! We did the whole process on our own - hotel, vouchers, confirmations, letters, etc. Now I feel confident and ready to go.

There was a question a couple weeks ago about using a separate paper for places visited during the past 10 years. Yes, that's what we did, and there was no problem just attaching it to the application.

Thanks for your help and support.

fbeifeld

I prob ably askedd about the attachment. I have gone back to 1997 and have 15 countries. I honestly cannot remember where else I have been before that. Our earlier travels were Caribbean and Mexico so no entries on our passports. Did you list everyplace you had been? Wondering if I can just write Caribbean Cruise. Thanks.

kopp

Hello fbeifeld - it was difficult remembering all the places we've gone in 10 years, too. So I just looked at our old and current passports at the stamps and also our photo albums when I couldn't remember. That worked for me. Good luck! Just give it plenty of time. It took 3 weeks from initial mailing to getting it back.

Now I'm trying to figure out the best way to get from DME airport to Hotel National. Sent an email to the hotel concierge today. Hope to hear soon. Also checking into the train/metro, etc.

Planning is half the fun....

Garfield

You will find a number of ways of gtting from Domodedovo Airport into the city, among them train/metro, bus/metro or taxi. A taxi at the airport will be from $60 and up. It is best to order a car before you arrive. I recently went from city to Domodedovo with car for $30US, through www.GO-To.ru, money payed to driver. You will find other pre-booked transfers for about the same price.

Have a look at waytorussia.net for airport information.

kopp

Thanks, Garfield. I will look into the site you mentioned. I did hear back from Hotel National, and they'll hire a cab for 100 USD each way (yikes!). I sure like your 30USD better. There is also a fast train that hooks up to the metro station, which we would then transfer to in order to get to hotel. But for 30USD, it's worth not having to hassle with luggage.

Garfield

Yes you can take a train from Domodedovo Airport to Pavelet Station then onto Paveletskaya metro, Green Line, then two stops to Okhotny Ryad, which is near National Hotel, however it is a very large station with three lines crossing and many exits. If you have any baggage you will have difficulties unless you are familiar with the system, you could end up very lost. You could also take a minibus to the Domodedovskaya metro station and then take the metro. I would recommend that you prebook one of the taxi sevices, it is much easier. I have also found that most times even if you book a Russian car I have usually had an Audi or similar car, even the newer Russian cars are larger than what you would expect, the newer Ladas are not a bad size car.

Steve_P

My wife and I run an adoption agency placing children from Russia. We send about 100 families a year to Russia and have realized that the review of the Russian visa applications is not very detailed. We tell our families to do their best but have never had a visa delayed or denied.

It is easy to find a taxi outside the airport for considerably less than the rates of reputable taxis but I would not suggest using them. You really don't know who they are and whether they are safe. Many of the hotels will provide transportation, so hopefully you'll get some help from them.

Steve

Steve

Glavbuh

Hi, kopp! It's a good idea to book Mercedes E-class or Mercedes S-class if you stay at National Hotel www.7398888.ru