Overview in Moscow

Overview

If you look at a map of Moscow, you'll see that the city consists of a series of distinct circles with the Kremlin and Red Square at its center. The most famous and important sights are clustered within the first circle, which was once enclosed by the fortification walls of Kitai Gorod, the city's oldest settlement outside the Kremlin. This area can be easily covered on foot. Beyond that, the sights are more spread out and are best reached by metro. To get a sense of the city's geographic layout, you might consider renting a car (possibly with a driver) for a few hours and traveling around the main roads encircling the city -- the Boulevard and Garden rings.

Buses, trams, and trolleys operate on the honor system. Upon boarding, you validate your ticket by punching it in one of the machines attached to a wall of the vehicle. The buses and trolleys are often overcrowded, and you may not be able to reach the canceling machine. Ask the person next to you to pass your ticket along; the canceled ticket will make its way back to you, and you should hold on to it until you get off. On some routes, particularly out of the city center, you may be the only person to pay for your ride. However, inspectors do sometimes board buses and may detain or fine you if you cannot show a canceled ticket.

You can purchase strips of tickets at metro stations and at kiosks throughout the city. The ticket is valid for one ride only; if you change buses you must pay another fare. Buses, trams, and trolleys operate from 5:30 AM to 1 AM, although service in the late-evening hours and on Sunday tends to be unreliable.