Travel Agencies in Moscow

The travel agents listed here can provide air (and sometimes train) ticketing for international travel and sometimes travel to other points within Russia and the CIS. (You can also call the airlines directly for plane tickets.) Call around to get competitive rates. They can vary widely, depending on the trip you want, the number of people you have, and your transportation needs.

American Express, open weekdays 9-5, handles arrangements for airplane tickets, trains, and hotel reservations. It's not necessary to be a member to receive these services. For members, American Express will replace lost traveler's checks and credit cards. The office has an ATM machine for its cardholders; a commission is charged (the amount depends on the type of card you possess).

Avantix.ru (Russian only) and Pososhok.ru (English page available) are two Internet-based agencies that provide competitive prices for international flights and flights within the CIS.

Intourist, formerly a behemoth Soviet tour company, is now private and can provide you with tickets and reservations, plus any tour you want in Moscow; the company also sets up trips elsewhere in the CIS.

Optima Travel can book air and train tickets, make hotel reservations, and arrange tours of Moscow.

In addition to booking air tickets on international charters and on Transaero and Aeroflot flights in the CIS, VIP Service can make hotel, plane, and train reservations for other CIS destinations. Numerous tours are also available.

Agencies

American Express (33 Usacheva ul., Bldg. 1, Krasnaya Presnya. 495/933-6633. Metro: Sportivnaya. 495/933-6632). Avantix.ru (11/28 ul. Shchipok. 495/787-7272. Metro: Serpukhovskaya. www.avantix.ru). Intourist (13/1 Milyutinsky per. 495/956-8844. www.intourist.ru. Metro: Turgenevskaya.) Optima Travel (21/5 Kuznetsky Most, Moscow. 495/926-0391. Metro: Kuznetsky Most. 495/928-9837). Pososhok.ru (13 Komsomolsky pr. 495/234-8000. Metro: Frunzenskaya/Park Kultury. pososhok.ru). VIP Service (4/3 Myasnitsky proyezd, Office 309. 495/937-7075. Metro: Chistiye Prudy.)