Moscow: Airports

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Airports

As the most important transportation hub in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS, a quasi-confederation of states including most of the former Soviet Union), Moscow has several airports. Most international flights arrive at Sheremetyevo II, north of the city center. One of the most modern airports in Russia when it was built in 1979, Sheremetyevo II is inadequate and old-fashioned these days.

Be prepared for lines everywhere and a wait of up to an hour or two at passport control. Disembarked passengers descend a long staircase, then collect en masse in a large, dimly lighted chamber to vie for the three or four lines to the passport officials' booths. The baggage area is directly beyond passport control. Luggage carts are free, but they often go quickly. You can also hire a porter for a couple of dollars (agree on a price before you give your bags to the porter).

There's a bank in the waiting area where you can exchange money or traveler's checks while you're waiting for your luggage. The bank is not always open, but there's also an ATM in the area. Beyond the baggage area is customs. If you have nothing to declare, you frequently can walk right through the green aisle to the waiting area, where you'll be greeted by mobs of Russians awaiting arriving passengers and eager gypsy cab drivers shouting, "Taksi! Taksi!"

In addition to its international airport, the city has four domestic terminals. Sheremetyevo I, some 30 km (19 mi) northwest of the city center, services domestic flights to St. Petersburg and the former Baltic republics (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania). It also handles the international flights of some of the newer Russian airlines. Domodedovo, one of the largest airports in the world (and perhaps the nicest in Russia), is some 48 km (30 mi) southeast of Moscow. British Airways, Swiss, and Transaero fly out of Domodedovo. Flights also depart from Domodedovo to the republics of Central Asia. Vnukovo, 29 km (18 mi) southwest of the city center, services flights to Georgia, the southern republics, and Ukraine. Bykovo, the smallest of the domestic terminals, generally handles flights within Russia and some flights to Ukraine.

For general information on arriving international flights, call the airline directly. Calling the airports usually takes longer and fewer people speak English.

Airport Information

Bykovo (495/558-4933 or 495/558-4738). Domodedovo (495/933-6666 or 495/941-9999). Sheremetyevo I Airport (495/232-6565). Sheremetyevo II Airport (495/956-4666, 495/578-9101, or 495/956-2372). Vnukovo (495/436-2813).

Transfers

It's wise to make advance arrangements for your transfer from the airport. Most hotels will provide airport transfers (for a fee) upon request by prior fax (which you should confirm).

There are plenty of gypsy cabs available, but there's always a risk of being swindled. If you do take one, bargain, bargain, bargain. Even if you speak Russian, riding to the center may cost 1,000R. Anything more is a rip-off. Remember, though, that you will likely travel in an old, small, Soviet car with no guarantee of a smooth or safe ride. And don't get out of the taxi while the driver is still at the wheel and your luggage is in the trunk -- he might just drive off with your belongings. It's better to use the services offered on the airport's ground floor. These private firms are less risky, can provide a receipt, and you may find their prices more reasonable than the gypsy cabs' prices. Traveling to the airport from the city is cheaper. You can hail a taxi on the street for about 700R or book a taxi in advance for 800R-1,000R.

All of the airports are served by municipal buses operating out of Aerovokzal (City Airport Terminal) at 37 Leningradsky prospekt, near the Aeroport metro station. Even more convenient are the buses and the faster "marshrutka" minibuses that go from just outside the airport to the Rechnoy Vokzal metro station. From here it's about 25 minutes to the city center. Service is not very convenient, especially if you have a lot of luggage, but it's very inexpensive. Buses leave for Rechnoy Vokzal metro station every 5 to 10 minutes but are more erratic to the City Airport Terminal; service to Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports is more frequent. Domodedovo is the easiest airport, with a fast train running from the airport to Pavletsky train station (where you can check in immediately with some airlines), although newly renovated Vnukovo also now has an express train service running from Kiev train station. Buses and marshrutka minibuses also run frequently from Domodedovo to the Domodedovo metro station. A train runs from Bykovo airport to Kazansky train station.