Moscow
 

My boyfriend, his daughter and I are traveling to Moscow in March for a week. We keep reading about hiring "tour guides" to help you get along. This will be our first trip to Russia and we will only know a smattering of words and phrases. How necessary are tour guides or will we be able to manage the city on our own? Our inclination is to go it alone, is this wise?

Thanks.

I've never personally found it necessary to hire a tour guide. If you know enough Russian to get around it is perfectly possible & very enjoyable to go it alone. If you feel the necessity to have a tour guide at the Kremlin for instance, there are plenty who are at the entrance that you could hire on the spot.

You do not need a tour guide if you know the cyrillic alphabet and a few key phrases in Russian. The Moscow metro is reliable and beautiful, and it will take you to most places in Moscow. Buy a good guidebook and you will be fine. I agree with Odin, that there is no shortage of tour guides around the Kremlin, but you really don't need them unless you for instance have very specific questions about the items exposed in the armoury and need help asking these questions to the Russian museum staff.
Enjoy your trip!

I would be really hesitant about March - which is likely to be really cold and snowy. As for independent travel - we had no problems in St Pet - but we didn't use the subway or buses - too crowded/long line - but took cabs everywhere (very cheap).

No guide necessary.

For a start, you may read my recent tripreport:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...cow-russia.cfm

Thanks everyone - I think we'll wing it then!

I`m hoping to do a solo trip in early November 2010. Yes,I know it will be v cold.Ideally, I`d like to have just 2 nights in Moscow, travel St Petersburg on the day train,then have 3/4 nights before heading to Scandinavia.I haven`t the slightest clue about the Russian language,but have confidence that I can pick up the hints on first/last letters of names,counting stations etc. Or am I kidding myself?Is a guide a good idea? Hotels? 3star or 4star?All suggestions gratefully awaited.Thanks Sue.

Susielou:

I strongly recommend that you learn the cyrillic letters before you go - it's easy. Then you can decipher names of Metro stations and streets etc.

You should also familiarize yourself with a few phrases, like "good morning", "thank you" etc. There are several online translators on the web which will help you.

Hotels are very expensive in the center of Moscow. Be careful with cheap hotels which are two hours driving time from the center. For hotel search, you may use www.hrs.com - you can sort by distance from the center. An alternative is a hotel which is close to a Metro station.

I have recently stayed in a 3-star hotel in Domodedovo. It was o.k., however always expect a few restrictions compared to western standards. 4 stars will be better - but more expensive.

Thank God, travelling to Russia is still a little adventurous - that's part of the fun. People are friendly, orientation is fairly easy (once you have gotten accustomed to the cyrillic letters) and many things are like in the western world.

The advantage of an occasional tour/guide is the history and local insight a guide can give you. Priceless.It will no doubt enrich your short visit.

I visited friends in Moscow but had the days to myself. i had a map with Engish and cyrillic and had absolutely no problem navigating the city or the subway. Red Square and the Kremlin were magical.

I flew to St Petersburg and walked everywhere. I did not encounter much English in Moscow but everyone in St Petersburg spoke English and were very, very kind.

Bundle up. I was there in late August, early September and was cold!

Thanks people.I`m a computer novice,even this keyboard does not make much sence to me! Obviously I do not type in my working life. anyway I`ll give a red hot go at learning the cryillic letters.
I will have turned 60 (just) and my family are having a hissy fit at the very thought of me being alone in Russia.
I`ll probably try the 4star hotels ( one advantage of being older is a tad more money for accommodation).What sbout The chain hotels we are all familar with ,novotel etc, compared with their Russian counter parts?
I`m really aiming to see the architectural gems in both cities ,what`s the pick of the bunch?
I`m also fish eating vegetarian, that should`nt be an issue? Again, thanks, this is so exciting!

Susielou:
Don`t worry about russian letters/pronouns, it`s easy and russian language doesnt`n have strict words position like in English (second word without fail verb etc)
If you`ll several word and sentences it`s enough for little trip
Good luck, Sue