Moscow Airports, Railway Stations, Bus Stations: Arrival and Departure

contents: by air • by train • by bus

Arrival / Departure by Air

There are three major airports in Moscow: Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Vnukovo.
If you come from abroad you will arrive either to Sheremetyevo 2 international airport (all major international airlines and Aeroflot) or to Domodedovo international airport (Swiss Airlines, AirMalta, British Airways, Emirates, El Al, China Eastern, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and most of the Central Asian airlines, plus most domestic airlines, except Aeroflot).
If you take a domestic flight, it'll be either to / from Sheremetyevo 1 or Domodedovo airports.
The new and renovated Vnukovo airport serves mostly domestic flights (UtAir, Vladivostok Avia, flights to North Caucasus), as well as the new GermanWings flights to/from Germany.

Sheremetyevo 2 international airport

Phone: +7 (495) 232-6565 (English-speaking operator), 956-4666, 578-9101. 578-4727 (inquiries)

This main international airport in Moscow is quite a small and dull place and does not look very welcoming. Its main attraction are the duty free shops selling tax-free alcohol, caviar, cosmetics, clothes, simple souvenirs, and

travel junk. It was however renovated in 2006, so nowadays it's much better than it used to be.
There's a very neat and nice post office opened 24 hours in Arrivals zone (2nd floor), where among other things you can browse the interent for 200R ($8) / hour, use a printer, and charge your mobile phone. There's also wi-fi in TGI Friday's restaurant (2nd floor, Arrivals).
There's a bar and a good grocery store in the Arrivals area, both opened 24 hours.
A few restaurants are scattered in the departures area (after the check-in counters), the only ones worth attention are Tajmahal restaurant (located next to Terminals 6-9, upstairs) and the Irish bar - the favourite among transit passengers.
If you end up waiting for your flight, it’s better to go to one of these two places (by the way, you can plug in your laptop there).
The departure and arrival area outside of the check-in area have a few 24-hour food and souvenirs shops, pharmacy, cafes (a meal for about $10, drink - $2-$5), bank and exchange offices.
The airport is located about 15 km to the north outside of Moscow, 5km to the right from Moscow - St Petersburg highway. The airport is quite run-down, and it'll take you about 1 hour to pass the passport and customs control and to get your luggage. Currently (2005) Shemetyevo is being renovated, so hopefully in a few months it will become a better place.

Sheremetyevo 2 on the internet:

Main Website (the website contains information about the airport, online flights schedule, photos – all information is in Russian, an English version is coming soon).
Maps of terminal 1 and 2
Flight Schedule in Russian
Sheremetyevo 1 & 2 online flight schedules in English.
Executive lounges at airports

Travel to / from Sheremtyevo 2 airport:

Sheremetyevo - Moscow by Taxi. When you walk out of the arrival zone there will be many people offering you a taxi, it's Sheremetyevo taxist mafia. They are not dangerous, but they will be sure to charge you a double price. If you decide to hire one, it'll cost you minimum $45 to Moscow center (after you practise your bargaining skills), but choose the taxists you trust. You can also go to the official taxi counters (eg MosCab) at the arrival zone and take a taxi for the same $45 - it's safer. You can also phone any of Moscow taxi operators and organise a meeting. It'll cost about 1100-1400R ($35-$50). Finally, you can use the Airport Transfer service advertised on WayToRussia.Net - transfers start at $40 US, a wide range of cars available, and English-speaking dispatchers are on duty 24 hours a day - that's why we advertise them (aside from the fact that we get a small commission for every transfer you order).

Sheremetyevo - Moscow with Rent-a-Car. There are a few rent-a-car stands in Sheremetyevo airport, but to get the best deals it's better to book beforehand. Most major rent-a-car operators have an office in Moscow (see Getting Around section for their contacts), it is cheaper to use the local ones, like Eleks-Polus, but they don't have an office in Sheremetyevo. The trip to the city takes about 1 to 1.5 hours and you should avoid 7am to 11am and 4.30pm to 8pm as there's too much traffic and it'll take you ages.
You can also compare car rental prices in Moscow online through our site.

Sheremetyevo - Moscow by Bus. If you're on a budget or want a real Russian experience, take a bus. Note, that the buses operate only from 5.40 until 24.00. If you arrive later than 23.00 your only option is a taxi. You can just walk outside of the airport (ground floor, right wing exit) and in front of you there will be a bus stand. There are either buses or shuttles-marshrutkas. They work from 6.00 until 22:00 - 23:00 and go to the nearest metro stations 'Rechnoy Vokzal' (green line, north) or 'Planernaya' (violet line, north-west) and cost from 5 R (for buses) to 25 R = $1 (for shuttles). It will take around 30 minutes to get to the metro.
If there are no buses on this stop, you can go to another stop. You have to walk to the right (if the airport is behind you) and then down 100 meters along the fence to the direction opposite of the airport until you see a bus stop (just a yellow plate with a letter "A" on it). There are buses #817 and #851; #817 takes longer and it goes to Planernaya metro - not a very nice area, suburbs; the bus #851 reaches in 30 minutes to Rechnoi Vokzal metro station. It's likely that you'll wait for the bus for 20-30 minutes. The last bus (#817) is scheduled to leave at 0:44, but schedules in Russia rarely work.
When you want to get to Sheremetyevo II airport by bus, it's better to go to Rechnoi Vokzal metro (green line, north). The shuttle-marshrutka stand is in front of the metro exit, just a little to the left.Marshrutkas depart every 15-20 minutes, and there's a queue to get into them. So think about 30-60 minutes to get to the airport from the metro station.
You can also take a car from Rechnoy Vokzal for about $7-$10, but you'll have to share it with the other passangers, and make sure it's safe.

Sheremetyevo - Domodedovo Airports. In 2005 Domodedovo airport launched the new 24-hour bus service between Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo (terminal 1 & 2) airports. The journey takes about 2 hours (depending on traffic) and one ticket costs 200R ($8), children under 7 travel for free. The tickets can be purchased at Domodedovo airport (domestic Arrival hall) or from the bus driver.

Sheremetyevo - Moscow Trains. Starting from 22 November 2004 there is a train every two hours from Savyolovsky railway station in Moscow (metro Savyolovskaya - grey line) to Lobnya station in Moscow region. It takes 25 minutes and costs 50 rubles ($2). In Lobnya the passengers are provided with a free bus-shuttle service to Sheremetyevo (which takes another 20 minutes). Sometimes there's a gap between the train and the bus. This service starts working at about 7am and finishes at about 10pm. The whole way from Moscow Savyolovskaya to Sheremetyevo (or back) takes 55 mins to Sheremetyevo 1, and 1h 20 m to Sheremetyevo 2.

Sheremetyevo 1 airport

Phone: +7 (495) 232-6565,
Website: ( http://www.sheremetyevo-airport.ru )

Located 5 kilometers from Sheremtyevo 2, this airport serves domestic Aeroflot flights and some charter flights. It’s not comfortable at all, so if you have some time before your flight, it’s better to spend it in Sheremetyevo 2.
There is a shuttle service connecting both Sheremetyevo airports, departing every hour from Arrivals exit of Sheremetyevo 2 airport (ground floor, left wing facing the airport). Also, some minibuses stopping at the bus stop outside of the airport also go to Sheremetyevo 1, but be careful and ask the driver before boarding. You can also take a taxi, but usually it’s quite expensive ($10-$30), even though the way takes not more than 15 minutes.

Domodedovo Airport

Phone: +7 (495) 933-6666, +7 (495) 363-3064 (inquiries)

It is the best airport in Moscow, most comfortable and newly renovated a few years ago. It serves most of the domestic flights (airlines: Sibir, Transaero, Pulkovo, East Line, etc.) and a handful of the major international companies: Swiss Airlines, AirMalta, British Airways, Emirates, El Al, China Eastern, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways).
There are a lot of amenities at the airport: a clean lobby, secure waiting area, good cafes and restaurants, business center.

Transport to / from Domodedovo airport:
Domodedovo airport is located about 15 km south of Moscow, and is connected to the city with a highway and a rail link.

Domodedovo - Moscow by Bus. Express buses depart the airport every 1 hour from 6.00 until 1.00 (from 9.00 until 12.00 and 18.00 to 21.00 – every half-hour). The way takes about 40

minutes- 1 hour. The price is 30R ($1). The buses terminate at Domodedovskaya metro (green line, south).
The official minibuses – shuttles (the companies are “Round Trans” and “Elex Polus”) operate 24 hours, depart every 40 minutes and terminate at Domodedovskaya metro (green line, south Moscow). The trip takes about 30 minutes (if there's no traffic) and costs 50R ($1.60).

Domodedovo - Moscow by Train. The fastest and the best way to get to and from the city is to take "Aeroexpress” – the fast train service to the center of MoscowIt departs Paveletsky railway station (metro Paveletskaya, circle line) every hour on the hour starting from 7.00 until 22.00 (every half hour from 9:00-12:00 and 18:00-21:00). The train departs Domodedovo airport for Moscow center starting from 8.00 until 23.00 every hour on the hour (every half hour from 8:00-11:00 and 19:00-21:00). The one-way trip costs 120R ($4) and takes about 40 minutes.
There’s a café and check-in counters for some airlines at Paveletsky railway station.

Domodedovo - Moscow by Car. There are a few car rental agencies located in Domodedovo airport. The standard price is about $50 per day and you can compare the different providers through our Car Rental search form. A trip to the center of the city takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on the traffic. It's recommended to use Moscow ring road (MKAD) where possible, to avoid traffic. Also, 7am to 11am and 4.30pm to 8pm are peak hours and you're better off avoiding these times.

Domodedovo - Moscow by Taxi. A taxi from Domodedovo airport to Moscow center normally costs about $40-$50 (slightly more expensive than Shemetyevo) and takes approximately 1 hour – 1.5 hours if there’s no traffic. It's possible to order a taxi to / from Domodedovo airport online through this website: Moscow Airport Transfers

Domodedovo - Sheremetyevo by Bus.The new bus service between Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo airports! Domodedovo airport launched the new 24-hour bus service between Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo (terminal 1 & 2) airports. The journey takes about 2 hours (depending on traffic) and one ticket costs 200R ($8), children under 7 travel for free. The tickets can be purchased at Domodedovo airport (domestic Arrival hall) or from the bus driver.


Domodedovo Airport on the internet
Website (in English)
Arrivals / Departures
Map of Domodedovo Airport

Vnukovo Airport

Phone: +7 (495) 436-2813 (information), +7 (495) 436-8404 (Customs), +7 (495) 436-2732 (Luggage)

Located 10 km south-west from Moscow, this airport was recently renovated and is now one of the most modern ones in Moscow. It is connected with the center of Moscow by a convenient rail link (arriving to Kievsky railway station in the center). The journey takes about 40 minutes and costs 76R ($2.50) one way.
Vnukovo serves mostly domestic flights (UtAir, Vladivostok Avia, South Caucasus flights), as well as GermanWings flights to/from Germany.

Arrival / Departure by Train, Moscow Railway Stations

There are 9 train stations ("vok`zal" in Russian) in Moscow. Each has the name of the main direction of the trains that depart from this railway station. All the railway stations are located close to the centrum of the city. The three train stations: "Kazanski", "Yaroslavki" and "Leningradski" are located at the same area next to "Komsomolskaya" metro station (north-east center).
To get to a railway station, you can use the metro (usually the railway stations are just outside the metro exit), or WayToRussia.Net Taxi service.
See the Transportation section to learn how to buy the train tickets and other useful tips.
For train schedules see Transportation / Domestic Trains Schedule page.


International train informaiton: +7 (495) 266-0004 or 266-8300 (Russian only)


Belorusski Vokzal
Where: Tverskaya zastava, #7, metro "Belorusskaya", (ring brown metro line, north). phone: (495) 251-6093, 973-8191
Trains to and from: Belorussia, Germany etc.

Kazanski Vokzal
Where: metro "Komsomolskaya". (brown ring line or red line, north-east). phone: (495) 264-6556, 264-6656
Trains to and from: Kazan, Tatarstan, Urals etc. east direction

Kievski Vokzal
Where: metro "Kievskaya" (blue or brown ring line, west), phone (495) 240-1115
Trains to and from: west of Moscow, Ukraine.

Kurski Vokzal
Where: metro "Kurskaya" (blue or brown ring line, east), phone: (495) 916-2003
Trains to and from: Vladimir, south of Moscow

Leningradski Vokzal
Where: metro "Komsomolskaya" (red or brown ring line, north-east), phone: (495) 262-9143
Trains to and from: North Russia (St.Petersburg, Novgorod, Petrozavodsk, Murmansk), Finland.
There's also a Eurolines office

Paveletski Vokzal
Where: metro "Paveletskaya" (green or brown ring line, south), phone: (495) 235-0522
Trains to and from: south of Moscow

Rizhski Vokzal
Where: metro "Rizhskaya" (orange line, north), phone: (495) 971-1588
Trains to and from: Baltic states (Latvia, Lithuania)

Savelovski Vokzal
Where: metro "Savelovskaya" (grey line, north), phone: (495) 285-9005

Yaroslavski Vokzal
Where: metro "Komsomolskaya", phone: (495) 621-5914, 621-0817
Trains to and from: Trans-Siberian (Ekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Vladivostok); Golden Ring (Vladimir, Yaroslavl, Kostroma), North-East Russia (Kirov, Astrakhan).

Arrival / Departure by Bus

Schyolkovsky Bus Terminal, Moscow
Telephones: (+7 495) 468-0400, 468-4370

The main Moscow bus terminal is located just next to Shchyolkovskaya metro station (the last station to the east on the dark blue line). You can get a bus to almost any Russian town and city from there. When you get inside the station, you'll see signs in English and Russian in front of you. The timetables of the buses and ticket sales offices are on the right, the luggage storage rooms and cafes are on the left. You can leave your luggage for 20-30 rub ($0.7-$1) a day, the luggage storage is closed between 23.00 and 6.30, and they have a break from 14.00 to 15.00.
The Shchyolkovskaya bus station is opened from 6.30 to 23.00.
For bus schedules between Moscow and other cities featured on WayToRussia.Net guide, see Transport / Domestic Bus Schedules.
Directions: go to Shchyolkovskaya metro station (the last station to the east on the dark blue line), take the first carriage from the centrum. As you walk out, there'll be many stalls and little shops around, and a bit further - a large building with "Avtostantsiya" written on top. That's the bus station.