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MOSCOW WEATHER

🏛️ Must-Visit Places in Moscow

  1. Red Square & the Kremlin – Moscow’s heart. Don’t miss:

    • St. Basil’s Cathedral (colorful domes!)

    • Lenin’s Mausoleum

    • GUM Department Store (beautiful historic mall)

    • The Kremlin Museums & Armoury Chamber

  2. Bolshoi Theatre – Catch a world-class ballet or opera.

  3. Moscow Metro – A work of art! Notable stations:

    • Komsomolskaya

    • Mayakovskaya

    • Kievskaya

    • Ploshchad Revolyutsii (with bronze statues)

  4. Arbat Street – Pedestrian street for souvenirs, cafés, and buskers.

  5. Cathedral of Christ the Saviour – Stunning architecture and panoramic views.

  6. Tretyakov Gallery – Best collection of Russian art.

  7. VDNKh Park – Soviet-era exhibition park with museums, fountains, and space rockets.

  8. Moscow City (Federation Tower) – Modern skyscrapers and rooftop restaurants.

  9. Izmailovsky Market – For handmade crafts, matryoshka dolls, and antiques.

  10. Gorky Park & Moskva River Embankment – Great for walking or cycling, especially at sunset.

🍴 Must-Eat in Moscow

Traditional Russian Dishes to Try

  • 🥣 Borscht – Beetroot soup with sour cream

  • 🥟 Pelmeni – Russian dumplings

  • 🥞 Bliny – Thin pancakes with caviar, jam, or condensed milk

  • 🐟 Herring under a Fur Coat – Layered salad

  • 🍲 Beef Stroganoff – Classic comfort food

  • 🍰 Medovik (Honey Cake) – Famous layered dessert

Recommended Restaurants

  • Dr. Zhivago (luxurious Russian cuisine near Red Square)

  • Mari Vanna (home-style Soviet nostalgia)

  • Lepim i Varim (great pelmeni)

  • Varenichnaya No.1 (casual and family-friendly)

  • White Rabbit (fine dining with view)

🚇 Public Transport Guide to Moscow

Main Modes:

  1. Metro – Fastest and most iconic way to move around.

    • Over 250 stations

    • Runs 5:30 AM–1:00 AM

    • Each ride ≈ 65 ₽ (around €0.70)

  2. Bus, Tram, and Trolleybus – For shorter distances.

  3. MCC (Moscow Central Circle) – Scenic elevated railway connecting metro lines.

  4. Suburban Trains (Elektrichka) – For trips outside the city.

🚏 How to Use Public Transport in Moscow

  1. Get a “Troika” Card

    • Buy at metro machines or ticket counters (~50 ₽ deposit).

    • Rechargeable; works for metro, bus, tram, and MCC.

    • Each ride cheaper (~42 ₽ with card).

  2. Download Apps

    • Yandex Metro or Moscow Metro (for routes)

    • Yandex Maps or Citymapper (for live directions)

  3. Signs

    • Station names are in both Cyrillic and English.

    • Transfers marked with colored circles.

  4. Etiquette

    • Stand on the right side of escalators.

    • Let passengers exit before entering.

✈️ Transport from and to Airports

Airports: Sheremetyevo (SVO), Domodedovo (DME), Vnukovo (VKO)

🚆 Aeroexpress Train

  • Connects each airport to central Moscow.

  • Comfortable, reliable, ~45 min.

  • Cost: 500–600 ₽ (~€5–6).

  • Tickets via Aeroexpress app or kiosks.

Airport

Destination Station

Time

Notes

SVO

Belorussky Station

35–45 min

Metro transfer to Green Line

DME

Paveletsky Station

40–50 min

Metro transfer to Circle Line

VKO

Kievsky Station

35–45 min

Metro transfer to Blue Line

🚖 Taxi

  • Use Yandex Go or Uber Russia (integrated).

  • Avoid street taxis. Average fare: 1500–2500 ₽ (€15–25).

💡 Tips & Tricks for Transportation in Moscow

  • Avoid rush hour: 8–10 AM and 5–7 PM.

  • Use Google Pay/Apple Pay: accepted at metro gates.

  • Metro Wi-Fi: free, but requires one-time SMS login.

  • Plan extra time: Moscow traffic can be intense.

  • Walk: Many attractions are close around Red Square and Arbat.

🗓️ Itinerary Ideas

3-Night Itinerary

Day 1: Red Square, Kremlin, St. Basil’s, GUM, Bolshoi Theatre
Day 2: Tretyakov Gallery, Gorky Park, River Cruise, Arbat Street
Day 3: Metro tour (beautiful stations), VDNKh, Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

5-Night Itinerary

Day 1–3: Same as above
Day 4: Izmailovsky Market + Kolomenskoye Estate
Day 5: Moscow City + evening fine dining (White Rabbit or Sixty Restaurant)

Optional: Day trip to Sergiev Posad (Golden Ring town, 1.5 hr by train)

10-Night Itinerary

Days 1–5: Follow 5-night plan
Day 6: Sparrow Hills, Moscow State University, Luzhniki Bridge walk
Day 7: Bunker-42 Cold War Museum
Day 8: Day trip to Suzdal or Vladimir (charming old towns)
Day 9: Shopping day (Tsvetnoy or GUM), theatre at night
Day 10: Relax at Gorky Park or take a Moscow River cruise

💰 Budget Traveler Tips

  • Use Troika card for cheap travel

  • Eat at stolovaya (canteens) or Varenichnaya No.1

  • Stay near Kitay-Gorod or Belorusskaya (affordable, central)

  • Free attractions: Red Square, Gorky Park, metro station tours, Cathedral (outside)

  • Avoid taxis — metro covers almost everything

💕 Honeymoon in Moscow

  • Stay at Ararat Park Hyatt or Radisson Collection Hotel (river view)

  • Dinner at White Rabbit or Sixty (romantic skyline view)

  • Evening river cruise with dinner

  • Photo spots: Zaryadye Park Sky Bridge, Sparrow Hills, Red Square at night

👨‍👩‍👧 Family Trip with Small Kids

  • Moskvarium (VDNKh) – huge oceanarium

  • Zaryadye Park – modern playgrounds + glass bridge

  • Gorky Park – carousels, bike rentals, cafes

  • Izmailovsky Market – fun for kids to see souvenirs

  • Use Metro & Yandex Taxi for convenience

  • Many restaurants offer kids’ menus

🌤️ Best & Worst Time to Visit Moscow

Best Time to Visit

  • May – September 🌸☀️
    Warm, green, and full of outdoor life.

    • Average temp: 15–25°C

    • Best months: June & early September

    • Perfect for walking, parks, open-air cafés, and festivals.

Winter (December – February) ❄️

  • Magical if you enjoy snow and Christmas lights.

  • Temperature: –5°C to –20°C.

  • Great for ice skating, winter markets, and cozy Russian food.

  • Bring thermal layers and boots.

Spring (March – April) 🌦️

  • Melting snow, wet streets, unpredictable weather.

  • Fewer crowds, lower prices.

Autumn (October – November) 🍂

  • Cold, gray, and muddy — not ideal.

  • Avoid late October–mid-November if you prefer pleasant weather.

🛡️ Safety Level in Moscow

  • Overall: Safe for tourists if you stay alert and follow normal precautions.

  • Crime: Petty theft (pickpockets in crowded metro areas). Violent crime rare.

  • Political stability: Stable, but avoid political demonstrations or photographing government buildings.

  • Scams: Common around tourist zones (details below).

  • Police: Generally professional. Always carry your passport or a copy.

🌐 Internet Access & SIM Card Options

Internet:

  • Moscow has excellent 4G/5G coverage and free Wi-Fi in metro stations, cafés, and parks.

  • Most hotels, hostels, and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi.

SIM Cards (for tourists):

  1. MTS – Best coverage, stable internet.

  2. MegaFon – Good speed in city.

  3. Beeline – Cheap and flexible.

  4. Tele2 – Budget-friendly data plans.

Where to buy:

  • Official stores at Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, or Vnukovo airports, or in city malls.

  • Bring your passport for registration (required by law).

Average cost:

  • 10–15 GB data plan: ~400–600 ₽ (€4–6)

💰 Currency & Exchange Rate

  • Currency: Russian Ruble (₽ / RUB)

  • Exchange rate (approx. Oct 2025):
    1 EUR ≈ 100 ₽ | 1 USD ≈ 95 ₽

  • Exchange tips:

    • Use official exchange offices or ATMs inside banks.

    • Avoid changing money on the street.

    • Cards accepted widely (Visa/MasterCard).

    • Some Western cards may not work due to sanctions — carry some cash just in case.

🗣️ Languages Spoken

  • Official: Russian 🇷🇺

  • English: Limited but improving.

    • Younger people and metro staff often understand basic English.

    • Menus and signs in central areas usually bilingual (Cyrillic + English).

  • Useful phrases:

    • Hello → Zdravstvuyte (Здравствуйте)

    • Thank you → Spasibo (Спасибо)

    • Excuse me → Izvinite (Извините)

    • How much? → Skol’ko stoit? (Сколько стоит?)

💸 Ways to Save Money in Moscow

  1. Troika Card – For cheap metro, bus, and tram rides.

  2. Free attractions: Red Square, Gorky Park, Cathedral of Christ the Saviour (outside), metro tours.

  3. Museums’ free days: Many have free entry on the third Sunday of the month.

  4. Eat at canteens (столовая / Stolovaya) or chains like Grabli or Varenichnaya No.1.

  5. Stay outside city center: Areas like Belorusskaya or Dinamo are cheaper but well connected.

  6. Moscow CityPass (optional):

    • Covers 40+ attractions, museums, river cruise, and tours.

    • Valid 1–5 days, from 3,000 ₽.

    • Available online or at major tourist offices.

🎉 Seasonal & Cultural Events in Moscow

Season

Major Events

January

Russian Orthodox Christmas (Jan 7), New Year fireworks

March

Maslenitsa (Pancake Week, end of winter festival)

May

Victory Day Parade (May 9, Red Square)

June–August

Outdoor concerts, Gorky Park movie nights, Moscow City Day (early Sept)

September

Spasskaya Tower Military Music Festival

December

Christmas markets, skating rinks, light festivals

⚡ Power Plug Type & Voltage

  • Plug type: Type C and Type F (same as Europe)

  • Voltage: 220 V, 50 Hz

  • Tip: European devices work fine; UK/Japan travelers need adapters.

🚑 Emergency Numbers & Hospitals

Service

Number

General emergency

☎️ 112 (works from any phone, English support)

Police

102

Ambulance

103

Fire

101

Recommended Hospitals (English-speaking):

  • European Medical Center (EMC) – Shchepkina St. 35

  • American Medical Center – Grokholsky Pereulok 31

  • GMS Clinic – Smolenskaya Blvd 10

⚠️ Common Tourist Scams in Moscow

  1. “Friendly locals” inviting for a drink 🍸
    – They lead you to a bar, then the bill is inflated.
    → Politely refuse random invitations.

  2. Taxi scams 🚕
    – Overpriced or rigged meters.
    → Use Yandex Go or official airport taxis only.

  3. Fake police officers 👮‍♂️
    – They ask to check your wallet or “documents.”
    → Ask for ID, or say “Let’s go to the police station.”

  4. Pickpockets in crowded metros
    → Keep valuables in inner pockets, zip bags shut.

  5. Fake currency exchange booths 💵
    → Always use inside-bank ATMs or official exchange counters.

  6. Souvenir pricing at tourist markets
    → Bargain politely — prices can be 2–3× higher for tourists.

Metro map

https://mosmetro.ru/metro-map/

https://transport.mos.ru/common/upload/docs/map/s.pdf

Tram

http://none.ru/files/mostram_map.pdf

Bus

https://static.urbica.co/projects/longread/img/magistral.pdf

Airport

https://www.svo.aero/en/main

Sheremetyevo International Airport

  1. Departure and Arrival Flights
    1. Departure flight information https://www.svo.aero/en/timetable/departure
    2. Arriving flights https://www.svo.aero/en/timetable/arrival
    3. Airlines and terminals
  2. Transit guide-Connecting flights
  3. Getting to the Airport https://www.svo.aero/en/services/in-airport/air-and-railroad-tickets
  4. Airport map & apps
  5. Transfer between terminals
  6. Shop, Dine, Relax and do more
    1. Dining https://www.svo.aero/en/services/food-and-drinks?terminal=all&zone=all
    2. Shop https://www.svo.aero/en/services/shops?terminal=all&zone=all
    3. Duty Free/Tax Free https://www.svo.aero/en/services/duty-free?terminal=all&zone=all https://www.svo.aero/en/services/in-airport/tax-free
    4. Promotions https://www.svo.aero/en/services/special?terminal=all&zone=all
  7. Facilities and Services
    1. VIP services https://www.svo.aero/en/services/vip-halls?terminal=all&zone=all
    2. Lounges, hotels and spas https://www.svo.aero/en/services/business-halls?terminal=all&zone=all
    3. Taxi https://www.svo.aero/en/services/in-airport/taxi
    4. Rideshare and Rental Car https://www.svo.aero/en/services/in-airport/rent-a-car
    5. Parking
    6. Baggage Claim/Damage/Lost
    7. Priority Lane/ Fast Track
    8. Pick up and Drop Off
    9. Lost and Found https://www.svo.aero/en/services/in-airport/lost-property-office
    10. Banking, Currency Exchange, ATM https://www.svo.aero/en/services/in-airport/banks https://www.svo.aero/en/services/in-airport/cash-machines https://www.svo.aero/en/services/in-airport/currency-exchange
    11. Health Services https://www.svo.aero/en/services/in-airport/first-aid
    12. Traveling with Kids
    13. Traveling with Pets/Animals
    14. Prayer room
    15. Other Services/Accessibility https://www.svo.aero/en/services/in-airport?terminal=all&zone=all
    16. Useful links/contacts

Other Experiences

Gay guide

https://mytripnavi.com/gay/moscow.pdf

Find more at other cities

https://mytripnavi.com/maps/all
https://mytripnavi.com/gay/

Russia foods you must try

Famous foods top 5

  1. Сельдь под шубой (Dressed herring): Dressed herring, colloquially known as herring under a fur coat, is a layered salad composed of diced pickled herring covered with layers of grated boiled eggs, vegetables, chopped onions, and mayonnaise. Some variations of this dish include a layer of fresh grated apple while some do not.
  2. борщ (Borscht): Borscht is a sour soup, made with meat stock, vegetables and seasonings, common in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia.
  3. пирожки (Pirozhki): Pirozhki are foremost, Russian baked or fried yeast-leavened boat-shaped buns with a variety of fillings. Pirozhki are a popular street food and comfort food in Eastern Europe.
  4. пельмени (Pelmeni): Pelmeni are dumplings of Russian cuisine that consist of a filling wrapped in thin, unleavened dough. It is debated whether they originated in Ural or Siberia. Pelmeni have been described as “the heart of Russian cuisine”.
  5. блины (Blini): A blini, rarely bliny, more broadly Eastern European pancake traditionally made from buckwheat flour or nowadays wheat and served with smetana, smeared with butter or added tvorog as a filling. For greater sweetness, sugar is added to smetana, and raisins to tvorog, which children like.

Famous sweets

медовик (Medovik): Medovik is a layer cake popular in countries of the former Soviet Union. The identifying ingredients are honey and smetana or condensed milk. It is a dessert which is known for its lengthy preparation time.

Famouse drinks

квас (Kvass): Kvass is a fermented cereal-based low-alcohol beverage with a slightly cloudy appearance, light-brown colour and sweet-sour taste. Kvass originates from Northeastern Europe, where grain production is considered insufficient for beer to become a daily drink.