Moscow is Russia's sprawling capital and largest city, a global metropolis blending centuries of history with modern dynamism. Home to iconic landmarks like the Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow offers world-class museums, vibrant nightlife, and a rich cultural scene.
- Public
- World-class metro system with 260+ stations, extensive bus network, MCC ring rail, and MCD diameters
- Taxi
- Yandex Go app is the safe, reliable, and affordable option. Never use unmarked street taxis.
- Rental
- Car rental not recommended due to traffic, parking, and aggressive local driving culture
- Walking
- The area within the Garden Ring (historic center) is compact and highly walkable
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- $30-50 from Sheremetyevo (SVO)
- Taxi Info
- Use Yandex Go app for a metered fare. Set destination to Sheremetyevo Terminal before departure for best rate.
- Shuttle
- Aeroexpress trains are better than shuttles
- Shuttle Info
- Aeroexpress trains run to all three main airports, reliable, 35-45 minutes to city center stations
- Bus
- $2, 60-90 minutes
- Bus Info
- Various routes from each airport, crowded but very cheap. Not recommended with luggage.
- Private
- $50-80 pre-booked car transfer
- Private Info
- Book through hotel concierge or reputable transfer companies online
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Routes cover entire city, 55 RUB per ride with Troika card, validate on entry
Alternatives
Metro (primary), MCC ring line, MCD surface diameters, Velobike bicycle sharing (May-October), river bus (summer)
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Base fare 100 RUB + per km charge, minimum 300-400 RUB for short city trips
- Apps
- Yandex Go, Citymobil
- App Names
- Yandex Go, Citymobil
- Typical Fare
- 300-800 RUB for average city center to center ride
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Long-distance buses from Shchyolkovsky, Sevastopolsky, and other bus stations from $5 to regional cities
Shared
Intercity shared taxis (marshrutki) available for some destinations
Flights
Domestic flights from Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo from $30-100 to Russian cities
Private
Private car hire with driver from $80/day
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Moscow has one of the world's finest public transport systems, centered on an extensive metro network of 260+ stations across 14 lines. The Moscow Metro is supplemented by the Moscow Central Circle (MCC), Moscow Central Diameters (MCD), extensive bus and trolleybus networks, and modern tram lines. Taxis via Yandex Go are reliable and affordable.
Airports
Sheremetyevo International Airport
Domodedovo International Airport
Vnukovo International Airport
Zhukovsky International Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Yandex Go
Essential app for all taxis and ridesharing. More reliable than Uber in Moscow.
Yandex Metro
Official Moscow metro route planner with real-time delay information
Yandex Maps
Best maps app for Moscow with public transit routing and real-time bus tracking
Google Maps
Works in Moscow for transit routing and walking directions
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy a Troika card (deposit 60 RUB, load credit) at any metro station ticket window
Download Yandex Go app before arrival - essential for taxis and late night transport
The metro closes at 1:00 AM - always arrange taxi in advance for late nights
Google Maps and Yandex Maps both work for Moscow transit navigation
During rush hour (8-9AM, 6-8PM) metro cars are extremely crowded
Aeroexpress trains are the most reliable airport transfer - punctual and comfortable
Most Moscow transit apps are in Russian - Yandex Metro has English option
Keep your Troika card topped up - loading at station windows can have queues