Capital · Russia
MoscowМосква
Give Moscow 4 nights minimum: the Kremlin, one museum and the metro take two full days, and the city is too big for a rushed 48 hours.
Moscow is the capital of Russia and the biggest city in Europe by metro population, built in rings around the Kremlin. Sights sit inside the Boulevard Ring, the Metro is the fastest way between them, and winter runs below freezing from mid-November to late March. Plan four to five nights, stay inside the Garden Ring, and treat the visa and your own government's travel advice as the first step, not the last.
advisory country
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- RUB
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- avoid Jan–Feb (deep cold), early May holidays
- Airports
- SVO · DME · VKO · ZIA
- Nights
- 4–5
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Reach this subregion only from the EU side — Romania for …Check your own government travel advice for Russia before…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Eastern Europe ↗Reach this subregion only from the EU side — Romania for Moldova — through crossings run by recognised authorities; no route through Ukraine, Belarus or Russia is planned here.
- Eastern Europe ↗Re-read your government's advice for Moldova (it covers Transnistria) in the week you travel; the situation next door changes fast.
- Eastern Europe ↗Carry euros in cash for Transnistria and village Moldova; cards stop working at the Dniester.
- Russia ↗Check your own government travel advice for Russia before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Russia ↗Direct flights from much of Europe and North America are suspended; no independent tourist route is documented here.
- Russia ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Russia before you rely on it.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Moscow112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Moscow, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Foreign-issued cards, ATMs and most transfers do not work: see Insurance & payments above.Russia-wide
- SafetyCentral Moscow is heavily policed and street crime is low, but pickpockets work the Metro and stations…
- Emergency numbers112 All emergencies (single number) · 102 police · 103 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSVO Sheremetyevo International (About 32 km (20 mi) northwest; Aeroexpress train to Belorussky station, 50 min).SVO Sheremetyevo International (About 20 mi (32 km) northwest; Aeroexpress train to Belorussky station, 50 min).
- Getting aroundThe Metro is the default: 12 lines, trains every 1–3 minutes, and the fastest way across the centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeRUB 200–400
- Sit-down mealBusiness lunch (set menu)RUB 500–900
- Beerdraught in a bar / can in a shopRUB 400–700RUB 100–200
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxiApp fare; street cabs quote far more.RUB 500–900
- Metro or bus rideMetro rideRUB 60–80 (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekRUB 1,000–2,500
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entryRUB 500–1,500
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personRUB 1,200
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomRUB 8,000
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomRUB 16,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget RUB 3,500 · Mid RUB 7,000 · High RUB 15,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SVO Sheremetyevo International (About 32 km (20 mi) northwest; Aeroexpress train to Belorussky station, 50 min) · DME Domodedovo International (About 45 km (28 mi) southeast; Aeroexpress to Paveletsky station, 50 min) · VKO Vnukovo International (About 30 km (19 mi) southwest; metro Line 8A now reaches the terminal) · ZIA Zhukovsky International (About 40 km (25 mi) southeast; limited routes, bus to Kotelniki metro)SVO Sheremetyevo International (About 20 mi (32 km) northwest; Aeroexpress train to Belorussky station, 50 min) · DME Domodedovo International (About 28 mi (45 km) southeast; Aeroexpress to Paveletsky station, 50 min) · VKO Vnukovo International (About 19 mi (30 km) southwest; metro Line 8A now reaches the terminal) · ZIA Zhukovsky International (About 25 mi (40 km) southeast; limited routes, bus to Kotelniki metro)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Feb
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Mar
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Care*
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Nov
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Dec
not flagged
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Best: Jun, Sep. Mixed: May. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest Dec (12 rain days), driest Apr (8). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Moscow: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
11 rd
Feb
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
9 rd
Mar
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Oct
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
11 rd
Nov
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
11 rd
Dec
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The Metro is the default: 12 lines, trains every 1–3 minutes, and the fastest way across the centre. Buy a Troika card and top it up; single rides cost more than card rides. Walk inside the Boulevard Ring, use the Metro for anything further, and take Yandex Taxi at night. Traffic is heavy on weekdays, so a 5 km taxi can take 30 minutes.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sergiev Posad (Trinity Lavra)
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Suburban train from Yaroslavsky station, about 1 h 30 min, then a 15-min walk
The classic day out; go early, the return trains fill by late afternoon.
Kolomna
goDoor to door: About 2 h 15 min
Train from Kazansky station, about 1 h 45 min
Kremlin walls and old streets; a full day.
Zvenigorod
cautionDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Suburban train plus bus, about 2 h
Quiet monastery and river walks; the last leg needs a bus or taxi.
Saint Petersburg
overnightDoor to door: About 5 h
Sapsan high-speed train from Leningradsky station, about 4 h
Not a day trip: book the train weeks ahead and sleep at least two nights.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Central (Kremlin and Red Square)
Walk to the Kremlin, Red Square and GUM; the most expensive beds and the quietest nights.
Central-North (Tverskaya and the Bolshoi)
Tverskaya Street hotels, TsUM and the Bolshoi Theatre; best all-round base for a first trip.
Central-West (Arbat and Khamovniki)
Old Arbat pedestrian street, cafes and the Pushkin Museum; good mid-range rooms.
Central-South (Zamoskvorechye)
Tretyakov Gallery side of the river; quieter streets, 10–15 min walk to Red Square.
Outskirts (Moscow-City and beyond the Garden Ring)
Cheaper rooms and the skyscraper district; add 20–40 min by metro each way.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- RUB 3,500–6,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- RUB 6,000–12,000 excl. bed
- High
- RUB 12,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 4 nights × RUB 8,000 | RUB 32,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 4 days × RUB 7,000 | RUB 56,000 |
| Aeroexpress, both ways2 × RUB 1,050 · check | RUB 2,100 |
| Troika card plus a week of metro rides2 × RUB 1,500 · check | RUB 3,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × RUB 1,500 | RUB 3,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | RUB 9,610 |
| Trip total≈ RUB 13,210 per person per day, bed included | RUB 105,710 |
2026 estimate in rubles; flights, visas and museum tickets excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | RUB 200–400 |
| Business lunch (set menu) | RUB 500–900 |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can in a shop | RUB 400–700 / RUB 100–200 |
| 5 km taxiApp fare; street cabs quote far more. | RUB 500–900 |
| Metro ride | RUB 60–80 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | RUB 1,000–2,500 |
| Museum entry | RUB 500–1,500 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Read your own government's travel advice before booking; banking cards issued abroad often fail, so carry cash rubles.
- Keep your passport and migration card with you: registration and document checks happen.
- Pickpockets work the Metro and the crowded train stations; keep bags in front of you.
- Winter ice on pavements is a real injury risk: boots with grip, not fashion shoes.
- Photography is restricted at some official buildings and metro security points: follow posted signs.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies (single number)
- 112
- Police
- 102
- Ambulance
- 103
Pocket card
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MoscowМосква
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
По этому адресу, пожалуйстаTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies112
- Police102
- Ambulance103
Embassy
Most embassies sit in the Presnensky and Khamovniki districts; check your own embassy's address and hours before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- SVO → Belorussky station, Aeroexpress: about RUB 525, 50 min (check)
- DME → Paveletsky station, Aeroexpress: about RUB 525, 50 min (check)
- Taxi airport → centre: about RUB 1,000 by app (check)
Say or show
- Здравствуйте — Hello (zdra-stvu-i-te)
- Спасибо — Thank you (spa-si-ba)
- Пожалуйста — Please (pa-zha-lu-sta)
- Сколько стоит? — How much is it? (skol-ka sto-it)
- Можно оплатить картой? — Can I pay by card? (mozh-na a-pla-tit kar-tay)
- Где метро? — Where is the metro? (gdye met-ro)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Moscow. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep · avoid Jan–Feb (deep cold), early May holidays
- 4 airports and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for SVO, DME, VKO and ZIA: last Aeroexpress and metro departures, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Kremlin and Red Square, Tverskaya and the Bolshoi, Arbat and Khamovniki, Zamoskvorechye.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Kremlin, Tretyakov, Pushkin Museum, metro tour) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and document-check fixtures so gates A–D can go green.