Russia Airport Guide
Moscow (Discount
Moscow Airfare)
The capital was founded in 1147, but there is evidence that
there has been a settlement here since Neolithic times. The
focal point of the city is Red Square, on one side of which
is the Kremlin surrounded by a thick red fortress wall containing
20 towers altogether, at intervals. The Sobakina Tower, designed
to withstand sieges, contains a secret escape passage. The Tainitskaya
Tower translates as the 'Tower of Secrets', because it also
had a secret subterranean passage leading to the river. The
Trinity Gate is the tallest of the towers. The Water-Hoist Tower
conveyed water to the Kremlin. The Nabatnaya Tower contained
an alarm bell that was rung in times of danger. In the Kremlin
grounds, the Uspensky Cathedral (1475-79), designed by the Italian
architect Aristotle Fioravanti, contains three of the oldest
Russian icons. The tsars were crowned here; Ivan the Terrible's
throne is situated near the entrance. Also within the Kremlin
stand the 14th-century Grand Kremlin Palace and the golden-domed
Belfry of Ivan the Great. St Basil's Cathedral (built 1555-60),
at another end of the square, is famous for its brightly coloured
domes. As the story goes, Ivan the Terrible was so overwhelmed
by its beauty that he blinded the architect so that he could
never create another building as impressive as this. Opposite
St Basil's, the Spassky (Redeemer's) Gate is the main entrance
to the Kremlin, built in 1491 by Pietro Antonio Solario. The
Blagoveshchensky (Annunciation) Cathedral was built for Ivan
III. It is extravagantly decorated, from its copper domes to
its agate- and jasper-tiled floors. It contains 16th-century
frescoes and a precious collection of icons. Our Lady of Kazan
Cathedral has recently been reconstructed and rededicated. The
superb murals in the Faceted Chamber date from the late 15th
century; sadly the Chamber is not open to the public. The State
Historical Museum is also located in Red Square. Although there
is talk of finally burying Lenin's embalmed body, Lenin's Mausoleum
is still open to the public on certain days. However, the changing
of the guards in front of the Mausoleum, a ritual which used
to attract many sightseers, was discontinued in 1993. Tverskaya
Street near Red Square is one of the main shopping streets.
Arbat Street is the main thoroughfare of a traditionally bohemian
quarter. Today it is a pedestrian zone with crafts and artists'
stalls and street performers. The area known as Kitai-Gorod
lies east of the Kremlin, and is notable for its 16th- and 17th-century
churches, especially the five-domed Cathedral of the Sign, with
its amazing acoustic properties. The splendid English Estate
dates from the same period, a remnant of the area's former importance
as a diplomatic and commercial centre. The nearby Romanov Apartments
are now a museum. Zayauzie is a quiet, attractive district,
with its handsome merchants' mansions. The world-famous Bolshoi
Opera and Ballet Theatre at Teatralnaya Square dates from 1824
and has an interior colour scheme of red and gold. Moscow University
is situated on the southwestern periphery of the city in the
Vorobyevi Hills. The lookout tower in the park in front of the
University complex offers excellent views over the city and
the vast Luzhniki Stadium. Novodevichy Convent near Sportivnaya
metro station houses a museum of rare and ancient Russian art,
and is one of the finest examples of 16th- and 17th-century
architecture in the city. The neighbouring Ostozhenka and Prechistenka
Streets feature urban mansions and estates associated with many
classic Russian authors including Tolstoy. The dancer Isadora
Duncan shared her studio with her husband, the poet Sergei Yesenin,
in the classically designed estate of the millionaire Ushkov
in Prechistenka Street. Herzen Street is one of the oldest in
Moscow. It contains the Moscow State University, the grand Tchaikovsky
Conservatoire and the ornate Mayakovsky Academic Theatre. The
area around Kuznetzky Most and Petrovka Street is a hub of social
and cultural activity, with its popular theatres, fashion shops
and business community. One of the most popular new, but macabre
attractions is the KGB Museum housed in the sinister Lubyanka
building. The well-preserved Zamoskvorechye district was originally
a mercantile and artisans' quarter. Many of its churches, warehouses,
shops and houses survive. The area is home to the Tretyakov
Gallery, containing the work of Russian artists and an extensive
collection of icons, among them the Trinity by Andrei Rublyov.
Other places of interest are: the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts
with its cosmopolitan collection; the Moscow Circus, the original
with animal acts and clowns and the newer with more technical
wonders; Izmailovo Park, formerly the Tsar's estate and the
elegant Tsaritsino landscaped park; the Exhibition of Economic
Achievements, where on a large site in the northwest of the
city all aspects of Russian life are displayed - such as agriculture,
industry, culture and science. The site also contains a zoo
and a circus and there is skating and skiing. The nearby Ostankino
TV Tower is the tallest in Europe, with a revolving restaurant
at the top. The Space Conquerors' Monument, representing the
trajectory of a rocket launch, also dominates the area. The
local Museum of Serf Art is a reminder of the past. The Metro
system is a tourist attraction in itself, as well as a cheap
and convenient means of travelling around the city. Many stations
are sumptuously decorated with marble, glittering chandeliers
and works of art. A boat tour on the Moskva River is a pleasant
way of discovering the city. Excursions start at the Kutuzovskaya
Pier, accessible from Kutuzovskaya Metro. The river is a superb
vantage point to view the White House (the Parliament Building),
scene of the dramatic siege of 1991, as well as many of the
sights listed above. |
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Contact information
Sheremetyevo International Airport, Moscow 103340, Russian
Federation
(495) 232-65-65
Airport phones directory
(495) 578-91-01
To and from airport
Sheremetyevo - Moscow by Taxi. When you walk out of
the arrival zone there will be many people offering you a
taxi. 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 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).
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.
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.
Airport services & facilities
There's a very 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.
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