Getting There and Travelling Around

International Airports

• Moscow (SVO): 35 km from the city.
• St Petersburg (LED): 17 km from the city.
• Full list of airports in Russia with associated airport codes >

Internal Transport

There are domestic flights to most major cities, with the internal network radiating from Moscow's airports: Bykovo Airport (BKA) the smallest of Moscow's airports, 35km from the city; Domodedovo (DME) 48km (25 miles) southeast of Moscow and Vnukovo Airport (VKO) 29.5km (18 miles) southwest of Moscow.

River transport is popular, and there are many cruises available on the River Don and the Volga. Popular routes include the Golden Ring, the Volga towns and Moscow to St Petersburg.

There are a few long-distance rail routes open for tourists, including one of the most famous trains in the world: the Trans-Siberian Express. This service offers the world's longest continuous train journey, crossing seven time zones and 9,745 km (5,778 miles) from St Petersburg to the Pacific coast of Siberia and on to Japan, with 91 stops from Vladivostok to Moscow. The through journey from Moscow to Yokohama takes 10 days. The Trans-Manchurian Express follows the same route, before heading southeast into China and down to Beijing. Also enjoyable is the Trans-Mongolian Railway, which runs from Moscow to Irkutsk (Siberia), skirting Lake Baikal before entering Mongolia, where some dramatic scenery may be enjoyed as it journeys to the capital, Ulaan Baatar. The journeythen continues southwards and concludes in Beijing.

The European part of the Russian Federation has a good road network, but the few roads in Siberia and further east are generally impassable during the winter. Signposts are also written in the Latin alphabet on the majority of tourist routes. Speed limits are 100 kph (62 mph) on highways, 90 kph (55 mph) in non-built-up areas and 60 kph (37 mph) in built-up areas. However, visitors who have been driving for less than two years must not exceed 70 kph (43 mph). Motorists should avoid driving at night if possible. It is forbidden to carry unauthorised passengers or pick up hitch-hikers. Car hire is available from local and international firms, and chauffeur-driven cars are available in major cities.

Public transport in the cities is cheap and comprehensive. Fares are standard for the various forms of transport, and weekly and monthly passes are available. Buses operate from 5am to midnight; tickets may be bought from the metro station or from the drivers directly, and should be punched in the machine provided on the bus. Entry to the underground is by token, which should be inserted into the ticket barrier. Taxis are also available; it is much safer to use officially marked taxis; these are yellow with chequered signs on the doors. They may be hired at a rank, hailed in the street, or booked by telephone.