From the Red Square to the Bolshoi Theater, Moscow has much to offer travellers. Tourists booking flights to Moscow are headed right into Russia’s leading financial and cultural centre. But don’t let this massive capital city scare you – there’s more heart and soul in Moscow than most people know.
Once you step off your Moscow flight, your first stop should be the Kremlin. This walled city includes four palaces, four cathedrals, and serves as the official residence to the President of Russia. Next to the Kremlin is the Red Square, most famously used for parades and demonstrations. First time travellers on flights to Moscow will likely recognize the colorful domes on top of Saint Basil’s Cathedral, situated inside the Kremlin. If shopping is your bag, find a cheap flight to Moscow and save your money for Gorky Street (today known as Tverskaya Street) – the most expensive shopping street in Moscow. For the arts and entertainment aficionado, no trip to Moscow is complete without a stop at the Bolshoi or Maly theatres. Book flights to Moscow in the winter and get tickets to one of the most amazing spectacles on stage, the Moscow Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.”
Thanks to a new government and a more modern lifestyle, Moscow flights are packed with visitors year round.
Sweltering hot summers and bitter cold winters are typical for Moscow. November to April has lots of snow and rarely sees a temperature above 0 degrees (C). Winter temperatures drop even lower. December snow lasts until April, and there are about six hours of daylight. Spring thaws the city, bringing lots of mud, slush, and warmer air. Summers reach the mid 30s in July and August and are very humid. July and August also have thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. Fall is short and the snows begin again in October.
The cheapest and best way to get around Moscow is by metro. Purchase your ticket at one of the metro stations, which are decorated with artwork and sculptures. You can buy tickets for single or multiple trips. For areas that the metro doesn’t reach, take a tram or bus. Tram and bus tickets are cheapest at metro stations or kiosks, but you can also buy tickets from the driver. Make sure you validate your ticket when you board the bus. Marshrutky (minibus shuttles that drive along bus routes) and taxis can be flagged down for short trips. It’s easy to get private cars confused with taxis, so make sure you agree on a fare ahead of time. If you’re going to the airport, or taking a long trip, you should call ahead for a taxi. If you do rent your own car in Moscow, take note of the rules. Honking is only allowed in emergencies and your car must have seat belts, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher and an emergency triangle or red light. If you can, avoid driving at night. Drunk driving happens often, despite being illegal.