Moscow Flights

If you're flying into Moscow - you'll either land at Sheremetyevo II situated about 15km north just off the Moscow - St Petersburg highway or Domodedovo situated about 15km south.

Sheremetyevo II is a rather run down airport - although it was undergoing a makeover at the time. There are a few 24 hour shops in the departure / arrival area before going through check-in, including a pharmacy, cafes (about £7 for a meal), a bank & exchange bureau.

Getting to Moscow from the airport is an adventure in itself! At the time there was no direct rail link between Sheremetyevo & central Moscow. The options are... catch a bus from outside the arrival area - ground floor - or a shuttle to the nearest metro station
Rechnoy Vokzal (green line) or Planernaya (purple line). It takes about 30 minutes & will cost about R10 for the bus or R20-25 for the shuttle. Prices may have gone up! It's better to go to Rechnoy Vokzal if possible as it's a nicer area.

Taxi's outside should be avoided as they are generally controlled by the Mafia & you're likely to be ripped off! If you prefer to catch a taxi - there are desks inside the airport - ask them to order a reputable or official taxi for you - it'll cost about U$ 30-40 though.

Apparently there should be a direct train link between Sheremetyevo & Moscow centre sometime this year (2005).

If you're arriving at Domodedovo -transport links are far better with the "Aeroexpress" train to Paveletsky station (Paveletskaya metro - green line / circle line intersect). It departs every hour from about 07h00 - 23h00, costs about U$ 3 or £1.50 and takes 40 mins. Alternately you can catch a bus or shuttle to Domodedov metro (green line) and then catch the metro into town.

Sheremetyevo II and Domodedovo are both alright or both a nightmare depending on the traffic to and from the airport at the particular time you are travelling.

Domodedova is farther out, about 40-45 km from the city center versus 20-25 km for Sheremetyevo, but I would book based on the cost of the flights and availability, not based on distance, as with a negotiated taxi fare they may be similar. Alternatively, if you have more time than money, you can take the metro.

Also, there is a metro line which runs near both airports. In times of heavy traffic, metro may even be faster than taxi. You can then take a quick taxi from the metro to Sheremetyevo II. The metro stops near Domodedovo so you can walk.

There is now a train to Domodedovo from Paveletsky station in downtown Moscow. Just take the metro from Kurskaya to Paveletskaya - two stops on the Circle Line - and then get on the train to the airport.

For example, Aeroflot & Lufthansa use Sheremetyevo II and Germania and British Airways use Domodevedo. Aeroflot will soon join Air France's Sky Team network.

Drunken Flight Attendants Beat Aeroflot

According to Bloomberg this morning, drunken flight attendants beat up a man
on an Aeroflot flight from Moscow to the Siberian oil town of Nizhnevartovsk after he served himself when the attendants refused
to bring his girlfriend more wine. The three male attendants work for Aviaenergo, which Russian state-run carrier Aeroflot uses on some domestic flights. The passenger had a black eye when he got off the four-hour flight and has filed assault charges. Other people on the flight said the attendants dropped food trays and slammed a passenger in a doorway as he left the plane.
The quote was something to the effect ``You understand how coordination worsens when someone isn't sober,'' Aeroflot might reconsider its contract with Aviaenergo if it finds the crew started the fight.

On a separate note, Aeroflot may join Air France's Sky Team frequent flier network soon, which will be great for business fliers that want to collect more points. Personally, I would have been happier had they chosen Lufthansa and the Star Alliance group. As the French might say, C'est la vie.

Domodedovo is the most "user-friendly" Moscow airport. New, spacious and convenient. The following carriers fly to/from Domodedovo

British Airways
Swiss
SN Brussels
Germania Express
El Al
Emirates

A $3 express train will get you to the center of Moscow in 40 minutes, but check the schedule as it's not very frequent. On your way back, you may check in including baggage at the train terminal 24 hours before the departure.

Wasn't sure where to put this TIP, but then again, as so few are ever read and or commented on, this is a public service announcement just as likely to be ignored as followed. Still, it is Friday afternoon here in Cyprus, and this my first update to my pages this week, so it helps you, I am happy.

In an effort to stem losses of holiday bookings by Russians to Cyprus of up to 25-percent after visa-free travel was abolished this year, Cypriot authorities will stop charging Russians for visas in 2004 & 2005 it was announced.

In an effort to improve visas to Cyprus, 60-percent of visas are issued within 24-hours according to the Cypriot Embassy. Less than one percent of Russians are refused the visa. There is now a new Cypriot Consolate in St. Petersburg, as well as, the Embassy in Moscow.

140.000 Russians visit Cyprus each year. Cyprus is suffering this year by a drop in the number of Russians visiting, but also from a Cyprus pound that is considered some 30-percent overvalued. Cyprus is one of the most expensive Meditteranean destinations, and offers poor value for the money in comparison with other areas.

Never the less some 20.000 Russians live & work in Cyprus, many in Limassol.

When you arrive at the Moscow airport and stand in line for passport control, you get the feeling that you have done time travel almost 50 years back. Do not look for trouble with the officials, just smile and give them whatever they ask for, else you could end up with more trouble than what it is worth.

I highly recommend Complete Travel and Visa Center for visas and tickets. I'm getting a 3-month double-entry business visa for $215 - this was the best price amongst 8 agencies I shopped in New York - I also got the best travel deal there - most other places only had Aeroflot tickets for cheap - but I have a 10-week ticket on KLM for $515.

Julia, my agent there, is so nice that, since the plane ticket jumped up to $550 from the time we talked to the time I sent in my credit card info, she knocked $30 off the visa fee.

They're very accomodating and she particularly is a sweetie.

If you want a laugh but aren't prone to maddening frustration, talk to the visa guy at Unisel. This guy has some kind of mustachioed dictator fantasies going on. He insisted that I not interrupt him with any questions and after 10 minutes I just hung up on him, since he hadn't provided any useful information yet.

Be prepared for a very long wait at the custom... i waited for about 2 hours before clearing the customs....

Remember to get 2 forms and fill them up... the custom declaration form and the entry form....

We managed to get the entry form from our plane. They told us that it is the only form needed.... when we arrive, we notice everyone filling up 2 forms... and trust me... you need 2 forms... :)