Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) processes approximately 49 million passengers annually and serves as the primary entry point for international visitors to the Russian Federation. The airport operates six terminals designated alphabetically B, C, D, E, F, and the older Terminal A. Terminals D, E, and F form the southern complex connected by internal walkways and handle the majority of international traffic, while terminals B and C constitute the northern complex primarily serving domestic routes. Aeroflot, the national carrier, operates predominantly from Terminal D. The airport lies 29 kilometers northwest of central Moscow in the Khimki urban district.
The Aeroexpress rail link departs from a dedicated station serving terminals D, E, and F with trains running to Moscow Belorussky railway station every 30 minutes from 05:00 to 00:30 daily. Journey time is 35 minutes with tickets priced at approximately 500 rubles for standard class when purchased in advance online or 540 rubles at airport kiosks. Business class tickets cost approximately 1,000 rubles and provide access to quieter carriages with larger seats. The Aeroexpress platform sits adjacent to the terminal buildings accessible via covered walkways with signage in both Cyrillic and Latin alphabets. Belorussky station connects to the Moscow Metro Koltsevaya brown circle line and Zamoskvoretskaya green line.
Taxi services operate from dedicated ranks outside each terminal building. Official airport taxis charge fixed-zone rates with central Moscow destinations costing approximately 1,500 to 2,500 rubles depending on traffic conditions and final destination district. Journey time to central areas ranges from 40 minutes during optimal traffic periods to over 90 minutes during morning peak hours between 08:00 and 10:00 or evening peak from 18:00 to 20:00. Ride-hailing applications Yandex Taxi and Uber function at Sheremetyevo with fares typically 20 to 30 percent lower than official taxi rates. Pre-ordering rides through these applications requires Russian phone numbers for account verification.
Bus route 851 operates from terminals B and C to Rechnoy Vokzal metro station on the Zamoskvoretskaya line with departures every 15 to 20 minutes from 05:35 to 00:49. Bus route 817 connects terminals D, E, and F to Planernaya metro station on the Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya purple line. Single journey tickets cost approximately 55 rubles when purchased with a Troika transport card or 65 rubles cash payment to the driver. Journey times vary from 25 to 50 minutes depending on traffic density. Night bus H1 operates when metro services close between 01:00 and 05:30 following modified routes.
Domodedovo International Airport (DME) handles approximately 30 million passengers annually and ranks as Moscow's second major international gateway. The airport operates from a single unified terminal building located 42 kilometers south-southeast of central Moscow in the town of Domodedovo, Moscow Oblast. The terminal layout consists of domestic and international sections within one continuous structure simplifying transfer procedures. Airlines including S7, Ural Airlines, and various international carriers maintain operations from this facility.
The Aeroexpress service runs from Domodedovo airport to Moscow Paveletsky railway station with trains departing every 30 minutes from 06:00 to 00:00 daily. Journey duration is 45 minutes with standard class tickets priced at approximately 500 rubles advance purchase or 540 rubles at airport counters. The Aeroexpress platform connects directly to the terminal building via an enclosed walkway requiring approximately three minutes walking time. Paveletsky station provides access to the Zamoskvoretskaya metro line enabling onward travel throughout Moscow's underground network.
Authorized taxi services from Domodedovo to central Moscow cost approximately 1,800 to 2,800 rubles for zone-based pricing with journey times ranging from 50 minutes under light traffic to 120 minutes during congestion periods. The M4 highway provides the primary route but experiences significant delays during weekday commuting hours. Yandex Taxi and similar applications offer comparable service with variable pricing based on real-time demand algorithms.
Bus route 308 connects Domodedovo airport to Domodedovskaya metro station on the Zamoskvoretskaya line operating from 06:00 to 00:00 with 20-minute intervals. Marshrutka minibus services follow the same route with more frequent departures but identical fares of approximately 120 rubles. The journey requires 30 to 45 minutes under normal traffic conditions. These public bus options provide the most economical airport transfer method though involve crowded conditions during peak travel periods.
Vnukovo International Airport (VKO) processes approximately 24 million passengers annually serving as Moscow's third international airport. The facility operates terminals A and D with terminal A handling the majority of passenger traffic including international flights. Vnukovo sits 28 kilometers southwest of central Moscow within the Vnukovo settlement of New Moscow administrative district. Turkish Airlines, Rossiya Airlines, and Utair maintain significant operations from this airport alongside various charter services.
The Aeroexpress connection runs from Vnukovo to Moscow Kievsky railway station with departures every hour from 06:00 to 00:00 daily. Travel time is 35 minutes with standard tickets at approximately 500 rubles advance purchase rate. The rail platform sits adjacent to terminal A accessible via a short covered walkway. Kievsky station connects to the Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya dark blue metro line and Koltsevaya circle line enabling distribution across Moscow's transport network.
Taxi services to central Moscow from Vnukovo cost approximately 1,500 to 2,400 rubles through official airport providers with journey times from 35 minutes to 90 minutes depending on route and traffic density. The airport lies closer to southwestern Moscow districts reducing travel times for destinations in those areas. Ride-hailing services operate with standard pricing models comparable to other Moscow airports.
Bus route 611 operates from Vnukovo to Yugo-Zapadnaya metro station on the Sokolnicheskaya red line with departures every 11 to 20 minutes from 05:30 to 01:15. Alternative bus route 611С provides express service with limited stops reducing journey time to approximately 20 minutes. Standard route tickets cost approximately 55 rubles with Troika card or 65 rubles cash. Night bus services do not operate from Vnukovo requiring taxi alternatives during early morning hours.
Pulkovo Airport (LED) serves as the primary international gateway to Saint Petersburg processing approximately 19 million passengers annually. The airport consolidated operations into a single terminal building called Pulkovo-1 after renovations completed in 2013, though some documentation still references the historical Pulkovo-1 and Pulkovo-2 designation. The facility sits 17 kilometers south of central Saint Petersburg in the Moskovskoye Settlement. Rossiya Airlines maintains its primary hub at Pulkovo alongside significant operations by Aeroflot and international carriers.
Bus route 39 provides the primary public transport connection from Pulkovo to Moskovskaya metro station on the Moskovsko-Petrogradskaya blue line. Buses depart every 12 to 25 minutes from 05:30 to 01:30 with journey times of approximately 20 minutes under normal traffic conditions. Tickets cost approximately 55 rubles when using a Podorozhnik transport card or 65 rubles cash payment. The bus stop sits directly outside the arrivals area requiring no additional walking within terminal buildings. Moskovskaya station enables transfer throughout Saint Petersburg's five-line metro system.
Authorized taxis from Pulkovo to central Saint Petersburg charge approximately 1,000 to 1,500 rubles for destinations near Nevsky Prospekt or the historic city center. Journey time ranges from 25 minutes during off-peak periods to 60 minutes during morning and evening rush hours. The airport access road connects to the M20 highway providing relatively direct routing to central areas. Yandex Taxi operates from designated pickup zones outside the terminal building with fares typically 15 to 25 percent below official taxi rates.
Marshrutka minibus services numbered K39 follow the same route as bus 39 to Moskovskaya metro station with more frequent departures during daytime hours but irregular evening schedules. Fares match standard bus pricing at approximately 55 to 65 rubles. These minibuses accommodate fewer passengers and fill rapidly during peak arrival times creating potential waiting periods of 20 to 30 minutes for available vehicles.
International arrivals areas at Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Pulkovo all contain currency exchange counters operating 24 hours daily. Exchange rates at airport locations typically include margins of 5 to 8 percent above interbank rates representing less favorable terms than city-center exchange offices. Banks including Sberbank, VTB, and Alfa-Bank operate exchange counters in terminal buildings alongside independent exchange operators. Exchanging minimal amounts sufficient for immediate transport needs then conducting larger exchanges at urban bank branches provides better rate optimization.
ATM machines accepting international Visa and Mastercard networks are located in baggage claim areas and arrivals halls at all major Russian airports. Daily withdrawal limits vary by issuing bank but typically range from 10,000 to 50,000 rubles per transaction with most machines dispensing only 1,000 and 5,000 ruble notes. Transaction fees applied by Russian ATM operators range from 200 to 400 rubles per withdrawal in addition to any foreign transaction fees charged by the card-issuing bank. Tinkoff Bank and Alfa-Bank ATMs generally apply lower fees than smaller bank networks.
The Russian ruble exists only in cash and non-cash forms with no official subdivision currently in circulation below one ruble. Coins exist in denominations of 1, 2, 5, and 10 rubles alongside 10 and 50 kopek pieces, though kopek coins see limited practical use. Banknotes circulate in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 rubles. The 200 and 2,000 ruble notes entered circulation in 2017. Retailers in major cities accept payment cards widely though cash remains necessary for marshrutka services, small kiosks, and market vendors.
Mobile network operators MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, and Tele2 maintain sales kiosks in the arrivals areas of Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Pulkovo airports. Prepaid SIM cards require passport presentation for registration under Russian telecommunications regulations enacted in 2014. Tourist-oriented packages typically include 10 to 30 gigabytes of data with 500 to 1,000 minutes of domestic calling for 30-day periods priced between 400 and 800 rubles depending on provider and data allocation.
MTS operates Russia's largest mobile network covering approximately 96 percent of the population with LTE service available in all major urban areas. The company maintains the most extensive coverage in remote Siberian and Far Eastern regions. Beeline, owned by VEON Ltd., provides competitive urban coverage with generally lower pricing structures particularly for data-heavy packages. MegaFon holds official partnerships with Russian Railways providing enhanced coverage along major rail corridors including the Trans-Siberian route.
Activation procedures require sales staff to photograph the purchaser's passport information pages and complete registration forms linking the SIM card to passport details. This process typically requires 10 to 20 minutes at airport kiosks during non-peak hours. SIM cards activate immediately upon purchase with account balances and data allowances accessible through provider-specific mobile applications available in English language versions.
International roaming agreements exist between major Russian carriers and most European and North American networks, though roaming charges typically exceed 500 rubles per day for data access making local SIM purchase more economical for stays exceeding two days. Russian SIM cards function throughout the territory of the Russian Federation including Kaliningrad Oblast exclave and Far Eastern regions without additional roaming fees.
International arrivals at Russian airports proceed through passport control where Federal Security Service (FSB) border guards verify travel documents and migration cards. The migration card, a double-sheet paper form distributed on inbound flights or available at airport immigration areas, requires completion in either Russian or English. Travelers must retain one portion of the migration card for the duration of their stay and present it upon departure. Immigration officers stamp both passport and migration card with entry date and location.
Visa holders face scrutiny of visa validity dates, permitted entry points, and invitation letter correspondence during passport control. Officers may request supporting documentation including hotel reservations or invitation letters though such requests occur inconsistently. Processing time per passenger averages two to four minutes during normal periods but extends significantly when multiple international flights arrive simultaneously. Sheremetyevo terminal D and E immigration areas contain 30 to 40 control booths though staffing levels vary creating bottlenecks during peak periods.
Baggage claim areas at all major Russian airports operate conveyor belt systems with electronic display boards indicating flight numbers and assigned belts in Cyrillic and Latin scripts. Luggage delivery typically begins 20 to 30 minutes after aircraft arrival with complete offloading requiring an additional 20 to 40 minutes for wide-body international aircraft. Lost baggage offices operated by individual airlines or handling agents maintain locations near baggage claim areas with staff availability ranging from limited English capability to functional fluency.
Customs procedures follow a red channel and green channel system with green indicating nothing to declare and red for declaring items exceeding duty-free allowances. Current regulations permit duty-free import of goods valued up to 10,000 euros per person including up to three liters of alcoholic beverages and 200 cigarettes. Customs officers randomly select passengers from green channels for baggage inspection particularly those arriving from non-CIS countries. Inspection procedures range from cursory examination to complete unpacking of luggage with durations from two minutes to 30 minutes.
Russian law requires foreign visitors to register their place of residence within seven business days of arrival, excluding weekends and national holidays. Hotels and registered accommodation facilities typically process registration automatically as part of check-in procedures providing guests with registration documentation. The registration slip, issued on official forms or hotel letterhead, must be retained and presented to authorities if requested.
Private accommodation including Airbnb rentals requires landlords to complete registration at local post office branches or multifunctional centers (MFC). Many property owners unfamiliar with or unwilling to complete registration procedures creates complications for visitors staying in private rentals. Failure to register incurs administrative fines ranging from 2,000 to 7,000 rubles for visitors and larger penalties for hosts. Enforcement occurs primarily during police document checks or at departure immigration where officers may question visitors lacking registration documentation.
Moscow and Saint Petersburg maintain the strictest registration enforcement with document checks occurring at metro stations, public squares, and during routine street patrols. Regional cities demonstrate more relaxed enforcement though legal requirements remain identical throughout the Russian Federation. Visitors planning stays under seven days must still obtain registration though the time pressure reduces if departure occurs before the deadline.
The registration system operates separately from visa control with registration documents serving as internal population tracking rather than border control mechanisms. Some hotels process registration immediately while others require 24 to 48 hours for documentation completion. Requesting registration confirmation at check-in ensures timely processing and reduces departure complications.
Airport arrival areas at Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Vnukovo contain limited English signage outside of immigration and customs zones. Cyrillic script dominates directional signs, departure boards, and facility indicators requiring familiarity with basic Cyrillic alphabet or reliance on pictographic symbols. Translation applications on mobile devices provide essential navigation assistance though require either international data roaming or airport WiFi connectivity.
Free WiFi networks operate in all major Russian airport terminals requiring SMS verification to Russian mobile numbers or email registration. Signal strength and bandwidth vary significantly with faster connections in terminal shopping areas compared to gate zones. Some airports impose 30-minute connection limits requiring periodic re-authentication.
Food and beverage options in Russian airport terminals include international chains such as Burger King and Sbarro alongside domestic options serving traditional Russian items including blini, pelmeni, and various salads. Pricing at airport restaurants typically exceeds city-center establishments by 30 to 50 percent. Coffee chains Shokoladnitsa and Coffee House maintain multiple locations in larger terminals. Payment by credit card functions at chain restaurants while smaller kiosks may require cash.
Luggage storage facilities operate at Sheremetyevo terminals D, E, and F and at Domodedovo main terminal charging approximately 500 to 800 rubles per day depending on bag size. Storage facilities require passport presentation and issue claim tickets for retrieval. Operating hours typically run from 06:00 to 23:00 limiting access during late night or early morning periods.
Smoking areas exist only outside terminal buildings at all Russian airports following smoking ban regulations implemented nationwide. Indoor smoking rooms were eliminated from Russian airports between 2014 and 2017. Designated outdoor smoking zones sit at various distances from terminal entrances depending on facility layout.