Airports
In this section you will find information about airports in Moscow, including all airports in general and each separately, transport and transfer services between the cities and airports as well as some useful airport tips such as currency exchange rates, taxi desks and much more.
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS IN MOSCOW
Moscow, Russia is serviced by over ten airports, three of which are international: Sheremetyevo (terminals D, E, F), Vnukovo (terminal B) and Domodedovo. All these terminals have been renovated recently and have up-to-date infrastructure. In each terminal you will find flight information screens and airport navigation in English, ATMs and branch banks, taxi order desks and cafes. Three Sheremetyevo terminals are interconnected and passengers can walk via passages.
Domodedovo airport is the furthest one from the Moscow city center (45 km), while other airports are located within 30 km. You can easily get from any airport to the city center by high-speed train called “Aeroexpress” (the ticket costs RUB 500 and the journey takes about 40 minutes) or by taking a taxi (it costs RUB 1 500 – 2 200 and the duration of the journey varies from 40 minutes to 2 hours and depends on the traffic). It may be a better idea for a visitor to take the high-speed train to alleviate language barriers. There is no direct fast service to get you from one airport to another, so if you have flight transfers in Moscow it might take two hours or more to get from one airport to another, for example between Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo.
AEROEXPRESS: THE SPECIAL MOSCOW AIRPORT EXPRESS TRAIN
The high-speed Aeroexpress trains cover the route between each international airport and Moscow center train stations that are connected with metro stations. These trains, travelling without stops, start every day at regular intervals from 6:00 to 23:30. The Moscow metro is open from 5:30 to 1:00. It is possible to buy a ticket at a ticket office or by using an automatic self-service terminal that accepts both cash and bank cards (Visa, MasterCard), as well as via the web-site at https://www.aeroexpress.ru/en. Automatic self-service terminals support 5 foreign languages: Chinese, English, French, German and Italian.
From Sheremetyevo airport trains arrive at Belorussky railway station (connected to Belorusskaya metro station), from Vnukovo – at Kievsky railway station (connected to Kievskaya metro station), from Domodedovo – at Paveletsky railway station (connected to Paveletskaya metro station). All the three railway stations are located in the central part of the city. The ticket price is RUB 500 – for a one way ticket, RUB 1000 – for a return (round trip) ticket. When buying online you will get a discount: RUB 420 and RUB 840 respectively. Free Wi-Fi is available in trains. Aeroexpress trains and ticket selling machines are easy to recognize. In each airport there are clear navigation signs guiding you to the trains: follow any of these direction signs “To trains”, “Train to Moscow” and “To Aeroexpress”. Many of them are in a distinctive bright red color.
The following Moscow airports map shows the location of Moscow airports and Aeroexpress routes from each airport.
MOSCOW AIRPORTS IN A NUTSHELL
General recommendations for international airports in Moscow:
- In most cases currency exchange rates at the airport is 5-10% higher than in the city (or in bank branches). Therefore you are better off exchanging small amount just to last you until you get to the city. Please see the CURRENCY AND BANKS section of the website for more details.
- If you choose to take a taxi from the airport to the city, make sure to book and pay at the dedicated taxi desks that are located in all airports and that have official fixed price lists. It is never a good idea to follow a man holding a “Taxi” sign in his hand as you might end up paying a considerably higher price or worse using an illegal taxi service. Please see the TAXI section of the website for more details.
- Every time you enter an airport terminal you will have to pass the procedure of luggage and hand baggage safety control check. It is an integral part of reinforced safety measures. In high season this process may take you quite a bit of extra time.
- The maximum amount of cash and cheques allowed for import / export as that do not need to be declared can not exceed USD 10 000. Larger amounts have to be declared. Please see the CUSTOMS AND BORDER section of the website for more details.
- Keep (and do not lose) your immigration card. You will need it when passing the border control (passport control) in the airport on your way back home. Please see the CUSTOMS AND BORDER section of the website for more details.
- Smoking is prohibited at all airports.
- It is not recommended that you make photos of airports – to avoid being suspected of espionage.
- In every terminal you will find a Mother & Child Room, equipped for changing, feeding and nursing. The service is free however requires a boarding pass.
DOMODEDOVO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (DME)
Address: Domodedovo airport, Domodedovsky area, Moscow oblast, 142015
GPRS: 55° 24′ 31.63″ N, 37° 54′ 22.73″ E
Website: http://www.domodedovo.ru/en/
Airport code: DME
Aeroexpress timetable: Runs every 30 minutes
Distance from Aeroexpress platform to Departures area: 3-5 minute walk
Distance from Arrivals area to Aeroexpress platform: 8-10 minute walk
Number of check-in desks: Over 150
Rent-a-car: Yes
Distinctive features: The airport has few flight information screens in the departures zone. In high season the airport is overcrowded; long queues may occur at the entrance to the airport and in the pre-flight inspection area. The terminal is equipped with two taxi desks. On the second floor of the terminal you will find an excellent selection of cafés and restaurants, as well as banks and souvenir shops.
VNUKOVO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (VKO)
Address: 12/2, 1st Reysovaya street, Vnukovo village, Moscow, 119027
GPRS: 55°35’29″N 37°15’41 E
Website: http://www.vnukovo.ru/en/
Airport code: VKO
Aeroexpress timetable: Runs every 60 minutes generally
Distance from Aeroexpress platform to Departures area: 3-5 minute walk
Distance from Arrivals area to Aeroexpress platform: 3-5 minute walk
Number of check-in desks: 140
Rent-a-car: Yes
Distinctive features: Vnukovo is one of the most comfortable terminals. A taxi desk is located in the Domestic flights arrivals area. On the second floor of the terminal you will find an excellent selection of cafés and restaurants, as well as banks and souvenir shops.
SHEREMETYEVO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SVO)
Terminal D
Address: terminal D, Sheremetyevo airport, Khimki town, Moscow oblast, 141400
GPRS: 55° 57′ 44″ N, 37° 24′ 19″ E
Website: http://www.svo.aero/en/
Airport code: SVO
Aeroexpress timetable: Starts every 30 minutes
Distance from Aeroexpress platform to Departures area: 10-15 minute walk
Distance from Arrivals area to Aeroexpress platform: 15-20 minute walk
Number of check-in desks: 100
Rent-a-car: Yes
Distinctive features: Sheremetyevo D is one of the most comfortable terminals. Still, it may be overcrowded in high season; there may be queues at the entrance to the airport and in the pre-flight inspection area. A taxi desk is located to the right in the Arrivals area. In the Departures hall (floor 3) you will find an excellent selection of cafés and restaurants, as well as banks and souvenir shops.
SHEREMETYEVO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SVO)
Terminal E
Address: terminal E, Sheremetyevo airport, Khimki town, Moscow oblast, 141400
GPRS: 55° 58′ 0″ N, 37° 24′ 0″ E
Website: http://www.svo.aero/en/
Airport code: SVO
Aeroexpress timetable: Runs every 30 minutes
Distance from Aeroexpress platform to Departures area: 3-5 minute walk
Distance from Arrivals area to Aeroexpress platform: 3-5 minute walk
Number of check-in desks: 40
Rent-a-car: No, it is located in terminal D
Distinctive features: Sheremetyevo E is one of the most comfortable terminals. A taxi desk is located to the right in the Arrivals area. Cafés, restaurants and banks are located in the Departures hall (floor 2).
SHEREMETYEVO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SVO)
Terminal F
Address: terminal F, Sheremetyevo airport, Khimki town, Moscow oblast, 141400
GPRS: 55° 58′ 2″ N, 37° 24′ 59″ E
Website: http://www.svo.aero/en/
Airport code:
Aeroexpress timetable: Runs every 30 minutes
Distance from Aeroexpress platform to Departures area: 8-10 minute walk
Distance from Arrivals area to Aeroexpress platform: 10-12 minute walk
Number of check-in desks: 50
Rent-a-car: No, it is located in terminal D
Distinctive features: Sheremetyevo F is the oldest international terminal. But airport navigation is very clear, it is equipped with many flight information screens. A taxi desk is located in the Arrivals area. Cafés, restaurants and banks banks are located in the Departures area.
total number of grades: 7, average rating: 4.29 from 5)
