Sheremetyevo International Airport

Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) is Moscow's largest and busiest airport, serving as the primary hub for Aeroflot, Russia's flag carrier. Located 29 km northwest of central Moscow in Khimki, Moscow Oblast, SVO handles over 43 million passengers annually, making it the busiest airport in Russia and one of the top ten busiest in Europe.

The airport is divided into two terminal complexes:

Northern Complex (Terminals B and C)

• Terminal B: Domestic flights, Aeroflot's domestic hub (opened 2018)
• Terminal C: International flights, connected to Terminal B

Southern Complex (Terminals D, E, and F)

• Terminal D: Aeroflot international hub, SkyTeam partners (opened 2009)
• Terminal E: International flights, connector between D and F (opened 2010)
• Terminal F: International flights (previously Sheremetyevo-2, currently under renovation)

The Northern and Southern complexes are connected by an underground automated people mover (APM) that takes 5-8 minutes. Terminals D, E, and F in the Southern complex are connected by pedestrian walkways with travelators.

Moscow's Other Airports

Moscow has three major airports. Always verify which airport your flight uses.

Domodedovo (DME) - 49 km south

• Second largest Moscow airport
• S7 Airlines hub, various international carriers
• Aeroexpress to Paveletsky Station (45 min)
• Best for: Southern Russia connections, non-Aeroflot flights

Vnukovo (VKO) - 52 km southwest

• Third Moscow airport, growing international traffic
• Pobeda (Aeroflot's low-cost subsidiary), Utair
• Aeroexpress to Kievsky Station (35 min)
• Best for: Budget domestic flights, Central Asian destinations

Comparison:

Airport	Main Carriers	To Central Moscow	Cost
Sheremetyevo (SVO)	Aeroflot, SkyTeam	50 min (Aeroexpress)	500-650 RUB
Domodedovo (DME)	S7, various	45 min (Aeroexpress)	500-650 RUB
Vnukovo (VKO)	Pobeda, Utair	35 min (Aeroexpress)	500-650 RUB

Pro tip: All three airports connect to different Moscow railway stations. For connections between airports, allow at least 4-5 hours due to traffic variability. Aeroexpress is the only reliable option to avoid congestion.

SVO is located 29 km northwest of central Moscow. Travel times vary significantly with traffic:

• Off-peak: 40-60 minutes to city center
• Rush hour (weekday mornings 7-10am, evenings 5-8pm): 90-150 minutes

Destination	Off-Peak	Rush Hour
Red Square/Kremlin	45-60 min	90-150 min
Tverskaya/Pushkinskaya	40-50 min	80-120 min
Moscow City (business district)	35-45 min	70-100 min

The Aeroexpress train is the most reliable option, avoiding Moscow's notorious traffic completely.

Uber is not available in Russia. The dominant rideshare service is Yandex Go (formerly Yandex.Taxi), which absorbed Uber Russia's operations.

Yandex Go

Yandex Go is the standard taxi app in Russia. Download before arrival.

Destination	Economy Fare	Comfort Fare
City center	900-1,500 RUB (~$10-17 USD)	1,200-2,000 RUB (~$13-22 USD)
Khimki	460-600 RUB (~$5-7 USD)	600-800 RUB (~$7-9 USD)
Moscow City	800-1,200 RUB (~$9-13 USD)	1,000-1,500 RUB (~$11-17 USD)

Pickup locations are at designated taxi areas outside arrivals. Wait time is typically 3-5 minutes after booking.

Official Airport Taxis

Yellow taxis with the iTaksi system operate from designated stands in each terminal. Fares are zone-based and posted at the stands.

Tips:

• Always use official taxis or Yandex Go - avoid unlicensed drivers
• Confirm the driver uses the meter or agrees to the zone fare
• Payment by card is accepted in official taxis
• Night surcharge (midnight-6am) adds approximately 50%

Aeroexpress Train

The Aeroexpress is the fastest and most reliable way to reach central Moscow, bypassing traffic entirely.

Route: Sheremetyevo ↔ Belorussky Railway Station Journey time: 50 minutes (35 minutes to Okruzhnaya) Frequency: Every 30 minutes Operating hours: 5:30 AM - 12:30 AM

Stops at SVO:

• Northern Complex (Terminals B, C)
• Southern Complex (Terminals D, E, F)

Fares (2025):

Ticket Type	Price
Standard one-way	500-650 RUB (~$5.50-7 USD)
Standard round-trip	850-1,200 RUB (~$9-13 USD)
Business class	1,500 RUB (~$17 USD)
Children 7-14	Discounted (Family fare)
Children under 7	Free

Book in advance on aeroexpress.ru for lower fares (500 RUB vs 650 RUB day-of).

From Belorussky Station, connect to the Moscow Metro (green and brown lines) for onward travel.

Express Bus

Route 1195: Sheremetyevo ↔ Khovrino Metro Station

• Terminals B, C: Bus stop at Northern Complex
• Terminals D, E, F: Route 1195D

Details:

• Fare: 190 RUB (~$2 USD) per trip; 15-ride pass 2,850 RUB
• Frequency: Every 10-15 minutes
• Journey time: 20-30 minutes (traffic dependent)
• Operating hours: 24 hours (reduced frequency overnight)

At Khovrino station, connect to the Zamoskvoretskaya (green) Metro line.

Municipal Buses

Cheaper but slower options:

• Bus 817: SVO to Planernaya Metro (Tagansko-Krasnopresnenskaya line)
• Bus 851: SVO to Rechnoy Vokzal Metro (Zamoskvoretskaya line)

Fare: 62 RUB (~$0.70 USD) with Troika card Frequency: Every 10-20 minutes Journey time: 33-55 minutes depending on terminal

SVO offers extensive parking facilities managed by ParkingSVO.

Rates (as of April 2024)

Parking B and C (near Terminals B, C):

Duration	Rate
1st-2nd hour	400 RUB/hour (~$4.50 USD)
1-4 days	1,200 RUB/day (~$13 USD)
5-30 days	1,000 RUB/day (~$11 USD)
31+ days	1,200 RUB/day

Budget Parking (Novoe Highway, shuttle to terminals):

• 400 RUB/day (~$4.50 USD)
• Free 24-hour shuttle service

Aeroexpress Long-Term Parking:

• 500 RUB/day (~$5.50 USD)
• Walking distance to all terminals

First 15 minutes free in short-term parking for pickup/drop-off.

Families with many children receive a 25% discount on all parking.

Pre-book at parking.svo.aero for potential savings.

Dining options are concentrated in the Southern Complex (Terminals D, E, F), with Terminal D offering the most variety.

Terminal D (International)

• Russian Standard Restaurant: Traditional Russian cuisine - borscht, beef stroganoff, pelmeni
• Shokoladnitsa: Russian cafe chain - coffee, pastries, light meals
• Starbucks: Coffee and snacks
• Burger King, Subway, KFC: Fast food options
• Sushi bars: Japanese options available

Terminal E

• Pub-style restaurants: International menu, beer selection
• Sushi bar: Fresh Japanese options
• Quick-service restaurants: Various international chains

Terminals B/C (Domestic)

• Shokoladnitsa: Cafe with Russian pastries
• Fast food options: Standard airport fare
• Limited compared to Southern Complex

Tips

• 24-hour restaurants are available in the Southern Complex
• Prices are 30-50% higher than Moscow city restaurants
• Budget 600-1,200 RUB (~$7-13 USD) for a meal
• For authentic Russian food, try Russian Standard Restaurant or any offering pelmeni, blini, or borscht

Free WiFi is available throughout all terminals.

Network: "Sheremetyevo WiFi" or "SVO_Free" Registration: SMS verification required (enter phone number) Speed: Adequate for browsing and messaging Duration: Unlimited

For faster connections, use the business lounges which offer premium WiFi speeds.

Mobile data coverage from all major Russian carriers (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2) is excellent throughout the airport.

SIM cards are available from kiosks and stores in the arrival halls of Terminals D, E, and F.

Available Carriers

• MegaFon: Best coverage, good tourist packages
• MTS: Largest network, reliable service
• Beeline: Competitive pricing
• Tele2: Budget option

Where to Buy

• Terminal D: Tele2 (arrivals level 1), MegaFon (departures level 3)
• Terminals E, F: Various carrier kiosks in arrivals
• Some kiosks operate 24 hours

Typical Plans (2025)

Carrier	Package	Price	Includes
MegaFon	Tourist	750 RUB (~$8 USD)	30 GB data, 1 month
Beeline	Visitor	600 RUB (~$7 USD)	15 GB data, 500 min, 1 month
MTS	Prepaid	500 RUB (~$5.50 USD)	Basic data + calls
Tele2	Tourist	450 RUB (~$5 USD)	10 GB data, 2 weeks

Important requirements:

• Passport required for purchase (Russian law)
• Activation is immediate at carrier stores
• Since January 2025, SIM registration requirements have become stricter - purchase from official stores only

Caution: Avoid unofficial "temporary" kiosks that may overcharge tourists. Use permanent carrier stores in the arrivals hall.

ATMs are located throughout all terminals, operated by major Russian banks:

• Sberbank: Russia's largest bank
• VTB: Second largest
• Alfa-Bank: Major private bank
• Tinkoff: Modern bank with good rates

Currency: Russian Ruble (RUB/₽)

Currency Exchange

Exchange offices (Обмен валюты) are available throughout terminals. Airport rates include a 3-10% markup compared to city rates.

Recommendations:

• Withdraw rubles from ATMs for better rates
• Your bank's foreign transaction fee typically applies
• Avoid exchanging large amounts at the airport
• Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted in Moscow, but may have restrictions due to sanctions

Note: Due to international sanctions, some Western bank cards may not work at Russian ATMs. Check with your bank before travel and carry backup cash (USD or EUR) to exchange.

SVO has extensive duty-free shopping, primarily in the Southern Complex.

Duty-Free

The main duty-free operator offers a wide selection:

• Perfumes and cosmetics
• Alcohol (Russian vodka is popular)
• Tobacco products
• Luxury goods and accessories
• Electronics

Russian Souvenirs

Best buys for gifts:

• Russian vodka: Wide selection of premium brands
• Matryoshka dolls: Traditional nesting dolls
• Caviar: Black and red varieties (check import regulations)
• Amber jewelry: Baltic amber products
• Lacquer boxes: Hand-painted Palekh and Fedoskino
• Russian chocolate: Korkunov, Krasnyi Oktyabr brands

By Terminal

• Terminal D: Largest shopping area with luxury brands
• Terminal E: Good selection of Russian souvenirs
• Terminal F: Limited options during renovation
• Terminal B: Basic shops for domestic travelers

Allow 30-45 minutes for serious shopping before your flight.

SVO offers multiple lounges across terminals, with the best options in Terminal D.

Aeroflot Lounges

Terminal D (International):

• Moscow Lounge: Aeroflot Business Class, SkyTeam Elite Plus, Priority Pass
• Jazz Lounge: Aeroflot Business Class, SkyTeam Elite
• Blues Lounge: Aeroflot Business Class, SkyTeam Elite

Features: Hot and cold buffet, Russian cuisine options, bar service, showers, WiFi, rest areas

Terminal B (Domestic):

• Kandinsky Lounge: Large lounge (450+ capacity) for Aeroflot Business Class, SkyTeam Elite, Priority Pass. Features sleeping rooms, buffet, conference rooms.
• Rublyov Lounge: Aeroflot Business Class, SkyTeam Elite only

Priority Pass Lounges

• Moscow Lounge (Terminal D): Good food selection, can get crowded
• Kandinsky Lounge (Terminal B): Large, well-equipped for domestic flights
• All Star Lounge (Terminal F): 24/7, basic amenities

Pay-Per-Use

If you don't have status or lounge access:

• Primeclass Lounge: From 3,000 RUB (~$33 USD) walk-in
• Pre-book online for potential discounts

Tips

• Terminal D lounges are newer and generally better than Terminal F
• If in Terminal F with time, walk to Terminal D/E for better lounge options (10-15 minute walk, no passport control)
• Crowding can be an issue during peak hours

Inside the Airport (Airside)

Capsule Hotel (Terminal D transit zone): Sleep pods available for transit passengers without Russian visas. Book at the terminal.

Adjacent to Airport

Novotel Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport

• 200m from Terminals D, E, F
• 493 rooms, pool, fitness center, restaurants
• Free shuttle to Terminals B, C
• Transit section available for passengers without Russian visa
• From 6,000 RUB/night (~$66 USD)

Park Inn by Radisson Sheremetyevo

• 200m from Southern Complex
• Free shuttle to all terminals
• From 4,500 RUB/night (~$50 USD)

Near the Airport

• Hilton Garden Inn Moscow: 10-minute shuttle
• Holiday Inn Express: Budget option, shuttle service
• Various budget hotels: 3,000-5,000 RUB/night

For transit passengers who cannot or do not wish to obtain a Russian visa, the Novotel offers accommodation in a separate secured section.

Moscow is one of the world's great cities, with iconic historical sites and rich cultural offerings worth exploring during a long layover.

Must-See Attractions

Red Square and the Kremlin (50-70 min from SVO):

• Kremlin: Medieval fortress, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to cathedrals, museums, and the Russian president's residence. Armory Museum houses imperial treasures.
• St. Basil's Cathedral: Iconic colorful onion domes, Russia's most recognizable landmark
• Lenin's Mausoleum: Soviet leader's preserved body on display
• GUM Department Store: Historic shopping arcade with luxury boutiques

Entry fees:

• Kremlin grounds: 700 RUB (~$8 USD)
• Armory Museum: 1,000 RUB (~$11 USD)
• Diamond Fund: 500 RUB (~$5.50 USD)

Metro Stations: Okhotny Ryad, Ploshchad Revolyutsii, Biblioteka imeni Lenina

For Long Layovers (8+ hours)

With 8+ hours between flights, you can visit central Moscow:

1. Take Aeroexpress to Belorussky Station (50 min)
2. Metro to Okhotny Ryad (10 min)
3. Walk Red Square and St. Basil's exterior (1 hour)
4. Visit Kremlin grounds (2-3 hours) or GUM shopping (1 hour)
5. Return via same route

Allow 4 hours for round-trip transport and 4-5 hours for sightseeing.

Other Attractions

• Bolshoi Theatre: World-famous ballet and opera (book well in advance)
• Tretyakov Gallery: Russian art collection
• Gorky Park: Riverside park with cafes, boat rentals, winter ice skating
• Arbat Street: Historic pedestrian street with shops, cafes, street performers
• Moscow Metro: An attraction itself - ornate Soviet-era stations like Komsomolskaya, Mayakovskaya, Ploshchad Revolyutsii

Russian Food Essentials

• Borscht: Beetroot soup, served with sour cream
• Pelmeni: Russian dumplings filled with meat
• Blini: Thin pancakes with caviar, sour cream, or jam
• Beef Stroganoff: Sauteed beef in sour cream sauce
• Olivier Salad: Russian potato salad
• Kvass: Traditional fermented bread drink
• Vodka: Sample premium Russian brands

Practical Tips

• Currency: Russian Ruble (₽). Check card restrictions due to sanctions.
• Language: English is limited outside tourist areas. Download Google Translate with Russian offline.
• Metro: Buy a Troika card for convenient payment. Moscow Metro is efficient and architectural.
• Weather: Extremely cold winters (January -10 to -20C), pleasant summers (July 20-25C).
• Visa: Most nationalities need a Russian visa. Transit without visa allowed for under 24 hours in the airport transit zone.
• Dress code: Modest dress for churches and cathedrals. Women may need head coverings.

The Aeroexpress train makes quick Moscow trips feasible - you can reach Red Square in about an hour from the airport without traffic concerns.