2004 Moscow Reports

**Doctor_Skank** · 10-14-04 07:40

Cheapest transport into town from the airports:

As Dinghy reported, at both airports their are so-called "route taxis" that will take you to the nearest metro station. They cost about 2-3 US$, or even less if I remember correctly. In any case, very cheap.

These are minibuses with about 10 seats in them. When exiting the airport, march past the taxi drivers ignoring them or saying just "net" without looking at them and head for the microbuses. There will usually be a line of people standing waiting for them. At Sher II they are basically straight outside, although their location changes sometimes as the airport adjusts to new security ordinances. At Domo they are to your left as you leave. There is also a TRAIN into town from Domo, but this leaves only every hour if I recall correctly.

On the side of the bus there is a small sign that lists it's destinations. The sign is in cyrillic, so you'll have to be able to read that. Look for a word on the sign that says "m.something..." The m. means it is going to a metro station. Or just ask the people around the bus "metro??" and someone will eventually help you.

The Sher II buses go to Rechnoy Voksal (green line) or Planernaya (purple line). Either way you'd have to exit the minibus there and take that metro, changing metros once again to get to Kievskaya Station.

I can't remember where the Domo buses went to, but it was on the green line. YOu'd have to change trains on that line to get to your hotel as well.

The buses are quite dirty, the passengers can be surly if you have too many bags and it really is kind of a hassle. It is doable though, I've done it a few times.

For a first timer though, I suggest you bite the bullet and TAKE A TAXI. You can get a taxi for $30 if you are resilient. After walking outside the building the taxi prices go down and you can find a driver for $30. Just be resilient and if he won't bargain keep walking.

Taking the "marschrut" bus, walking up an down metro stairs, changing trains, walking from Kievskaya metro to the hotel (which is a couple hundred meters) getting stopped by the militia who will stop you if you are carrying big bags into the metro, struggling to get all your bags in the metro before the doors close, pissing off other metro passngers with your big bags etc... probably not the best way to start your holiday... I've taken the route bus more than once and you will get into town... but in the end, paying $30 would have been worth avoiding the hassle.

**Dinghy** · 10-14-04 06:01

Arrivals and taxis at SVO (or not, which is what I will explain)

Assuming you aren't constrained in time and need to take a taxi - Avoiding the taxi is easy. Exit and look (or ask GID-yeh MEE-cro-bus - more like -oo- sound than the english "bus", though) should be right out at the kerb. It costs 50P to get to Rochnoy Voksal Metro station. (IF you have big bags, just buy 2 seats and stack the bags in a seat) From there, ride the Metro. There IS a local bus that goes there (Rochnoy) as well but I have no idea when it leaves or where it stops - someone mentioned the bus last year in this forum. The Metro is fast and is certainly CHEAP and is great value for the money. Hiking thru the stations with bags can be a bit of a chore, though because of the steps in the level changes. Just ignore the taxi mafia and spend maybe $3 to get where you want to go. (My 2P worth anyway)

As to DME - no experience with that airport so can give no advice.

**CA Traveler** · 10-14-04 06:01

seek rus...
Thanks for asking...

Go to the commercial postings and you'll see my comments and website address in the Russia section.

**BodyRockerForU** · 10-14-04 05:33

Myownagain,

I have stayed in Radisson SAS Slavyanskaya in the past and it is Girl Friendly. In the day time you can just walk the girl to your room or she can come on her own also. In the night time the security will ask the girl to register herself and that is for your own security.

They also have a night club with Strip tease / Top Less shows. When you enter the lobby walk straight ahead towards the end, you will pass the in house restaurants as well as shopping area and right at the end is the night club. The entrance fee was 600 or 900 Ruble ( I don't remember exactly ) and they do have girls in there. Most of them I found were 8 and some 9. These girls ask for 300 US$ and can be brought down to around 250- 200 normally. If it is late and they have less chances of getting picked up it is easy for you to get them at 200$ but not sure if it can be less then that.

They have nice heath club / Swimming pool . Also body massage available in house which is pure vegetarian, so don't try unless you just want a normal massage.

Good Luck for your trip.

BR

**CA Traveler** · 10-14-04 05:20

moa... Assuming that it is the Radisson near Kievskaya station/metro, no problem walking to the center from there. Be surre to bring your hiking shoes, it's not an easy stroll. Yes, you do have to cross the river and then you can head for the Arbat, old or new, and it will take you to the Kremlin and then to the left will take you to Tverskaya. Of course, you can cut the corner and reduce the distance, but you'll have to keep your bearings because some of the side streets can be confusing.

You should be able to get a cab on the street for 100 rubles, but near the hotel they'll probably want at least 300.

You can also take the metro. If you want to go to the Red Square area, it is one stop on the blue line. If you want to go to CF it is four stops on the brown circle line, or a few more if you go the wrong way, or three stops on the blue line. The stop is Kurskaya, CF is across the Garden Ring... it is the only one-story building and you can't really miss it.

You'll probably have to fight the taxi mafia in the arrival area. If you can't get someone to pick you up, you'll wind up paying $50 or more depending on the airport. If you're at Domodedovo, you can take the train to the brown line and then either take the metro or get a car.

I've never stayed at the Radisson, but I seem to recall people reporting that it is girl friendly and that there are some working girls there, BUT you will pay NF prices for a limited selection. I strongly suggest that you get out and see what is out there.

**Seek Rus** · 10-14-04 02:36

CA_T

How I can I found out about your website? I being reading your post and Doctor for a long time now but i cant PM you for some reason, let me know.

**Roger Mellie** · 10-13-04 22:56

Skank:

What did you do with that champagne bottle at the bottom of your pic. The dyev is looking at it longingly

**CA Traveler** · 10-13-04 22:16

Damn guys... You guys take much better shots of my apartments than I do! Have you copyrighted these shots or can I add them to my website??? Maybe that's an idea... a Monger link that re-directs potential monger clients to monger shots taken in the apartments... You couldn't ask for a better testimonial.

Maybe that could be the making of a real contest! Maybe even an MSP Calendar, I could sell it in the metro in the off months!

If there was just a way to claim that the dyva came about because of the digs.

RM... don't exaggerate... that is not a $150 apartment. As I recall it cost about 70 GB pounds. However, I could double the price if you could convince the dyvushka to live there.

**My Own Again** · 10-13-04 21:18

Hi,

I am going to Moscow soon on a short business trip. I have been booked into Radisson Sas Slavyanskaya Hotel which seems to have special discounts this time of the year. Can anyone tell me if it is safe to walk to the city centre, day and/or evenings, or do I have to take a taxi? I think I have to cross the river.

What is the cheapest/best way to get to the hotel from the airports Sheremetovo 2/ Domodedovo? (I don't know yet which airline I am flying).

Last but not least: Is the hotel girlfriend friendly? Are there any resident girls there or can I take one from the outside?

**Doctor_Skank** · 10-13-04 19:14

RM:

I think it is about time you visited Russia again. Winter is approaching and those girls are getting cold and lonely.

Apartments fellas. It is the only way to go.

**Roger Mellie** · 10-13-04 18:43

And somewhere for your dyev or two to make themselves feel appropriately homely - barefoot and in the kitchen, while you simulate making them pregnant