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Red Square is the heartbeat of Moscow, its buildings telling the story of Russia’s past. The Kremlin stands along one side of the square. Inside, this ancient seat of the Tsars and now, President Medvedev, is studded with treasures. Here you’ll find magnificent frosted churches, wedding-cake style, such as the Assumption Cathedral, Archangel’s and Annunciation Cathedrals. Russia’s might is apparent on Ivan Square, where the Tsar Bell and Tsar Cannon stand and the Arsenal is on Senatskaya Square. The palaces – the Residence of Russian Tsars and Patriarchs and Grand Kremlin Palace – are suitably awe-inspiring.
Probably the most famous site in Red Square is St Basil’s Cathedral with its ornate onion domes and swirling colours, which comprises nine separate chapels.
The GUM, the shopping mall, is where you’ll find expression of the new Russia. There are more than 150 shops and stalls, big Western brands and huge prices. For more affordable souvenirs such as matrioshka dolls, get to the Old Arbat or Ismailovo Market.
The cheapest and best way to get around Moscow is by metro. Purchase your ticket at one of the metro stations, which are decorated with artwork and sculptures. You can buy tickets for single or multiple trips. For areas that the metro doesn’t reach, take a tram or bus. Tram and bus tickets are cheapest at metro stations or kiosks, but you can also buy tickets from the driver. Make sure you validate your ticket when you board the bus.
Marshrutky (minibus shuttles that drive along bus routes) and taxis can be flagged down for short trips. It’s easy to get private cars confused with taxis, so make sure you agree on a fare ahead of time. If you’re going to the airport, or taking a long trip, you should call ahead for a taxi.
If you do rent your own car in Moscow, take note of the rules. Sounding your claxon is only allowed in emergencies and your car must have seat belts, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher and an emergency triangle or red light. If you can, avoid driving at night. Drunk driving happens often, despite being illegal.
Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) is situated 16 miles (26 km) northwest of Moscow.
Domodedovo International Airport (DME) is located 22 miles (35km) from the city centre. Taxis are available from outside both terminals; passengers should avoid the renegade taxi drivers and go to the official taxi counter. Rates are fixed. There is an express bus services, which leaves from outside Sheremetyevo 1 and 2 for the nearby metro stations that connect to the city centre. Minibuses are also available.
Moscow Domodedovo Airport is located 42km (26 miles) from central Moscow. It serves the area alongside the depressing Sheremetyevo International Airport, offering passengers a modern and much more cheerful entry point to the proud culture and history of Russia.
Processing more than 22 million passengers each year, flights to Moscow Domodedovo Airport come from all over the world, including major cities such as London, Cairo, Hong Kong, Madrid, Athens, Berlin, Vienna, Dubai, Tokyo, Barcelona, Houston, Singapore, Lisbon, Washington DC, Tel Aviv and Doha.
The airport also serves a number of domestic routes, and many passengers pass a few hours here on their way to St Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Krasnoyarsk and other Russian cities. The huge numbers of passengers in a relatively small facility mean long queues are a common experience.
In early 2011 Moscow Domodedovo Airport was hit by a terrorist attack, so security has been much tighter ever since. It’s best to leave plenty of extra time for delays when catching a flight from the airport.
Located 29km (18 miles) north-west of central Moscow, Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) is Russia’s second largest airport. In 2010 it handled over 19 million passengers.
With Terminals A-C on the northern side of the airport’s two runways, and Terminals D-F on the southern side, the airport spans a massive area and therefore requires travel time of up to 20 minutes between terminals. Various retail and duty free stores are scattered throughout all terminals, parking lots are conveniently located near to each terminal, and transport to and from the city is plentiful, and facilities are neat and tidy. Although chaotic at times, staff at Sheremetyevo International are generally friendly and airport processes efficient.