Arriving in Moscow and wondering how to get from the airport to the city center quickly and affordably? Here’s what actually works in 2026.
Moscow’s Three Airports
Sheremetyevo (SVO), about 29 km north of the centre, handles most international flights. Domodedovo (DME), 42 km south, is the busiest for domestic traffic. Vnukovo (VKO), 28 km southwest, is the closest to the centre. All three connect to the city by Aeroexpress train.
Aeroexpress Train
The fastest and most reliable option from any of the three airports. Sheremetyevo connects to Belorussky station in about 35 minutes, Domodedovo to Paveletsky station in about 45, and Vnukovo to Kievsky station in about 35. Trains run every 30 minutes and tickets can be bought online, at kiosks, or via vending machines at the airport.
Metro
Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo have reasonably direct metro access; from Domodedovo, most travellers take the Aeroexpress to Paveletskaya first, then continue on the metro. A single ride costs around 60 rubles, paid in cash or with a Troika card bought at the station.
Taxi and Ride-Hailing
All three airports have official taxi stands outside arrivals — use these rather than accepting an approach from someone in the terminal. Uber does not operate in Moscow. Yandex Go is the ride-hailing app most people use instead, but it requires a Russian phone number to register, and payment is by cash or Mir card, not foreign bank cards. If you haven’t picked up a local SIM yet, the Aeroexpress or metro is the simplest way into the city on day one.
Car Rental
Major Western rental brands suspended their Russian operations after 2022, so don’t expect to find familiar international names at the arrivals hall. Local and regional rental agencies do operate at all three airports; book through a local agency’s own site rather than assuming a Western brand will have a desk there.
Budget Tips
The metro and buses are the cheapest way in; the Aeroexpress costs more but is faster and still reasonable. Whichever option you choose, remember foreign-issued cards won’t work for payment on any of them — carry rubles in cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uber available at Moscow airports?
No. Use Yandex Go, the Aeroexpress, or an official airport taxi stand instead.
What’s the fastest way from the airport to central Moscow?
The Aeroexpress train, connecting each of the three main airports directly to a central railway station in 35–45 minutes.
Anastasia is a Moscow-based travel blog writer who brings a local’s insight to one of the world’s most fascinating and misunderstood cities. Born and raised in Moscow, Russia, Anastasia shares an authentic, on-the-ground perspective on what it’s really like to explore the city beyond the postcards.
Her writing focuses on tourism in Moscow, practical guides for first-time visitors, and hidden corners that most travelers miss. In addition, Anastasia writes extensively about expat life in Moscow, covering everyday realities such as housing, transportation, cultural differences, and settling into life in the Russian capital.
As a solo traveler in her own city, she also documents Moscow through the lens of independence and curiosity — from navigating the metro alone at night to discovering cafés, museums, and neighborhoods that feel welcoming for solo visitors. Her work blends local knowledge with honest personal experience, helping travelers and expats alike feel more confident, informed, and inspired when discovering Moscow on their own terms.