Hi Motobelka

Thanks for this information, it helps a lot. I’ve been told by (Terri) the team coach that the hotel is being sorted out by NISA (National Ice Skating Association) and is very close to Olimpiysky sport plaza. I’ve not got a name for the place yet but as soon as I do I will update you.

Thanks for the tip about Mototaxi, the “MSK StuntCrew” sounds like a fun ride. how much do you think it would cost from the airport (Sheremetievo on friday 9th may at 20:15 i think )to the Olimpiysky sport plaza in a Taxi ? maybe a few, we have about 32 people coming over.

One other quick question I have is this. We are going to try and fit in some sights on Sunday. We would like to see Red Square and the Kremlin, is it far from Olimpiysky ? And what other things are worth a look nearby ?

If you know anybody that would like some dollars to act as a “Fixer” once we get clear of customs, maybe helping with transport and language problems to the hotel that would be cool. would be nice to get the kids in the hotel as soon as we can, ages are about 12-15 years..

Thanks
Shaun

impossible is nothing
Ãîñòèíèöà Ðåíåññàíñ Ìîñêâà. Çàáðîíèðîâàòü íîìåð â ãîñòèíèöå Ðåíåññàíñ, öåíû íà ðàçìåùåíèå i think that's the hotel. it's just at the back side of arena.
the taxi you need is a small bus .if one big bus it goes like EU 150-170 ( depends on the bus) if two smaller ones it 'll cost EU 200. if you try to get a taxi right at the airport that will be around EU 400.

olimpyisky is 10 min from red square on sunday. of course there are many more places to see but to sort them out we need to know the taste of the group. sightseeing or museums or art objects or extremals meeting points or just good places to eat.

fixer - of course thats possible, a friend of mine used to work as a professional guide before she desided to get her another MBA . i asked her already but she needs time to clear out what's her schedule for May.

Dear ukiceman,

Your hosts need to have someone at BOTH airports to meet you.
Sheremetyevo is a pain in the ass.
But at Sheremetyevo they should get you onto a public bus to go to the 'aerovoksal' which is a bus station close to the metro. Thereafter use the metro system to get to your chosen hotel unless that hotel is miles away from any metro station.

Domodedovo is really nice.
You all need to hop onto the train which goes directly to Paveletsky Voksal train station which has a metro station attached to it. Thereafter use the metro to get to the hotel.

If you choose to try taking people in coaches or mini buses on the roads, then you will encounter traffic jams - moscow can get pretty gridlocked during the day and especially friday night/ saturday morning and sunday night when people are coming and going from their dachas outside moscow.

My honest view is that you need locals who can deal with the bus, train and metro tickets on your behalf and all of you use public transport.

I go to Moscow every summer (for the last 14 years) and I think this is the best solution.

Rgds

Les

sorry man but if a person decides to go by metro it's much better to get to "Rechnoy Vokzal" or "Planernaya" which both are at least 20 min closer to Sheremetyevo then "Aerovoksal" ( which was called so because in 50 it was the last station in line. since then Moscow became much bigger and metro lines longer).
talking about road chaos - rush hour in metro is the same time. remember only three million moskovites has cars other eleven millions use public transport. going by bus ( or bt train) to closest metro station - 30 min, to the hotel by metro 30 min and 10 min walk. but sure it much cheaper.

Shaun anyway it's your choice.
count people, count baggage, surplus tiredness. for one person it's easy to find the way in unknown town. may be even interesting. what about a bunch of teenagers loaded with bags&boards? if interesting have a look at Moscow City Guide - Metro Map - Moscowrealty.org - Moscow Real Estate, Moscow Apartments, Find an apartment in Moscow, Moscow Realty

green line top or reddish line top - these are the stations closest to sheremetyevo. Paveletskaya (where train from Domodedovo comes) is where circle line crosses dark-green (down). the station for Olympyisky is "Prospect Mira" where orange line crosses circle line (up). mind you'll need radial "Prospect Mira" nor circle these two synonymous stations are half kilometer one from another and different sides of prospect Mira avenue.

Hi Motobelka

Thanks for all your local knowledge, very helpful. I and Terri (team coach) and two parents, Liz and Janet are following the thread with great interest. Really cool to have hard local Intel, thanks.

Once I get the hotel confirmed I’ll let you know. On the subject of the “fixer” thanks for trying too sort that one out; it’s been doing my head in a bit. We do have one person travelling with us that comes from the Ukraine but I still think local knowledge is a must.

So many kids with us man!! If it was just myself on a bike, I wouldn’t be half as paranoid.

Shaun

Dear Ms? motobelka,
As regards rechnoi voksal, you are probably correct as I haven't been through sheremetyevo for some years now. But I beg to differ on the merits of going on the metro. The metro will be a million times better than by road when it gets busy. The reason being I've yet to get stuck in a metro jam but i've spent many an unhappy hour in moscow traffic jams. Their hosts must definitely get someone to meet them though because they haven't got anyone with local knowledge. And who is going to provide them with the bus for 32 people? And how are they going to arrange it? Now I haven't any idea if you're trying to do a deal to fix them up with something but that's no reason to diss my advice.
Rgds
Les

as a mother of two i understand your worries.
you'd better divide the group into quarters with grown-up in command of every quarter. the coach'd better look after the tuffest guys. every person should have a written hotel adress. if lost it's better to ask the way from young people with european looks - most of them speak good english. if anyone splits from the group and get lost totally the easiest way is to pick up a taxi (just rise your hand but mind the car must look like an official taxi) show the hotel adress and relax - Olympiysky plaza is well known by everyone.
to rent a bus is very easy too. the payment goes "in fact" - when you get onto the bus in the airport you pay the driver (i just called some renting agencies all of them ready to work on such conditions).
if you decide to go by metro the group must be well-organised and there shouldn't be more bags then people.

in any case remember - Moscow is not another planet it's just a big city and it lives on the same general rules as paris or madrid.

sorry guys i did't officially say hello to everyone IMG_3349 - 2007-09 поездка вокруг Кавказа - Авто/Мото | photoshare.ru

Cool another mother I think that’s going to settle the coach and other mums watching this thread

Shaun

Sorry I had you figured for a guy...

thanks for all that Les, will know a bit more of a full picture during the week regarding who is landing at what airport

thanks
shaun

I think the info coming from you both is very interesting and we’re reading everything that is coming up

Like I say we’ve one person with us that can speak the lingo but, it looks like a local fixer is a big one to consider and Motobelka is on the case already I think.

Thanks
Shaun

I leave it to Motobelka, he is far more a local than me.

If that fails, I have a pal here in Moscow who is streetwise (frighteningly so!), has the time, contacts and speaks v. good English. If you draw a blank contact me. I am not, unfortunately, planning to be here in May for that . Cowes perhaps ;-)

I do agree with 4wheels. With that number you need some assistance. SVO, as much as DME and VKO, are all pretty bewildering for a first time visitors on their own, let alone a party of youngsters. Alien alphabet, forbidding uniforms, spartan environment, hopeful pirate taxi drivers - all at the end of 4+ hour flight.

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Thanks Tony – that’s a proper nice offer. Maybe we’ll get that some other time on the Isle of Wight or Moscow? If your over after we get back drop me a line, we can hook-up for a bit.

Shaun