any local people on the ground in Moscow ?
 

Hi Guys

I need some help from people on the ground in Moscow near the

Sheremetyevo Airport
Domodedovo Airport

I’m travelling from Heathrow – UK with a team of figure skaters that have been invited to skate at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday the 10th of May.

It’s looking like the group might be split and landing at different airports.
I need to know the travelling time from the airports by road (in a car) to Olympic Stadium (Moscow Arena)

Regards
Shaun

wish i was on my bike :rolleyes2:

be prepared for traffic jams!
 

i'm not currently "on the ground" but used to live there and still travel there frequently. Moscow has HORRIBLE traffic jam problems, so a lot of the answer to your question depends on when your people are travelling. If you're arriving at 5/6am on some morning (taking one of the midnight flights), you can make it to sheremetevo to olympiisky in 45 minutes tops. If you're coming in on a weekday during business hours, it could take 3 hours ...

Back in 1999, I used to leave the office in central moscow at 5:45 for a 7:30 flight from Shery. Then it became 5:00, then 4:30; now 4:00 or even 3:30 to be safe. Traffic in moscow sucks. (note that technically rush hour is 7am to 11am and 4.30pm to 8pm, but in reality it's bad basically from 5 or 6am until around 10pm)

Also, for the flight in, be aware that unless you're paying extra for VIP service, the passport line wait at Shery can be quite long - plan on an hour (though you may get lucky and get through faster).

Domodedovo is a more modern, and nicer, airport, but it's to the south of town, and Olympiiski is to the north - so it'll take quite a bit longer to get in. I haven't flown into Domodedovo for many years, so don't have hard info, but I understand there is now a train, which could be quite a bit faster. In the old days coming in to the center from Domodedovo was an hour on a good day, so I'd expect you're probably talking at least double or triple that now (unless, again, your people are arriving at 5am or something).

Good luck, and hopefully someone will answer who has more "hard" data than I!

thanks
 

Thanks mate.

That helps a lot, thank-you, sounds like we might need some luck :) longer than we figured then!

Shaun

I am 'on the ground' right now. Looking out of the window, the main Minsk/Majeck road in (Kutuzovsko Prospect) is flowing well - but it is a sunny sunday lunchtime.

We usually fly to Sheremetyevo on the late evening Aerofart from Heathrow. From touchdown we are usually in our flat within an hour - hour and half. Passport queues have improved over the last 4 years, with increasing numbers of Russians travelling, and are generally about 15 minutes by which time baggage is ready (unlike T5). We are met by friends or family who drive us to our flat, not too far from Olympic Stadium - add another 10 minutes in good traffic conditions. Taxis would be the same times. Last one I used I paid 1000roubles - GBP20.

Domodedovo is further out - allow, say, another 20 minutes.

BUT, as travelfor4 says, the wrong time of day and it could well take twice as long. The Mkad (equivalent to M25) is often static for an hour or more. Main routes in/out are often solid on weekdays. Particularly bad I find, is the 3rd Ring, that passes the stadium, on weekday afternoons.

You are skating on saturday. If you are arriving then, things will be smoother - many Moscovites flee the city on friday afternoons (adding to chaos) for summer weekends at their Dachas, leaving roads quieter until the mass return on sunday evenings.

thanks
 

Thank-you so much guys, wicked information :thumbup1: nice one :clap:

Not sure about when we’re getting in, all I can say at the moment is, it’s on Friday. Skating on Saturday PM – see a few sights on Sunday – fly home Monday.

Sound like its going to be proper hectic

Once more, thanks.
Kind Regards
Shaun

10th is it arrival date? what time the show starts? 'cos route time on saturday morning is 30% shorter then saturday daytime. on the other side it's May holidays so the city will be abandoned for a week:thumbup1:

Olimpik stadium - what exact place? there are two different olimpic arenas in Moscow,
(sport plaza "Olimpiysky" and olimpic complex "Luzhniki") in very different directions from the city center. get detailed adress from organisers.
if really miss a good bike ride, may be go by mototaxi from airport to arena? MSK StuntCrew will be honored:innocent:

will find that out for you
 

Hi motobelka

Thanks for that, I will find out which complex it is, and post reply later today... not got that info with me

Thanks

Kind Regards
Shaun

motobelka
 

i've just been told its

Ñïîðòèâíûé êîìïëåêñ "Îëèìïèéñêèé"

Also have to travel to moscow Friday 9th because practice skate is Saturday 10th in the Morning.

if this is the wrong arena i will find out when i go to work, in half hours time.

Regards
shaun

Guys, I'm thinking of staying at the Akademicheskaya Hotel in June for 3 days (my first time in Russia). Those of you who know Moscow; is this a reasonable place? I want to stay as close to the city as possible; not too expensive (plus secure parking for the GS).
I'd also appreciate some info on best digs in St Petersburg also; any suggestions?

Thanks, Mick.

quick drink
 

Hi m8

we should catch up for a quick beer, or vodka :rolleyes2:

shaun

akademhotel is very close to the center (5 min on a bike) and to bikers gathereing places (3 and 10 min depends on choosed direction) but
- this is closer Welcome to Park Place +7(495)956-50-50 (call there it's really a hotel not only apartments) and seems to me same price
- this is cheaper HOTEL "SOYUZ" and it half kilometer from M10 Moscow-S-Peterburg (what makes you morning departure to Piter much easier). it's very decent place whith big secure parcing - see this picture of bikes on the front page? the place is loved by bikers. of course it's not the center but it's on Leningradka highway - straight line to Kremlin (15 min on bike) 15 min to redneck bikers paradise Sexton pub and 5 min to stuntmen grounds ( Sheremetievo highway).
if you didn't book akademhotel yet i strongly recommend Soyuz.
for Peterburg - you are coming in high season so be ready for VERY expensive hotels and whats much worse NO PLACES all over the city ( belive me it's true). you should book now. if you wanna save some, stay out of the city, somwhere like Hotel OLGINO. St.-Petersburg. Russia
and just info - every hotel in Msk and SPb, even the smallest one, has secure parking

this is sport plaza "Olimpiysky" and it's equally far from both Sheremetievo and Domodedovo:cool4:
if you are coming Fri you'll have planty of time 'cos you gonna need it - normally on Friday evening city roads are totally jammed in any direction . where are you going to stay that's the question now. if close to arena it sure will be a long way from airport, 1 hour in a car at least. but let's remember May holidays - it can be easier.
practise early in the morning is good - no traffik problem at all.

Motobelka
 

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. :thumbup1: 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:cool4: .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.

Moscow
 

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:rolleyes2:).
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:cool4: these two synonymous stations are half kilometer one from another and different sides of prospect Mira avenue.

thanks for all the intel
 

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

hiya
 

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

thanks 2 you both!!!
 

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 beer. 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.

thanks m8
 

Thanks Tony – that’s a proper nice offer. Maybe we’ll get that beer 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

Hi Motobelka
Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.
Maybe we can catch up for a beer when we get there.
Cheers
Mick

hi Mick
 

Hi Mick, that's two beers he's got, you and me :mchappy:

shaun

motobelka
 

Hi Motobelka

if your about on the sunday, i'd like to catch up for a bit. or come into the rink saturday and watch my kids sk8 :)

Shaun

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

With the amount of planning gone into this trip and the extremely helpful folks on the HUBB - I owe HEAPS of drinks to HEAPS of people - I'm going to be pissed the whole time I'm away :thumbup1:.

One month to go then we're off - I'm getting fidgety . . .

Hi Motobelka
 

Cool another mother :thumbup1: I think that’s going to settle the coach and other mums watching this thread

Shaun

sorry
 

Sorry I had you figured for a guy...:oops2:

To Motobelka...
 

Hi Motobelka

I would just like to say THANK YOU very much for all the help you’ve given us. I’ve been asked by Liz, a mother of one of the skaters watching this thread to pass on her thanks, along with Terri (team coach) and Janet. Not sure what us bikers would do without this site? The amount of hard local Intel that you’ve provided is first class, thanks.

So, at the moment it’s looking like we’re getting into Moscow (Sheremetyevo ) at around 8:15pm - Then after reading your post it looks like it’s better to catch the bus, as we’ve probably got more bags than people, and it will cost less.

Bus from Sheremetyevo to the hotel which I think is the “hotel renaissance” (129110 Russia, Moscow, Olympic prospectus) but, I’m still waiting for conformation on this.

On the subject of the “fixer” yes, I think we agree that we need somebody but I’m not sure if Terri is sorting this out with NISA, I’ll get back to you on this point :) thanks for calling your friend.

On the day off (Sunday) red square and the Kremlin are on the list, not sure about what else. I guess it would nice if you could provide some info on a nice place for some food. (English speaking) but we do have somebody from the Ukraine with us, thankfully.

Will we need your help pre-booking a bus, or will that be easy to sort out. ?
I think that’s it for the moment, anything more, I will be in touch or if the plans change.

Kind regards
Shaun
(thanks to all other posters as well :)

PS: had a look at your pictures :) nice bikes. And that route you did looked cool as well. How long did that take?

Shaun, Hi again!

Single day sightseeing for first timers really has to be Red Square and the adjacent Kremlin. A guided tour with an English speaking guide is well worth while. A short walk along the river is the relatively new Cathedral of Christ the Saviour which is impressive.

Art/culture lovers would enjoy a visit to Tretyakov Gallery - again, about 10 minutes walk from the Kremlin.

Arbat is THE street for visitors - a sort of Covent Garden atmosphere, with many souvenir sellers. There is a good 'all ages', cheap Russian restaurant called Moo Moo, with a large statue of a black and white cow outside, about half way down the pedestrianised street of Arbat.

As your party is mainly younger adults (nice expression?) they will find no shortage of McDonalds, but a fun 'ethnic' chain of eateries is Taras Bulbar. Not Russian but Ukraine, the decor and dress of the staff is fun for first timers as much as old hands (I like it!!). The food is good and interestingly different too. Often with live traditional music, singing and dancers.

Although spoken knowledge of English is not as common as in, say, Paris, most places have menus printed in English if you ask.

Sunday is just about a normal day for shops, restaurants and everything else.

Over to you "Motorcycling Squirrel" (Motobelka!)

Thanks Tony
 

Hello Tony

Thanks – will research all that 2mora, sounds like just the ticket.

Everything nearby which is good with only one day :( we might have some time Monday but not sure what time the flights are. Off to bed now, early start for me in the rink tomorrow.

Thanks for everything Tony – nice one dude!
I liked the motorcycling Squirrel gag

Shaun

hello
 

Hi m8.

YES - extremely helpful folks on the HUBB.

right, i'm logging off and going to bed..... enjoy your trip michael, set up a blog so we can watch your progress

Shaun