What locals really use

If I had to give one piece of advice about transport in Moscow, it’s this: get a Troika card the second you arrive. It saves you a fortune and is accepted almost everywhere , metro, buses, trams, even some river ferries in summer.

Another thing is timing. Moscow traffic’s a beast, especially around the Garden Ring and Third Ring Road during rush hour (7:30-9:30 am and 5-7 pm). That’s when the metro becomes your best friend. For airport runs, Aeroexpress is the no-brainer choice but if you’re feeling adventurous and time isn’t tight, catching a bus or minibus can be cheaper and a chance to see how real Muscovites commute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Got some questions about getting around Moscow? Here are a few answers from someone who lives here.

If you’re flying into Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo, take the Aeroexpress train. It’s fast, reliable, and drops you off near major hubs like Belorussky or Paveletsky station. Way better than fighting Moscow traffic, trust me.
In central Moscow, the metro and buses are usually safe even late, but I wouldn’t recommend wandering on empty bus lines in sketchier districts after midnight. Stick to taxis or apps if you’re out late at night.
Taxis here can get pricey during peak hours or bad weather, so I stick to Yandex.Taxi or Gett. Hailing on the street sometimes means overpaying or risking a driver who doesn’t know the city well, so apps are a better bet.
Absolutely. The Troika card saves you money and time since you can hop on metros, buses, and trams without buying separate tickets. You can reload it at any metro station or even use apps.
Depends on which airport and time of day. The Aeroexpress train takes about 35 minutes. By taxi, it could be anywhere from 40 minutes to over an hour if you hit traffic, especially during the morning or evening rush.
They’re here but not as popular as Yandex.Taxi. Drivers with Yandex usually speak better Russian and know local shortcuts. I’d use Uber only if you have it set up before getting here.

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