Cheap flights to Moscow, Russia

From the Red Square to the Bolshoi Theater, Moscow has much to offer travelers. Tourists booking flights to Moscow are headed right into Russia’s leading financial and cultural center. But don’t let this massive capital city scare you – there’s more heart and soul in Moscow than most people know. 

Once you step off your Moscow flight, your first stop should be the Kremlin. This walled city includes four palaces, four cathedrals, and serves as the official residence to the President of Russia. Next to the Kremlin is the Red Square, most famously used for parades and demonstrations. First time travelers on flights to Moscow will likely recognize the colorful domes on top of Saint Basil’s Cathedral, situated inside the Kremlin. If shopping is your bag, find a cheap flight to Moscow and save your money for Gorky Street (today known as Tverskaya Street) – the most expensive shopping street in Moscow. For the arts and entertainment aficionado, no trip to Moscow is complete without a stop at the Bolshoi or Maly theaters. Book flights to Moscow in the winter and get tickets to one of the most amazing spectacles on stage, the Moscow Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.” 

Thanks to a new government and a more modern lifestyle, Moscow flights are packed with visitors year round.

Moscow, Russia climate

Sweltering hot summers and bitter cold winters are typical for Moscow. November to April has lots of snow and rarely sees a temperature above 32 degrees (F). Winter temperatures below 0 are common and the teens are typical. December snow lasts until April, and there are about six hours of daylight. Spring thaws the city, bringing lots of mud, slush, and warmer air. Summers reach the upper 90s in July and August and are very humid. July and August also have thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. Fall is short and the snows begin again in October.

Best Time to Fly to Moscow, Russia

Peak Season:

July and August are the peak tourist months in Moscow. Visitors overrun the city and Moscow flights, train tickets and accommodations can be difficult to come by.

Off Season:

Late spring and early fall are good times to visit Moscow. The weather is typically mild, although still unpredictable. Late May and late August tend to be warm and sunny.

Winter has the fewest tourists, and the snowscapes are breathtaking, as is the bitter cold. This is also the best time to find cheap flights to Moscow.

Getting around Moscow, Russia

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. Honking 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.

Moscow, Russia airports overview

Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME) is located 26 miles (42km) 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 18 miles (29 km) 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.