Reply to: Anyone Been To Moscow ?

[EternalOptimist]

the last i heard from my mate 'Underpants Quarton', was that he had been drinking at a bar called the kurgan, where he struck up with a dodgy looking guy who called himself Ivor Bollockoff, and claimed he was 'official Soviet espionage agent for kremlin'


last we ever heard of him.

[AtW]

If you go to z'ha'dum you will die...

[ASB]

Haven't been for a couple of years but it was staggeringly expensive when I was going there regularly. The Raddison SAS is good - but pricey about $300 US per night, plus approx 18 percent tax, then converted in roubles at an articifically high rate (and no you cant pay in US$ cash).

Good restaturants in/around red square, moderately pricey.

Try and avoid flying into sheremeteyevo, clearance tends to be very slow.

Metro is cheap and very efficient, but expect to get stopped in the main stations by army or police checking "papers". You will have the wrong ones. $5 normally pays the "fine".

Be careful where you walk etc. The area round the white house and the Moskva river nearby have a bit of a reputation.

Hookers can occasionally be a bit of a pain, though generally tell them you're not interested and they'll leave you alone.

Don't get drinking with a Georgian, they have an amazing capacity in general.

[EternalOptimist]

If you know what's good for you - don't go there.

excuse me. thats plagiarism that is

[AtW]

It's common to buy drinks for strangers.

Yes, what's very uncommon is accept drinks from strangers, you might not wake up!

[AtW]

Has anyone been and any views ?

If you know what's good for you - don't go there.

[swamp]

Getting a visa is easy: just use Real Russia. They charge about £100. You don't need to bother getting your passport registered in Moscow unless you stay more than three working days (weekends and public holidays don't count). If you stay in a decent hotel then they will register your passport automatically.

Fly BMI/Transaero or BA to Domodedovo, and make sure you get the train to Pavletskaya. Do not get a taxi from the airport!

Plenty of good hotels deals available online. Winter or summer are the best times to go. Right now it's all covered in snow and looks stunning, but when it melts in a couple of months to black slush the city is pretty grim. If you go now then get warm clothes!

Don't miss out on the Tretyakov Gallery. Get yourself to a good nightclub if you can too Note all the trendy clubs and restaurants operate 'face control'. You need to know people to get into the best places.

Moscow can be eye-wateringly expensive, but avoid drinking wine in restaurants and you should be OK. Clubs don't charge an entry fee, but their drinks are pricey (£10-£15). That said their cocktails are like rocket fuel, and all in it can be a cheaper night out than London.

[EternalOptimist]

blooming heck. thats him. thats 'underpants' Quarton



been missing for 20 years he has. hasnt aged a day

[Paddy]

[EternalOptimist]

The do a lovely drink called a Polonium-210.

Try ordering one at the bar.

yep. but if they ask you if you want an umbrella in it, run like heck


I had this mate, right. tragic it was . tragic

[DimPrawn]

learn this, or print it on a card. Show it if you get picked up by the Stasi or the KGB.

Я сдаюсь. Возьмите меня к вашему commisar, я имею ценную информацию для него

roughly translated to

I surrender. Take me to your commisar, I have valuable information for him


it might help you to get out in one piece.
good luck. and dont drink the water.

The do a lovely drink called a Polonium-210.

Try ordering one at the bar.

[EternalOptimist]

learn this, or print it on a card. Show it if you get picked up by the Stasi or the KGB.

Я сдаюсь. Возьмите меня к вашему commisar, я имею ценную информацию для него

roughly translated to

I surrender. Take me to your commisar, I have valuable information for him


it might help you to get out in one piece.
good luck. and dont drink the water.

[DimPrawn]

Take no notice of AtW.

WHS.

[norrahe]

If you are going to go then make sure you use a recommended travel agent, as they will have to sponsor your visa.

You can book via expedia ect.. but sorting out the visa via the embassy often takes longer as you have to prove where you are staying, that you have return flights and have an invitation letter (which is normally sorted out by the travel company).

St Petersburg is really nice as well especially this time of year the tourist sites are less busy.

[Paddy]

Whilst I am on the bench I am thinking of going away on a short break. I have always wanted to go to Moscow to see the Kremlin/Red Square etc and am thinking of going there for 2-3 days on my own.

Has anyone been and any views ?

Been many times on business and tourist.

Moscow is no longer cheap. There is plenty to do but if you stay for longer I would suggest that you also take a train ride to another city to see the real Russia and it is also much cheaper.

The visa system is a hangover from Soviet times. You will need a hotel voucher for accommodation, (the voucher is worth nothing) you can get it online and will cost about £10.00. You then download a visa form and you can either get the visa by post or in person ant the CIS consulate. The more you pay; the quicker is the issue (you can get the same day).

You don’t have to go to the hotel on the voucher; but when you stay at a hotel make sure that the hotel stamps your passport. If they don’t have the facilities you must go to the registration office within three days of arrival to the city you are staying. Get the addresses before you travel.

NB: Make sure you passport is stamped in Moscow before you leave!

I would suggest that at a minimum you learn the Cyrillic alphabet so that you can read a few signs. Moscow transport is very good and most private cars act as unofficial taxis. Always negotiate your fare first. Never get a taxi from the airport as they are only there to rip you off. Use the public transport and minibuses.

Russians like foreigners especially English speakers. It's common to buy drinks for strangers.

Take no notice of AtW.