To those about to fly to R/U/B

[Brad and Vika 129]

Is exactly why I booked summer travel back in November

We typically do that too, six or eight months out. I have found that tickets to Europe really rocket up in the summertime. WHen tourist season starts, the market can really drive the price into the stratosphere.

[payxibka 10,045]

We typically do that too, six or eight months out. I have found that tickets to Europe really rocket up in the summertime. WHen tourist season starts, the market can really drive the price into the stratosphere.

Even back in November:

MSP-ODS for May departure and August return was $1050

MSP-ODS for August departure and return two weeks later was $1500

[mox 298]

we only have 3 hours 10 minute in Moscow. Is this long enough?

Assuming you're flying through SVO, my experience is that it wasn't enough time. But if customs isn't overloaded, the baggage system isn't broken, traffic isn't snarled, and about a thousand other factors align in your favor, you should be alright.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

We typically do that too, six or eight months out. I have found that tickets to Europe really rocket up in the summertime. WHen tourist season starts, the market can really drive the price into the stratosphere.

Yes, if you can it is a good idea. We bought Alla's tickets months ago...Burlington to Donetsk for under $1000. I bought mine and the boys tickets yesterday, JFK - KPB only, just under $900 each. The same ticket Alla has is now $1500 + We will ride the train for the rest of the trip and drive to JFK. Driving to JFK for us is a losing proposition if only one person is traveling, JetBlue will fly you there for less than gas and tolls (NY tolls!!!!!! ) and parking. But if two or more share the ride it is cheaper to drive. I have a friend in Queens that lets me park in his backyard.

She is leaving tomorrow and I can give you the latest "ash update" after that.

[sanuginz 0]

Assuming you're flying through SVO, my experience is that it wasn't enough time. But if customs isn't overloaded, the baggage system isn't broken, traffic isn't snarled, and about a thousand other factors align in your favor, you should be alright.

Well after some research we found out that there are taxi's that will take us between terminal 1 and terminal 2 if you need to get there faster. The free bus bus schedule is only once per hour. The taxi charges $60 but you may be able to negotiate down to $20. And you will need to carry luggage all the way between so we will be dropping from 4 checked bags to 3. We alerted the party picking us up in Minsk we may miss the flight. And my wife will sleep overnight at the airport while I stay up and "keep watch" if we miss the flight.

Will getting a taxi improve chances of making the flight?

Edited May 14, 2010 by sanuginz

[mox 298]

Will getting a taxi improve chances of making the flight?

Sure. But it's just one factor. If immigration is held up for 2 hours, you're going to have a tough time of it even if you have a taxi. Traffic between the two terminals can be absolutely insane. It's not unusual for it to take an hour to make what would otherwise be a 15 minute drive. I always managed to get the only honest taxi driver in the city who won't drive on the shoulders.

If you do find yourself held up in customs, try this: go to the front of the line and start asking people if you can give them $20 to cut in front of them. Somebody will take it. Others will throw an absolute sh!t fit, but there's not going to be anything they can do. Your wife will be handy in the "stfu" department.

From there you just need to get through customs, and then on the other side of the glass wall you'll be mobbed by taxi drivers wanting your business. You're not going to negotiate a taxi down to $20 at SVO, even if you have your Russian wife with you. $40 maybe. Plan on $60. Don't wait around for the shuttle even if you are faced with an abundance of time. The shuttles often break down, and you're screwed if it does.

[payxibka 10,045]

Sure. But it's just one factor. If immigration is held up for 2 hours, you're going to have a tough time of it even if you have a taxi. Traffic between the two terminals can be absolutely insane. It's not unusual for it to take an hour to make what would otherwise be a 15 minute drive. I always managed to get the only honest taxi driver in the city who won't drive on the shoulders.

If you do find yourself held up in customs, try this: go to the front of the line and start asking people if you can give them $20 to cut in front of them. Somebody will take it. Others will throw an absolute sh!t fit, but there's not going to be anything they can do. Your wife will be handy in the "stfu" department.

From there you just need to get through customs, and then on the other side of the glass wall you'll be mobbed by taxi drivers wanting your business. You're not going to negotiate a taxi down to $20 at SVO, even if you have your Russian wife with you. $40 maybe. Plan on $60. Don't wait around for the shuttle even if you are faced with an abundance of time. The shuttles often break down, and you're screwed if it does.

Does Moscow offer VIP service?

[sanuginz 0]

Sure. But it's just one factor. If immigration is held up for 2 hours, you're going to have a tough time of it even if you have a taxi. Traffic between the two terminals can be absolutely insane. It's not unusual for it to take an hour to make what would otherwise be a 15 minute drive. I always managed to get the only honest taxi driver in the city who won't drive on the shoulders.

If you do find yourself held up in customs, try this: go to the front of the line and start asking people if you can give them $20 to cut in front of them. Somebody will take it. Others will throw an absolute sh!t fit, but there's not going to be anything they can do. Your wife will be handy in the "stfu" department.

Thanks for the tip. We'll have to try that cut in line for $20 bribe then StFU trick. LOL

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

OK...latest update.

Alla's flight out was delayed from 7pm until midnight before it left. They DID tell her early enough that she got to enjoy a day in NYC. The plane was late arriving at JFK so she did not get stuck waiting in the airplane. Due to volcanic ash, the flight was delayed leaving Kiev to NYC.

Alla was re-booked on the late flight to Donetsk tomorrow night for no additional fee. seems that way anyway. She did get a seat assignment and boarding pass for the next leg of the trip on the late flight to Donetsk. I think the difference is that she is flying Aerosvit all the way. she is not taking the Delta flight to Kiev. The Aerosvit plane to NYC was delayed and the reason she was late leaving is bercause Aerosvit did not have a plane there.

At any rate, we will see what happens tomorrow, she is in the air now.

[Brad and Vika 129]

OK...latest update.

Alla's flight out was delayed from 7pm until midnight before it left. They DID tell her early enough that she got to enjoy a day in NYC. The plane was late arriving at JFK so she did not get stuck waiting in the airplane. Due to volcanic ash, the flight was delayed leaving Kiev to NYC.

Alla was re-booked on the late flight to Donetsk tomorrow night for no additional fee. seems that way anyway. She did get a seat assignment and boarding pass for the next leg of the trip on the late flight to Donetsk. I think the difference is that she is flying Aerosvit all the way. she is not taking the Delta flight to Kiev. The Aerosvit plane to NYC was delayed and the reason she was late leaving is bercause Aerosvit did not have a plane there.

At any rate, we will see what happens tomorrow, she is in the air now.

Safe travels to Alla - and party at Gary's house

[AKguy 1]

Dibs on the lamp shade!

[visaveteran 1]

Thanks for the tip. We'll have to try that cut in line for $20 bribe then StFU trick. LOL

I saw someone attempt to cut in line and he got the sh!t kicked out of him by some angry people. Everyone is tired and tempers are short. And there are no visible guards or police around to rescue anyone quickly. The passport control is no-man's land and very chaotic. Hard to tell one line from another. You can stand for 15 minutes thinking your in a real line and realize you're not. I'd be very careful cutting in line even for money. The people behind get no money and you're making them wait longer. I know I'd be angry.

Have fun!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I saw someone attempt to cut in line and he got the sh!t kicked out of him by some angry people. Everyone is tired and tempers are short. And there are no visible guards or police around to rescue anyone quickly. The passport control is no-man's land and very chaotic. Hard to tell one line from another. You can stand for 15 minutes thinking your in a real line and realize you're not. I'd be very careful cutting in line even for money. The people behind get no money and you're making them wait longer. I know I'd be angry.

Have fun!

The "VIP service" I am familair with does not cause anyone else to wait longer. It completely bypasses the customs process. It is nothing but a $40 bribe to be personally escorted around the line, through the office and back out into the baggage area. I sincerely doubt anyone else would even be aware it was occuring.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Dibs on the lamp shade!

I have a sombrero and road sign for you also.

Actually I stopped at the grocery on the way home from the airport...there is diet Pepsi in the frig, Tater Tots, Goober Grape, Arizona Iced tea (Pasha's) Italian sausage links (Yeeee Haaaa!) I threw out all the stinky fish! I left dishes in the SINK all night until this morning!!!!!!!!! No one died!!!!!!!!! We are making sub sandwiches for lunch and tonight we are going to PIG OUT at a Chinese BUFFET!!!!!!!

Don't tell Alla.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Safe travels to Alla - and party at Gary's house

I got an email that she is in Kiev and all is OK, she was booked for a 9pm flight to Donetsk, so she should be flying there now. No extra charge for the flight change BUT she did book her flight with Aerosvit from start to finish. She had flown a separate flight on JetBlue to NYC in the early morning. It was her plan to dump her baggage and spend the day in NYC, which turned into a very long day and I am sure she had a great time.