Moscow Trip Report

[Rob_Lesya 4]

I just returned from the latest trip to Moscow. Here are a few observations which might be helpful for others making the trip in the future.

AIRLINES--- My trips to Russia over the years have been about evenly split between Aeroflot and Delta. Back when JFK-SVO was the only option on Delta, I flew Aeroflot every chance I got. My last 2 trips were on Delta. In January, one leg was ATL-SVO and the other SVO-JFK. This time both legs were through ATL. It always seems to me that the service on the ATL based legs is much better than that on the JFK legs. Of course, it's possible that that perception is clouded by the foul mood that I (and other passengers) are in when we have to endure going though JFK. On that note, it was very evident yesterday that a few of the folks who man the rope-lines in ATL at Immigration Control and afterward at the security re-check lines are real "characters" --- folks who truly love their jobs and try their best to make what is often a very unpleasant experience into one that is pleasant and perhaps even a bit enjoyable for the passengers. A VERY BIG thumbs up to anyone who can keep that kind of positive attitiude day in and day out in such a tedious job.

SVO -- ARRIVAL -- As a result of the swine flu, you now must undergo a "health check" before you are allowed to enter Russia. It consists of filling out a "medical form" which basically simply asks you your name and where you'll be staying. You fill this out while filling out the other immigration related forms on the plane. But all of the completed medical forms will be picked up by the airline personnel before you land. In typical Russian fashion there doesn't seem to be any consistency on where and when the "health check" will take place. Apparently, it's sometimes done in the terminal, and sometimes it's done on the plane. The announcements about the check said they wouldn't find out how it was to be done until after they had landed. Once we landed, no mad scramble for bags was allowed. Everyone was required to stay seated. Then the "medical team" boarded the plane. It consisted of one guy who appeared to be armed with a thermal imaging camera. He would go down one aisle of the aircraft and slowly scan each person across the entire row. Once the entire row was declared to be OK then eveyone in the row was released and could retrieve their bags and exit the plane. The entire process took about 30 minutes to complete, which combined with passport control and baggage claim, made the entire arrival process about one hour. --- So keep that in mind if you are arranging a car or transfer service from the airport to your hotel. Many of them begin to charge you additional fees if they must wait for an hour after your plane arrives.

SVO -- DEPARTURE -- During my previous trip in January, EVERY bag was searched THOROUGHLY (and I do mean THOROUGHLY) multiple times. EVERY bag was searched before checking in at the gate. then the carry-on was searched thoroughly again at the security checkpoint beyond passport control, and then searched thoroughly again before entering the gate area. And this was the same for EVERY bag for EVERY person.

This time through SVO, we just had the usual x-ray scans before check-in and then of the carry-on again at the security point beyond passport control. I only saw a couple of people pulled aside to have their bag searched at the gate area.

It just goes to show that you NEVER know WHAT to expect when you travel through SVO.

MOSCOW METRO -- I've traveled through Moscow quite a few times in the past few years, but this was the fist time in about 3-4 years that I've had an extended stay in Moscow. A to the Moscow Metro authorities for working to make the system more user friendly, especially for tourists. The newer cars now have an electronic display in them that shows the trains progress along the line and lets you see the upcoming station. They also have a scrolling LED sign at the ends of the cars which constantly scroll the name of the upcoming station. The Metro authorities have also installed INFORMATION SIGNS on each metro platform which has a Metro map and additional information to help travelers. The authorities are also renaming some of the stations to cut down on some of the confusion. For example, Izmailovsky station has now been renamed Partizanskaya to cut down on confusion with the Izmailovsky Park station which is the next station in the line. Of course, they still have some work to do here --- they still have Tretyakovskaya and Smolenskaya stations on two different lines. They have also installed updated signage in the transfer stations to make it a little easier to move between stations. The only one I noticed lacking good signage was if you come into Ploschad Revolutsii on the Blue line, there is nothing telling you how to get to the Red line (Okhotny Ryad station). You simply have to "know" that you need to go through the Teatralnaya (Green line) station to get to the Red line. This is kind of a big deal since this set of stations are the ones right outside of Red Square and therefore the ones that foreigners are probably going to be visiting most.

THE EFFECT OF THE CRISIS -- The "crisis" seems to have hit Moscow hard. As a result you can now find bargain prices (relatively bargain, anyway) on hotels, on flights to Moscow, on Day Trips to the Golden Ring cities, etc. Also, during my previous trips to Moscow it was always difficult to get into many of the more higher-end restaurants in the city. Now, it's not unusual to be the only table in the place.

As usual, if anyone is planning a trip to Russia I'll be happy to help and answer any questions that I can.

[AKguy 1]

Excellent report! Thank for taking the time to post it!

[mendeleev 68]

My wife also mentioned that on her flight out (Aeroflot SVO-LAX earlier this month) her bags were not exhaustively searched as had been the case. Both Delta and Aeroflot started this in 2005, after two Sibir planes were blown up mid-flight by Chechen black widows.

After that incident, I had to justify my preference for flying Aeroflot, rather than Delta, with my corporate security. On my previous three Delta flights in '03 and '04 from SVO back to the States, my bags had not even been X-rayed. I did not detect any Delta security at SVO. Aeroflot provided reasonable evidence of security, though. So I preferred to fly Aeroflot. I related this to my corporate security guy, whom seemed really interested, and who said he'd pass along the info, and who claimed he had good relations with govt security people in DC. On my next trip, I was surprised with the total bag check regime that both Delta and Aeroflot had instituted. I'll never know if there's a connection there.

Aeroflot never engaged in that level of scrutiny for flights going anywhere else.

Anyone have any news on how long before SVO3 is operational?

Edited August 28, 2009 by novotul

[Rob_Lesya 4]

Anyone have any news on how long before SVO3 is operational?

Back in June /July they announced that they planned to open it to coincide with the change over to Aeroflot's "winter schedule", which would be in October. But SVO3.ru still doesn't list an exact opening date. The photos and video shown during the latest SkyTeam update on the progress really look impressive. It certainly has the potential to be a remarkable terminal. Let's just hope that Aeroflot and the Russian managers can deliver on the promises.

[luzhok 0]

I came back from Moscow (SVO) on Aug 15. There was no any hand bag searching at all. Only one scanning for luggage and carry on!

[slim 1,525]

to make the system more user friendly, especially for tourists. The newer cars now have an electronic display in them that shows the trains progress along the line and lets you see the upcoming station. They also have a scrolling LED sign at the ends of the cars which constantly scroll the name of the upcoming station. The Metro authorities have also installed INFORMATION SIGNS on each metro platform which has a Metro map and additional information to help travelers. The authorities are also renaming some of the stations to cut down on some of the confusion. For example, Izmailovsky station has now been renamed Partizanskaya to cut down on confusion with the Izmailovsky Park station which is the next station in the line. Of course, they still have some work to do here --- they still have Tretyakovskaya and Smolenskaya stations on two different lines. They have also installed updated signage in the transfer stations to make it a little easier to move between stations. The only one I noticed lacking good signage was if you come into Ploschad Revolutsii on the Blue line, there is nothing telling you how to get to the Red line (Okhotny Ryad station). You simply have to "know" that you need to go through the Teatralnaya (Green line) station to get to the Red line. This is kind of a big deal since this set of stations are the ones right outside of Red Square and therefore the ones that foreigners are probably going to be visiting most.

Improved signage.... in English?

When I rode back in '05 there were plenty of signs and it was quite easy to navigate just by using the colors and number of stops. However, I can decipher enough of those squiggly characters to make out where I need to be. If I had no clue how to read the letters, I may have had a little more difficulty. Have they cleared that up?

[Rob_Lesya 4]

Improved signage.... in English?

When I rode back in '05 there were plenty of signs and it was quite easy to navigate just by using the colors and number of stops. However, I can decipher enough of those squiggly characters to make out where I need to be. If I had no clue how to read the letters, I may have had a little more difficulty. Have they cleared that up?

The information sign/kiosk that they have on each platform has the map and info in both Russian and English. It also has a small call box (like at Sonic) that you can use to ask a question of someone on the other end. Lesya tried it out just to see how it worked and the person she spoke to was fluent in Russian (of course!) but was also able to speak to her in basic English.

All Most of the cars now have metro maps in Russian and English in them.

The graphical display in the cars which shows the progress of the train along the line helps with the problem I always had of sitting there and suddenly realizing, "Oh Sh*t!! I've been so busy looking at the women that I forgot to count -- was this the 3rd or 4th stop???"

Another item I forgot to include in the original report---

BANKOMAT/ATMs --- Of course they are everywhere. Use the usual basic security precautions --- better to use ones that are inside of/or attached to actual bank buildings, or in major shopping centers, or in major hotels. Avoid ones that are just randomly located along the street. Take the time to look at ANY Bankomat before you use it to see if there are any "additional devices" that have been added. I personally would recommend avoiding Gazprombank ATMs -- they limit you to only being able to withdraw 5,000 rubles at a time. By contrast, the MasterBank ATMs in the Okhotny Ryad mall or the Gum will allow you to withdraw up to 50,000 rubles at a time. Depending on your particular bank and the particular ATM, doing one large withdrawal will often save you money on fees rather than doing many small withdrawals. Remember that many ATMs in Russia do not automatically return your card to you like most US ATMs do--- you have to actually press a button to have the card returned. It's easy to forget and then ..... bye bye card!

[eekee 182]

Remember that many ATMs in Russia do not automatically return your card to you like most US ATMs do--- you have to actually press a button to have the card returned. It's easy to forget and then ..... bye bye card!

Not true. Most of the bankomats I've encountered in Russia do return your card automatically.

[luzhok 0]

Improved signage.... in English?

When I rode back in '05 there were plenty of signs and it was quite easy to navigate just by using the colors and number of stops. However, I can decipher enough of those squiggly characters to make out where I need to be. If I had no clue how to read the letters, I may have had a little more difficulty. Have they cleared that up?

The information sign/kiosk that they have on each platform has the map and info in both Russian and English. It also has a small call box (like at Sonic) that you can use to ask a question of someone on the other end. Lesya tried it out just to see how it worked and the person she spoke to was fluent in Russian (of course!) but was also able to speak to her in basic English.

All Most of the cars now have metro maps in Russian and English in them.

The graphical display in the cars which shows the progress of the train along the line helps with the problem I always had of sitting there and suddenly realizing, "Oh Sh*t!! I've been so busy looking at the women that I forgot to count -- was this the 3rd or 4th stop???"

Another item I forgot to include in the original report---

BANKOMAT/ATMs --- Of course they are everywhere. Use the usual basic security precautions --- better to use ones that are inside of/or attached to actual bank buildings, or in major shopping centers, or in major hotels. Avoid ones that are just randomly located along the street. Take the time to look at ANY Bankomat before you use it to see if there are any "additional devices" that have been added. I personally would recommend avoiding Gazprombank ATMs -- they limit you to only being able to withdraw 5,000 rubles at a time. By contrast, the MasterBank ATMs in the Okhotny Ryad mall or the Gum will allow you to withdraw up to 50,000 rubles at a time. Depending on your particular bank and the particular ATM, doing one large withdrawal will often save you money on fees rather than doing many small withdrawals. Remember that many ATMs in Russia do not automatically return your card to you like most US ATMs do--- you have to actually press a button to have the card returned. It's easy to forget and then ..... bye bye card!

OMG! On my last day my banking card was eaten by the ATM machine the way you described it. It was Saturday and nobody could help me. I called the US and cancelled it.

[eekee 182]

Once your card is eaten by the machine there's nothing anyone can do anyway.

[luzhok 0]

Once your card is eaten by the machine there's nothing anyone can do anyway.

I called the bank which owned the ATM. They told me it's Saturday otherwise I could get help. Also I was leaving that day and I could not wait otherwise I could get it back.

[Rob_Lesya 4]

Remember that many ATMs in Russia do not automatically return your card to you like most US ATMs do--- you have to actually press a button to have the card returned. It's easy to forget and then ..... bye bye card!

Not true. Most of the bankomats I've encountered in Russia do return your card automatically.

I'm not interested in getting into a pissing match with you, but read the statement again -- I didn't say ALL ATMs or even MOST ATMs but many ATMs.

In any case, the advice still holds true --- always be aware of what's taking place during the transaction and be certain that you've received your card back before leaving the ATM.

[eekee 182]

Remember that many ATMs in Russia do not automatically return your card to you like most US ATMs do--- you have to actually press a button to have the card returned. It's easy to forget and then ..... bye bye card!

Not true. Most of the bankomats I've encountered in Russia do return your card automatically.

I'm not interested in getting into a pissing match with you, but read the statement again -- I didn't say ALL ATMs or even MOST ATMs but many ATMs.

In any case, the advice still holds true --- always be aware of what's taking place during the transaction and be certain that you've received your card back before leaving the ATM.

Ahh, I wasn't reading carefully enough. It is almost 2am here, after all.

[Steve S 2]

Welcome back, Rob.

I have also had 3 entirely different experiences with SVO upon return. The first two times there was an enormous line for most airlines, but for Delta it was a breeze straight to the gate agent. This July, the situation was reversed. The procedure with regards to hand-searching of checked vs. carry-on luggage, or both, has been different each time (in July they hand-searched neither).

When I left Atlanta last time, all passengers with U.S. passports were required to go through a line at the gate just to verify that we had valid visas. Ironically, the gate agent looked at my expired visa from the last trip and then stamped my boarding card.

Ah yes, the distracting Russian women on the Metro you mention. Once, Irina and I were walking about, people-watching and she asked me how I liked the Russian girls. I said something ultra-corny about only noticing one, and she said something to the effect of "don't be stupid, look and enjoy!' God bless Russian women.

[BluesTraveler 0]

I'm not interested in getting into a pissing match with you, but read the statement again -- I didn't say ALL ATMs or even MOST ATMs but many ATMs.

In any case, the advice still holds true --- always be aware of what's taking place during the transaction and be certain that you've received your card back before leaving the ATM.

This is no different than the good ole' US of A. Many ATM's ask you the question,

"would you like another transaction?"

"YES / NO "

If you don't hit "NO" then your card stays inside the machine.