Moscow For Budget Travelers

Moscow is voted as one of the most expensivespecial 'business lunch' menu - usually it's 12 to 16
cities in the world. Is it really so expensive to visiton working days. Moscow has lots of nice
Moscow? Do you need to be a multimillionaire tofast-food cafes. Isn't it better to try Russian food
live here? This article helps a budget traveler toinstead of going to McDonalds or KFC? You can
explore the capital of Russia.get a delicious Russian pancake in "Teremok" or a
Getting around Moscowstuffed potato in "Kroshka-Kartoshka".
The cheapest and fastest transport in Moscow isBudget accommodation
the metro. One ride costs about 80 cents. If youMoscow has a shortage of reasonably-priced
stay in Moscow several days you can get a cardhotels. The city authorities have focused their
for 10, 20 or 60 trips: each ride will be cheaperenergy on more lucrative business travelers and
the more trips you get on the card. Moscowat the moment there're only top-end hotels in the
metro has no zones so you pay the same pricecity center. Cheaper hotels are quite far-away.
no matter where you go. The airports areAmong the most well-known is Izmailovo hotel
connected to the city by railroad. The air expresscomplex with a capacity for 10,000 guests. It has
train costs about 5-10 USD depending on thea convenient location - the hotel is next to the
airport. (This is much cheaper than a taxi whichmetro and it takes about 15-20 min to get to the
will be 70-100 USD).center. Other budget options include the hotel
If you need a taxi it's best to arrange it inUniversitetskaya (10-minute walk from Universitet
advance (through your hotel or a restaurant). Youmetro station, doubles 129 USD), a cruise ship
should always negotiate the price before you getAlexander Blok (anchored close to the center of
in (even if a taxi has a meter - it might be aMoscow near the Exhibition Complex on Krasnaya
scam). Locals often use 'unofficial taxis" - it canPresnya, doubles 130 USD), Maxima Zarya hotel
practically be any private car. All you have to doand the Hotel Molodyozhny. Those who prefer to
is to stand on the street and stick your arm out.live closer to the city center can try one of
Usually there's nothing dangerous about it asMoscow hostels. The charges range from 20 USD
people with cars do it to earn some extra money.for dorms and from 25- 90 USD for private
An important rule is not to get into a car thatrooms. The popular hostels are Moscow
already has a passenger.Home-Hostel, HM Hostel Moscow, Yellow Blue Bus
Getting outside of MoscowHostel, Hostel 1, Napoleon Hostel, Capital Hostel,
There're lots of picturesque old towns aroundComrade Hostel. It's also quite reasonable to rent
Moscow. Sergiev Posad, Vladimir, Suzdal arean apartment in Moscow. A 1-room apartment in
among the most popular destinations. You can getthe downtown can cost around 140 USD.
their not only by car but also by local trains andShopping places
buses. Sometimes a local train can be even fasterMoscow is a very expensive city and it's cheaper
then a car. A suburban train is called "electrichka"to buy clothes and shoes in Europe. Those
in Russian. 1 trip costs 1-4 USD and you don'tinterested in souvenirs should visit Izmaylovo
need to book tickets in advance. There're plentysouvenir market. It is the leading place to find fur
of local trains going outside of Moscow and it'shats, matryoshka dolls, antics and Soviet
better to study the timetable in advance.memorabilia. The market is near Partisanskaya
A faster option is an express train. It goesmetro station. The vendors speak basic English
without stops or does only 1-2 stops on the way.and accept dollars or Euros. It's advisable to
This is a good option for cities like Vladimir,negotiate. (You might knock down prices by up to
Kaluga, Tula, Sergiev Posad, Yaroslavl (about25 percent if you buy a lot).
100-200 km outside of Moscow). There're notBooking online
many express trains during the day and it's saferOnline services are getting more and more
to get a ticket in advance. A cheap way to getwidespread. You can pay for the tickets to
to St. Petersburg is by train. Overnight sleeperBolshoj theatre by credit card and collect them in
train is the best option for budget travelers (youMoscow before the performance. It's also possible
don't pay for the hotel and you sleep on theto buy train tickets by Internet without paying
way). 2nd class is quite reasonable (it can costcommission to a travel agent. (The official website
from 80 USD) and comfortable - 4 people in 1is eng.rzd.ru) The only difficulty is that you have
cabin. Even cheaper is a 3d class, it's calledto go to the train station in Moscow to get your
"platskart" in Russian. It's also a sleeper carriageticket (you're given only a reservation number
but there're no doors in cabins. A ticket in the 3dwhen you pay online).
class will cost you about 25 USD. This category isMoscow theatres
very popular among the locals as it's convenientMoscow has lots of theatres and concert halls and
and very cheap.most of them are not so expensive. A ticket for
Moscow diningthe Bolshoj theatre will cost you more then 100
Most of the tourist-oriented restaurants are veryUSD but in other theatres you can watch Russian
expensive. Ask the locals for smaller eateriesballet for only 15-20 USD. Moscow Conservatory
where you can try traditional food and save yourand Tchaikovsky Hall have lots of interesting
budget. Popular budget chain-restaurants includemusic events and ticket prices are very
Mu- Mu, Grabli, Yolki-Palki. Many restaurants offerreasonable.