Useful Tips, Maps, and Guides for Travel to Russia

Visa and MasterCard are currently not accepted in Russia. MIR and UnionPay cards are widely used for payments.

Also, cash is accepted absolutely everywhere. You can exchange foreign currency for roubles at an exchange office; there are more than a hundred of them throughout the city. For better exchange options, use city exchange offices marked on the map.

You can bring cash with you, but any amount equivalent to more than $10,000 will have to be declared upon entry. Also, you cannot take foreign currency in cash in excess of $10,000 when leaving Russia.

Public transport

Having a transit map will make getting around Moscow much easier. The Moscow Metro app will help you navigate the city's huge underground, which has more than 200 stations, and will select the shortest route for you.

For trips on the metro, Troika, the unified public transport card, will come in handy. The Moscow Transport app will suggest the best above-ground routes across the city.

• The Moscow Metro app (App Store, Google Play)
• The Troika public transport card (Google Play, Huawei App Gallery, direct download from the distributor)
• Moscow Transport app for above-ground routes (App Store, Google Play, RuStore, Huawei App Gallery)

Use the links below to download the Moscow metro map for tourists.

Taxi

Yandex Go is a multifunctional app that allows you to call a taxi in Moscow safely and conveniently, rent scooters or bikes, and order food delivery. Download from Yandex’s official website. Some services require a Russian bank card.

From each of these airports, you can easily reach the city centre of Moscow by public transport. Additionally, Aeroexpress trains run from Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo airports to major railway stations in the city:

• Sheremetyevo to Belorussky Station,
• Domodedovo to Paveletsky Station.

You can take the metro all the way from the Vnukovo Airport to the city centre without transferring to any other forms of transport.

The Aeroexpress train and the metro are the fastest ways to reach the city, as you won’t get stuck in traffic. You can purchase Aeroexpress tickets directly at the airport.

Taxis are also available for direct transfers to any location in the city. We recommend you use one of the trusted taxi services listed above instead of agreeing to ride with one of the taxi drivers offering their services outside the airport building.

Get your SIM card

Once biometrics and verification are complete, visit any mobile carrier store with your documents to purchase a local SIM card for your stay in Moscow.

After that, you’ll enjoy affordable and reliable connectivity across Russia.

“Сooling-off Period”: How to pass it quickly

Since the end of 2025, the Russian Federation has been operating a "cooling-off period" for SIM cards in order to counter illegal activities. It applies to both Russian and foreign SIM cards that cross the border of the Russian Federation. For the safety of citizens and guests of Moscow, the "cooling-off period" is 24 hours, during which voice calls remain available. You don’t have to wait the full 24 hours — you can restore full access in just a few minutes using one of the following methods:

Method 1: Complete the captcha

1) Receive an SMS message (sometimes you need to wait for it) with a link.

2) Follow the link in the browser and take a simple test (for example, to assemble a puzzle or select pictures with a specific object).

3) After that, the Internet and SMS will start working within a few minutes.

Method 2: Call the operator

If the SMS does not arrive, call your operator's support service and complete identification by phone. A notification will be sent when the services are restored.

Operator's support service numbers:

• MTS: 8 (800) 250-08-90
• MegaFon: 8 (800) 550-05-00
• Beeline: 8 (800) 700-06-11
• Tele2 (T2): 8 (800) 555-06-11
• Yota: 8 (800) 550-00-07

Staying connected in Moscow is easy — and free. The city offers one of the largest public Wi-Fi networks in the world, available in the metro, on public transport, in central streets, parks, and many public spaces.

According to Russian law, using public Wi-Fi requires a quick verification process. It is simple, safe, and takes about a minute:

1. Select a network (MT_FREE or Moscow_WiFi_Free) in your device settings.
2. Open any browser — you will be redirected to the login page.
3. Choose the “by phone number” option.
4. Enter your phone number (Russian or international).
5. Enter the 4-digit code sent via SMS.
6. Click “Log in to the Internet”.

Once completed, you will have full internet access.

Important: Reauthorisation is required only once every three months. After that, simply click “Log in to the Internet” when prompted.

Online Translators

We recommend installing these apps before your trip:

• Google Translate (Google Play, App Store)
• Yandex Translate (App Store, Google Play)
• DeepL (App Store, Google Play)

If you didn’t manage to prepare everything in advance, don’t worry. Free city Wi-Fi is available across Moscow — in the metro, at public transport stops, and in many public spaces. You can quickly connect, translate what you need, and plan your next move on the go.

City Maps

First and foremost, visitors will need city maps to get around the capital.

• Yandex.Maps (App Store, Google Play)
• Google Maps (App Store, Google Play)
• 2GIS (App Store, Google Play)

Guides

Hotline for Tourists

The tourist hotline provides practical support for visitors, including transport navigation, taxi information, metro and Aeroexpress schedules, advice in emergency situations such as lost luggage or documents, restaurant and café recommendations, general visa and entry guidance, up-to-date information on museums and attractions, and help with ticket bookings, hotels, tours, or finding currency exchange points.

+7 495 122-01-11

+7 800 300-61-22

If you have a complaint, request or suggestion, feel free to email: hello@discover.moscow

Tourist police contacts

Provide support to visitors at any time of day. They can help with city navigation, directions, and advice on how to avoid getting lost. They also provide guidance in emergency situations and can recommend the best course of action if you need urgent assistance.

+7 499 157-29-31 (24/7)

Emergency Services

This single toll-free number for all cell phone providers is suitable for any emergency situation, and operators speak 18 languages. You can get through even if you don’t have a SIM-card or don’t have any money on your phone.If an emergency occurs, an English-speaking operator will help call the police, an ambulance or other emergency services.

112 (24/7)

At the Moscow Tourist Information Centres, you can get useful tips on transport and navigation; learn about sights and upcoming events; receive a personalised itinerary around Moscow; pick up free maps and guidebooks; explore digital services like RUSSPASS and Discover.Moscow; buy or order official Moscow souvenirs.

The staff speak Russian and foreign languages.

Dream Island amusement park

Address: Andropov Ave. 1 (on the city promenade near the central entrance)
Working hours: Dream Island working hours from 10:00 to 22:00
e-mail: PORT-tic_ostrovmecht@mos.ru
+7 985 895-72-57

Matryoshka of Moscow

Address: Varvarka St., 6, Zaryadye Park, Matryoshka of Moscow Pavilion
Working hours: On Monday: from 12:00 to 21:00
Tuesday – Sunday: from 10:00 to 21:00
e-mail: PORT-ticzaryadye@mos.ru
+7 915 243-82-72

Leningradsky Station

Address: Moscow, Komsomolskaya Square, 3 (inside Leningradsky Station building, 1st floor)
Working hours: from 9:00 to 21:00
e-mail: PORT-ticleningrad@mos.ru
+7 985 253-57-57

North River Terminal

Address: Leningradskoe shosse, 51 (in the building of the Northern River Terminal)
Working hours: from 09:00 to 20:00
e-mail: PORT-tic_srv@mos.ru
+7 915 102-36-02

Manezhnaya Square (from 8 June)

Address: Manezhnaya Square (a green trailer in front of the monument to Marshal Zhukov)
Working hours: from 10:00 to 21:00
+7 985 120-81-81

Tourist and banking office of Sber

Address: Bolshaya Dmitrovka St., 21/7
Working hours: from 09:00 to 21:00
e-mail: PORT-tic_sber@mos.ru
+7 985 894-87-81