About that 3 1/2 hour lay over in Moscow. TimH is correct, you will arive in SVO2 and need to go to SVO1. One runway, with terminals on opposite sides of that runway. Taxi driver will want $55 for the less than 5 mile trip around to the other side! Honest, I am not kidding!
There is a bus, and you can ask at the information desk as they do speak English at that terminal. I do not know how reliable the bus schedule is, but I think it cost around $5...but I am not sure. I scheduled a taxi using a service at www.gotoru.com and paid $25. Still a lot, but I have found them to be very good and reliable. My plane was an hour late into Moscow, and the man was standing there with a sign with my name patiently waiting. When he droped me off he did not expect a tip, and would not even accept it. The fare had been prepaid using a credit card prior to my trip.
In SVO1, the old domestic terminal, very few people speak English. Also be careful about the weight of your bag as you will be charged for anything over 22 kilos, I think. TimH may know the exact weight limit.
my advice is to schedule taxi service too. they will wait for you and take you to any place 5 times cheaper, than if you take a taxi from the airport. they always try to cheat on the not prepared tourists at the airports. some kind of agreement. nobody will take you from here for less, unless you make reservation in advance.. we just paid $50 for a very comfortable taxi t take my friend from domestic airport in Moscow to SVO2 almost 3 hour drive. and the driver was waiting for the plain arrival for one hour. great service.
Does the bus from SVO2 to SVO1 keep a regular, frequent, and reliable schedule? If so, I will try that next time. My first trip I was a little reluctant to try the bus for fear I would get lost and miss my plane at SVO1. Now I may be brave enough as I know where everything is.
TimH, What Neonred asked. Also, I just received a letter from my girl. She said that the crime isn't any worse than my city (New York ) and during white nights it is even safer. That doesn't mean I'm gonna let my guard down.
The bus runs on a fairly regular basis, if you go to the large arrivals hall on the lower level there is a booth just to the right of the board with big yellow writing that arranges the free bus, why pay when its free !!
The trip from Term` to Term` takes about 10 minutes and I had no problems between the two at all.
One other point:
Use of the Free bus has no reliance on which airline you are travelling with, No one asked to see my tickets on any trip on this bus, it picks up at both Term`s right outside the door and drops off the same, there will usually be a group of people waitng near the booth at Term` 2 for the bus, go to the booth and ask when the next bus is and join the group and you should be fine.
Coming from Term 1 to 2 on your return you will know the bus, and the driver is likely to be the same guy each time :o)
TimH, Da bus will be held!
Another question for you......
Can I use my ATM card in St.Pete's? Are there cash machines?
I'm leaving Wednesday June 2. I'm gettin paid Friday the 4th. My paycheck is going into my checking account. I will need this $$. What ya think??
Disastronaut, you need to check with your banking institution regarding your being out of country. Visa is renowned for blocking foreign ATM transactions, because the fraud checking system thinks your card has been stolen.