Visitors from most Western countries to Russia, including Moscow, require visas. Tourist visas are valid for 30 days, while business visas last for 60 days. Anyone making multiple business visits to the country can do so by obtaining repeat entry visas, which are valid for six months. Some of the airlines that offer flights to Moscow from the UK and other EU countries include Air France, Alitalia, Finnair, LOT, Iberia, Lufthansa, TAP, Cyprus, BMI, SN Brussels and Air Europa.
Moscow has an efficient railway system serving Prague, Warsaw, Helsinki and Budapest. Other lines connect the city with Athens, Amsterdam, Tallinn, Brussels, Berlin, Bucharest, Paris, Riga, Vilnius, Frankfurt and Venice.
Travel within the city is efficient and simple for visitors, with the Metro underground system, trams and buses, which are usually available from 5:30am to 12:30am. The Metro network has over 150 terminals and passengers can pay their fare by cash or use multi-trip plastic cards and season passes. Route-taxis are available between 8:00am and 10:00pm. There are also a number of car rental car services available, with weekly rates starting from around US$60.
Tourist destinations abound in Moscow include museums like the Pushkin Fine Arts Museum, Tretyakov Gallery and Gorky House Museum. Lenin’s Mausoleum is to be found in historic Red Square, which is also home to the statues of key political and military figures from the Soviet era. The square is also the location of the world-renowned GUM department store and historic St. Basil’s Cathedral.
Tour operators offer a wide range of specialist travel packages, such as to cultural centres, a stay with a Muscovite family and luxury trips to St. Petersburg.