Moscow Travel Tips: What I Wish I Knew
While traveling in Moscow, I jotted down a few things I thought would have made my trip a little easier had I known them beforehand. I'm not sure how useful this will be, but I'm writing it down just to organize my thoughts.
1. Take the subway instead of a taxi or bus
Moscow's public transportation is beyond convenient—the subway network is so vast and dense that you'll feel like you can get almost anywhere with it. You'll have to decide whether to buy a multi-day pass or single tickets depending on your stay, but if you plan to visit more than three places, I highly recommend getting a multi-day pass.
The subway escalators run incredibly fast, so you need to pay a little attention at first. Of course, you'll get used to it by your second ride, and by your third, you'll probably find yourself trying to walk down them.
The trains are very fast and, much like the old Seoul subway cars, they have windows that are mostly left open. If you're sensitive to air quality, this might bother you. However, absolutely no one else cares, so you can't really complain about it.
Fare evasion on the subway is a big no-no whether you're in Korea or Russia. But unlike Korea, where the ticket gates are often unstaffed, Moscow always has at least one or two guards keeping watch. Trying to sneak two people through on a single ticket will get you caught immediately. I actually saw someone get caught doing this—they were stopped right away and told to go buy a ticket. Muscovites don't smile much, so their expressions can look scary, but they won't hit you.
2. If you don't know Russian, avoid Mu-Mu
Moscow has plenty of delicious restaurants that are relatively cheaper than Seoul. Prices fluctuate a lot depending on the exchange rate, but the taste is guaranteed. However, even among these great spots, I don't recommend cafeteria-style buffet restaurants. Generally, the service mindset in Russia isn't as high as it is in Korea. If you don't speak Russian and end up standing in a cafeteria line trying to pick out food, you'll cause a serious traffic jam and annoy everyone behind you. The moment you sense that frustration, your meal will just feel depressing.
Instead of cafeterias, I recommend Teremok, or if you have a bit more budget, Yolki Palki. If you really want to try a cafeteria-style place, the Karavaev Brothers cafe is a good choice because you can scout out the food before they call your turn.
3. Stay as close to a subway station as possible
This ties into my first point. Hotels around subway stations can be quite pricey. The ones with a sweeping view of the Kremlin were completely out of my budget. If you want something affordable but don't want a cheap, rundown room, I recommend the Izmailovo area. It's close to Partizanskaya Station and the prices aren't too bad. Just keep in mind that you'll have to ride the subway for a bit longer (about 20 minutes) to reach the main tourist attractions.
4. Don't even think about using English
It is very hard to find anyone who speaks English in Moscow. You'd normally expect English to work well in heavily touristy areas, but it's a wasteland there, too. On the other hand, quite a few people speak Chinese, so Chinese tourists actually have a pretty easy time getting around. I'm guessing this is because they didn't learn English during the communist era due to the standoff with the US. Anyway, be prepared to use your most creative body language. If you're planning a longer trip of over a week, try to memorize the Cyrillic alphabet as quickly as possible so you can at least read subway stations and shop signs.
5. Take the train if you're heading to St. Petersburg
There are flights and buses, but the train offers the best value for your money. If you take an overnight train that arrives early in the morning, you can even save a night's accommodation cost. If you're intimidated by the idea of a long journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway or think it'll be too physically draining, this route is the perfect "taster" experience. It's especially great if you're traveling as a couple—it's the best route to suffer together for just the right amount of time, so definitely give it a try.
6. There's space to lie down and sleep in Terminal E at Sheremetyevo Airport
This information is highly likely to change over time, but as of 2016, there is space to lie down and sleep at Sheremetyevo Airport. Specifically, in Terminal E. Also, the Wi-Fi password for one of the VIP lounges is written right on the front desk. If you zoom in with your phone camera, you can snap a picture of it. Enter that password, and you can steal their Wi-Fi from outside the lounge...;;; I feel like I'd get in trouble if I said exactly which lounge it is, so I'll just leave it at that.