Tips for a budget traveler in Moscow

Tips for a budget traveler in Moscow

Moscow is known as one of the most expensive cities in the world. It’s the center of business life in Russia and like magnet it attracts people with ambition. But many Muscovites leaving here are not so wealthy. What are their secrets? Moscow has a lot to offer for budget minded visitors, but it’s important to know some rules.

1. You need to find a good guide book and a map of the city. There is no official tourist info in the city but one can get a free tourist map in one of 5-star hotels in the center of the city.

2. If you travel during the week instead of the weekend you can get much cheaper airline ticket prices.

3. Travel during a low season, avoid high tourist seasons. You’ll save a lot of money on airfare and hotels are cheaper in winter.

4. Get around Moscow by metro. This is the cheapest and fastest way to explore the city.

5. Book the train tickets online without commission. The only difficulty is that online reservation doesn’t give you the actual ticket. In Moscow you’ll need to go to the train station ticket office and collect your ticket.

6. Buy a ticket to Bolshoj theatre online. You don’t have to overpay to a travel agent.

7. Moscow hotels are very expensive. It’s much cheaper to rent a flat (a 1-room flat in the downtown can cost around 140 USD). There’re also several hostels in the very center of Moscow (Napoleon Hostel, HM Hostel Moscow, Yellow Blue Bus Hostel, Comrade Hostel and others)

8. There’re plenty of budget restaurants with tasty traditional food. A meal can cost around 10 USD.  The most popular are Mu- Mu, Grabli, Yolki-Palki. You can also get a special offer during the day. Many restaurants have ‘business lunch’ menu – usually it’s noon to 4 pm on working days. Moscow has lots of local fast-food cafes. You can try a delicious Russian pancake with cheese, mushrooms or caviar in “Teremok” or a stuffed potato in “Kroshka-Kartoshka”.

9. Most of souvenir shops in the city center are very expensive. Go to Izmaylovo souvenir market which offers better prices and a very good choice.

10. Many of Moscow landmarks are free. Visit Red Square, Gum, Lenin’s Tomb, Christ the Savior Cathedral, Sparrow Hills and lots of beautiful parks and gardens.