My wife and I are visiting Moscow for the first time over the New Year (29th-3rd) and staying at the Kempinski,( her birthday present from me) we're landing at SVO and really want to take public transport (for the experience) I've read the other threads on the site with regards the travel, so hopefully that won't be a problem, but any advice will be much appreciated. Can anyone recommend restaurants, pubs, shops, etc within the area we're staying. As its my wifes birthday on the 1st so I'll like to buy a couple of bottles of champagne and open them on red square at mid-night, any ideas where I could pick them up. Really what I'm saying is there any advice one could give, to make it special for her (without getting me in servere debt) would be much appreciated Thanks.

Ummmmm, Red Square will be really crowded on New Year Eve. And you'll have better views from Kempinsky provided your room faces the river (the Kremlin is just opposite). You can buy champagne almost everywhere, last time I checked even GUM (the big department store right on Red Square) had a delicatessen section, although the prices tend to be inflated.

we're landing at SVO and really want to take public transport (for the experience)I would suggest that you reconsider the "taking the public transport" from the SVO part. Going through that airport will be an experience of its own :) ...

My wife and I are visiting Moscow for the first time over the New Year (29th-3rd) and staying at the Kempinski,( her birthday present from me) we're landing at SVO and really want to take public transport (for the experience)

Uh, must agree that taking public transport from SVO is NOT a good idea. Experiences like that you don't need, particularly right as your first impression of Russia. You might just turn right around and leave again. That said, definitely get into the Metro and ride around once you're in town. Many of the older stations, particularly those inside the circle line, are a joy to behold. Do learn the Cyrillic alphabet first though or you will be riding around in there forever, like Bill on the MTA...

New Year's in Red Square is a great experience. Yes, it's crowded, but it's nowhere near the crush of Times Square (Red Square is absolutely massive). Wear a really warm coat and really, really warm boots. Champagne bottles will be popped all around you throughout the night. As stated, you can buy champagne pretty much everywhere (any food shop, most kiosks) so no worries about finding it. It's cheap, and you get just what you pay for.

[QUOTE=travelmad478]Uh, must agree that taking public transport from SVO is NOT a good idea. Experiences like that you don't need, particularly right as your first impression of Russia.

Thanks for the advice !!! can you recommend a taxi firm i can contact to take us to the hotel. Ive been reading different thread and have come to the conclusion its safer (if thats the right word) to pre order rather than pick up one from the airport. Also would anyone know a nice resturant and a decent pub in the vicinity, preferably serving the local food/drink ? I'm trying to make it a cultural experience, Thanks again Mark

You might want to contact the Kempinski directly, as they should have a company that does a meet and greet. It will be in the range of $90-100 USD (though you'll need to pay in roubles). When I flew out of SVO I was at the Sheraton and they just added it to the bill :)

I guess I got very lucky flying in and out of SVO. No wait watsoever either coming or going.

Also, if you can manage a bit of russian, get the 10 or 20 ride metro cards. I, fortunately, had a collegue who lives in Moscow and speaks fluent russian and he was able to ask for the card at the till for me.

Enjoy your time there. It's a very beautiful city. If you've never been before you will be pleasantly surprised.

can you recommend a taxi firm i can contact to take us to the hotel. Ive been reading different thread and have come to the conclusion its safer (if thats the right word) to pre order rather than pick up one from the airport.

You can ask the hotel to send a car for you--it'll be very expensive, but reliable. I wish I could help you with a car service, but every time I go to Russia now (for business) I am picked up by drivers sent by the firms I'm visiting. If you do a search around this board, you should be able to find suggestions for car services--I'm positive that the question has come up before.


Also would anyone know a nice resturant and a decent pub in the vicinity, preferably serving the local food/drink ? I'm trying to make it a cultural experience

In the vicinity of what? There are plenty of restaurants all over central Moscow so you shouldn't have trouble finding one. Right near the Kempinski itself is a bit of a retail wasteland--it's not really near anything--but once you get across the river into the very center of the city, there's lots to choose from.

As to "a pub," I have to laugh. This is not something Russia specializes in. Pubs are there, but most of them are of the fake-Irish, Guinness-supplied, expat-filled variety. There are bars and restaurants (many of them quite expensive). They're not "typical Russian" though--nearly everything you see has come up in the last ten years. Going to bars and eating out regularly at restaurants was never a part of Soviet culture in the past, so everything that's around now is kind of an imported experience.

[QUOTE=travelmad478]You can ask the hotel to send a car for you--it'll be very expensive, but reliable.

Thanks for your help, We've just decided to book the car directly from the Hotel it works out at 75 dollars one way ( and they will add it to the final bill), it'll save all the hassle. as for the Pubs/Bars It'll be fun wandering around, and sampling the vodka. We're used to Edinburgh at New Year so the crowds won't be a problem, I'll send you feedback when we get back and thanks again. M and P

We're used to Edinburgh at New Year so the crowds won't be a problem

Uh, depending on who you ask Moscow has 12 to 15 million inhabitants. Not that all of them will be in the square, mind you :)

Have visited Red square twice in the heart of winter but never new years (right after that though), and the crowds had of course left. Of tourism notes: the small pink orthodox church diagonally opposite of St. Basil's is a gem. Stunning inside, peaceful, and a moving experience. Free too! That cannot be said for St Basil's itself, which charges a nominal fee (10 times going rate for foreigners...). I had my russian friend buy for me, and I uttered not a word to avoid being pegged.

Regardless, I was pegged as an american both times by hawkers. Not a real problem, but have heard of shakedowns by crooked russian cops, and racial problems for non caucasians. All said though, a fantastic experience that you will never forget. Gotta go to GUM to say you did, but it left me feeling too Western. Lenin's tomb was closed both times, so no feedback there. Try to walk around the other side of the Kremlin, where they have a "changing of the guard" ceremony too. Huge Kremlin doors are so huge they make the guards (with automatic weapons & a mean attitude) seem toylike.

Go have fun, watch yourself, and take lots of pictures. The russians like to have fun & drink. You'll come back with some new friends if you give it a chance!

Public transport is the safest way.
Take shared taxi or bus to metro "Rechnoi vokzal"
Then take subway to wherever you need