Lay over in SVO
Jun 20, 2014 | 5:29 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: American Airlines; Southwest; Delta
Posts: 13
Lay over in SVO
hi there! I am planning a trip to Ukraine and could take a flight with a long lay over in Moscow's SVO. If I wanted to leave the airport between flights and shop or dine, do I need a Russian visa? Ukraine does not require a visa for US citizens. thanks for your comments
Jun 21, 2014 | 3:55 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Luxembourg
Programs: KLM/AF Platinum for life, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,027
Plenty of Duty Free shopping. Anything edible/drinkable in a Duty Free shop though CHECK THE DATES as much of it expired around a year ago. I find the food to be horrible and tend to survive off of the lounge food for free.
Jun 21, 2014 | 8:43 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,150
Didnt this change recently where Im not sure if its 24-48 or 72 hrs allowed w/o getting a prior Visa , as long as you are continuing on to another Country and are flying on a Russian Carrier? So if the OP flys on Aeroflot or Transaero then they should beable to go into the city w/o any problems at least if a US citizen
Jun 22, 2014 | 2:30 am
#5
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Moscow
Programs: Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond AMB
Posts: 1,830
No, it didn't change. There was such a proposal, but I have no idea when the parliament (as this is a change to the entry law) will vote on it, and with the recent political developments the answer is probably 'not anytime soon'.
Jun 25, 2014 | 9:46 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,657
Nothing changed, but Americans should be thankful that we got the 3 year deal (well Russians as well) before everything went crazy. All of the EU countries have no such choice.
Mar 23, 2015 | 3:50 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: TMP
Programs: TK Elite Plus, AY Platinum, FB Gold, BT VIP
Posts: 83
I presume you are flying Aeroflot? In that case you will remain in terminal F, so you won't need a transit visa. Please check your tickets for the operating airline. If your connecting flight is with Air France (Terminal E), you won't need a visa either, as E and F are connected. Other airlines could arrive at or fly from different terminals, for which a transit visa might be required.
Last edited by aufmatt; May 14, 2015 at 6:32 am
Mar 26, 2015 | 12:16 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Luxembourg
Programs: KLM/AF Platinum for life, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,027
You do not need a visa, transit or otherwise and the Aeroflot agents in IAD know this [only SU on this route]. When you deplane in SVO, just follow the transit signs, go to the transit desk and they will sort you out by at least getting you through security and into the terminal where you can then get your boarding pass from another transit desk. I transit a few times a year in SVO and have not had a visa since around 2007.
That said, 7 hours with the family is a lot. I tend to stay no more than 4 hours. Duty free shopping is fine, but check the date on anything to eat or drink. It is often years past its date. The lounges are constantly fighting with other SkyTeam members, so they may not let you in or they may hold you to the 4-hour rule. Can be a little hit or miss. If you want to get the family in on one card, forget it now.
That said, 7 hours with the family is a lot. I tend to stay no more than 4 hours. Duty free shopping is fine, but check the date on anything to eat or drink. It is often years past its date. The lounges are constantly fighting with other SkyTeam members, so they may not let you in or they may hold you to the 4-hour rule. Can be a little hit or miss. If you want to get the family in on one card, forget it now.