Making the most of an SVO layover
 

In March I will have a 5 hour layover in SVO 2. Due to the feedback here I know enough to not leave the terminal, I will due that upon my return journey when I have 9 hours. I know from what I have read here and other places it is probably one of the worst airports to have to hang out for that amount of time. I did some non FT research and have come to the following conclusions:

1. I will probably spend an hour getting through the transfer desk. Even if I get my SVO - DEL boarding pass in JFK it will not make a difference I still need to wait on the line

2. I will not have access to any lounge, even if was to pay. This does not make a difference as the lounges are not that great anyway.

3. I should stay away from the gate area as long as possible because there are no bathrooms there and once in you can not leave.

4. After the transfer area and before the gates there are some duty free shops as well as restaurants to choose from. The food there will be overpriced but will at least offer a cleaner area to sit than the gate.


Am I wrong on any of my points above? Especially that I think I will have access to the shops and restaurants?

Are any of the restaurants recommended, I hear there is an Irish Bar and perhaps a half way decent seafood restaurant?

Any other spots suggested for hanging out? I will bring some books and intend to use them to pass the time.

People tend to overdramatise quite a bit when it comes to SVO - it's not exactly Baghdad International

The lounges are not that great but if all you need is a quiet place to do some reading and have a bit to eat, any of them'll do. You may try to get in using your DL Gold card (the lounge dragons just might not know DL Golds are not Elite+) or, if you have a Citibank gold card, at least one of the lounges should let you in.

If you can't get into a lounge, go to the shops. The Grand Tour of SVO2 shouldn't take more than an hour as the terminal is very compact. Then retire upstairs where all the restaurants and bars are. I believe all of them are pretty much the same so just pick one that looks half decent and camp there for the duration. Note that you can actually look down from the cafés to the gate area so you may want to choose one above your gate to be able to keep an eye on what's going on (last-minute gate changes are not unheard of). Just wait it out upstairs and don't go below until, say, 10 minutes before boarding starts - by then they'll have started letting all the remaining passengers jump the line to the final security check (each one serves two or three gates).

Hope it helps

I'm curious. I was at SVO 1 a couple years ago but did not eat at any of the establishments. I heard they may not be safe for the western stomach.
Is this still the case?

Depends on your stomach I guess but I've been munching there since the early 90's with no (or minimal at worst) problems.

I don't know that it's been the case in the past. It certainly isn't the case now.

You can pay to access Amber lounge (snacks, booze, free Internet), not sure about amount. It is also available for LH Gold (Senators) , but I guess that doesn't apply to you.