Moscow Transportation Tips by saccharinicity

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: Even with a good working knowledge of the Cyrillic alphabet, getting around the Metro can be a daunting and exhausting task.

- Most of the lines are actually located in the depths of hell. The mile ride down to the trains have taught the Moscovites a simple rule: STAND TO THE RIGHT, WALK TO THE LEFT. If you value your life you will not get in their way when riding the escalators. You should also EXIT and ENTER the station through the appropriately marked doors.

- Learn the Cyrillic alphabet. I HIGHLY recommend this to anyone visiting Russia, whether or not you plan on riding the Metro, but when faced with the labyrinth of tunnels, stairs and escalators with 20 signs pointing in 50 directions, it is extremely helpful to at least be able to read.

- GET OUT OF THE WAY and LET THE PEOPLE OFF THE TRAIN BEFORE GETTING ON. Within a second of the doors being open people FLY like bats out of hell out of the train. It's like a tsunami of Russians in a wave of determination. Stand to the side of the doors and let them off before getting on. If you are just hanging out in the hall, I highly suggest you stand towards the walls or you risk being trampled without a second thought from anyone.

- Riding the metro in Moscow is very cheap. Look in each station for a sign saying "KACCA", this is where you buy your tickets. One ride costs approx 50 cents USD. If buying one or two rides, do not give the ticket agent a large bill. At the time of writing, 27 rubles = 1 USD. Please save your smaller Russian notes as your larger ones will be turned away. A simple "odin" (one) or "dva" (two) will suffice to get your point across. More than one ride can be put on the same ticket and more than one person can use the ticket. Stick the card in the machine and wait for it to pop out the top before continuing. Big metal arms attack you if you try to use an invalid card....I saw it happen, it wasn't pretty.

Moscow Metro runs very often...*very* efficient!

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Website: http://www.metro.ru/

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: Hitching a ride? Not exactly, you *do* pay for it, but instead of taking official taxis around town Muscovites are usually found standing at the side of the road, waiting for a car to stop, negotiating a quick price and hopping in.

The first time I encountered this I did it unknowingly so. My friend and I exit the airport and walk towards the shuttle buses which bring you to the metro. Within one minute we had an older gentleman walk up to us and begin negotiating a price to take us into downtown Moscow. Asking if he was an offical cab only left a blank look on his face and the price he wrote on his hand was low enough for two tired girls to accept. He got his car and drove up to us, and at the point we realized he was just a random guy, we figured we would "do as the Romans do" and yes, we got in.

Our second night there we tried to cross Tverskaya without using the underground passageways. Within 10 seconds I had 3 cars lined up in front of me and the longer I stood there, the longer the line got, even though I waved them on. We had a good laugh thinking that they must think we are streetwalkers and were trying to pick us up but as the trip went on, I realized that this was just how they did things, they became private "taxis".

Single woman, old ladies, men - everyone did this. When the first car stopped, they would open the passenger door, they would exchange a few words, say the destination, the driver gave them a price and if they were ok with the price they would get in, if not, they would shut the door and go to the next car which was in line waiting for them.

My companion and I mentioned to each other that it seemed a bit strange and dangerous to do, but then I realized that in a way, it just showed the comraderie and trust. It obviously works for them and they are just helping each other out. It is not recommended to do for obvious safety issues, but it apparently works for them.

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