Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO)

Overview

Sheremetyevo International Airport is the key entry point into Moscow. It is just 18 miles (29 km) north-west of central Moscow and handled close to 20 million passengers in 2010.

Sheremetyevo Airport has six terminals and transiting between terminals can take up to 20 minutes. Duty-free stores as well as restaurants and retails stores are scattered throughout the terminals. The airport often comes across as quite chaotic. However, staff are friendly and processes run relatively efficiently.

Location

The airport is situated 16 miles (26km) northwest of Moscow.

Getting to the city

Taxis are available from outside both terminals; passengers should avoid the renegade taxi drivers and go to the official taxi counter. Rates are fixed. There is an express bus services, which leaves from outside Sheremetyevo 1 and 2 for the nearby metro stations that connect to the city centre. Minibuses are also available.

Time

Local time is GMT +3 (GMT +4 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in September).

Contacts

Tel: +7 495 232 6565.

Car rental

Car rental companies include Avis, Hertz, National and Budget.

Airport Taxis

A taxi ride to the city centre takes around 30 minutes (traffic dependent) and should cost around $40. Taxis touts operate in front of both terminals and are to be avoided. Book a taxi from one of the official taxi company booths. It is advisable to prebook a taxi and be met on arrival.

Transfer between terminals

Most international flights will arrive at Sheremetyevo II. Sheremetyevo I, about 15 miles (24km) away, serves domestic flights. Public and Express buses, taxis and free airline shuttles are available between the terminals.

Facilities

Moscow Airport is a soulless, dimly lit, grey building and long stopovers here should be avoided if possible. The staff are slow and inefficient and the queues for passport control and check-in are long. Once through check-in, however, the facilities are fine, including bureaux de change, restaurants, bars, duty-free shopping and a post office. Disabled facilities are limited but wheelchair transfer from the aircraft to the terminal building can be arranged in advance. Left luggage counters, a business conference centre and ATMs are available in Terminal 2.

Parking

Parking is available close to each of the terminals. Most offer free parking for the first 5 to 15 minutes, RUB 100 per hour with a RUB 800 daily maximum.

Departure Tax

None.

Website

svo.aero/en/

Airlines

Flights to Sheremetyevo International Airport are available on Adria Airways, Aeroflot, Aerosvit Airlines, Air Algérie, Air Astana, Air China, Air France, Air Koryo, Air Malta, airBaltic, Alitalia, Ariana Afghan Airlines, Avianova, Belavia, Blue Panorama Airlines, Bulgaria Air, Cyprus Airways, Czech Airlines, Delta Airlines, Finnair, Hong Kong Airlines, Iran Air, KLM, Korean Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Nordavia, Nordwind Airlines, Orenair, Rossiya, Royal Air Maroc, Scandinavian Airlines, Tatarstan Airlines, Transaero Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Ural Airlines.

Internet

Free wifi is available in Terminal F and in the Terminal C's Classic Lounge. Paid for wifi is also available throughout the airport.

Business Lounges

The on-site Novatel Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport Hotel offers meeting and conference facilities. A business centre, with telephone, fax and conference facilities, is available in Terminal F.

Moscow International Airport Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.