Moscow Traveler Essentials
- Safety rating
- 5.5/10
- Best time to visit
- May to September for pleasant weather and long days. December to January for the extraordinary snow-covered Red Square and Winter Festival. October and November bring autumn colour and fewer tourists.
- Population
- 12.7M
Overview
Moscow is one of the world's great cities — a megalopolis of extraordinary contrasts where golden onion domes face Stalin-era skyscrapers, where the world's most ornate metro stations transport millions daily, and where Red Square at night under snow is among the world's most dramatic urban tableaux. Check your government's travel advice carefully before planning travel.
Getting around
The Moscow Metro is extensive, fast, and affordable — use a Troika card. Yandex Taxi is the dominant ride-hailing app. Walking connects central sights around the Kremlin and Arbat. The Circle Line on the metro serves most tourist areas.
Local etiquette
Russians can seem reserved with strangers but are warm once acquainted; a firm handshake (not over a threshold) is standard. Dress modestly in Orthodox churches — women cover their heads, men remove hats — and keep public behaviour composed. Avoid smiling at strangers without reason (it can seem insincere) and bring a gift if invited to a home.
Safety
Check your government's current travel advisories. Tourist areas of central Moscow (Red Square, Arbat, Tretyakov Gallery area) have historically been safe for visitors. Current geopolitical conditions have significantly changed travel dynamics for many nationalities — consular support may be limited for some passport holders.