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Still haven't figured out why we are going via Moscow, except that the ticket was cheaper. Both flights are Aeroflot. It's actually out of the way, we then have to double back a little ways to get to Italy.
But, back to the subject: We'll have a 5 hour 30 minute stopover in Moscow's airport. Then our connecting flight leaves the same airport to go to Rome.
I'm sure there are restaurants in the Moscow airport. But can we leave the airport for a few hours to go into the city of Moscow, take in a few sights, and have dinner before going back to the airport and catching our connecting flight?
Do we need a visa (or a "transit visa") just to go briefly into the city?
There’s also the question of whether they’ll let you transfer/get off there. If it’s possible to get a visa and stay there for an overnight or two, I don’t think you’d regret it-Moscow is one of the best cities in the world with loads to offer.
Cebuan-there are certain smaller/mid sized cities where you might be able to get away walking around for an hour or two and grabbing a snack if you had a 5 hr layover (Copenhagen, for instance, given the proximity of rail to the city center from airport). Not Moscow though I don’t think, as it’s far too large.
Great idea, not enough time. If you want to leave the airport plan a longer layover.
The distance from the airport to Moscow is around 45 km. The total trip with a car usually takes 1 hour or more. So, you have 2 hrs wasted on the commute, plus - you need to be at least 2 hrs back in the airport before the flight (going through the customs etc.)
The cost of a tourist visa is as follows: $198: $160 in consular taxes + $38 in administrative fees. And probably you need a letter of invitation - $18. TOTAL: $216 per visa.
Great idea, not enough time. If you want to leave the airport plan a longer layover.
The distance from the airport to Moscow is around 45 km. The total trip with a car usually takes 1 hour or more. So, you have 2 hrs wasted on the commute, plus - you need to be at least 2 hrs back in the airport before the flight (going through the customs etc.)
The cost of a tourist visa is as follows: $198: $160 in consular taxes + $38 in administrative fees. And probably you need a letter of invitation - $18. TOTAL: $216 per visa.
Still haven't figured out why we are going via Moscow, except that the ticket was cheaper. Both flights are Aeroflot. It's actually out of the way, we then have to double back a little ways to get to Italy.
But, back to the subject: We'll have a 5 hour 30 minute stopover in Moscow's airport. Then our connecting flight leaves the same airport to go to Rome.
I'm sure there are restaurants in the Moscow airport. But can we leave the airport for a few hours to go into the city of Moscow, take in a few sights, and have dinner before going back to the airport and catching our connecting flight?
Do we need a visa (or a "transit visa") just to go briefly into the city?
Anybody know?
Yes you need a visa and I don't think it's worth it in this case. I worked in Moscow for awhile and don't consider to be a great tourist stop. Aeroflot is not terrible.
If you do not have a transit visa, you will not be allowed to leave the transit zone of the airport.
This doesn't make sense. Even if you have a "Transit Visa" you will not be allowed to leave the transit zone of the airport. To leave the airport you would need at the very least a Tourist Visa and considering the OP only has 5 hours the cost/hassle is not worth it.
Unless he/she has a South American nation passport also. Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, etc. do not need a visa to travel to Russia.
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