Airports In Moscow: Your Ultimate Guide To Smooth & Efficient Travel Hubs

Moscow airport runway, an aircraft and an illuminated tower seen from an aeroplane window Viewers of this file can see comments and suggestions

This lively Russian capital, pulsing with energy and history, sees millions of visitors each year. It’s interesting how knowing a few details about many airports in Moscow can really change the whole journey. A little insight into where you land or depart from can make all the difference. The city’s air travel scene is huge, and these hubs not only handle local flights but also open doors to the far reaches of the globe. In most cases, being on top of which airport serves your flight and catching the best transport option can save you both time and stress, so it’s definitely something to keep in mind.

6 Airports In Moscow

Here listed are the major airports in Moscow, offering a very easy and convenient access to this city:

1. Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO)

People sitting and passing by in Sheremetyevo Airport Terminal B in the waiting area.

Photo: MBH / Wikimedia Commons

Sheremetyevo kicks off an airport scene that’s hard to miss. It’s bustling and central to Moscow’s travel heartbeat, serving as a go-to base for big names like Aeroflot. Hopping on the Aeroexpress is usually a 35 to 40-minute ride, and you land right at Belorussky Railway Station, although a taxi or bus is easily available. There’s really no shortage of little extras either; you can wander through a variety of shops, grab a bite at different restaurants, chill in lounges, and even catch some free Wi-Fi along the way.

Places To Visit Nearby: Khimki, Skhodnya, Dolgoprudny
Nearby Hotels: Radisson Blu Hotel, Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport, Novotel Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport
Nearby Restaurants: Altitude Restaurant & Bar, Soho Coffee Co., Burger King

2. Domodedovo International Airport (DME)

A terminal at Domodedovo Airport with modern glass architecture, one of the airports in Moscow

Photo: Markus Spiske / Unsplash/ Image For Representation Only

Domodedovo International Airport, located approximately 42 kilometres south of the city centre, is another one of the major airports in Moscow. Famous for its modern facilities, it serves domestic and international traffic. Transportation to the centre of Moscow is convenient with the Aero Express train (taking 45-50 minutes to Paveletsky Railway Station), affordable taxis, or daytime buses to the centre. Domodedovo has a variety of services, including duty-free stores, cafes, restaurants and business lounges.

Places To Visit Nearby: Vidnoye, Domodedovo Town, Gorki Leninskiye Museum-Reserve
Nearby Hotels: Aerotel Domodedovo, Radisson Blu Airport Hotel, Moscow Domodedovo, Milan Hotel
Nearby Restaurants: Aviator Restaurant, Il Patio, Shokoladnitsa

3. Vnukovo International Airport (VKO)

A view of Vnukovo airport-3 terminal, one of the major airports in Moscow

Photo: Albert Stoynov / Unsplash/ Image For Representation Only

Vnukovo International Airport is one of the four major airports in Moscow and is the oldest one still in operation, around 28 kilometres (17 miles) southwest of the city centre. It serves both domestic and international flights, along with a number of government and business aviation services. Kievsky Railway Station is a direct train ride via Aeroexpress (35–40 min); taxi and bus services are also available within a 5-minute walk from the airport. Vnukovo features a variety of traveller facilities, including shops, restaurants and VIP lounges.

Places To Visit Nearby: Peredelkino (Bulat Okudzhava State Memorial Museum), Novo-Peredelkino, Moskovsky
Nearby Hotels: Vnukovo Village Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Moscow Vnukovo Airport, Best Western Premier Monaco Moscow Vnukovo Airport
Nearby Restaurants: Vanil Cafe, Stolovaya 57, McDonald’s

4. Zhukovsky International Airport (ZIA)

Zhukovsky International Airport's modern glass structure under the morning blue skies welcoming passengers.

Photo: Wonderlane / Unsplash/ Image For Representation Only

Located about 40 kilometres (25 miles) southeast of Moscow, Zhukovsky International Airport is a newer addition to the airports in the Moscow region. It primarily serves budget airlines and charter flights. Future development plans have been set in motion to extend the station. As far as catering is concerned, there are the basics that you can count on. Meanwhile, China Southern Airlines offers international flights to Ulan as guarantees from FBS for the upcoming European and American market expansion. Accommodation options are available in the nearby town of Zhukovsky.

Places To Visit Nearby: Zhukovsky Town, Ramenskoye Town, Borisoglebsky Church
Nearby Hotels: Ramada by Wyndham Moscow Zhukovsky, Hotel Aviator, Gostinitsa Orion
Nearby Restaurants: Restaurant Aviator, Cafe Laguna, Sushi Wok

5. Ostafyevo International Airport (OSF)

View of the roads around the Ostafyevo International Airport, one of the airports in Moscow

Photo: Shot By Joe / Unsplash/ Image For Representation Only

Ostafyevo International Airport, located about 14 kilometres (9 miles) south of Moscow Ring Road (MKAD), is mainly focused on business aviation, charter flights, and government aircraft. It primarily deals with commercial passenger flights and then private and corporate travel. Public transportation choices to central Moscow are less direct than at the major international airports.

Places To Visit Nearby: Shcherbinka, Podolsk, Butovo Landscape Park
Nearby Hotels: Hotel Uyut, Mini-hotel Ligovo
Nearby Restaurants: Restaurant Ostafyevo, Cafe U Fontana, Vkusno i tochka.

6. Khodynka Aerodrome

Image of a aeroplane standing at Khodynka Aerodrome, another one of the airports in Moscow

Photo: Zoshua Colah / Unsplash/ Image For Representation Only

Khodynka Aerodrome is a defunct airfield known as the Central Aerodrome M.V. Frunze, was one of Moscow’s earliest aerodromes, used from 1910 to the early 2000s. Originally a humble field, it became an important aviation centre, seeing the rise of Russian and Soviet aviation. But with Moscow’s growth and the necessity of urban development, the aerodrome was shut down. In contrast to Ramenskoye, Khodynka was never destined for commercial purposes on a big scale.

Places To Visit Nearby: Khodynskoye Pole Park, Aviapark Shopping Centre, CSKA Arena.
Nearby Hotels: Aeropolis Moscow Hotel, Sokol Hotel
Nearby Restaurants: Dyushes Cafe Chaikhana

Making it through the airports of Moscow is something that you need to plan for in advance. Make sure to go through your flight details properly to single out your arrival and exit airport and accordingly organise your transportation. If you are looking for a hassle-free trip to one of the most dynamic cities in the world, pick TripXL for your future bookings and transportation.

Cover Photo: Mike van den Bos / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Frequently Asked Questions

Moscow’s primary international airports, which are Sheremetyevo (SVO), Domodedovo (DME), and Vnukovo (VKO), cover the vast majority of the passenger flights out there.
An Aeroexpress train is the solution, and it is fast and reliable; it runs directly to Belorussky Railway Station, and the ride takes 35-40 minutes.
Vnukovo International Airport is geographically the nearest to the city centre of Moscow's four major airports and is located at a distance of around 28 kilometres to the southwest.
Mostly, the Zhukovsky International Airport (ZIA) is a budget airline hub and a place to conduct charter flights.
The recommended time to show up at the airport is at least 3 hours before the scheduled international flight exits.

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