Really, they city so big and sprawling and known as one of the most expensive capitals on our planet is probably hard to visit on low budget. But do not get too skeptical! Here I am to tell you about hidden places and spots that will help you to get to know Moscow better and not to go broke.

Moscow is the city of contrast: the reflection of $200,000 cars in the dirty windows of grey blocks stuffed with small apartments; beautiful ladies in the haute couture dresses walking by the place where babushkas (old women) sell sunflower seeds and cigarettes by the piece; tired and sometimes even colorless faces on metro escalator that goes down to some of the most magnificent stations in the world. What do most people know about this metropolis? Red Square and Kremlin, sable furry and bloody red patches of history! But there is definitely so much more in Moscow you will never be able to know unless you visit this city and try to let its vibe go through you. Now, some local tips.

Tip #1: How to Move Around and Where to Go.

If you are not that familiar with traffic jams, then you will surely get to know them better in the Russian capital. However, you can get along without that knowledge. Get yourself a map of the city metro lines (you can simply download one from the Internet and print it) and walk more. There are so many amazing and special things to see simply walking around and reading the history of the country reflected in the architecture and the mood of the nation echoed in people’ style. You can start from the Red Square where you will see Kremlin in all its glory, St. Basil’s Cathedral with its picturesque domes and Lenin’s Mausoleum, then you can walk down the Moscow river, go to Gorky Park, Lubyanka Square (where the headquarters of all Russian spies are), Manezhnaya Sqare, Arbat and numerous Moscow theaters. Fantastically beautiful VDNH, numerous churches, and parks also should not be overlooked.

Tip #2: Where to Eat in Moscow.

If you are looking for some good place to eat out in Moscow, I recommend that you go to one of those places where they serve Russian cuisine. Is not food one of the best ways of understanding a new culture? What you should definitely try is Russian blini (pancakes, the best are with red caviar, for sure!), pelmeni (dumplings with meat), cold borshch (beet-root soup), smoked fish and delicious jams made from local berries. Great street/casual/cheap food at Teremok and Kroshka Kartoshka stalls you can find in many places all around the city. Besides, to eat well and really cheap (like $3 for a meal), you can go to some university canteen near GITIS theater school (metro Arbat), MArkhl architecture school (metro Kuznetsky Most), or near Moscow State University (metro Universitet). Here are some more places: Tretyakovka Café, Coffee Bean and Max Internet Café (rather good coffee, which is so hard to find fairly priced), and Yadrena Matrena. Just pretend that you are a student and walk in.

Tip #3: Where to Drink in Moscow.

I think that the name of this tip is just right because there could be no doubts about what to drink: vodka, of course! Drinking vodka in Russia is all about traditions. If you want to drink like locals do, never take a sip before raising your glass in a toast. There is such a Russian saying: if you drink without any reason, you are an alcoholic. Typical Russian Nazdorovie! will do and will definitely break the ice, if there is some. The third toast is always for love. Most people are drunk in one shot of vodka; so if you want to survive the night out, do not forget to eat before, preferably something fat. You should try different flavored vodka shots and do not forget about vodka with black pepper. Usually, vodka and other drinks are very overpriced in bars and clubs, so be ready to spend not less then $20. Visit such places as Sorry Babushka, Vision Cocktail Hall, Kitaisky Liotchik (Chinese Pilot), Propoganda, Boscow Bar and Vodka Bar (the name speaks for itself!).

Tip #4: Where to Party in Moscow.

Well, it is pretty difficult to give advice where to club in Moscow to someone who is traveling on a budget. I guess, rule number one here will be: try to avoid paying entrance fee. Usually, there is an entrance fee like $15-30 but in some clubs you can get in for free if you come early enough, before the party starts. You simply need to check out beforehand the rules on the website of the club you want to go to. Do not forget, that the more expensive is the place, the more crazy is the face control and dress code. Here are some nice places you will definitely have fun at: Solyanka, B2, Gaudi Arena, Fabrique Club, or Karma Club.

Tip #5: Where to Stay in Moscow.

After having a good drink and a lot of fun, you should have a place to go back to and have a good sleep. There are not so many cheap hostels in Moscow, but you can choose one of these Napoleon Hostel, Home Hostel, Trans Siberian Hostel, Yellow Blue Bus Hostel or Home from Home Hostel (average cheapest room $25). If this price does not work for you, you might want to try one of those hospitality social networks like HospitalityClub or CouchSurfing. These networks fuse a number of fantastic opportunities altogether: free stay, new friends and better understanding of a new culture. Russian hosts are very hospitable, they are likely to take you around the city and show some of their favorite places, teach you some funny Russian words and might even show you how Russians really drink.

Have fun in Moscow! This city is arrogant and haughty, but somehow it manages to get you interested and even attached. Moscow has its own rules and even if you do not fall in love with it at the first sight, it will definitely leave a lasting and strong impression.

Budget Accommodation in Moscow, Russia

• Hostel Camelot – Budget hotel in the center of Moscow.
• Kremlin Hostel – Budget hotel in Moscow city center.
• Suharevka Hotel – Bed & Breakfast in Chisty Prudi district, Moscow.
• Oasis – Budget accommodation in downtown Moscow.
• Napoleon Hostel – Budget hotel in Moscow’s trendy Kitai Gorod district.

Photo of Matryoshka dolls in Moscow , Russia, by Neiljs

Rumbling through the snowy forests of Siberia or sampling vodka with your fellow passengers before tumbling out into a forgotten nowhere in the middle of the night. The memories of the sights, and just as often the smells, stay with you long after the journey has finished.

Many people’s experience of Russian trains is gained on the route between Moscow and St Petersburg, the closest Russia gets to tourist hotspots. Now, however, the State Russian Railway Company has launched two new luxury trains to ply the route which means the experience will be interesting in a whole new way.

The first of these new luxury trains is the No. 4 /3 Express and will depart daily from Moscow and St Petersburg at 23:59 and arrive at the destination at 08:00. The trains will be made up of 4 categories of coaches allowing passengers to choose which level of luxury they wish to enjoy.

The trains are somewhat confusing in that there are two categories of VIP, which means, at the top end, the air conditioned compartments can be converted into a living room or office, have their own bathrooms as well as internet access and DVD players.

If that seems just too luxurious then there are standard sleeping coaches and simple seats available. And it must not be forgotten that in Russia, perhaps more than anywhere else, luxury comes at a price.

A ticket in the top VIP coach costs about 20,000 roubles for the eight hour trip between Moscow and St Petersburg. The price of a seat is between 1 and 2,000 roubles. As a point of comparison the cheapest air tickets between the two cities are currently about 1,000 roubles.

The Alexander Nevsky, a similar train that plies the route and has even higher standards of comfort and prices. Here passengers can even chose between vertical bunk style beds or, for the more intimate feel, double beds.

Anyone who has travelled by train in Russia will know that the standards of customer assistance are not traditionally high, service with a smile it is not. And yet the new trains are attempting to change this. According to Russian Railways the train crews are drawn from ‘the best conductors, stewards and restaurant staff’ available. The company also claims that ‘the train crews had to undergo competitive certification before serving on the trains.’ This may mean that the staff glower a little less and help a little more. Do not be fooled into thinking it means smiles, because it doesn’t.

One thing that is very useful about these trains is the times. They mean that visitors can have a full day in one city, a night on the train and then a full day in the next, saving themselves the cost of a hotel and flying during the day. However, this depends entirely on your ability to sleep on trains so those cheap seat tickets are out.

While only the very wealthy will be considering the luxury options provided by these trains, everyone else can take comfort from the fact that the Russian Railway company is waking up to the fact that it needs to run trains at times customers would like and with staff who actually help. These are small steps in the right direction.

Photo of Moscow – St Petersburg train ticket by jackiepoh

Moscow has changed a lot since then and the fantastic combination of old and new times, extreme and edgy contrasts of ugliness and beauty have become even more intriguing. If you are going to visit this metropolis, you might want to get off the beaten tourist track and see some hidden, out of the way spots and gems of the heart of Russia. Besides, if you really want to get to know Russian culture, you should get some tips from the insiders.

Moscow mysterious GO-42

The underground, catacombs and tunnels have always been associated with some top secrets and mysteries. Moscow is no exception. Time passes by and the authorities give up on covering some of them and offer the public a unique possibility to take a look. Just like that, a couple of years ago, an object named was opened to explorers and adventurers. GO-42 is an ex-top secret reinforced underground shelter, which served as one of the headquarters of KGB and Ministry of Defense. GO-42 is so huge, 60 m deep, full of secret passages and rooms located right under the downtown Moscow. To get there you will need to make an appointment with a guide, wear special clothes and get a pass given by the guard.

Gorbushka electronics market

This is definitely a place to visit, if you cannot stop buying your favorite movies on DVDs and CD albums of your favorite artists. Gorbushka electronics market is known for the widest possible selection of legal and illegal software, music, movies, and computer games. The prices here will surely cheer you up! Gorbushka has been Mekka of pirated products for a long time until the government took some emergency measures. That did not help to eliminate the piracy market completely, but brought the prices of legal and licensed electronic goods down and now you can buy an official version of Godfather twice as cheap as in the United States, for example. Besides, Gorbushka electronics market is a classic example of Russian bazaars: very interesting places, like Arabic markets, where people can bargain-hunt and observe the outpourings of Russian mentality. You can find Gorbushka on the Barklaya str, 8; Metro Bagrationovskaja Park Pobedy.

Valenki showroom

It is no secret that Russia is a country with severe climate. Russian winters are no good for people that are not prepared for them. That is why think wool boots known as valenki have always been among the most popular Russian attributes. They save the feet from cold injury and as to me, look very cute. Nowadays Russians do not wear valenki anymore, only in the most far away villages and cold regions. You can take a look at a number of various kinds of valenki in the showroom and workshop of Olga Chernikova, a young Russian designer that has first brought the tradition back on the runway and now is trying to push it further into the mainstream. Visiting of Ms. Chernikova’s place can be made by appointment at her workshop, send an email here rusvalenki@list.ru.

Sandunovskiye Baths or Banyas

In addition to all above-mentioned, you simply cannot leave this country without visiting famous Russian banya. Banya is a very special place for Russians, the cure for the pains of body and soul (including hangover). Banya is part spa, part social club here all Russians from new rich to average people love to spend their time. You should be ready to very hot temperature in the steam room and rather cold water in the dunking pool. Russians believe that exposing the body to such extremes of temperatures has a number of great health effects. If you are courageous enough, visit one of the most popular banyas in Moscow Sandunovskiye Baths, located on Neglinaya Str, 14.

Bilingua

This place is not very often advertised by different media. However, Bilingua is one of the most popular student spots in Moscow. They love this place, crowd it and make it alive, talking, laughing and debating. If you are tired from walking around for a long time and sightseeing Moscow, you may finally want to find a place to relax, have a cup of tea or coffee and watch Muscovites’ lifestyle. Bilingua is a perfect spot for this! All in one: coffee house, bookstore, cinema and concert hall. Large widows, relaxed ambience. You can find this place on Krivokolenny Lane, 10/5.

Mami Night Racing

If you are looking for some great place to hang out and do not want to go to typical bars and clubs, you should definitely come to Mami Night Racing. Mami is Moscow State Technical University, also known as Moscow Automechanical Institute that specializes in the field of automobile design. Even though unofficially Mami stands for Major Alcoholics Minor Engineers, their racing team consists of some of the most talented racers in Moscow and their racing night is definitely worth seeing. If you are into speed, nicely tuned cars, and a lot of fun, Mami Night Racing is a thing for you to see. It takes place every Saturday night, go to the parking place of Mami at Bolshaya Semenovskaya Str, 38. Do be late, because they start at midnight sharp.

Photo og GO-42 underground in Mosco, Russia, by Caddis Fly.

It is wise to be clear about which airport you need from the moment you book your ticket as confusion could mean you missing your flight. With all the airports the simplest way to transfer to Moscow  is to reserve a room in a hotel which includes free transfer in the price. The following will be of most help to budget travelers trying to keep their costs down and those making last minute plans.

Sheremetyevo Airport Moscow

Sheremetyevo Airport is divided between terminals one and two, with two being the main hub for international flights to Europe and America. Getting to or from the airport can be tricky since it involves catching a Marshrutka mini-bus and then switching onto the metro system. From the city head to Rechnoy Vokhzal metro stop and then look for a mini-bus Sheremetyevo written on the front. They usually go to both terminals calling at terminal two first and then terminal one before turning around and heading in the opposite direction. This means that travelers heading into the city need to be sure that they are going in the right direction to the metro and not further out to terminal one. To or from the city center the journey time is approximately an hour although this will increase considerable during peak hours.

Domodedovo Airport Moscow

More and more airlines are now using Domodedovo Airport as a base for their Moscow operations and this is a good thing for travelers because of the recent opening of a convenient shuttle train. This eliminates the need for Marshrutka rides and the stress they entail for non Russian speakers. The train shuttles between Domodedovo and Pavelets station roughly every half an hour with the journey taking three quarters of an hour. In a convenient twist unexpected in Russia you can even check in for your flight at the station. Paveletskaya metro station is conveniently located on the circle line making it an easy transfer from train to metro.

Vnukovo Airport Moscow

At Vnukovo Airport there is a similarly convenient shuttle but it only operates at peak hours. In this case peak is between seven in the morning and noon and between five and eight in the evening. At other times you need to find alternative ways of making the journey. When it is running the train runs between the airport and Kievsky vokhzal taking just over half an hour. If the train is not an option for you then Marshrutkas run between the airport and Yugo-Zapadnaya metro station, although this increases the overall journey time to about an hour.

Moscow Taxis

From all the airports a taxi is an option to get into the city center but it is not recommended. Moscow´s grid-locked traffic means that this option takes the longest time to complete the journey while Moscow taxi drivers are notorious for over-charging foreigners. On top of this many scams have been reported with passengers being robbed and left by the side of the road.

Photo of Moscow Airport by Leonid v. Kruzhkov

Tverskaya Street is one of the hottest spots in the city. As you head towards the Red Square you will be inundated with the coolest and most expensive bars in town. Here are a few of the choice places to get a taste of what was strangely formally called Bread Wine.

1. Vodka Bar

Not the most original of names, this bar ranks amongst the most modern and most cool in Moscow. It’s very selective about who it lets in its doors, as it’s survival of the coolest in this establishment. Once inside though you’re likely to be thrust a free shot of vodka and then it’s non-stop fun from there on in. There’s dancers on platforms, very up to date electro DJs and of course a selection of vodka shots and cocktails as long as the queue building outside. It won’t get busy until after midnight though so make sure you pace yourself. For a bar/club in Moscow at the very height of its powers though, look no further.

2. Boscow Bar

This bar has to be awarded for the shear beauty of the interior décor. From 70s chic to ultra modern furniture, this is a bar that will make you want to get comfortable and then not leave until you’re asked to. It’s situated in one of the best spots you could imagine; just off Red Square and in full view of all the most famous and eye-catching landmarks. The cocktails on offer will please anyone with a thirst for a variety of flavours and the vodka has been carefully picked to match no other in town. Aside from the vodka, the food has to be seen to be believed. If you ever doubted there was a tobacco flavoured ice cream then get down to the Boscow Bar.

3. Propaganda

Another bar named with a good sense of thought, Propaganda is billed as the place to be seen in Moscow, and when you arrive and see the sort of people who drink there, you’ll know what that means. The women look like Bond girls and the men a little like Bond villains, but everyone is very cool, very stylish and often very rich. Don’t let that put you off though. If you aren’t a billionaire, then there’s plenty for everyone here. The guest DJs come from all over the world and include the likes of the British DJ Goldie. It’s a bar by day and then a party by night. The vodka needs a mention of course though too. You will be lucky enough to grab a fairly cheap selection of vodka shots here, which of course vastly outweigh their equivalents throughout the rest of Europe. Propaganda is a bar for all occasions and all types of people.

Photo of vodka cocktails originally posted by Darwin Bell

A load of things; firstly if you get a catechist’s salary but intend to spend as much as an Arabian Sultan, it is the city of your dreams. If you are a publicity lover, meaning that you cannot imagine a single day of your life without posters and billboards which render people insane, then Moscow is your paradise.

Yeah, yeah I know! You are probably already laughing and thinking that if I am describing everything in such a dark manner, it means there is absolutely nothing to see… False! It is true that the traffic jams alone may repulse you from the whole Russia, but it is within all of its problems that its appeal is.

High-tech skyscrapers, spy-like air and pirated market

If you are on holiday in Moscow, give up on the means of transport once and for all. Whichever they are, cross them out totally. Simply walk. If you are one of those who like breathing the spy-like air of this city, go for a stroll in front of the ex-KGB, now FSB or still, ask your guide, if you have one, to take you to the ancient bunker of Stalin which is downtown. Go fearlessly! Just like all the other prestigious nations, Russia still spies… Yes, even Russians! Foreigners too!!! However, rest assured, since it is done smoothly, you will not be arrested. However, if you are one of those who are even afraid of their own shadow, give up on the ex-KGB and the hiding place of Stalin.

Visit and admire the city, you will like the architecture itself. Moscow is like a capsule from the past in today’s world. There are frail 5-storey buildings called Kruchovka by the Russians because they were built at the time of Khrushchev, neighboring amazing high-tech skyscrapers. While walking in this city, you will be able to read its history by looking at the buildings. The history will take you from the imperial times, through the Bolshevik era to present. Beyond its appearance, it is far from being an unpleasant trip.

Go to Gorbushka. No, it is not a museum! Nor is it a theater too!. It is pointless to rack your brains. Do you really want to know what makes this place renown? It is something that will please many record companies or you in you work in it. At a time, Gorbushka was undoubtedly the largest pirated CD and DVD market in Europe. Nowadays, there is a more respectable aspect, but it is still difficult to get a guarantee that whatever you will find is original.

In the line of markets that will delight your eyes and your purse but eventually risk getting you to return in front of the customs officer, it would be unfair to forget Cherkisovski. While Gorbushka is the paradise for audio and video, Cherkisovski is that of clothing and shoes. Avoid, however, the purchase of perfumes. While the quality of clothing, shoes, CDs and even DVDs is great, it is unfortunately not the case for perfumes. You run the risk of having unpleasant surprises. Why? Let us say that if you are used to a specific perfume, you risk finding out that the one you are buying, which on the outside is the copy of yours, in reality, it has nothing in common with it as far as the fragrance is concerned. To be honest, whether you buy it in the market or in shops, the majority of them will make you regret the amount of money spent.

Exorbitant prices, traffic jam and incomprehensible language

No, it is still too early to cross out this city. It is true that to the query of showing you a street, the Moscowian will reply that he does not know even if he lives in that same street or if he is right in front of it. It is true that Moscow is the city where you stand all the chances of buying a cup of coffee at 10$ in a restaurant which does not have such an impressive look.

Moscow, after you have spent 5 hours in a traffic jam, is a horrible city. It is horrible from the view of exorbitant prices it offers in virtually all areas. It is horrible because it is astoundingly polluted. It is horrible from one point, but for God’s sake, how appealing it is! There is a little something in this city which makes you feel like coming back if you have visited it once only.

You will not even realize how this happened. It does not matter if Russian is a language as incomprehensible and perplexing as that of your fish or cat, you will like this city and that without actually knowing why exactly. In fact, you will not be the only one. More than 15 million people live there and admit it, the 15 million people cannot be wrong. Be like them, visit Moscow.

Photo of sunset on Moscow originally posted by lifeforweb