This guide shows how to get from Sheremetyevo Airport to central Moscow, for travelers who arrive from abroad and do not read Russian. It explains the Aeroexpress train, the bus and metro combinations and the taxi, in the order that suits most visitors.
The recommended way is the Aeroexpress train from the airport to Belorussky railway station, about 35 minutes, followed by a short metro ride to your hotel. Fares and timetables change, so check the official site before you travel.
Quick answer: Take the Aeroexpress train from your terminal complex to Belorussky railway station, about 35 minutes, then the metro. One-way fares are reported at a moderate price level (₽₽); check aeroexpress.ru for the current price.
At a Glance
| Total time | About 35 minutes by Aeroexpress train, plus about 15 to 30 minutes for the metro leg |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | Moderate (₽₽) one way for the Aeroexpress train (reports differ; check aeroexpress.ru), plus a metro fare |
| Last updated | Oktober 6, 2026 |
What You Need Before You Start
- Your terminal name, to find the right train station of the airport
- Some rubles in cash, in case a card is not accepted
- An Aeroexpress ticket, from a machine, the ticket office or aeroexpress.ru
- A metro fare for the last leg from Belorussky railway station
- A map or a navigation app for the metro connection
- Luggage that you can carry up and down a few stairs
Compare Your Options
| Option | Duration | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aeroexpress train to Belorussky railway station | About 35 minutes | Moderate (₽₽) (reports differ) | The fastest and most predictable option. About every 30 minutes, with hours that differ by source. Best for most visitors, and for rush hours. Check aeroexpress.ru. |
| Bus 851 and the metro from Rechnoy Vokzal | About 1 hour 15 minutes in total (reported) | Budget-level (₽) for the bus, plus the metro | The cheapest option. The bus runs about every 20 minutes during the day and ends at Rechnoy Vokzal, the end of Line 2. Slower in traffic. Best for travelers with little luggage. |
| Bus 817 or the night bus H1 to Planernaya | About 35 to 40 minutes to the metro (reported) | Budget-level (₽) (reported), plus the metro | Planernaya is the end of Line 7. The night bus H1 runs about every 30 minutes at night, when the train does not. Best for late arrivals on a budget. |
| Aeroexpress bus 1195 to Khovrino | About 20 minutes to the metro (reported) | Moderate (₽₽) (one source) | Runs every 10 to 15 minutes from Terminals B and C, with a stop near the south complex. Khovrino is at the end of Line 2. Unverified; check the current route and fare. |
| Taxi or pre-booked transfer | About 1 hour, more in traffic | Upscale (₽₽₽) (one source; unverified) | Door to door and good for heavy luggage or a late arrival. Use an official desk, an app or a pre-booked transfer; do not accept offers from drivers who approach you in the hall. |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Find your terminal complex
Sheremetyevo has two complexes. The North Terminal Complex has Terminals B and C, and the South Terminal Complex has Terminals D, E and F. The Aeroexpress trains leave from both. If you land at one complex and prefer the other, a free shuttle train connects them, running about every 6 minutes at any hour.
Tip: Check your terminal on the boarding pass or the airline's arrival information.
Step 2: Follow the Aeroexpress signs
After passport control and baggage claim, look for the signs with the Aeroexpress name and a train symbol, in English as well as Russian. They lead from the terminal to the station of your complex. The way is indoors or covered, and it is short, but allow a few minutes with luggage.
Tip: Ask an airport staff member if you cannot find the signs; the station is well known.
Step 3: Buy your ticket
Buy a ticket at the ticket office or at a machine, or online on aeroexpress.ru or in the app before you land, which may be cheaper. One source reports that an economy ticket can be paid by tapping a bank card or phone on the turnstile reader; whether foreign cards work is unverified, so keep cash ready.
Tip: Check the price on the machine screen before you pay.
Step 4: Go through the turnstile
Use the QR code of an online ticket, or the ticket from the machine, at the turnstile, or tap your card if you are paying that way. Then follow the signs to the platform. The trains are marked with the Aeroexpress name, and the timetable on the board shows the next departure to Belorussky station.
Tip: Keep the ticket until you leave the station at the other end, in case you need it.
Step 5: Board the train to Belorussky
Check that the destination is Belorussky railway station, in Moscow, and board a car with luggage racks. The ride takes about 35 minutes, according to the official site, and the train does not depend on road traffic. Trains run about every 30 minutes, with hours that differ by source.
Tip: Sit near the doors at the end if you have a large suitcase.
Step 6: Change to the metro at Belorusskaya
At Belorussky railway station, follow the signs to the metro station Belorusskaya, which has two parts: one on the Ring Line, Line 5 in brown, and one on Line 2 in green. Buy a metro fare at a ticket window or a machine, and follow the line colors to your hotel's nearest station.
Tip: Check which Belorusskaya part you need on a map before you go down.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Going to the wrong complex: the north complex (Terminals B, C) and the south complex (Terminals D, E, F) are separate, so check your terminal and use the free shuttle if needed.
- Expecting the train to arrive at a metro station: Aeroexpress ends at Belorussky railway station, and you still need a metro fare for the last leg.
- Relying on a foreign bank card at the turnstile or on the bus: it was not verified, so carry rubles in cash.
- Counting on the train for a very early or very late arrival: the hours differ by source, so check the timetable and keep the night bus or a taxi in mind.
- Taking the bus in rush hour with a flight to catch or a lot of luggage: it depends on road traffic, and the train does not.
- Accepting a ride from a driver who approaches you in the arrivals hall: agree the price in advance, or use an app or an official desk.
- Forgetting which part of Belorusskaya you need: there are two metro stations of that name on different lines, so check the line color.
Tickets, Payment and Booking
Buy Aeroexpress tickets at the ticket offices and machines in the airport and the railway terminal, or online at aeroexpress.ru and in its app. Online tickets may be cheaper; unused online tickets may not be refundable. One source says economy tickets can be paid by tapping a bank card or phone on the turnstile reader, but whether foreign cards work was not verified.
- Cash: keep rubles for the ticket machine, the bus driver and the metro.
- Buses: fares are paid to the driver or with a transport card; the figures differ by source, but indicate a budget price level (₽) for the city bus.
- Resellers and touts: some sites and people sell tickets or rides at their own prices; use the official site, or an app or desk you trust.
All the current fares and timetables are on the official site, aeroexpress.ru.
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Moscow Vibes Tips
- If your flight lands late at night, check the time of the last Aeroexpress before you leave the plane; the night bus H1 to Planernaya or a pre-booked taxi are the fallbacks.
- The metro entrance at Belorussky railway station can be crowded in the evening; walk a little further along the signs rather than stopping in the passage with your luggage.
- If your hotel is near the Ring Line, the metro leg from Belorusskaya can be very short; check the number of stops on a map before you choose between the train and a taxi.
- Look at the Line 2 map: Rechnoy Vokzal and Khovrino are at its northern end, so the bus options all join the same green line.
- Take a screenshot of your Aeroexpress QR code before you land; the airport network may be slow.
- A taxi is more reasonable for a group of three or four with heavy luggage than for a single traveler, since the train fare is paid per person.
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FAQ
How long does it take from Sheremetyevo to central Moscow?
About 35 minutes by Aeroexpress train to Belorussky railway station, according to the official site, plus the metro. Buses and the metro take about an hour or more.
How much does the Aeroexpress cost?
Sources report moderate fares (₽₽) one way, with cheaper online prices. Check aeroexpress.ru for the current fare.
Does the train run at night?
Not through the night. Hours differ by source, with the last departures from the airport around 23:30 to 23:45. The night bus H1 to Planernaya and taxis cover the rest.
Can I pay with a foreign bank card?
It was not verified, so do not rely on it. Carry rubles in cash and buy tickets from a machine, the ticket office or the official site.
Which terminal does the train leave from?
From both complexes: the north one, Terminals B and C, and the south one, Terminals D, E and F. A free shuttle train connects them.
Is there a metro station at the airport?
No. The nearest metro stations are reached by bus: Rechnoy Vokzal on Line 2 and Planernaya on Line 7.
Can I go with a lot of luggage or children?
Yes. The train has luggage racks and is the easiest option; the metro has stairs, so check the lifts on a map.
Is a taxi a good idea?
For heavy luggage, a group or a late arrival, yes. Book an official transfer or use an app, and agree the price in advance.
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Last updated: October 6, 2026. Found an error or something out of date? Report it and we will check and fix it.
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