This guide shows how to get from Vnukovo Airport to central Moscow, for travelers who arrive from abroad and do not read Russian. Vnukovo is the only Moscow airport with a metro station of its own, and it also has an Aeroexpress train to the city.
The recommended way is the Aeroexpress train from the airport’s underground station to Kievsky railway station, about 35 minutes, followed by a short metro ride. The metro station at the airport is the cheaper alternative. Fares and timetables change, so check the official sites before you travel.
Quick answer: Take the Aeroexpress train from the airport's underground station to Kievsky railway station, about 35 minutes, then the metro; the cheaper alternative is the metro station Aeroport Vnukovo on yellow Line 8, about 40–45 minutes.
At a Glance
| Total time | About 35 minutes by Aeroexpress train to Kievsky railway station, plus about 10 to 25 minutes for the metro leg |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | Moderate (₽₽) one way for the Aeroexpress train (reports differ), or a budget-level fare (₽) by metro |
| Last updated | Oktober 6, 2026 |
What You Need Before You Start
- An Aeroexpress ticket, from a machine, the ticket office or the official site
- Some rubles in cash, in case a card is not accepted
- A metro fare or a Troika card for the last leg from Kievsky 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 Kievsky railway station | About 35 to 40 minutes | Moderate (₽₽) (reports differ) | Predictable and traffic-free. About every 30 to 60 minutes, with hours that differ by source. Best for most visitors. Check the official site for the current fare and timetable. |
| Metro from Aeroport Vnukovo (Line 8, yellow) | About 40 to 45 minutes to the metro network (one source) | Budget-level (₽) (reports differ) | The airport has its own metro station, with an underground passage from the terminal basement. Hours of about 05:40 to 01:00, every 3 to 5 minutes (one source). The cheapest direct way; you may need to change lines for the center. |
| City bus to a metro station | About 20 to 35 minutes to the metro, plus the metro | Budget-level (₽) (reports differ), plus a metro fare | Runs every 10 to 15 minutes by day (one source). A night bus N11 runs in the small hours, about 23:30 to 04:30 (one source). Reports say payment is by a Russian card or a Troika card. |
| Taxi booked through an app | About 50 minutes, more in traffic | Upscale (₽₽₽) (reports differ) | Door to door and good for heavy luggage or a late arrival. Booking through an app is reported to cost less than ordering a taxi on the spot, which can cost much more. |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Follow the signs to the Aeroexpress station
After passport control and baggage claim, follow the signs with the Aeroexpress name and a train symbol, in English as well as Russian. The station is underground, under the terminal; one source puts it in front of Terminal A, on the sub-level floor, a few minutes' walk from Terminals A, B and D. The way is indoors and short.
Tip: Ask an airport staff member if you cannot find the signs.
Step 2: Buy your ticket
Buy a ticket at the Aeroexpress counter or at a machine in the station, or online on the official site before you land. Reports on payment differ: an older source says cash is accepted at the station, while a 2026 blog says a Russian card or a Troika card is needed. Whether foreign cards work is unverified, so ask at the counter.
Tip: Check the price on the machine screen before you pay.
Step 3: Scan the ticket at the gate
Use the ticket at the gate, scanning the code on the reader, and follow the signs down to the platform. Check the board for the next train to Kievsky railway station. The trains run about every 30 to 60 minutes, with hours that differ by source, so look at the timetable for the next departure.
Tip: Keep the ticket until you leave the station at the other end.
Step 4: Board the train to Kievsky
Board a car of the train marked for Kievsky railway station, in the west of central Moscow. The train runs non-stop, according to the airport information, and has space for luggage. Check the destination on the front of the train and the board before you get on.
Tip: Sit near the luggage racks if you have a large suitcase.
Step 5: Ride about 35 minutes
The ride takes about 35 to 40 minutes and does not depend on road traffic. Look at the screen or listen for the announcement of Kievsky railway station, which is the end of the line, so you cannot miss it. The station is in the west of the center, close to the metro station Kiyevskaya.
Tip: Check the time of the next train back if you plan a return trip.
Step 6: Change to the metro at Kiyevskaya
From Kievsky railway station, follow the signs to the metro station Kiyevskaya, a short walk away. It has parts on several lines, including the Ring Line in brown and the blue Line 3. Buy a metro fare at a window or machine, and follow the line colors to the nearest station to your hotel.
Tip: Check which Kiyevskaya part you need on a map before you go down.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Expecting the Aeroexpress to arrive at a metro station: it ends at Kievsky railway station, and you still need a metro fare for the last leg.
- Taking the metro at the airport without checking the line: it is Line 8, in yellow, and the center may need a transfer, so look at the line map first.
- Relying on a foreign bank card at the machines or gates: it was not verified, so carry rubles in cash, and ask at the counter about the payment methods.
- Counting on the train for a very early or very late arrival: the hours differ by source, so check the timetable and keep the metro, the night bus or a taxi in mind.
- Taking a taxi ordered on the spot: it may cost several times the price of a booked ride, so book through an app or a transfer company.
- Forgetting which Kiyevskaya part you need at Kievsky railway station: the station has parts on several lines, so check the line color.
Tickets, Payment and Booking
Buy Aeroexpress tickets at the counters and machines in the airport station, or online on the official Aeroexpress site, aeroexpress.ru. Payment rules were reported differently: an older source says cash was accepted at the station, while a 2026 blog says a Russian bank card or a Troika card is needed; whether foreign cards work was not verified, so ask at the counter and keep rubles in cash.
- Metro: buy a fare or a Troika card at a ticket window at the station Aeroport Vnukovo; the fares are listed on mosmetro.ru.
- Buses: reports say payment is by a Russian card or a Troika card.
- Taxis and touts: book through an app or a transfer company; drivers who approach you in the terminal may charge far more.
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 timetable of the last Aeroexpress and the metro before you leave the plane; the night bus N11 and a booked taxi are the fallbacks.
- The metro station at Vnukovo is the western end of the Metro, so Line 8 trains from here all run toward the city; check the destination only if you plan to change lines.
- Check the metro line map for your hotel before you choose between the metro and the train; a hotel near Line 8 or near Kiyevskaya makes the choice simple.
- Take a screenshot of your Aeroexpress ticket before you land; the airport network can be slow.
- Vnukovo is farther from the center than it looks, about 26 to 30 kilometers, so a taxi in rush hour can take much longer than the train.
- A taxi can be reasonable for a group of three or four with heavy luggage, since the train fare is paid per person, and a group ticket was reported in an older source.
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Aeroport Vnukovo Metro StationMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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FAQ
How long does it take from Vnukovo to central Moscow?
About 35 minutes by Aeroexpress train to Kievsky railway station, plus the metro. The metro from the airport takes about 40 to 45 minutes to the metro network.
Does Vnukovo have a metro station?
Yes, Aeroport Vnukovo, on Line 8, the yellow Kalininsko-Solntsevskaya Line, opened on 6 September 2023 as its western terminus.
How much does the Aeroexpress cost?
Sources report moderate fares (₽₽) one way. Check the official site for the current fare.
Can I pay with a foreign bank card?
It was not verified, so do not rely on it. Carry rubles in cash and ask at the counter about the payment methods.
Does the train run at night?
Not through the night. Hours differ by source, around 06:00 to midnight. The metro runs until about 01:00 (one source), and a night bus N11 runs in the small hours.
Is Vnukovo far from the center?
About 26 to 30 kilometers southwest of the center, according to the sources.
Can I go with 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 through an app or a transfer company and agree the price in advance.
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Last updated: October 6, 2026.
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