Airport TransfersHow-To

How to get from Vnukovo Airport to Sheremetyevo Airport: Taxi or Rail

By Moscow Vibes · · Updated

How to get from Vnukovo Airport to Sheremetyevo Airport: Taxi or Rail
Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
  • Time neededAbout 50 to 85 minutes by taxi; a…
  • CostA taxi was reported at ₽₽₽ or mor…

This guide shows how to get from Vnukovo Airport to Sheremetyevo Airport, for travelers with a connection between two Moscow airports who do not read Russian. The airports are on opposite sides of the city, in the south-west and the north-west, and there is no direct train or bus between them.

The recommended way is a taxi or a pre-booked transfer, about an hour in good traffic and longer at rush hours. Public transport works with several changes, and takes about three hours, so it suits only a long layover.

Quick answer: Take a taxi or a pre-booked transfer, usually 50 to 85 minutes for about 50 to 60 km; public transport needs several changes and takes about 2.5 to 3.5 hours. There is no direct bus or train.

At a Glance

Total time About 50 to 85 minutes by taxi; about 2.5 to 3.5 hours by public transport
Typical cost A taxi was reported at ₽₽₽ or more (an older forum figure; prices vary); public transport costs a metro fare plus an Aeroexpress ticket
Last updated Oktober 7, 2026

What You Need Before You Start

  • Your Sheremetyevo terminal letter, since the airport has two separate complexes
  • A generous time buffer, since traffic between the airports varies
  • A booked transfer, a taxi desk or a taxi app that you can use
  • Rubles in cash, since the payment methods for foreign cards were not verified
  • For public transport: a metro fare, an Aeroexpress ticket and light luggage

Compare Your Options

Option Duration Price Notes
Taxi or pre-booked transfer About 50 to 85 minutes, longer in traffic ₽₽₽ or more (older forum figure); a foreign agency quotes ₽₽₽₽ for a minivan one way Door to door and the best option with luggage or a tight connection. A taxi desk or an app is cheaper than a foreign agency, if you can use it.
Train to Kievsky, Ring Line, Aeroexpress from Belorussky About 2.5 to 3 hours in total A train fare, a metro fare and an Aeroexpress ticket (₽₽ reported for the latter) Take the train from Vnukovo to Kievsky railway station, the metro on the Ring Line two stops to Belorusskaya, then the Aeroexpress from Belorussky railway station. The Aeroexpress to Sheremetyevo takes about 50 to 65 minutes.
Metro to Delovoy Tsentr, Moscow Central Circle and Aeroexpress from Okruzhnaya About 2.5 to 3.5 hours (route planners) A metro fare plus an Aeroexpress ticket Take the metro from Vnukovo to Delovoy Tsentr, then the Moscow Central Circle to Okruzhnaya, where Aeroexpress trains call. Check the transfers on a map; this route was not verified in detail.
Night buses and other bus combinations About 3.5 hours or more (route planners) Low; a few dollars in route planners Route planners show bus combinations with a night bus, but there is no direct bus between the airports. Use only for a very long layover, and check the current routes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Check your Sheremetyevo terminal

Sheremetyevo has two terminal complexes: the north one with Terminals B and C, and the south one with Terminals D, E and F. Look at your boarding pass or the airline's information for the terminal letter, and tell the driver. A free shuttle train links the two complexes, but a wrong drop-off still costs time, especially with luggage.

Tip: If you are unsure, ask the airline before you leave Vnukovo.

Step 2: Choose how to book the ride

You can pre-book a private transfer, use the official taxi desk at the airport, or use a taxi app. Foreign agencies sell fixed-price transfers per vehicle, not per passenger, which is simple but costly; local apps and desks are cheaper, but whether the apps accept foreign cards or phones was not verified. Compare the options before you land.

Tip: Save the booking confirmation on your phone.

Step 3: Meet the driver at Vnukovo

At Vnukovo, the meeting point for a pre-booked transfer is in the arrivals area, according to an agency's guide; check your confirmation for the exact spot. For a taxi desk or an app, follow the signs for taxis from Terminal A. Avoid drivers who approach you in the hall and quote a price without a booking.

Tip: Check the driver's name and the car against the booking.

Step 4: Agree the destination and the price

Before you leave, confirm the Sheremetyevo terminal, the price and the payment method with the driver or the app. A fixed price is better than a meter for a trip of this length, since traffic on the way can add a lot. Keep some rubles in cash in case a card is not accepted.

Tip: Ask whether the price includes the airport fees.

Step 5: Allow for the drive

The distance is about 50 to 60 km, depending on the route, and the fastest drive is about 43 minutes without traffic, according to a route planner. Transfer agencies quote about 51 to 85 minutes. Rush hours and weather can make it longer, so do not plan a tight connection, and keep an eye on the time on the way.

Tip: Ask the driver to avoid the busiest roads if the time is short.

Step 6: Get dropped at the right terminal

The driver should stop at the departures level of your terminal. If you are dropped at the wrong complex, use the free shuttle train between the complexes; it runs about every 6 minutes, according to the airport. Then go to check-in, and leave a generous buffer for the queues and the checks.

Tip: Take a photo of the terminal sign for your records in case of a dispute.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Looking for a direct train or bus: there is none, so plan a taxi or a combination with changes.
  • Choosing public transport with a flight to catch: it takes about 2.5 to 3.5 hours, so use it only with a long layover.
  • Telling the driver only the airport name: Sheremetyevo has separate north and south complexes, so give the terminal letter.
  • Accepting a ride from a driver who approaches you in the arrivals hall: agree a booked price instead.
  • Using an older guide that calls the Vnukovo train the Aeroexpress: the route is now run by a suburban operator, so check the Vnukovo guide of this site.
  • Assuming that a foreign card will work in an app: it was not verified, so carry rubles in cash.

Tickets, Payment and Booking

For the taxi or transfer, you have three ways to book: a private transfer from an agency, the official taxi desk at the airport, or a taxi app. Agencies quote fixed prices per vehicle, not per passenger, and often in euros; one agency quoted ₽₽₽₽ one way for a minivan.

  • Apps and cards: whether taxi apps accept foreign bank cards or foreign phone numbers was not verified, so keep rubles in cash.
  • Touts: drivers who approach you in the hall may charge far more; use a booking or an official desk.
  • Aeroexpress and metro: if you use public transport, buy the Aeroexpress ticket and the metro fare as described in the other guides of this site; the rules for payment differ and are explained there.

Check the current rules on the official sites of the airports and the operators.

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Moscow Vibes Tips

  • Check the time of day: the trip is much faster outside the morning and evening rush hours, so leave a longer buffer at those times.
  • If your bags are checked through, the connection may be handled by the airline; ask before you leave, since some airlines arrange the transfer.
  • For a long layover, the route through the center lets you step out at Kievsky railway station, near the metro station Kiyevskaya, which has its own article.
  • A taxi is better value for two or three people sharing the fare than for a single traveler, and the price is per vehicle with agencies.
  • Save the address of your Sheremetyevo terminal in the local script on your phone, in case the driver needs it.
  • The airports also have other guides on this site, for the way into the center; see the guides for Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo.

Explore Nearby How to get from Vnukovo Airport to Sheremetyevo Airport

Metro stations near How to get from Vnukovo Airport to Sheremetyevo Airport

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FAQ

Is there a direct train or bus between the airports?

No. Route planners confirm that there is no direct bus, and the Aeroexpress trains run from the city, not between the airports.

How far apart are the airports?

About 50 to 60 km by road, depending on the route, on opposite sides of Moscow.

How long does a taxi take?

About 43 minutes without traffic, and usually 50 to 85 minutes in agency quotes. Allow more at rush hours.

How much does a taxi cost?

An older forum figure is ₽₽₽; prices vary with the time and the app. Foreign agencies charge more, in euros.

Can I do it by public transport?

Yes, with several changes, in about 2.5 to 3.5 hours. It suits a long layover, not a tight connection.

Which Sheremetyevo terminal should I choose?

Use the letter on your boarding pass: Terminals B and C are in the north complex, and D, E and F in the south.

Is there a night option?

A taxi is the practical choice at night. Route planners show night bus combinations, but they are slow and were not verified.

Can I go with luggage or children?

A taxi or a transfer is the easiest. Public transport has stairs and several changes, so check the lifts on a map.

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Last updated: October 7, 2026. Found an error or something out of date? Report it and we will check and fix it.

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