Helpful Tips for Moscow First Time Visitors

This information is mainly for those who will be in Moscow for the first time. Talk also to people who visit Moscow. They can give you their frank personal advice and tips which may be more useful than those coming from official sources and experts (as they are often either obvious, or edited for political correctness). At the same time, do not hesitate to ask the organizers. We are here to help and make your stay in Moscow a good and memorable experience.

SAFETY

Moscow, as well as other world capitals, has its share of pickpockets and other scam. We recommend that you keep your valuables (passport, credit cards, cash or travel checks) in a secure place. The pouch or purse which you can hang on your neck and keep on the chest under your clothes seems to work best. Do not keep your wallet in your pocket. You need to carry a copy of your identification together with the hotel registration. Make a xerox copy of the main page of your passport and copy of your visa and carry it with you, so you do not risk that originals are lost or stolen. The center of Moscow is generally quite safe and you will feel it instinctively. However, Moscow is a big city and you should follow common sense and take simple precautions. If you are an adventurous type and you want to explore Moscow, do not do it alone, and have a Russian colleague join you. You will be safer, learn more, have more fun, and maybe even forge a long term friendship, or acquire a useful professional contact.
Be careful crossing busy streets. Do not expect a driver to stop or even slow down when you are on the road!!! Pedestrian on the Moscow street is like a deer crossing a river full of alligators. First, check if there is no car in the proximity, and then run as fast as you can...

MONEY

You can exchange dollars ("obmen valuty") to rubles at almost any corner in the center of Moscow. 1 USD ~ ~ 0.64 GBP ~ 1 EUR ~ 31.6 RUR(Russian Rubles). Also, recently, Euro became popular, and it is accepted essentially at any exchange kiosk at the adequate rate. The exchange rates are less favorable at the airport and at the hotel. Do not change all your money at once. Shop around. Exchange some nominal amount at the convenient place just after you arrive, but then, when you need to exchange more, find the exchange outlet which gives you a better rate. Currencies which are less popular than US Dollar or Euro are not easy to exchange and you will not get a good rate.
There are cash machines where you can withdraw cash in dollars or rubles and locations will be available when you register to the conference. Likewise, some currency exchange outlets will allow you to take cash advances from your credit cards, but it will cost you extra. While more and more places accept Credit Cards in Moscow, use them only at established and reliable outlets which will keep your the information secure. When you are bargain hunting in small stores, you are better off using cash. Ask organizers if you have more questions.

TRANSPORTATION FROM THE AIRPORT

You can reserve transportation from the Board of a Motor Transport company:

Address: 
  113105 Moscow, Nagatinskaya st., 4a
Phone (all day & night):
   7-095-7665291 Alexander Balebanov
   7-902-6368516 Andrew Kashtanov
Fax:   7-095-1113020
Email: 

If you indicate that you are from the Nano and Giga Conference and you want to share a ride on the van, they will try to combine people who come at the same time, and your cost will be much lower. Representative of the company will meet you near the Exit from the Custom Zone with the special card or other sign/name which you specify in your phone call or e-mail/fax message. Please, arrange the transportation in advance and provide them with your name, flight number, and arrival time to avoid problems.
 
Prices (VAT, waiting, & parking included):

Sheremetyevo -> Moscow (any location):
Regular car: 46 US Dollars 
Van (5-20 persons): 60 $ USA 

Domodedovo -> Moscow (any location):
Regular car: $50 US Dollars 
Van (5-20 persons): 64 US Dollars

Moscow (any location) -> Sheremetyevo:
Regular car: 38 US Dollars 
Van (5-20 persons): 50 US Dollars 

Moscow (any location) -> Domodedovo:
Regular car:  42 US Dollars 
Van (5-20 persons) 54 US Dollars 

Rent a car with a driver:
    15 US Dollars per hour
    (minimum several hours).

TRANSPORTATION

We strongly recommend that you use Moscow metro for transportation. It is fast, clean, and safe. Single entry costs 5 rubles, and you get discount if you buy multiple passes. It operates between 5:30am and 1:00am. Moreover, many of its stations are glamorous, and look more like museum halls than subway stations. For directions and a map of metro visit the City Transportation Page. Exploring major stations of Moscow metro is one of Moscow's tourist attractions. But again, thieves and pickpockets like metro as much as tourists do! Watch your pockets particularly in a crowded train. If someone is pushing you in the car, he/she may be exploring the contents of your pockets.
Getting a taxi is a matter of a few seconds. Many drivers in Moscow look for the opportunity to get some extra money by picking up passengers. Beware!!! If you do not speak Russian, and do not know the customs, the price for the same ride may be even 5 times higher than for the Muscovite. But it is still quite reasonable if you compare it to New York. For example, for the half-hour ride the Muscovite would pay about 100 rubles (i.e., about 3 US Dollars). If you are not convinced about your safety, do not get into the car!

FOOD

While it is obviously a matter of preference and your budget, in Moscow, as in other big cities, you can spend a few bucks or a hundred bucks on a dinner. At registration we will provide you with the list of dining places which we explored in the area of hotels and conference sites. Check also our Food and more page.

WEATHER

The 2nd and 3rd week of September is usually warm and sunny (around 20^oC / 70^oF during the day). This pleasant period of the year is called Indian Summer (L'ete Indien, Bab'e Leto) and is very comfortable for sightseeing and enjoying outdoors. However, the weather is not always predictable. Cooler and rainy days (as low as 10^oC / 50^oF) are on record during this period. By all means, bring with you an umbrella and a jacket to protect you from wind and/or rain, especially if you plan to go outside at evenings or later in the night.

Let us know (organizers@asdn.net) if you need additional information. Watch this space for additional info, which we may add as new questions arrive.