From Sheremetyevo to the city center, there are four routes, and they differ not so much in cost as in how reliably you'll arrive. During rush hour, the difference between the train and a car isn't money—it's forty minutes of your life.
Below are all the options with honest "who it suits," and separately about the night: it's on it that plans most often fall through.
Here's the translation:
Short version: what to choose?
| Сколько | Время | When this is your option | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aeroexpress | 650 RUB online, 700 RUB per day of travel | ~50 мин | By day, without much luggage, predictability matters. |
| Bus + metro | Around 450 rubles for express delivery. | About 20 minutes to the metro + metro | You're counting your pennies, traveling light. |
| Такси | 3,000-4,000 rubles to the center | 40-90 minutes | With suitcases, children, at night |
| Pre-booked transfer | fixed price | How to call a taxi | Night arrival, meet and greet with a sign |
⚠️ Prices and schedules change—check with the carriers' websites before your trip.
Aeroexpress
The train to Belorussky Station takes about 50 minutes. A ticket costs 650 ₽ if purchased online in advance and 700 ₽ on the day of travel—the difference is small, but buying in advance takes just a minute.
The main advantage is that the train doesn't get stuck in traffic. You know exactly when you'll arrive in the city, and it's the only mode of transport from Sheremetyevo Airport you can say that about.
The Aeroexpress runs along the MCD-1 line and stops not only at Belorusskaya: there are also Savelyovskaya, Okruzhnaya, and Lianozovo. If you're not heading to the city center but to the north or northwest, getting off earlier can sometimes be faster than going all the way to the end and returning by metro.
The downsides. From Belarussian Station, you'll still need to get to your destination—with suitcases, this is a separate challenge, especially during rush hour. And it doesn't operate 24/7: it doesn't cover early morning departures or late-night arrivals.
The bus and metro are the cheapest ways.
From the airport to Khovrino Metro Station, there is an express bus route № 1195 (to Terminal D — № 1195D). It travels via the toll road M-11 without stops, taking around 20 minutes, with a ticket costing approximately 450 ₽. During the day, the interval is 10-15 minutes, while closer to midnight it is around half an hour.
Next, take the metro from Khovrino to the center.
It turns out to be cheaper than the Aeroexpress, and comparable in time if you don't get stuck with a long interval. But this is an option for those traveling light: transferring with suitcases in the metro during rush hour won't be pleasant.
Такси
Official carriers at the airport charge around 3,000-4,000 RUB to the city center. Through the app, it's usually cheaper, but during peak hours and bad weather, a surge pricing factor kicks in, and the difference disappears.
The journey takes between 40 minutes at night and up to one and a half hours on a Friday evening. Leningradsky Prospekt is one of the busiest routes in the city, so this should be factored in.
Here's a lifesaver that actually works: take the bus to Khovrino and then order a car from there. The ride from the metro to the city center costs significantly less than from the airport—the airport markup disappears.
Ночью
The Aeroexpress does not run at night, and the metro is closed approximately from 1 AM to 5:30 AM. However, taxis are not the only option, contrary to what is often written.
From Sheremetyevo at night, bus route N1 runs to "Kitay-Gorod" metro station every 30 minutes. Along the way, it passes Sokol, Dinamo, Belorussky railway station, Tverskaya, and Okhotny Ryad, so you can get off much earlier than the center. It costs the same as a regular city ride, meaning it's much cheaper than a taxi. The drawbacks are honest: it's slower, has stops, and lacks luggage racks. All night routes are covered in a separate article.
If your flight is overnight, decide this before departure, not upon arrival.
- Order a transfer in advance—the price is fixed, the driver meets you with a sign, and you don't need to figure out an app in a foreign city with a dead phone.
- Take accommodation closer to the northern part of the city. Sokol, Aeroport, Dinamo—from there, Sheremetyevo is nearby, and a nighttime trip is twice as cheap as to the center. More details in the districts of Moscow.
- Waiting in the terminal until the metro opens is a viable option, but only if you're traveling light and without children.
The return trip: what time to leave?
Count back from your departure time: two hours for check-in and security for a domestic flight, three for an international one, plus travel time.
Allow at least an hour for the Aeroexpress from Belorussky Station, accounting for travel time to the station. By taxi on a weekday, plan for a minimum of 1.5 hours, and up to two hours on Friday evening. Missing your flight due to traffic on the Leningradsky Prospekt is the most frustrating reason to miss a flight.
Other airports
In Vnukovo, it's simpler: the metro goes there, with the station located right under the terminal, while the Aeroexpress has been canceled. From Domodedovo, there are the most options—an Aeroexpress, express bus, city bus, and regular commuter train—but it's also the farthest to travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get from Sheremetyevo to the center? The Aeroexpress takes about 50 minutes to Belorussky Station. A taxi takes between 40 minutes at night and up to 1.5 hours during rush hour. A bus to Khovrino takes 20 minutes, then the metro.
What is the cheapest option? Bus route № 1195 to Khovrino for approximately 450 ₽ plus the metro.
How can I leave at night? Only by taxi or a pre-booked transfer: the Aeroexpress does not operate, and the metro is closed.
Should you buy an Aeroexpress ticket in advance? Yes, it's cheaper online—650 ₽ compared to 700 ₽ on the day of travel.
