From Vnukovo to central Moscow: metro, bus, or taxi

Vnukovo is the only Moscow airport accessible by metro. Since September 2023, the terminal station of the Solntsevskaya Line has been named "Vnukovo Airport" and is located directly under the terminal. This is the first and currently the only airport in Russia with such a connection.

The main conclusion is that the route from Vnukovo is the easiest and cheapest of the three Moscow airports. And the most common misconception is that the Aeroexpress still runs here.

Here's the translation:

Short version: what to choose?

Как

Сколько	Время	When is your option?
Metro, Solntsevskaya Line	standard city rate	It depends on the location in the city, direct to the center without transfers.	Almost always
Bus No. 911 to Salaryevo	city rate	18-20 minutes to the metro	If this is closer to your branch
Night bus N11	city rate	to Kitai-Gorod	Arrival or departure at night
Такси	by meter	40-90 minutes	With suitcases, children, at night

⚠️ Schedules and fares may change—before your trip, check the airport and carrier websites.

The subway is the main answer.

The "Vnukovo Airport" station is the terminus of the Solntsevskaya Line. A pedestrian tunnel leads from the platform to Terminal A, approximately 200 meters, and there is no need to exit to the street.

You can reach the city center without any transfers: the Solntsevskaya Line runs through "Park Pobedy" and "Delovoy Tsentr," and then you're already in the main network. The fare is the same as any other metro ride—meaning it's much cheaper than the Aeroexpress to any other airport.

This is the case where the "cheapest" and "most convenient" options coincide. It's especially nice that you don't need to transfer with your luggage—just go down and drive off.

The red "M" sign at the terminal exit is something no other airport in Russia has.

⚠️ Important detail about the night: from 01:30 to 05:30, entry to Terminal A from the underground passage is closed. That means you won't be able to get from the underground level to the terminal at night—you'll have to enter from the street.

The Aeroexpress no longer exists.

Separately, because this question is still asked most often: the Aeroexpress does not run to Vnukovo. Today, Aeroexpress trains connect only Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo to the city—Vnukovo has been removed from the route network, as the metro handles this task better and more cheaply.

The "Aeroexpress" sign at the underground crossing from the street side is still visible in some places and can be confusing. Follow the metro signs instead.

Buses

If you prefer to take another line, there are city routes available—all at the standard fare.

• Route № 911 to "Salaryevo" metro station (Sokolnicheskaya Line, Red Line) — 18-20 minutes, intervals from 7 minutes, operates from 5:11 AM to 2:01 AM. The most frequent route.
• Route 911k also runs to the same destination—intervals of 15 minutes, from 5:33 AM to 12:48 AM.
• Route № 272 to "Filatov Lugh" metro station (also on the Sokolnicheskaya Line) — 16-20 minutes, with departures every 10 minutes, from 5:02 AM to 12:30 AM. Note: it's about 500 meters from the terminal to the stop.
• № 579 to "Rasskazovka" takes 25-30 minutes; from the airport back to "Pykhtino" is only 8-10 minutes.

The stops are approximately fifty meters from the exit of the underground passage.

At night: bus route N11 — something rarely written about

The metro is closed at night, but there is a night bus from Vnukovo to the city, which is a rarity for Moscow airports.

Route N11 connects the airport to Slavianskaya Square near the "Kitay-Gorod" metro station—that is, it goes right to the city center. It runs every 30 minutes.

• From Vnukovo to the city center — from 11:30 PM to 4:30 AM.
• From the center to Vnukovo — from 1:00 to 6:00.

It costs as much as a regular trip on public transport. For a nighttime arrival, it's the only way to get to the center without paying for a taxi—and by Moscow standards, it's a very decent option.

The restrictions are fair: the night bus takes longer than the train, there are no luggage racks, and if you're flying with two suitcases and a child, it's better not to overdo it.

Такси

The official desks are in the arrivals area, and you can also call a car via the app. Vnukovo is closer to the city than Domodedovo, so the trip usually costs less than from the other two airports. However, the exact amount varies significantly: a surge pricing factor applies during peak hours and bad weather.

The same trick works at other airports too: take the metro or bus into the city and then call a car from there—the airport markup disappears.

If your flight arrives at night and you have luggage, it's wiser to book a transfer in advance: the price is fixed, the driver meets you in the arrivals hall, and you won't have to deal with an app on a drained phone.

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.

The metro is great because travel time is predictable and doesn't depend on traffic jams. On weekdays, budget an hour and a half for a taxi, and on Friday evening—two hours: Kyivske Highway is often congested.

If your departure is very early, remember that the entrance from the pedestrian tunnel is closed from 1:30 AM to 5:30 AM—if you arrive early, enter the terminal from the street.

How does this compare to other airports

Vnukovo is the easiest of the three. In Sheremetyevo, there is no metro; you can take the Aeroexpress or a bus to "Khovrino." In Domodedovo, there is an Aeroexpress to Paveletsky or an express bus. Only in Vnukovo does city transport go all the way to the terminal.

If you're still deciding where to stay, the southwestern and western parts of the city are closest to Vnukovo—there's a breakdown of the districts in a separate article.

Frequently Asked Questions