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26.12.2006 Air Travel in Russia Train travel in Russia is very inexpensive and a great cultural experience to boot.  It is recommended to travel by train at least once.  However, you may choose to travel by plane to save some time, perhaps on the return trip.  I.  Airlines Moscow Numbers City Code: 7+(095) Delta: 937-9090 Aeroflot: 753-5555 British Airways: 253-2459 Lufthansa: 737-6404 Air France: 937-3839 KLM: 258-3600 Finnair: 933-0056 Transaero: 241-0548 St. Petersburg Numbers City Code: 7+(812) Delta: 104-34-38 Aeroflot: use Moscow number British Airways: 325-62-22 Lufthansa: 104-34-32 Air France: 104-34-33 KLM: 104-34-63 Finnair: 325-95-00 Transaero: use Moscow number II. Luggage Domestic flights in Russia are allowed only 20kg. International flights on Aeroflot are allowed 46kg. However, if you switch flights in Moscow, for example, to get to Irkutsk, and change airlines the domestic airline will hold you to domestic regulations. We strongly advise you purchase the tickets together from an airline such as Aeroflot which offers both domestic and international service.      III. Domestic flight information For sample airfares for domestic flights in Russia, click here.  For domestic flights you will need to arrive at the airport no later than 1 hour before departure. Ensure that you have all of your documents - tickets, passport, visa. Luggage allowances are generally 20 kg of checked luggage, and 5 kg of carry-on. When checking your bags, ensure you receive a receipt (tag) for it.  Some airports, noted particularly in Siberia and the Russian Far East, can require for liability reasons that your luggage is locked and/or that you have it wrapped. There is usually a window where you can have your luggage wrapped and this is commonly done by Russians to increase the life expectancy of their luggage. Many cross-country flights will involve a stop en route to refuel and pick up more passengers. As a rule, you will be required to disembark. If you do not speak Russian, we recommend following closely what everyone else is doing and try to clarify the approximate reboarding time with either a flight attendant, fellow passenger, or the information booth. After checking in, you will need to wait at the departure gate. At many airports you will be brought to the plane by bus, as there are no ramps right to the terminal. VI. Airports  Link: How to Transfer to and from Russian Airports Moscow Sheremyetevo II (SVO II) - International; 20 miles NW of Moscow (nearest metro – “Rechnoi Vokzal”) Sheremyetevo I (SVO I) - Domestic, CIS, and some international (London, Baltics); 20 miles NW of Moscow (nearest metro – “Rechnoi Vokzal”) Domodyedovo (DME) - Domestic, growing number of international flights; 50 miles S of Moscow (nearest metro – “Domodedovskaya”) Vnukovo (VKO) - Domestic; 40 miles SW of Moscow (nearest metro – “Yugo-Zapadnaya”) St. Petersburg Pulkhovo I (LED) - Domestic flights; 30 minutes from downtown Pulkhovo II (LED) - International flights; 30 minutes from downtown « back to Student Guide to Russia archive print this page email this page