There are three international airports in Moscow: Domodedovo (DME), Sheremetyevo 2 (SVO), and Vnukovo (VKO). Their location, schedules and accessibility can be their advantages and disadvantages. Depending on where from you are flying to Moscow, one or another airport will be a better or the only available option for you. Knowing some details about the airport you are going to is important for planning your trip.

       You should know which airline companies Russian airports work with. For example, some airlines fly their planes only to one Moscow airport. That way if you fly with Iberia (Spain) and British Airlines (UK), you will land in Domodedovo. And if you fly with Delta (USA) and Alitalia (Italy), they are most likely to land in Sheremetyevo 2.

       Let's compare these airports and see which one is best for you in a specific situation.

Domodedovo

       Domodedovo is located 45 km (28 miles) away from Moscow downtown. Buses and taxis go to this airport regularly. There is also a very comfortable and fast express train that goes to Domodedovo airport from Paveletsky railway station every 30-60 minutes, and arrives there in 40 minutes. If you are flying to this airport you can use the same express train to get to Moscow. However, there are no underground stations in immediate proximity to the airport, so getting there by underground is not an option.

       In general this airport is quite large and can be confusing. However, it takes less time to get to Domodedovo by express train from Moscow than to Sheremetyevo.

Sheremetyevo 2

       The airport includes two main terminals: Sheremetyevo 1 is for domestic flights only, and Sheremetyevo 2 is for international flights. Sheremetyevo 2 is located 29 km (18 miles) away from Moscow downtown. Even though the airport is closer to Moscow, getting there is harder. Of course, you can take a taxi which will most likely get you there fast. But taxis are extremely overpriced in Russia. So if you want to get to Sheremetyevo 2 from Moscow downtown on your own, you will first have to take a 30 minute ride on a subway train to a station called Rechnoy Vokzal, and then take a 40-60 minutes ride by bus. Or you can also use an express train from Belorussky railway station which will get you to this airport 2 in 40  minutes.

Vnukovo

       Vnukovo is the most accessible airport. It is only 27 km (17 miles) away from Moscow downtown. An express train will take you from Vnukovo to Kiyevsky railway station (relatively close to Moscow downtown) just in 30 minutes. There are also various buses that can take you to or from most parts of Moscow. However, planes from Vnukovo fly mostly domestically. They also fly to the near abroad, Europe, Middle East and India.

       Vnukovo-2 is a special terminal of this airport that operates flights for the Russian President, Russian government, and representatives of other countries invited by the Russian government.