FAQ
Do I Need a Visa to Enter Russia
In general, foreign citizens or stateless persons require a visa to enter Russia. However, there are exceptions and simplified procedures for citizens of several countries.
To file an application for an E-Visa and know more about the procedure, please use the following link.
If you require confirmation of a tourist invitation from a Russian organization for obtaining a visa to Russia, you may contact the Congress organizers (see Contacts) for assistance.
Please note that the decision to issue or deny a visa, as well as the visa issuance process itself, remains the prerogative of Russian consular authorities.
How to Pay for Goods and Services in Russia
Cash
To exchange currency, you need to visit a bank branch that is convenient for you. The exchange rate for buying and selling currency is set by the bank based on the current supply and demand.
Russian Bank Card
Unfortunately, there are restrictions in Russia on the acceptance of foreign Visa, MasterCard, UnionPay payment systems. The main domestic payment system in Russia is "Mir." To obtain a "Mir" card in Russia, you may visit a bank and submit an application according to the bank's requirements (applications can be submitted online, for example, with Sberbank). Banks issue non-personalized cards for foreign citizens on an expedited basis, and the entire process takes no more than one hour. To obtain a non-personalized card, you will only need your passport and migration card (the migration card is filled when and obtained when crossing the border).
How to Get to/from the Airport
By Taxi
We recommend using authorized taxi services such as Yandex.Go, Uber, or Wheely. You can also take advantage of hotel services for taxi bookings and airport transfers.
When leaving the airport, there is a designated taxi pickup area; please look for the signposts indicating the taxi zone.
By Aeroexpress
You can reach Moscow airports comfortably by Aeroexpress trains. These trains run from major railway stations and can deliver passengers to the airports in a fixed time that is unaffected by road traffic. You can check the schedule and fare for the Aeroexpress trains on their official website, where you can also purchase an e-ticket.
Aeroexpress trains operate throughout the day. From Domodedovo Airport, you can travel to Paveletsky Station, the "Verkhniye Kotly" MCC station, and the "Domodedovskaya" metro station. From Sheremetyevo Airport, trains go to Belorussky and Savyolovsky railway stations, Moscow-City business center, and the "Khovrino" metro station.
By Metro
To reach Vnukovo Airport, you can take the metro directly. The "Vnukovo Airport" station is located on the Solntsevskaya line of the Moscow metro.
Public Transport in Moscow
Moscow Metro Map and Schedule
The Moscow Metro operates daily from early morning to late night. You can find detailed station schedules on signs at the entrances to the metro vestibules, as well as on the official Moscow Metro website. Here you can also find the departure times for the first and last trains from each station.
You can view the map of the Moscow Metro lines at metro stations, railway stations, and bus terminals, in the "Moscow Transport" and "Moscow Metro" apps, as well as on the official Moscow Metro website and the "Moscow Transport" portal.
You can pay for your metro ride using any city transport card ("Unified", "Troika") or a bank card. The "Troika" card can be purchased at ticket offices and vending machines at metro stations. You can also create a virtual "Troika" card in the "Moscow Metro" mobile app. The deposit for a plastic "Troika" card is 150 rubles. If you return an undamaged "Troika" card (within 5 years from the purchase date), the deposit is refunded.
You can top up your "Troika" card using the following methods: at ticket offices and vending machines at metro stations, online via the "Moscow Transport" portal, online on the metro website, or through the "Moscow Metro", "Moscow Transport" apps, and online banking apps.
After topping up online, activate the payment when passing through the turnstile by touching your "Troika" card to the metro station turnstile or to the ticket vending machine in the station vestibule, to the validator in any bus, electric bus, or tram in Moscow, or via the "Moscow Metro" Android app on a mobile phone that supports NFC data transfer technology.
Routes and Schedule of City Ground Transport
Moscow’s city ground public transport operates daily from early morning until late at night, with some routes running at night. You can find the schedule for buses, electric buses, and trams at all stops, on the "Moscow Transport" website or the Moscow Metro website, as well as in the "Moscow Transport" mobile app.
Railway Stations
Moscow has 10 major railway stations:
Where to stay in Moscow
We found for you the most suitable hotels in Moscow in terms of RIAC' main venue.
Must-See and Do in Moscow
Beyond the discussions and debates, the attendees will have a chance to discover the history and culture of Moscow. From the stunning architecture of the city’s center and the artistic treasures of the Bolshoi Theatre to contemporary art galleries and bustling commercial districts, Moscow presents a unique combination of tradition and innovation.
We assembled a selection of suggestions and resources, that should get you started exploring Moscow.