Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo: Which Airport Is Fastest?
Three airports serve Moscow. Sheremetyevo (SVO), Domodedovo (DME), and Vnukovo (VKO). All operate on Moscow Standard Time (MSK, UTC+3) year-round. Russia does not observe daylight saving time. Schedules stay fixed across seasons.
| Airport | IATA Code | Approx. distance from Kremlin (km) |
|---|---|---|
| Sheremetyevo | SVO | 29 |
| Domodedovo | DME | 45 |
| Vnukovo | VKO | 28 |
Aeroexpress Trains: Schedules and Travel Times
The Aeroexpress is the fastest rail link from each airport to central Moscow. Trains run roughly 05:30-00:30 MSK. Frequency is every 30-60 minutes depending on the route and time of day.
| Route | Destination | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| Sheremetyevo → Belorussky | Belorussky rail terminal | 35 min |
| Domodedovo → Paveletsky | Paveletsky rail terminal | 45-50 min |
| Vnukovo → Kievsky | Kievsky rail terminal | 35 min |
- Sheremetyevo: 35 min. Most frequent service. First departure from Belorussky terminal around 05:30 MSK, last around 00:30 MSK.
- Domodedovo: 45-50 min. Longer journey than SVO, but still reliable.
- Vnukovo: 35 min. Same journey time as Sheremetyevo.
What to do: Buy a ticket at the terminal or online. Trains are clean, have luggage racks, and run on time. Skip the taxi if your flight lands before 23:00 MSK.
Taxi and Ride-Hailing: Typical Durations by Time of Day
Road travel times vary hugely by hour. Use the table below for planning.
| Airport | Off-peak (night, midday) | Peak (08:00-10:00, 17:00-20:00) |
|---|---|---|
| Sheremetyevo | 40-50 min | 60-90 min |
| Domodedovo | 60-70 min | 90-120 min |
| Vnukovo | 45-55 min | 70-100 min |
- Peak hours: 08:00-10:00 MSK and 17:00-20:00 MSK. The Moscow Ring Road (MKAD) and main highways (Leningradskoye, Kashirskoye, Kievskoye) jam regularly.
- Winter weather: Snow reduces speeds. Add 20-30 min in December, February.
- New Year holidays (1-8 January): Roads are emptier. Taxi times can drop to off-peak durations even during daytime.
What to do: Use Yandex Go for a fixed-price ride. Avoid hailing street taxis at the airport, prices are higher and unregulated.
Public Bus and Metro Connections
Buses are cheaper but slower. They connect airports to metro stops.
- Sheremetyevo: Bus to Rechnoy Vokzal metro stop (Line2, green). Travel time: 50-70 min.
- Domodedovo: Bus to Domodedovskaya metro stop (Line2, green). Travel time: 60-80 min.
- Vnukovo: Bus to Yugo-Zapadnaya metro stop (Line1, red). Travel time: 50-70 min.
What to do: Use the bus only if your budget is tight and you have no heavy luggage. The metro runs from ~05:30 to ~01:00 MSK. After01:00, night buses (routes starting with "H") run on major corridors.
Peak vs Off-Peak Transfer Times
The single biggest factor in transfer time is whether you hit Moscow rush hour.
- Off-peak (22:00-06:00, 12:00-16:00): Taxi from SVO takes ~40 min. Aeroexpress is unaffected by traffic.
- Peak morning (08:00-10:00): Add 30-50 min to any road journey. The Aeroexpress is the only time-guaranteed option.
- Holiday periods: New Year holidays (1-8 January), Victory Day (9 May), and Russia Day (12 June) often reduce commuter traffic but increase airport passenger volume. Allow extra 30 min at security, not on the road.
Checking Flight Times: All Times Are in MSK
All flight schedules at Moscow airports are posted in Moscow Standard Time (MSK). This is UTC+3 year-round.
- In July2026, when London is on BST (UTC+1), MSK is2 hours ahead of London.
- In January2026, when New York is on EST (UTC, 5), MSK is8 hours ahead of New York.
Check your departure/arrival time against MSK, not your home time. A14:00 MSK departure in January is06:00 New York time. In July, the same14:00 MSK departure is07:00 New York time (because New York switches to EDT). The Moscow time does not change.
What to do: Set your phone or watch to MSK as soon as you land. Use a time zone converter to confirm your connection times.