Moscow

My first reaction is that Russia requires a visa for Americans - hard and expensive to come by. Then, my first question is - could you leave the airport without a visa - assuming you don't have one. I do hope that was a really cheap ticket.

Your best bet would be to contact a (recommended) tour guide, who would be able to arrange visas and take you around efficiently. He/she would also answer all your other questions. If you try to get a Russian visa on your own, I believe it costs US$180 per person, plus handling fees.

Cindy, have you considered posting your Moscow questions in the "To the East" section of the RS boards rather than the Italy section? You're probably more likely to get a helpful response. Good luck.

I'm stretching my experience here, but from what I've read you cannot get a visa in Russia without a sponsor. Most use their hotel or a tour company they contract with. For just 10 hours with no overnight, you may not get one on your own. Look into a tour company. But I'd also suggest 10 hours is not much time - figure needing to be back at the airport at last 2-3 hours before your flight, travel time to and from the airport - I assume that's at least an hour each - and getting through immigration. So at best you might only have 5 hours or less. Not an issue in Paris or Rome but probably a bigger deal in Moscow. BTW - How/why did you get a ticket to Rome via Moscow? Just curious, that's a heck of a long way out of the way if coming from the US.

I can't speak to the logistics of it, but I spent some time studying in Moscow years ago, and if you can arrange it, seeing St. Basil's is definitely worth it. Each time I approached it, I was amazed at the grandeur. That being said, I did try to go back to Moscow when studying in Rome. I purchased a non-refundable ticket, but was unable to get a visa in time (even with a sponser), so lost out the cost of the ticket (and the opportunity to see my favorite building again). Good luck.

I have been in touch with a travel company called travisa who seems to think it will not be a problem..... maybe I should check again with them. I too am concerned that I do not have a hotel but do have an airline reservation for that day. I would be happy to just be able to see Red Square and St. Basils. Any suggestions on getting from Sheremetyeo airport to Red Square. I thought there was a train?

I'm currently working on a 4 day visit to Moscow as part of a return to the USA. Let me tell you, it's EXPENSIVE and AN ENORMOUS PAIN. If I'd known how much I never would have done it. The visa (which you MUST have to enter Russia) costs $240 pp. To stay overnight we needed to get an "Invitation to Russia" which costs another $50 pp. Not sure if you'd need one of these. I am getting these documents through Travisa.com. It takes about 2-3 weeks to get the visa once they have your signed application (You can fill it out online). I just found out there are 3 airports, so you'll need to figure out the transportation from yours. My friend who was there about 6 weeks ago said the cab from his airport was $150. My cousin who travels there often said to take the train and then hire a car to go to the hotel from the train station as the only reliable method. I also found local guides at Tours by Locals online. If you can get into the city this would probably be your best bet. Good luck...maybe I'll see you in the airport!