Are taxis in Moscow or St. Petersburg safe?

Question

My sister is traveling to Russia and wants to know if it's generally safe to find taxis from the St. Petersburg airport, and from central Moscow to Sheremetevo airport. She doesn't speak any Russian.

Answer 1

Airport taxis are the same worldwide, expensive. You will be able to agree a price without speaking Russian, but I would have your destination written down in Russian.

Answer 2

Yes, there is a danger that you get into trouble when using a taxi to get from an airport in Russia. But that usually happens when you do not take an official taxi company. I exactly know that at Pulkovo (St. Petersburg) if you book a trip inside the airport, there is no dangerous. What is important: book a taxi at a company's desk. Usually personnel speaks English. The same is right for Sheremetyevo.

At Sheremetyevo you will see many men standing with signs Taxi. Do not use their services, go directly to desk and book there.

Answer 3

St Petersburg has a thing that gets under your skin layer and if you intend to learn what it's then, you need to have a look with hotelbye . Nevsky Prospect is St Petersburg's major avenue and one of many best-known streets in Russia. Chopping through the historic centre of the city, it works from the Admiralty, symbol of Russian energy, to the Alexander Nevsky Monastery and it will be really beautiful to go along that block at night when all illuminations on. Here, you can see everything: probably the most gorgeous architecture, the wonderful palaces, the world-famous museums and the sparkling five-star hotels. Among the places should see from St. Petersburg is State Hermitage Museum. The main architectural outfit of the Hermitage is located in the middle of St Petersburg and consists in: Winter Palace, once the former state residence of the Russian emperors, houses of the Small, Old (Great) and New Hermitages, the Hermitage Theatre and the Auxiliary House.

Answer 4

She will be safe, the only thing she has to worry about is getting charged stupidly high prices. All i can say is that she will be fine as long as she doesn't look overly foreign, as with everything in Russia. As my Russian friends say "Russia created tourists to rip them off" and it is something you don't experience many other places!! Trust me, tell her to bargain hard.

As long as she agrees a price before hand, doesn't use the numerous men standing outside with TAXI scrawled on a sign and she goes to the desk to arrange it she will be fine!

Moscow and Petersburg are amazing places, she will be fine and have a great time!!

Also, you would probably be suprised to know that petty crime in Russia is generally less frequent than in the US and England, organised crime may be different but I doubt your sis has that to worry about!

Answer 5

The usual story. When one Russian monarch sunk to the level of cruelty of an average European ruler at the time, he was dubbed the Terrible and the world thinks he was exceptionally monstrous. Now again, racism used to be non-existent in Russia and now that there's some of it about like everywhere else, suddenly Russia's a scary racist country. I'm sorry for the bitterness, it's not at all directed at you and I understand your concerns, but really, beyond being reasonably on your guard for street crime in general, and an awareness that Russians can generally be very polite and hospitable in some situations and surprisingly blunt in others, there's little to worry about. No decent person (read: not an obvious fringe group member or otherwise suspicious type of the kind you'd spot and avoid from afar) is going to treat you different.

Answer 6

Moscow is one of many greatest cities in the world. Is just a town that's developed fast in recent ages, and, consequently, comprises high-rise suburbs surrounding a comparatively small ancient centre with plenty of amazing ancient architecture. The most crucial host to Moscow could be the Red Square that has been for ages, one's heart and soul of Russia. Here, you are able to go to the Century St. Basil's Cathedral, one of the very most popular items of architecture in the world and the constructivist pyramid of Lenin's Mausoleum. Red Square is surely a wealthy place in icons of Russia's turbulent and fascinating past.

Answer 7

I don't trust them but I've never been mugged or attempted ripped off in one either (I don't speak Russian but I traveled with someone who does but rarely let a taxi driver know that she does).



Make sure they turn on the meter, or negotiate a price beforehand (a bit tricky, but can work). Also be sure to note their name and number (their info should be posted by the meter) if I remember correctly.

Answer 8

i have never had a problem in Moscow.

Do agree the price in advance, and do check that the taxi has an official licence ( displayed in the windscreen )

Answer 9

booking the taxi in advance.

For example, the taxi with english-speaker drivers in Moscow

http://www.gos-taxi.ru/en/

http://www.cityexpo.ru/announce1859c15_view.htm

http://www.tshanson.ru/eng/

Answer 10

I've heard of murders of taxi drivers who work at night, but I've never heard of murders of passengers.