Moscow City Guide - Getting There By Road

The network of roads around Moscow is much more comprehensive than in other parts of the country but off the main intercity routes the surfaces are often poor. It is a good idea for driving tourists to plan an itinerary and accommodation beforehand, to avoid difficulty with bureaucratic red tape. There are suggested tourist routes with some road signs in Latin script. Motorways are prefixed by ‘M' and major routes are prefixed by ‘A'.

Traffic drives on the right. The speed limit in built-up areas is 60kph (37mph), 90kph (55mph) outside of built-up areas and 100kph (62mph) on motorways. Visiting motorists who have not held a driving licence for over two years must not exceed 70kph (43mph). It is forbidden to use the hooter (except in an emergency), carry unauthorised passengers or pick up hitchhikers. Driving under the influence of drugs or any amount of alcohol is forbidden, although this practice is increasingly common and motorists should avoid driving at night when the risk of being involved in an accident is greater. Seatbelts, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher and an emergency triangle or red light are required. It is wise for drivers to carry spare petrol, as filling stations can be far apart.

The minimum age for driving in Russia is 18 and an International Driving Permit or national driving licence with an authorised translation is necessary. Visitors travelling in their own cars must also possess, and carry at all times, a passport and visa. An itinerary card must be carried at all times, bearing the following: visitor's name and citizenship, the car registration number, full details of itinerary (presented upon entry to the country), a form provided by Customs upon arrival guaranteeing that the car will be taken out of the Russian Federation on departure, petrol vouchers purchased at the border and insurance documents. Road tax is payable upon entry to the country. Motor insurance for travel within the Russian Federation should be arranged prior to departure or upon entry to the Russian Federation, at the offices of Ingosstrakh, the Russian Federation foreign insurance agency. The Russian Embassy or a specialist tour operator can provide foreign drivers with further details.

One reputable (although not necessarily English-speaking) automobile association in Moscow is Avtomobilniy klub Rossii, Yaroslavskaya ulitsa 4 (tel: (495) 785 1010), which provides information and a 24-hour breakdown service.

Emergency breakdown service:
GAI (495) 923 5373 or 236 4136.

Routes to the city: The Moskovskaya Koltsevaya Avtomobilnaya Doroga (Moscow Ring Road) is an orbital motorway surrounding the city and linking roads from Minsk (M1), Kiev (M2), Nizhny Novgorod (M7), Riga (M9) and St Petersburg (M10).

Driving times to Moscow: From Nizhny Novgorod - 7 hours 15 minutes; St Petersburg - 12 hours 30 minutes; Kiev - 14 hours 15 minutes.

Coach services: The Central Bus Station is located at Shchelkovskoe shosse 75 (tel: (495) 468 0400/4370), in the eastern suburbs of the city. There are, however, no middle- or long-distance coaches available that are of a quality acceptable to most Western travellers.