Travel advisory · RussiaGovernments advise against all travel to Russia.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Chechnya · avoid all travel · Ireland, New Zealand
- Crimea · avoid all travel · Germany, New Zealand
- Dagestan · avoid all travel · Ireland, New Zealand
- Ingushetia · avoid all travel · Ireland, New Zealand
- Stavropol Krai (eastern and southern parts) · avoid all travel · Ireland, New Zealand
- Kabardino-Balkaria · avoid non-essential travel · Ireland, New Zealand
- Karachai-Cherkessia · avoid non-essential travel · Ireland, New Zealand
- North Ossetia · avoid non-essential travel · Ireland, New Zealand
Also named by one government: Belgorod (Ireland), Bryansk (Ireland), Donetsk (Germany), Kherson (Germany), Krasnodar (Ireland), Kursk (Ireland), Luhansk (Germany), Rostov (Ireland), Voronezh (Ireland), Zaporizhzhia (Germany)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | Advises against all travel to Russia | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Level 4: Do Not Travel | Dec 29, 2025 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid all travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Vor Reisen in die Russische Föderation wird gewarnt (Reisewarnung) | Oct 21, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Do not travel to Russia | – | Read the advice |
| Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) | Do Not Travel | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Formellement déconseillé : l'ensemble du territoire de la Russie | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Moscow
A trip to Moscow centers on the Kremlin, Red Square and the metro. Current UK advice against all travel to Russia comes first, before any other planning step.
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Moscow is the capital of Russia and its largest city, on the Moskva River in the western part of the country. Its historic center holds the Kremlin and Red Square, and the metro links those sights with the rest of the city. Several stations are decorated with mosaics, sculpture and chandeliers, so the underground is a sight in its own right. The Tretyakov Gallery and the Bolshoi Theatre are also in the center or just across the river.
Most trips focus on the historic core, the museums, the theater and the long walks between them. Allow at least three days for the center, and more if you want the outer districts at an unhurried pace. May to September is the mildest period for walking outside, while winters are cold and snowy. The UK government advises against all travel to Russia, so check current advice and entry rules before you book anything.
Moscow in five
- Read the UK travel advice firstFCDO advises against all travel to Russia (advice updated 18 September 2026) because of the war in Ukraine, drone attacks, terrorism and detention risk. Insurance could be invalidated if you go.UK travel advice
- Expect airspace closuresAirspace can close at short notice during drone attacks, which FCDO says has caused frequent and unpredictable delays, diversions and cancellations at Russian airports.
- Carry your passport everywherePolice run random ID checks. You can be fined or held for up to 48 hours if you cannot show your passport, and FCDO says copies are not accepted.
- Arrange a visa and fingerprints firstA visa is needed before travel, and fingerprints and photographs are taken again on arrival. UK residents aged 12 or over apply at a center in London, Manchester or Edinburgh.Moscow entry rules
- Plan money without foreign cardsCards issued outside Russia do not work in shops or at ATMs, and paying directly in foreign currency is illegal. Cash is changed at banks, hotels or exchange bureaus.Cash, cards and SIMs
Things to do in Moscow
See all attractions in Moscow
Need to know
- Airport
- Sheremetyevo (SVO), Domodedovo (DME) and Vnukovo (VKO)
- Getting there
- No direct UK flights; routes run through third countries
- Getting around
- Metro, taxi apps and trains; stations have airport-style security
- Staying
- Hotels register foreign guests automatically
- Time zone
- UTC+3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow13 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh-4°Low-9°Snow, frostJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- -4°
- Low
- -9°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, frost
- FebruaryCloudy9 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh-3°Low-8°Cold, snowFebruaryCloudy
Poor
- High
- -3°
- Low
- -8°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- MarchCloudy9 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh2°Low-5°ThawMarchCloudy
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh11°Low2°Slush, mudAprilPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Slush, mud
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Mild, greenMayPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Long lightJuneRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long light
- JulyRain15 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°WarmJulyRain
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- AugustPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°WarmAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- SeptemberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Golden leavesSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Golden leaves
- OctoberCloudy12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low4°Wet, coolOctoberCloudy
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, cool
- NovemberCloudy11 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh2°Low-1°Gray, first snowNovemberCloudy
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Gray, first snow
- DecemberSnow14 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh-2°Low-6°Snow, New YearDecemberSnow
Poor
- High
- -2°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, New Year
Average daily high and low in Moscow, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Aug Spasskaya Bashnya (festival) · Sep Moscow anniversary, Spasskaya Bashnya (festival)
Right now in Moscow
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
4
- Feels like
- 1°
- Humidity
- 73%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 5%
Moscow
11:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today2°-1°5%Monday: Fog. High 2°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Tue1°-1°55%Tuesday: Snow. High 1°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Wed3°0°53%Wednesday: Snow. High 3°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Thu4°-1°60%Thursday: Rain. High 4°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 60%.
- Fri2°-2°46%Friday: Rain. High 2°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 46%.
- Sat0°-4°21%Saturday: Snow. High 0°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 21%.
- Sun4°0°25%Sunday: Snow. High 4°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 25%.
Updated 11:29 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 80.62 RUB
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- Aug–SepSpasskaya Bashnya (festival)Moscow
- SepMoscow anniversaryMoscow
Day trips by train
- Sergiev Posadabout 1.5 to 2 hours by trainThe Trinity Lavra of St Sergius, a major Orthodox monastery and pilgrimage site.Read the guide
- Suzdalabout 3 to 4 hours by train and busA small town of white stone churches on the Golden Ring route.Read the guide
- Kolomnaabout 1.5 to 2 hours by trainA kremlin with old towers, above the Moskva River.Read the guide
Before you go to Moscow
Rules for Moscow, checked
- Visa and Mastercard cards issued outside Russia will not work at shops or ATMs, and paying directly in foreign currency is illegal.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- Carry your passport at all times; without it police can fine you or detain you for up to 48 hours for identity checks.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
- Register with local authorities if you stay more than 7 working days. Hotels do it for you; show proof of registration when you leave.Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source
Plan around Moscow
Moscow FAQ
Is it safe to travel to Moscow right now?
The UK FCDO advises against all travel to Russia (advice updated 18 September 2026), citing drone attacks, terrorism, detention risk and limited consular help. Read the current advice and your insurer's terms before any decision.
Can I use my credit card in Moscow?
No. FCDO says Visa and Mastercard cards issued outside Russia will not work at Russian shops or ATMs. Visitors rely on US dollars or euros changed at banks, hotels or exchange bureaus.
Do I need a visa for Moscow?
UK passport holders need a visa before travel, applied for through the Russia Visa Centre. Other passports differ, so check with the Russian Embassy or consulate for your nationality.
Can I fly direct from London to Moscow?
No. FCDO says you cannot fly directly from Russia to the UK or through EU countries. Indirect routes use places such as the Middle East, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Central Asia, Georgia and Turkey.
Will travel insurance cover a trip to Moscow?
FCDO says insurance could be invalidated if you travel against its advice. Ask the insurer in writing before you pay for anything, and keep the reply.