brown university travel trips

Brown Travelers: Travel Tips and Resources

Passports and visas.

• Make sure you have a signed and valid passport and/or visas, if required.
• Plan accordingly: passport processing times have increased.
• Be sure to fill in your passport’s emergency information page.
• Make two copies of your passport identification page. Leave one with friends or relatives, and carry the other with you in a separate place from your passport.

Health and Safety

• Find out about disease outbreaks and how to protect yourself when traveling outside the U.S. from the Centers for Disease Control.
• Check the health conditions, security information, and the location of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country you’re visiting through the  State Department’s Country Information Pages. 
• If you take prescription medication, have your prescription refilled and take an extra supply in the original containers with you. Carry all vital medicines in your carry-on luggage.
• Carry a list of blood type, allergies, or any special medical conditions. Medical alert bracelets are a good idea.

Financial Safety

• Check with your medical insurance carrier about coverage protection for out-of-country travel. To be sure you are properly insured for your trip, consider travel insurance.
• Avoid cancellation penalties. All of our tour operators have strict cancellation policies. You could lose 100% of your prepaid trip costs should you cancel close to the departure date. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to purchase trip protection insurance.
• Take only the credit cards and personal identification you’ll need. Carry a driver’s license or state-issued ID card. These documents can help identify you if your passport is lost or stolen; keep them in a secure location.
• Make a copy of your credit card and travelers check numbers and the telephone numbers needed to report a theft. Keep this information in a location separate from the documents themselves.
• Don’t carry excessive amounts of cash.
• Notify your credit card companies, ATM/debit card banks and cell phone providers that you will be traveling abroad.  Inquire whether or not their services are available to use internationally and if there are any fees.
• To avoid being a target of crime, try not to wear conspicuous clothes and expensive jewelry.
• Familiarize yourself with international currency values and conversions, so that you can make informed purchases abroad. Visit the Travelers Currency Cheat Sheet.

Air Travel Safety

• Know the latest Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport security regulations.
• Tag your luggage properly to help it reach its final destination. Don’t pack valuables in your checked luggage.
• Be ready to describe the contents of your bags, especially any electronics. At many international airports, security and customer service staff will ask you questions about your luggage.
• Don’t leave your luggage unattended and don’t accept packages from strangers.
• While waiting for customs or security screenings, don’t exchange items between bags.
• Be alert at security checkpoints.
• To help combat jet lag, drink lots of water during your flight. Some authorities recommend drinking one cup for each hour of the flight.

More Words for the Wise Traveler

• Electrical converters and adapters
• Weather at my destination
• Universal packing list
• Metric conversion
• World clock
• Learn a foreign language  
• Travel apps

For More Information

Office of Global Engagement

Whether you're planning on traveling abroad or coming to Brown University from another country, Brown provides valuable information for global travel.

Brown and International Travel

International travelers should familiarize themselves with Brown's travel resources, including travel registration, health considerations, technology security, export control regulations and guidelines for high-risk destinations.

Visa and Immigration

The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) provides advising services with respect to immigration and visa matters, work permission, orientation, cultural adjustment and personal concerns.

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Undergraduate Admission

Visit brown.

Whether exploring Brown virtually or visiting our campus in Providence, discover if College Hill feels like home.

Brown offers a variety of programming designed to help you learn more about the academic experience, campus life, financial aid and the admission process. You’ll see a number of offerings below, many of which will allow you to connect with the best representatives of our community - current Brown students!

Check out the  Student Ambassador profiles  available on our website. You'll find that these Brunonians can speak to many different facets of life on College Hill, and are united by a common interest - sharing their Brown experience with prospective students.

Campus Tours

Information session, class visit, virtual events, group visit.

Approval for a group visit is not guaranteed; however, more advanced notice may increase the likelihood of accommodation.

Engineering Tour

The Engineering Tour provides an overview of the engineering experience at Brown, including visits to classrooms and lab spaces. Tours are led by current engineering students and last approximately 30 minutes.

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Virtual Tour of Brown

Take a virtual tour of brown.

One of the best ways to determine if Brown is a good fit is to schedule a campus visit. Get a closer look now by taking a virtual tour — browse real photos of campus and learn interesting facts about this beautiful place we call home.

Travel and Lodging

Directions and parking, accommodations, interactive campus map.

Community Response to COVID-19

Healthy brown, to brown campus: updated policies on brown events and travel in light of covid-19.

Dear Members of the Brown Community:

Given the rapidly evolving impact of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in new locations across the globe, including in the U.S. and here in Rhode Island, members of Brown’s Core Crisis Team have been convening on a daily basis to consider the impact on the University community and our operations.

I write today to share Brown’s updated guidance for anyone considering travel in the coming months — especially recognizing increasing levels of travel planning as we approach the University’s March 21 to 29 spring recess —and for community members who are planning to host or attend Brown events.

I urge each member of our community to read this information closely and consider the impact on upcoming travel and events, as many existing plans will require adjustment or cancellation.

Of particular urgency, community members should know that:

• Effective  Monday, March 9 , with a few exceptions noted below, all in-person Brown events with 100 attendees or more, in venues both on and away from campus, must be postponed, cancelled or offered virtually.
• Brown has now suspended  all  upcoming University-sponsored travel to international destinations.
• Anyone returning to the U.S. after any travel to China, Iran, Italy and South Korea will be required to self-isolate in a U.S. location away from campus for at least 14 days before returning to Brown.

More information on each of these measures is included below.

We recognize the impact that these measures will have and fully appreciate the cooperation of all students, faculty and staff as we contend with what has become a global health emergency. Our foremost priority remains protecting the health and safety of all members of the Brown community. At the same time, our hope is to enable students, faculty and staff to continue research, teaching and scholarship to the greatest extent possible.

Christina H. Paxson President

BROWN POLICIES AND GUIDANCE FOR EVENTS AND TRAVEL

Effective Monday, March 9, all in-person Brown sponsored or organized events with 100 attendees or more, in venues both on and away from campus, must be postponed, cancelled or offered virtually.  Academic courses are excluded from this restriction.  Policies for athletic events are being developed and will be announced on Monday.

This guidance will remain in place for events scheduled through Monday, April 13 — guidance for later events will be provided after monitoring the situation over the coming weeks.

For events with fewer than 100 attendees, organizers should exercise judgment in planning. Please consider all factors that can help to protect the community’s health — for example, consider booking larger venues so attendees can spread out, re-evaluating invitations to attendees from beyond Brown, offering event content virtually, or eliminating shared food and drink offerings.

We recognize that this will impact many significant gatherings and traditions. For example, the University today decided to cancel all “A Day on College Hill” admission events for April. Event organizers should direct questions to University Events, Student Activities or the academic or administrative departments most directly involved in planning. For additional questions, please email  [email protected] .

University-sponsored Travel

International Travel

Based on updated guidance from international, national and local agencies — including a recommendation this week from R.I. Governor Gina Raimondo — Brown has suspended all upcoming international travel organized or sponsored by the University, effective Friday, March 6.

This means that for all international destinations:

• All students are prohibited from international travel as part of any University-sponsored program. This includes travel for all academic programs, student organizations and travel for Brown research.
• Faculty and staff are prohibited from University-sponsored international travel unless advance permission is granted by the Provost’s Office.

Brown community members in China, Iran, Italy and South Korea (including those in suspended study abroad programs) have already been advised to return to their homes in the United States. This is in line with countries that have been identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the highest risk. While the University is not recalling students, faculty and staff in other international destinations (for study abroad programs, research projects or other purposes), Brown’s Core Crisis Team continues to evaluate each program individually to consider the need for further program suspensions.

Travel in the United States

The University is carefully evaluating plans for all upcoming Brown-sponsored trips in the U.S., particularly during spring recess. Members of Brown’s Core Crisis Team and International Travel Risk Assessment Committee are advising Brown trip organizers on their decision-making.

• At this point, there is no University directive to cancel trips within the U.S., though required cancellations remain a possibility as the Core Crisis Team continues to monitor COVID-19.
• Units, programs and individuals may determine whether to cancel travel at any time based on logistical considerations (such as anticipated low participation).

At a minimum, organizers of U.S. trips should continue to monitor available information daily about COVID-19 and travel guidance, consider the logistical challenges that could emerge — i.e., changes to travel schedules, costs incurred for cancellations — and anticipate in advance the potential need to adjust or cancel plans.

Personal Travel

The University’s ability to support the health, safety, travel and academic needs of community members on personal travel is significantly more limited than for those on Brown-sponsored travel.

Travel to Brown Restricted Destinations (CDC Level 3)

Brown strongly discourages any personal travel to any country with a CDC Level 2 or Level 3 risk designation. Currently, China, Iran, Italy and South Korea are designated as Level 3, and Japan as Level 2 for COVID-19. Additional countries may be added by the CDC at any point. For all Level 3 countries:

• In alignment with CDC guidance, any Brown community member returning to the U.S. will be required to self-isolate in a U.S. location away from campus for at least 14 days before returning to Brown.
• The off-campus self-isolation requirement extends also to travelers who are already in Level 3 destinations who return to the U.S.
• Given quickly evolving travel guidance and quarantine measures, travelers to any CDC Level 3 destination should recognize that a return to Brown during the spring semester could become unlikely.

Other International Travel

Travelers should prepare for the possibility of local quarantines in some locations; numerous commercial flights have been canceled; and return to the U.S. from some international destinations may be delayed or even impossible. For these reasons and others, Brown community members are urged to avoid all non-essential international travel. Travelers to any international destination should recognize the potential for challenges in returning to the Brown campus.

Personal Travel in the United States

With COVID-19 cases continuing to emerge across the nation, even travel within the United States may become more challenging. Anyone with domestic travel plans should carefully consider whether they should be adjusted or cancelled.

Resources and Information Sources for Spring Recess

For students who choose to forgo travel and remain at Brown during spring recess, all residence halls will remain open and the University will meet the dining needs of those on campus. Campus Life and the Global Brown Center are planning increased events and programs. Further information on plans will be made available in the coming weeks.

The University will continue to update its comprehensive COVID-19 website with information, and this site remains the best source of current information on Brown’s preparedness, action and response to coronavirus.

RESPONSIBLE RISK ASSESSMENT

For the sake of personal health and the well-being of the entire Brown community, the University is asking all community members to consider the risks involved in upcoming travel and hosting events, independent of current guidance. Factors to consider include the potential to miss class or work due to quarantine requirements, which continue to evolve, or from unanticipated delays returning to campus because of travel measures (particularly for international travelers returning from personal travel to the U.S.). It’s prudent also to monitor public health notices in cities and states across the country where coronavirus is a growing concern.

University Policies

Travel policy, 1.0 policy purpose.

The purpose of this policy is to establish the principles, requirements, and responsibilities for conducting University-related travel, both domestic and international, in a manner that supports traveler safety, mitigates financial risk, complies with applicable regulations (including federal, state, and international), promotes environmental sustainability, and fosters prudent use of University resources.

2.0 To Whom the Policy Applies

This policy applies to all individuals and groups traveling on Brown-related business or for Brown-related programs, including faculty, staff, students, campus visitors, and other invited guests traveling on behalf of the University.

3.0 Policy Statement

All University travel, including that which is funded by gifts, grants, and contracts, must be reasonable and have a valid Business Purpose. Departments may elect to impose stricter budgetary controls over travel expenditures than those required by this policy. The University reserves the right to impose more stringent requirements on individual travelers.

Travelers should consider the impact of environmental sustainability when electing the mode of the travel.

Travel using federal funds from a grant, cooperative agreement, or contract is almost always subject to the Travel Management Policies set forth by the U.S. General Services Administration, in addition to being subject to this policy.

3.1 Operations & Financial Practices

Travel expenses will be paid for or reimbursed by the University if they are authorized, appropriately documented with a defined Business Purpose, and substantiated in Workday within 60 days of the last day of travel, in accordance with the Expense Reimbursement Policy . Pre-paid airline tickets, ground transportation tickets, and conference registration fees for Brown employees and students can be reimbursed as soon as they are purchased.

3.2 Booking Travel

University-related travelers, including groups, should use Brown’s strategic suppliers when booking airline tickets and making hotel reservations. 

3.3 Air Travel

Travelers must choose the lowest possible, non-refundable fare class that includes seat selection, a carry-on bag, and/or a checked bag, if needed.

Business Class and First Class travel are not permitted, except in the following circumstances:

• Business Class airfare, or equivalent, is permissible when the destination is four or more time zones away or more than eight hours of total flight time, including layovers.
• First Class airfare, or equivalent, is permissible only with prior written approval from the President, Provost, or Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration.

3.3.1 Air Travel Charged to Sponsored Projects

Travel costs charged to federal awards must comply with federal regulations, including the requirement to book the lowest economy airfare and comply with the Fly America Act . The Fly America Act requires that foreign air travel funded by the federal government be booked with U.S. flag air carriers, regardless of cost and convenience. Any exceptions to the federal requirement must receive prior written approval from the Office of Sponsored Projects and be documented in the expense report.

3.4 Ground Travel

3.4.1 train, bus, rideshare, and car service.

Train and bus transportation are encouraged whenever possible. First class train fare is only permissible with written approval from a Senior Officer.

Use of a private car service is permitted only if a valid Business Purpose precludes the use of a more economical mode of transportation. Use of a private car service is permitted at international locations if there are risk and safety concerns.

Rideshare and taxi services are reimbursable.

3.4.2 Rental Cars and Vans

Travelers may rent a car if driving is the most efficient mode of transportation, the safest option, less expensive than airline or rail travel, or necessary to transport equipment or materials. 

Travelers who routinely rent a vehicle for University business must adhere to the safeDRIVE policy.

3.4.3 Personal Automobile

Personal automobiles are permitted only if it is more cost-effective than other available modes of transportation, is the safest option, or if a valid Business Purpose precludes the use of a more economical mode of transportation and is reasonable under the travel circumstances. Travelers using their personal vehicles for Brown-Related Travel must be aware of and abide by Brown’s insurance and liability requirements. Reimbursement of gasoline is not allowed for travel with a personal automobile. Mileage may be reimbursed if it exceeds the traveler’s normal commute to their workplace location. Travelers will be reimbursed at the Federal Government’s prevailing rate per mile as documented in the Annual Spending Guidelines .

3.5 Travel Meals

IRS regulations permit the reimbursement of travel meals if the business trip exceeds 12 hours or is overnight. Meal reimbursements for faculty, staff, and students traveling on Brown-related business may be for either actual expenses incurred or the federal per diem rate for the location visited. Either way, the reimbursement method selected must be applied consistently throughout the trip. For travel in excess of 14 consecutive days, faculty, staff, and students must seek prior written approval to use the per diem rate for reimbursement.

Faculty and staff utilizing their research or sponsored award funds for reimbursement must follow more specific processes and terms as defined by the school and/or the award, if applicable.

Visitors traveling on Brown-related business must submit receipts for actual expenses incurred for reimbursement.

3.6 Travel Lodging

Travelers staying in hotels must book standard room accommodations at hotels in line with the University’s Annual Spending Guidelines . If traveling for a conference, it is acceptable to book room accommodations at the conference hotel even if the negotiated conference rate exceeds the Annual Spending Guidelines. Travelers will not be reimbursed for “no show” charges except under extenuating circumstances, which must be documented in the expense report.

Reserving accommodations through rental host organizations such as AirBnB and VRBO is also allowed.

3.6.1 Foreign Lodging per diem

The foreign lodging per diem rate is permitted only when visiting countries where receipts are difficult to obtain and if the use of per diem has been pre-authorized in writing by the traveler’s supervisor.

3.7 Visitor travel

Visitor travel reimbursements to foreign national visitors must comply with the Department of Homeland Security and IRS regulations. Visitors on a B2/WT visa may not receive any payment or reimbursement.

3.8 Insurance

Brown students, faculty, and staff are covered under the University’s blanket accident and sickness insurance policy when traveling outside the United States on a Brown-related program or Brown business.

Additional Travel insurance (e.g., CFAR–cancel for any reason, trip interruption, etc.) is not a reimbursable expense, unless approved by a senior officer.

3.8.1 Auto Rental Insurance

Brown self-insures for collision damage to rental vehicles and maintains auto liability insurance through a commercial insurance carrier for damage to a third party.

Supplemental Liability and Collision Damage insurance MUST be purchased through the rental agency in the following circumstances:

• If traveling outside of the United States
• If the driver is under the age of 25 (already included in strategic supplier’s rates)
• For rental vans that carry 12 or 15 passengers (already included in strategic supplier’s rates)

Only Brown employees and students who are renting vehicles for Brown-related business  are covered under the University’s insurance plan. Spouses, friends, and other non-employee listed drivers are covered only under insurance provided by the rental company or under the driver’s personal insurance. All drivers must be listed on the rental agreement in order to drive the rental.  The cost of covering non-Brown University drivers is a non-reimbursable expense.

If a strategic supplier is not used, your department may face high deductibles associated with any damage or accidents.

Report any accidents resulting in damage to the rental, or to a third party, to the rental agency and to the [email protected] via an auto accident report form found on the Insurance Office website within 48 hours of the accident.

3.8.2 Accompanying Spouses and Dependents

Spouses and dependents of Brown faculty, staff, and students are covered under this policy in matters concerning health safety, and security and risk management only when accompanying Brown travelers on international, Brown-related business. It is the responsibility of the Brown staff, faculty, or student to note the name of their spouse and/or dependent(s) who may be accompanying them in TravelSafe. This coverage does not apply to domestic travel. (Spousal and dependent travel costs are not reimbursable expenses.)

3.9 Risk & Safety

3.9.1 registering travel, 3.9.1.1 international travel.

All faculty, students, and staff traveling on Brown-Related Travel are required to register their international travel plans in TravelSafe prior to departure and update their travel plans accordingly if their itinerary changes.

Registration is required because:

• It provides international travelers with advisories and alerts related to their travel destination(s) sent directly via email from International SOS and/or via the International SOS Assistance App .
• International travelers are covered under the Study/Travel Abroad Accident and Sickness Insurance policy.

3.9.1.2 Domestic Travel

All faculty, students, and staff traveling on Brown-Related Travel are highly encouraged to register their domestic travel plans requiring an overnight stay in TravelSafe .

Domestic travel advisories and alerts are available through the International SOS Assistance App .

3.9.2 High Risk Travel

Brown classifies travel to world destinations with elevated risk factors as High Risk Travel. Specifically, High Risk Travel is defined as: International destinations that are posted to the U.S. DOS as a Travel Advisory Level 3 or Level 4, and/or a CDC Travel Health Notice Level 2 or Level 3, and/or that are deemed as posing a significant health, safety or security risk to the traveler through advisories from International SOS.

• No undergraduate, graduate, or medical student will be required to travel to a High Risk Travel destination as part of a for-credit or noncredit program.
• Any undergraduate, graduate, or medical student travel to a destination with a High Risk Travel classification must be reviewed and approved in advance by the Global Travel Risk Assessment Committee (GTRAC).
• If an individual undergraduate, graduate, or medical student or student group is being funded by a department or unit, that department or unit must ensure that GTRAC requirements and Safety Plans in TravelSafe are in effect before authorizing travel.
• Faculty and staff traveling to a High Risk Travel destination are encouraged to complete a Safety Plan.
• If GTRAC determines that a specific location is no longer safe or is potentially a danger to the travelers’ overall health and security, the University reserves the right to order an evacuation of all Brown travelers.
• Faculty who wish to lead a group of undergraduate, graduate, or medical students to a High Risk Travel destination must first get approval from GTRAC before advertising the course/travel component and before enrolling students.

3.9.3 Traveling with Students

• Graduate students, in the absence of a faculty member or administrator, are prohibited from independently supervising or leading undergraduate group travel abroad.
• Faculty or staff traveling internationally with students and/or organizing experiential learning opportunities abroad must meet with International Travel Risk Management prior to making travel arrangements and advertising the travel opportunity to students.
• Group travel, regardless of the number of students, must include at least two University representatives, who may be faculty, staff, graduate student teaching assistants appointed by the faculty leader, and/or locally-based support acting on behalf of Brown. All representatives must be able to provide in-person assistance or support in the event of an emergency.
• Group leaders must remain with the group for the duration of the program abroad.
• Ground travel is not permitted to take place overnight or during nighttime hours.

3.9.4 U.S. Federal Regulations Regarding International Travel

Any faculty, staff, or students traveling internationally are required to comply with the U.S. federal export regulations and trade sanctions . Any faculty, staff, or students traveling to a comprehensively embargoed country must contact the Export Compliance Team to determine if an export license is needed.

3.9.5 Participation in Political or Civil Protests and Activities While on International Travel

Involvement in political and/or civil protests, activities, demonstrations, or events is prohibited while on international travel.

3.9.6 Senior Officers Traveling Together

• Under no circumstances will more than two Senior Officers be permitted to travel together, regardless of the mode of transportation.
• Vice Presidents and Deans with overlapping responsibilities should avoid group travel.
• The President, Provost, and Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration are discouraged from traveling together at all, regardless of the mode of transportation.

4.0 Definitions

For the purpose of this policy, the terms below have the following definitions :

Brown-Related Travel: International and domestic travel for any member of the Brown community (i.e., faculty, staff, and students) who is traveling on Brown University business or a Brown University program, regardless of funding source. Further information on specific programs can be found  here .

Business Meal: A meal taken with business associates, University guests, job applicants, professional colleagues, or donors, during which University business is discussed and there is a valid Business Purpose for the meal. Review the Business Meals and Hospitality Policy for further detail.

Business Purpose: A required statement that adequately describes the expense as a necessary, reasonable, and appropriate business expense for the University. All expenses must support or advance the goals, objectives and mission of the University.

Domestic Travel: Travel within the United States and its territories and possessions.

International Travel: Travel outside of the United States and its territories and possessions.

Senior Officer: The President of Brown University, members of the President’s Cabinet and individuals who report directly to the President, or the Deans and Vice Presidents who report to the Provost or Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration.

Sponsored Project: A University project for which a person or organization, including the federal government, provided funds. Certain conditions on the use of the provided finds, including travel, may apply. Sponsor requirements may differ from the Brown policy; in all cases whichever policy requirements are more stringent must be followed.

Travel Meal: Meal taken by the individual traveler, or individuals traveling together, on University business.

Visitors: Individuals who travel to Brown at the invitation of a Brown employee or department for the benefit of the University.

5.0 Responsibilities

All individuals to whom this policy applies are responsible for becoming familiar with and following this policy. University supervisors and employees with student oversight duties are responsible for promoting the understanding of this policy and for taking appropriate steps to help ensure and enforce compliance with it.

Traveler : Provide accurate, truthful, and sufficient documentation, including valid Business Purpose, to support allowable expenses paid by the University.

Controller’s Office : Ensure compliance with federal and state statutes and process transactions.

Cost Center Managers : Review and approve travel payments and reimbursements in Workday.

Financial Coordinators : Compile relevant supporting documentation and initiate reimbursement transactions in Workday.

6.0 Consequences for Violating this Policy

Failure to comply with this and related policies is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension without pay, or termination of employment or association with the University, in accordance with applicable (e.g., staff, faculty, student) disciplinary procedures.

Intentional disregard for the University’s travel policy and procedures may be considered grounds for disciplinary action, and/or for prosecution in the case of fraudulent misrepresentation of travel expenses.

7.0 Related Information

Brown University is a community in which employees are encouraged to share workplace concerns with University leadership. Additionally, Brown’s Anonymous Reporting Hotline allows anonymous and confidential reporting on matters of concern online or by phone (877-318-9184).

The following information complements and supplements this document. The information is intended to help explain this policy and is not an all-inclusive list of policies, procedures, laws and requirements.

7.1 Related Policies

• Travel Advance Policy
• Interview Expense Reimbursements Policy
• Business Meals and Hospitality Policy
• Expense Reimbursement Policy
• safeDRIVE Policy

7.2 Related Job Aids

• Create Expense Report for Yourself or Another Worker (if Authorized)
• Expense Report Business Purposes
• Request Travel Advance
• Clear Travel Advance: Money Owed to Traveler
• Clear Travel Advance: Money Owed to Brown  

7.3 Related Forms

• Request for Direct Payment for Airfare/Train Expenses
• New Auto Accident Report Form
• Auto Liability Insurance Identification Card
• Missing Receipt Affidavit

7.4 Frequently Asked Questions

7.5 other related information.

• Annual Spending Guidelines
• Export Controls Policies and Procedures
• Per Diem Amounts: Domestic
• Per Diem Amounts: Foreign
• Sponsor Travel Guidance

Policy Owner and Contact(s)

Policy owner: vice president for finance and administrative services & chief financial officer, policy approved by: vice president for finance and administrative services & chief financial officer, contact information:, policy history, policy issue date: october 9, 2019, policy effective date: january 8, 2024, policy update/review summary:.

Previous policy version(s) superseded by this policy:

• Travel Policy, Effective Date: October 3, 2023

Office of Global Engagement

International students and scholars, important travel updates.

Important travel updates are linked for reference.

• Healthy Brown Travel Policies
• Global Brown International Travel Risk Management
• CDC Infographic: Traveling to the U.S. from a Foreign Country by Air

Undergraduate Study Abroad

International students, study abroad faqs.

Every year Brown welcomes students and faculty from across the globe. About 17 percent of our students come from abroad, from over 100 countries around the world. Such diversity is critical to the University’s goal of preparing all students to engage effectively in an increasingly interconnected global environment. Although your time at Brown may already technically be “study abroad,” studying in yet another country may further enrich your time at Brown

Things to Consider

Adapted from Study Abroad for International Students: A Guide for Education Abroad Professionals, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, 2014

Your U.S. visa and immigration status will determine obligations you have regarding any federal requirements while at Brown, and it also will help shape the advice given by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS) .

Make sure to check your visa and I-20 expiration date and passport expiration date, so that you can have them extended or reissued if necessary before leaving to study abroad. Please note that F-1/J-1 student visa applications can only be made at a U.S. Consulate outside the U.S.

Your visa type determines your primary purpose in the United States. An F-1 or J-1 student is required to enroll in a “full course of study” every semester to maintain status and may drop below full-time enrollment only in very specific situations after receiving approval from the OISSS.

Regulatory language for F-1/J-1 students indicates that the student should not be absent from the United States for more than five months. Additionally, students also need to maintain the full-time status registration requirement for institutions during required semesters. This impacts whether you can maintain your U.S. immigration status while participating in a study abroad program.

If you are studying abroad for a full year, it is likely your I-20/DS-2019 travel signature will have expired by the time you return to Brown. Contact Brown OISSS at [email protected]  to request an updated I-20/DS-2019 be mailed to you before you re-enter the United States. 

Your program provider may impact your immigration status and ability to maintain a full course of study (Are you studying at an accredited institution? Are courses credit-bearing? How long is the program or courses?)

Where you are studying and traveling may impact your need and/or ability to acquire a visa to study in that country. International students may have additional requirements for multi-country programs or for planned side trips, either as part of the program or for personal travel. Be sure to check with your program provider to find out if program- or course-related field trips would take you out of the host country. Additionally, diplomatic relationships between your home country and the host country may affect (positively or negatively) your ability to visit that country and acquire the appropriate documentation. Make sure you have completed all the steps in the visa application process that applies to your home country. 

If you plan to work while you are abroad, be mindful of the work hours and regulations that come with your new host country’s student visa; work-related regulations for international students will differ from country to country. 

If you run into visa and passport related issues while you are abroad, the OISSS at Brown is limited in their ability to help you. While they are a great resource for entry/re-entry into the U.S., when you are abroad on your home country’s passport, it is between your home country’s diplomatic relations and your host institution to determine your ability to study, work and travel. Make sure you are aware of the Visa and Immigration Office and their contacts at your host institution (the equivalent of Brown’s OISSS) to help you while you are abroad. 

Advance planning is crucial. Many of the administrative processes take weeks and often build upon each other, so if the first step isn’t started early enough it may not be possible to complete the rest of the steps in time. Map out your courses and requirements for your concentration with your department/concentration advisor before and after you study abroad.

Brown students studying on nonimmigrant visas may seek permission to study at a two- or four-year institution in their home country and earn credit as part of their degree completion plans. To receive transfer credit, the host institution and each course must be evaluated for transfer eligibility per Brown’s transfer credit guidelines. For more information see Study Away from Brown webpage.

International students often transition into their new host country and institution more smoothly, having experienced an initial culture shock when they began their study in the U.S. Nevertheless, cultural differences exist that students may sometimes find difficult to adjust to. It can help to talk to returned students (contact information available at the Study Abroad Advising office) and peer advisors ahead of time to ask questions and to hear personal tips. 

Translating your hobbies and interests, such as music or sports, can help you find your community and to make local friends based on a shared interest. You will also find a community among visiting students at your host institution.

Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISSS)

Office of global engagement (oge), global brown center for international students (gbc), outside brown, daca resource page: for international student advisers and education abroad advisers, a plan for study abroad as international student in the u.s., may i participate in a study abroad program, can international students in the united states study abroad and may i participate in a study abroad program, additional topics, passports & visas, types of programs.

Department of Earth, Environmental & Planetary Sciences

Spring break field trip 2024.

This year DEEPS undergraduate students visited the Grand Canyon in Arizona for their annual Spring Break Field Trip (SBFT). Twenty-six students, Assistant Professor Emily Cooperdock, and Lab Manager Travis Parsons explored the spectacular geological features and processes, and bonded over snowy mishaps and sandwiches. Here is what they had to say about their adventures:

The trip started strong with a hike up Superstition Mountain, a mountain formed by volcanic activity more than 18 million years ago and the sacred homeland of the Western Apache. 

We were all amazed by Tonto Natural Bridge, the world’s largest natural travertine land bridge. Of course, nothing beats the spectacular red sandstones of Sedona Arizona; the pilgrimage to Cathedral Rock is definitely worth the trek!

The DEEPS SBFT is all about teamwork, sharing, learning from each other, and not taking ourselves too seriously. Some of the joys of the trip were as simple as communal cooking, setting up tents together, and sitting around the campfire. It was also a great chance to make new friends! As Olivia Cox, class of 2026 put it, “It was important to me to meet other people in the department as well as faculty and grad students.”

Hot or cold, day or night, rain or shine (or graupel), the SBFT perseveres. Unexpected snowstorms couldn’t cramp our style! We were all smiles from Meteor Crater, the Painted Desert, and the Petrified Forest. Plus we got to touch a meteorite?!! …Maybe, we’re not 100% sure if it was real. 

6 million-year-old volcanoes in Arizona? Lava flows covered in snow?! Spatter cones?!! We saw it all at Sunset Crater Volcano and the S P Crater cinder cone volcano before heading to Wupatki National Monument, an Ancestral Puebloan site featuring a 104-room Pueblo constructed from the iconic red moenkopi sandstone bricks. Hats off to the natural blow hole formed by a network of underground caverns—it really blew us away! 

How do you make a geologist cry? Take them to the Grand Canyon. Many tears of joy were shed taking in the vast, magnificent beauty of the canyon and the millions of years of sedimentary history it unveils. How many people can say they butt-slid down the South Kaibab Trail? We can. Best sandwich-eating view ever.

Entrenched meander at Horseshoe Bend? Bill Clinton’s nose at Antelope Canyon? Owls, tarantulas, and snakes, oh my! Just another day in Arizona. It’s hard to believe water and wind alone formed these magical, undulating passageways of the slot canyon! 

Zion, you took our breath away! We had so much fun exploring the Emerald Pools, Angels Landing, and the Narrows. Seeing the Grand Staircase sequence in real life was truly unforgettable. As Gabriel Traietti, class of 2025, commented, “I’m grateful to have the opportunity to see some of the most stunning geology in our country and learn more about what a future in the field might look like.”

We can’t wait for what next year’s SBFT will bring! 

Planning a trip to Moscow? Our travel guide contains up-to-date, personal information on everything from what to see , to when to visit , where to stay , and what to eat !

• General Information
• What to see
• How to get to Moscow
• Where to stay
• Where to eat

Why visit Moscow?

Majestic churches, impressive historic fortresses, and palatial buildings: Moscow is a fascinating city whose emblematic architecture reflects the turbulent history that has defined Russia throughout the centuries.

The traces of the USSR can be found around every corner of the city , side by side with the iconic relics of Imperial Russia , like the mythical Red Square , the imposing Kremlin , and the beautiful  St Basil's Cathedral . 

Discover a fascinating world of Cold War bunkers, golden-domed basilicas, world-class art museums, and the legendary "palace of the people,"  as the Moscow Metro has been nicknamed. Whether you fancy watching a classical Russian ballet at the Bolshoi Theatre , perusing the fine arts at the Pushkin Museum , or marveling at the sheer size of the monuments to the Soviet state's achievements at the  All-Russia Exhibition Centre , this travel guide will help you on your way!

Where to start?

If you're going to travel to Moscow and you don't know much about the city yet, the first thing to do is to dive into its legendary history - understanding the past will help you understand the present. Next, check out our practical hints and tips on traveling to the city before discovering which of its most important museums , monuments , and attractions pique your interest.

Looking for a place to stay?

Booking your accommodation in advance is the best way to get great discounts. Our detailed guide on where to stay in Moscow  will help you decide which neighborhood you'd like to look for hotels or apartments in, and our hotel search engine will find you the best deals!

Why is our Moscow travel guide the best?

Introducing Moscow is a  city guide written by travelers for travelers  and contains personalized advice to help you make the most of your trip to the city.

All the information in this guide is valid as of December 2022. If you find any errors or have any comments, please feel free to contact us .

Our travel guides

• top attractions
• where to stay
• and much more

What to do in Moscow

Ballet at the bolshoy, cathedral of christ the saviour, drinking & nightlife, entertainment, house-museums, the museum of modern history, the new tretyakov gallery, novodevichiy convent, patriarch’s ponds, the pushkin museum of fine arts, sandunovsky baths, the tretyakov gallery.

Travel in Moscow is easier than you might think: the city’s general layout is a series of concentric circles and radial lines emanating from Red Square and the Kremlin, and the centre is compact enough to explore on foot. Moscow’s sights can also be mapped as strata of its history: the old Muscovy that Russians are eager to show; the now retro-chic Soviet-era sites such as VDNK and Lenin’s Mausoleum; and the exclusive restaurants and shopping malls that mark out the new Russia. A CityPass is a good bet if you plan on seeing several of the city's heavyweight attractions.

Despite its size, Moscow's concentric layout is easier to grasp than you'd imagine, and the city's famous metro ensures that almost everywhere of interest is within fifteen minutes' walk of a station. Red Square and the Kremlin are the historic nucleus of the city, a magnificent stage for political drama, signifying a great sweep of history that includes Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great, Stalin and Gorbachev. Here you'll find Lenin's Mausoleum and St Basil's Cathedral, the famous GUM department store, and the Kremlin itself, whose splendid cathedrals and Armoury Museum head the list of attractions. Immediately east of Red Square lies the Kitay-gorod, traditionally the commercial district, and originally fortified like the Kremlin. Stretches of the ramparts remain behind the Metropol and Rossiya hotels, and the medieval churches of Zaryade and the shops along Nikolskaya ulitsa may tempt you further into the quarter, where you'll find the former headquarters of the Communist Party. Take a private Kremlin tour to skip the lines for the Kremlin grounds and cathedrals.

The Kremlin and Kitay-gorod are surrounded by two quarters defined by rings of boulevards built over the original ramparts of medieval times, when Moscow's residential areas were divided into the "White Town" or Beliy Gorod, and the humbler "Earth Town" or Zemlyanoy Gorod. Situated within the leafy Boulevard Ring that encloses the Beliy Gorod are such landmarks as the Bolshoy Theatre and the Lubyanka headquarters of the secret police – with its "KGB Museum" – while the Zemlyanoy Gorod that extends to the eight-lane Garden Ring is enlivened by the trendy old and new Arbat streets, with three Stalin skyscrapers dominating the Ring itself.

Beyond this historic core Moscow is too sprawling to explore on foot. Krasnaya Presnya, Fili and the southwest describes a swathe which includes the former Russian Parliament building (known as the White House); Tolstoy's house and the Novodeviche Convent and Cemetery; Victory Park, with its war memorials and Jewish museum; and Moscow State University in the Sparrow Hills – the largest of the Stalin skyscrapers.

Across the river from the Kremlin, Zamoskvorechye and the south are the site of the old and new Tretyakov Gallery's superlative collection of Russian art. Private guided tours are recommended for art enthusiasts. Here too you'll find Gorky Park, the Donskoy and Danilov monasteries that once stood guard against the Tartars, and the romantic ex-royal estates of Tsaritsyno and Kolomenskoe – the latter known for staging folklore festivals and historical pageants.

Taganka and Zayauze, east of the centre, likewise harbour fortified monasteries – the Andronikov, Novospasskiy and Simonov – and the erstwhile noble estates of Kuskovo and Kuzminki, but the main lure for tourists is the Izmaylovo art market. Inside the Izmaylovo Kremlin, a cultural centre, there are also a range of attractions, from the Bread Museum and the Vodka History Museum to the fascinating Museum of Russian Toys.

Moscow's Northern Suburbs cover a vast area with a sprinkling of sights. Foremost is the Memorial and Museum of Cosmonautics and VDNK. For anyone interested in the glory days of the space race, and its monumental landmarks and propaganda, a visit is a must, like on this guided tour . In the vicinity are the Ostankino Palace, Moscow's Botanical Gardens and TV Tower. West from here, the Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines will appeal to visitors with an interest in Soviet social history, too.

Outside Moscow there's scope for day-excursions to the Trinity Monastery of St Sergei, the Abramtsevo artists' colony, Tchaikovsky's house in Kiln, Lenin's estate at Gorki Leninskie, and the battlefield of Borodino, where the battle is re-enacted every September. You can also head out to the village of Aksakovo for a beautiful two-hour troika ride. Further afield, the historic towns of Vladimir and Suzdal are graced by splendid cathedrals and monasteries attesting that they were the seat of a principality when Moscow was merely an encampment. Suzdal is one of the loveliest towns in Russia, and definitely merits an overnight stay. It's also possible to visit the Aviation Museum at Monino air base, en route to Vladimir, if you take the trouble to get permission ahead of time.

This article includes affiliate links; all recommendations are editorially independent.

Top image: Komsomolskaya metro station © Gubin Yury/Shutterstock

While Moscow's Bolshoy Ballet (also spelt "Bolshoi") is going through uncertain times, plagued by infighting and rivalries (not least the recent acid attack on Artistic Director Sergei Filin), few would deny themselves the chance to see this legendary company. During the season, evening performances start at 7pm, and Saturday and Sunday matinees at noon; there are no shows on Monday.

You can see what’s on currently and for a few months ahead on the Bolshoy’s website – although the English version sometimes lags behind the Russian one. The ballet company is usually abroad over summer and sometimes also in the autumn, leaving the junior corps de ballet to entertain visitors – although star dancers are certain to be in Moscow for the opening of the new season in September. For more on Russian ballet visit www.for-ballet-lovers-only.com . For those not interested in ballet but more in the historical aspect of the Bolshoy theatre, take a guided historic tour of the grounds.

If you're more interest in Folk Dances, visit the Kostroma Folk Dance show , the most authentic one in Moscow.

Built as a symbol of gratitude to divinity for having aided the Russians’ defeat of Napoleon in 1812, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour (daily 10am–6pm), opposite the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts at Volkhonka ul. 15, was demolished in 1931 in favour of a monument to socialism. The project was soon abandoned and years later, under Krushev’s rule, the site was turned into the world’s largest public swimming pool. In 1994 the Cathedral was rebuilt and is now a symbol of Moscow’s (and Russia’s) post-Communist religious revival.

Moscow isn’t a city that goes to bed early. Many venues act as a café by day, restaurant in the early evening, and both bar and club at night. This can cover anything from an arthouse café with a spot of live music to a dance warehouse, or a fancy nightclub with a restaurant and casino. Most cater to a certain crowd, whether it’s creative professionals, students, shell-suited "flatheads" or designer-draped models. While formal dress codes are rare, face control (feys kontrol) is widespread. Russians distinguish between “democratic” face control (aimed at keeping out hooligans and bandits), and the kind that favours the rich (never mind how they behave). It’s unwise to rile club security staff, however rude they might be.

There are scores of trendy bars and clubs on Krasny Oktyabr, a former chocolate factory building located across the river from Kropotkinskaya and now home to some of Moscow’s hippest nightlife.

Learn how to walk, talk, drink and party like a Russian on a small group with Russian spirits.

Moscow's gastronomic scene has improved enormously over the last five years, with hundreds of new cafés and restaurants offering all kinds of cuisine and surroundings, aimed at anyone with a disposable income – from mega-rich New Russians and expense-account expatriates to fashion-conscious wealthy teenagers.

For cheap eats head to a canteen, where you can compile a tray of dishes smorgasbord-style. Take advantage of the great-value business lunches offered by cafés and restaurants during the week between noon and 4pm.

For well over a century, Moscow has been one of the world’s great centres of classical music, opera and ballet, most famously represented by the Bolshoy Theatre but also by its orchestras and choirs. Theatre can be tricky for non-Russian speakers though circus and puppetry surpass the language barrier. Moscow’s film industry and annual international film festival dwarf St Petersburg’s, but at other times most cinemas screen Hollywood blockbusters.

All this can be surprisingly good value, provided you ask for the cheapest ticket available ( samiy deshoviy bilyet ).

Gorky Park on ul. Krymskiy Val 9 (R100; Park Kultury) is a large park occupying an area of over 700 acres along the river. In the winter the frozen-over paths become one of the city’s largest ice rinks, while in the summer Muscovites stroll the area savouring an ice cream.

Admirers of Bulgakov, Chekhov, Gorky and Tolstoy will find their former homes preserved as museums. Anton Chekhov lived at Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya ul. 6, in what is now the Chekhov House-Museum (Tues, Thurs & Sat 11am–6pm, Wed & Fri 2–8pm; R100, student R60; Barrikadnaya), containing humble personal effects, while the Gorky House-Museum (Wed–Sun 11am–6pm, closed last Thurs of the month; free; Arbatskaya) on the corner of Povarskaya ulitsa and ulitsa Spiridonovka is worth seeing purely for its raspberry-pink Art Nouveau decor. Leo Tolstoy admirers should head to the wonderfully preserved Tolstoy Memorial Estate on ul. Lva Tolstogo 21 (Tues, Wed & Fri 10am–6pm, Thurs 1–9pm, Sat & Sun 11am–6pm; R200, student R60; Park Kultury) where the Tolstoy family lived after moving to Moscow from their country estate in 1881, and where the novelist wrote War and Peace . The Bulgakov Museum at Bolshaya Sadovaya ul. 10 (Sun–Thurs 1–11pm, Fri & Sat until 1am; free; t 495/970-0619; Mayakovskaya), is the house where the novelist lived from 1921 to 1924. There are nightly tours (1–6am; R550; phone a week in advance for tour in English).

The Museum of Modern History at Tverskaya ul. 21 (Tues, Wed, Fri 10am–6pm, Thurs & Sat 11am–7pm, Sun 10am–5pm, closed last Fri of the month; R100; Tverskaya) brings the Communist past alive with striking displays of Soviet propaganda posters, photographs and state gifts, although there’s a frustrating lack of English translation.

Opposite the entrance to Gorky Park at Krymskiy Val 10, the New Tretyakov Gallery (Tues–Sun 10am–7.30pm; R360, student R220; Park Kultury) takes a breakneck gallop through twentieth-century Russian art, from the avant-garde of the 1910–1920s to contemporary artists. Full and illuminating commentary in English is a bonus.

A cluster of shining domes above a fortified rampart belongs to the lovely Novodevichiy Convent (daily 10am–5pm; closed Tues & last Mon of month; R150; Sportivnaya), founded by Ivan the Terrible in 1524. At its heart stands the white Cathedral of the Virgin of Smolensk. In its cemetery lie numerous famous writers, musicians and artists, including Gogol, Chekhov, Stanislavsky, Bulgakov and Shostakovich.

One of Moscow’s most exclusive neighbourhoods, Patriarch’s Ponds is a pleasant spot (there’s actually just one pond) for a summer stroll or an ice-skate on its frozen waters in the depths of winter. The area is also known for being the location of the opening scene of Mikhail Bulgakov’s magical realist novel The Master and Margarita .

Founded in 1898 in honour of the famous Russian poet, the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts at Volkhonka ul. 12 (Tues–Sun 10am–7pm; R150–300, separate fee for Impressionist wing; Kropotkinskaya) holds a hefty collection of European paintings , from Italian High Renaissance works to Rembrandt, and an outstanding display of Impressionist works.

Get the city grit out of your skin at the exquisitely elaborate Sandunovsky baths (Neglinnaya ul. 14 bldg 3–7 w www.sanduny.ru ; Teatralnaya), patronized by Muscovites since 1896. Join Russian businessmen and socialites in the banya , a wooden hut heated with a furnace, where you are invited to sweat out impurities, get beaten energetically with birch twigs, and finally plunge into ice-cold water. Men’s and women’s baths are separate, with the women’s section more like a modern spa. A three-hour session costs R1000. Daily 8am–10pm.

Founded in 1892 by the financier Pavel Tretyakov, the Tretyakov Gallery at Lavrushinskiy per. 10 (Tues–Sun 10am–7.30pm; R360, student R220; Tretyakovskaya) displays an outstanding collection of pre-Revolutionary Russian art. Russian icons are magnificently displayed, and the exhibition continues through to the late nineteenth century, with the politically charged canvases of the iconic realist Ilya Repin and the Impressionist portraits of Valentin Serov, including The Girl with Peaches , one of the gallery’s masterpieces.

To see Soviet triumphalism at its most prolific, visit the Exhibition of Economic Achievements, or VDNKh (Prospekt Mira; VDNK/Prospekt Mira), with its statue upon statue of ordinary workers in heroic poses. Adding to the scene is the permanent trade-fair-cum-shopping-centre housed in the grandiose Stalinist architecture of the All-Union Agricultural Exhibition of 1939, and the People’s Friendship Fountain, flanked by Soviet maidens, each symbolizing a Soviet republic. One of the most hubristic Soviet monuments ever built is the Space Obelisk , which bears witness to Soviet designs on the stratosphere. Unveiled in 1964 – three years after Gagarin orbited the earth – it’s a sculpture of a rocket blasting nearly 100m into the sky on a plume of energy clad in shining titanium. Moscow’s giant Ferris wheel, small amusement park and numerous food vendors help to create a fairground-like atmosphere. For a fantastic view over the VDNK, take the lift to the 25th floor of Hotel Cosmos across Prospekt Mira.

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Your 48-hour tour guide of Moscow this winter!

9 am – Visit the Red Square 

Christmas market on Red Square

The first thing that every tourist should do by default is visit the very heart of Moscow – it’s main and most beautiful (which ‘krasnaya’ actually meant in Old Russian) square! 

There are several ways to explore it:

• Take a selfie with Spasskaya Tower
• Have a warm drink at the Christmas market (which lasts until mid-January)
• Visit Lenin’s Mausoleum
• Shop in the gorgeous adjacent GUM department store
• Visit St. Basil’s Cathedral (and learn that it’s actually several churches under one roof).           

11 am – It’s Kremlin time! 

Inside the Moscow Kremlin

Entering the Kremlin is, actually, a bit of a quest, as it’s a presidential facility with no general access. You need to buy a ticket or, better still, book a guided tour. Inside the Kremlin’s walls, you will find ancient cathedrals, in which Russian tsars used to be crowned and buried, as well as explore the magnificent architecture of the Kremlin that reflects the rich history of the country. And, finally, you could also make a quick visit to the Moscow Kremlin Museums and admire artifacts from various Russian tsarist eras: carriages, thrones, crowns and the most incredible armory and jewelry. 

For more information, visit the official website of the Kremlin . It’s open from 10 am to 5 pm (and it’s closed on Thursdays) in winter.

2 pm – Watch the changing of the Guard

The honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

A very spectacular (and free) thing to do is watch how the honor guard does their ceremonial change at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame, situated in Alexander Garden, right next to the Kremlin wall. Every hour, from 8 am to 8 pm, the 1st Company of the Kremlin (Presidential) Regiment performs this rather old and beautiful tradition. But, be warned, it's often overcrowded. 

3 pm – Enjoy a green oasis just in the center

Florarium in Zaryadye

Just a few steps from the Red Square, you will find the fabulous Zaryadye park. Opened in 2017, it is designed by renowned American architect bureau ‘Diller Scofidio + Renfro’. You can walk among the very cozy botanical decorations and explore Russia’s climate zones, as each of them is represented in dedicated areas, complete with flora from those zones.

The floating bridge in Zaryadye Park

The park also has an underground museum, an “ice cave” and a 3D cinema, where you can take part in a virtual adventure – a flight over Moscow! However, the piece de resistance is a floating boomerang bridge over the Moskva River, one of the best places to take a selfie.

You can also grab a quick lunch or relax with a cup of coffee or tea in the park.

7 pm – Arrange a ballet night

The Bolshoi Theater

Of course, the most fancy way to finish your day in Moscow would be to go to the ballet at the Bolshoi Theater (in a perfect world, to see ‘The Nutcracker’!). However, getting tickets to the Bolshoi is not an easy task and should be done well in advance of your visit. 

But, don’t be upset if you don’t manage to get tickets to the Bolshoi. Moscow has dozens of other options to see a ballet (or opera). No less brilliant performances can be seen in the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theater or in The State Kremlin Palace (by the way, this is another way to get a quick glimpse inside the Kremlin!).

10:30 pm – Have a late dinner in a fancy restaurant

Dr Zhivago restaurant

There are not so many other cities with such a big choice of restaurants in a range of tastes and styles. In 2021, the authoritative Michelin guide announced their pick of the best of Moscow’s restaurants. And here’s our guide to all the places with Russian cuisine for any budget. But, if you happen to be in the area of the Bolshoi or Nemirovich-Danchenko Theater, then ‘Dr. Zhivago’ would definitely be a nice option (and it’s open around the clock).

DAY 2 

9 am – grab a moscow coffee.

Winter festivities mood in Moscow

Moscow is definitely a coffee city! You can find coffee shops on every corner and they all offer a huge range of drinks. Try a ‘raf’ coffee, a sweet, creamy drink that was created in Russia, or dare to pick one of the very unusual offers, like cheese coffee or a Soviet candy style one (check out our coffee guide here ).

10 am – Take a river cruise

Winter boating along the Moskva River

Another exciting way to explore Moscow is to observe it from the water. Boats cruise along the Moskva River all year round. Most begin their route from the Hotel Ukraine, one of Stalin's ‘Seven Sister’ skyscrapers, and will bring you back to the same spot after passing the medieval Novodevichy Convent, Moscow State University and Luzhniki Stadium, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and giant monument to Peter the Great and many other sightseeings. 

It’s always at optimum temperature inside the boat, which also has huge panoramic windows. Select boats also offer a full dining experience, so it is also a nice place to have breakfast or lunch.

If you are not a water person, then discover other, unusual sides of Moscow – pick one of the activities we’ve prepared for you here ! 

1 pm – Visit ‘Russia’ Expo and taste a bunch of Russian regional cuisines

Russia Expo at VDNKh

Until April 2024, the Soviet-era VDNKh exhibition park is hosting the huge ‘Russia’ expo, with tons of activities and expositions devoted to Russia, its culture, science and nature. Check out our special guide on what to do there!  

An entire ‘House of Russian Cuisine’ has been opened at the expo. You will find 15 food stands with flagship dishes from Kamchatka, Siberia, Karelia and other regions of Russia. Imagine trying a range of cuisines and dishes in one place without even having to travel anywhere, be it Altai pelmeni, Tula kalach or Caucasian pies! A perfect place to grab some lunch.

House of Russian cuisines at VDNKh

The VDNKh exhibition park is a great place to visit, in general! Its pavilions are the perfect example of Stalinit Empire style architecture and you can almost feel as if you’ve traveled back in time! You will also find several interesting museums in the park – devoted to space exploration, Russian history and even a ‘Special Purpose Garage’, which showcases the various vehicles used by the country’s leaders. 

'Sun of Moscow' wheel

And, finally, you can ride Europe's tallest panoramic wheel – ‘Sun of Moscow’ – that will give you panoramic views of the city – from a height of 140 meters!

5 pm – Ice skate with view & mulled wine

Ice skating rink on Red Square (GUM department store on the background)

Ice skating is one of the most popular and affordable activities in Moscow. There are several great ice skating rinks in picturesque locations that are open all winter long. One of the biggest rinks in Europe is also at the aforementioned VDNKh or you can visit the one in Gorky Park, another very popular Moscow spot, or the small, but fancy rink – right on Red Square! 

All the parks offer ice skate rental, so the only things you need are warm clothes, a charged phone to record your memories and a good mood!  Moscow also gets dark at 4:30 pm in winter and hundreds of lights are switched on, turning the city into a giant fairy tale! 

A mulled wine with a view

And, if you are not a sports person, we’ve picked several other unusual activities that you could do in Moscow instead. For example, did you know that there is an entire district of dacha (countryside) houses, just 10 minutes from the center, surrounded by giant new highrises? How about taking a stroll there and feeling the early Soviet atmosphere?

8 pm – Warm up & laugh out loud

After all these outdoor activities, what could be better than a warm cozy bar with a hot drink and nice company? Moscow is a city full of entertainment for all tastes. So, if you know the Russian language or want to practice it, go to a theater or catch a stand-up comedy show. Moscow even has comedy shows in English, where you can hear both Russians speaking fluent English or foreigners (including Brits and Americans) who live in Russia speaking in broken or heavily-accented Russian (Check their show dates on the ‘ Moscow English Comedy ’ Telegram channel)!

11 pm – Finish by partying the night away!

Propaganda club in Moscow

Moscow never sleeps, as you might have heard. Which means there are plenty of bars and nightclubs where you can have a drink (or two or three; be sure to check out how Russians make Black Russian and White Russian cocktails) and chat with incredibly different people. Have fun and don’t miss your flight (or miss it and stay longer in the best city in the world!)!

That's it! See you soon in Moscow

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Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

Read Next: Things To Do on Socotra

To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

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The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

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