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Lagardère Travel Retail signs an agreement for the acquisition of Paradies, an airport travel retail leader in North America. A major step in its growth strategy.

Corporate & other activities, Finance, Lagardère Travel Retail

Paris, 11 August 2015

Lagardère Travel Retail announces the signing of an agreement for the acquisition of Paradies, an airport travel retail leader in North America , from Freeman Spogli & Co, the Paradies family and other shareholders. This agreement aims at acquiring 100% of the equity of the Paradies holding company, representing approximately 80% of the activities in aggregate (in accordance with US regulation, Paradies activities are operated in each airport with dedicated legal entities including minority partners, representing approximately 20% of the Enterprise Value of the Paradies Group). The completion of this transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including regulatory approval and the agreement of several third parties. Combining the activities of Lagardère Travel Retail in North America and Paradies would create the second-largest player in North America, a large and expanding market. The price for the acquisition, payable in cash, is USD 530 million (1) (€485 million (2) ).

Paradies, a recognized market leader

Paradies, a company with a strong family culture, has built strong partnerships with a large number of US and Canadian airports, including the following top 10 airports: Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, New York-JFK, San Francisco, Charlotte, Las Vegas and Phoenix. Through long-term concessions, Paradies currently operates in more than 76 airports. In recent years Paradies’ sales growth has largely outperformed passenger air traffic growth in the United States thanks to its recognized operational excellence, the increased diversification of its activities and the development of new concepts. This growth has also been driven by the development and continuous expansion of retail space in airports. In its fiscal year ended 28 June 2015 (3) , Paradies generated sales of USD 515 million (€471 million). Paradies is renowned for the quality of its operations and teams, as attested by the “Best Airport Retailer” award bestowed upon the company for 20 consecutive years by ARN (4) , an award considered as the most prestigious in the North American industry. Having started out with a comprehensive range of convenience products and travel essentials, Paradies underwent major diversification into other segments including fashion, accessories and specialty products through a portfolio of strong and recognized brands. In addition, during the last few years, Paradies has expanded its activities into the food services segment, which represents another major driver of future growth. Its nationwide coverage is highly complementary with that of Lagardère Travel Retail, which has a stronger presence in Canada and a number of international US airports including New York-JFK and Los Angeles.

The US: a market with strong prospects

The airport travel retail market in North America (91% of it concentrated in the United States) is estimated to be USD 7.7 billion (€7 billion). The market is characterised by a shifting competitive environment and a segmentation that differs from that of other continents. Its growth potential resides primarily in the expansion of the food services and specialty segments as well as in the modernisation of airport terminals, which expands the space available to retail shops, a key differentiating factor for airports. Traffic growth, linked to economic growth in the United States, is projected to be approximately 3% per year between 2015 and 2021, and 2% during the decade thereafter. The North American travel retail market also has favourable prospects in terms of increased sophistication and development, taking inspiration from European, Middle Eastern and Asian models.

A new player with numerous assets

Combining Lagardère Travel Retail in North America with Paradies would create a new major player in the North American industry, covering most of the top US and Canadian airports with complementary concepts (combination of global brands and “American” local and national concepts) and solid assets. The rollout of commercial and marketing synergies would help seize numerous development opportunities in a dynamic and growing marketplace. Sales at the newly-combined company would be close to USD 800 million (€730 million). In addition to sales synergies, significant cost synergy potential (purchase conditions, structure costs, etc.) would be generated starting the first year of integration. Recurring synergies could reach approximately USD 15 million a year as of the fourth year after the acquisition. Gregg Paradies, President and CEO, would remain at the helm of the new company, facilitating its successful integration.

Transaction financing

The acquisition value amounts to USD 530 million (€485m), which would be paid in cash by Lagardère Travel Retail via a bridge loan and then refinanced according to market conditions. The additional debt would bring the Lagardère Group’s net debt to recurring EBITDA ratio (5) to approximately slightly below 3x at the end of 2016. The transaction is expected to be finalised during the fourth quarter of 2015.

A strategic interest for Lagardère Travel Retail

This major acquisition would enable Lagardère Travel Retail to enter a new phase in its growth strategy by:

• acquiring a major presence in North America, a highly resilient market driven by traffic growth and the addition of new retail space in airports;
• creating a major player on the North American travel retail market, with a strong competitive position (combined presence in approximately 100 airports) in a market that remains relatively fragmented;
• seizing growth opportunities through the critical mass attained across all market segments and throughout all of the United States and Canada;
• strengthening its management teams in North America, notably with the arrival of Gregg Paradies who has successfully led Paradies’ growth;
• bringing to North America the same ambition for excellence that it puts into practice in the other regions where it operates, particularly in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

This transaction is in line with the Lagardère Group’s strategy of expanding in growth businesses.

Dag Rasmussen, Chairman and CEO of Lagardère Travel Retail, made the following comments: “This acquisition transforms the presence of Lagardère Travel Retail in North America. It significantly strengthens our business and allows us to expand our concession portfolio and to develop relationships with our brand partners and suppliers. We are very pleased to welcome Gregg Paradies and all his employees to the Group. Together, we will aim to create a regional leader and break new ground.”

Gregg Paradies, President and CEO of Paradies, added: “We at Paradies are very excited to join a company of Lagardère’s reputation and international experience. Paradies and the Lagardère group share many similarities including our strong family cultures. The combination of resources and experience will help accelerate our growth and competitiveness in this very dynamic industry.”

Lagardère was advised by JP Morgan and Willkie Farr provided legal representation. Paradies was advised by Barclays and Morgan Lewis provided legal representation.

(1) Based on debt- and cash-free valuation (2) All USD figures are converted at the 6 August 2015 exchange rate of 1.0929 USD for 1 EUR. (3) Consolidated figures at 100%. Unaudited US GAAP figures. (4) Airport Revenue News (5) Recurring EBITDA is defined as the sum of recurring EBIT, the amortisation of intangible assets, the depreciation of tangible assets and dividends received from equity affiliates.

Press Contact Lagardère Travel Retail

Frédéric RENAULT - tél. + 33 1 42 99 07 54 - [email protected]

Thierry FUNCK-BRENTANO -  tel. +33 1 40 69 16 34 - [email protected]

Ramzi KHIROUN -  tel. +33 1 40 69 16 33 - [email protected]

Anthony MELLOR - tel. +33 1 40 69 18 02 - [email protected]

The Lagardère group is a global leader in content production and distribution whose powerful brands leverage its virtual and physical networks to attract and enjoy qualified audiences. It is structured around four business lines: Books and e-Books; Travel Retail; Press, Audiovisual, Digital and Advertising Sales Brokerage; Sports and Entertainment. Lagardère shares are listed on Euronext Paris. www.lagardere.com

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Lagardère Travel Retail to acquire Paradies for US$530 million

USA. Lagardère Travel Retail has struck an agreement to acquire North American airport retailer Paradies, from Freeman Spogli & Co, the Paradies family and other shareholders. The price for the acquisition, payable in cash, is US$530 million (€485 million).

Combining the activities of Lagardère Travel Retail in North America and Paradies will create the second largest player in North America, said the Paris-based group. Sales at the new combined company will be close to US$800 million (€730 million) a year.

The agreement is for 100% of the equity of the Paradies holding company, representing about 80% of the activities in aggregate (in accordance with US regulations, Paradies activities are operated in each airport with dedicated legal entities including minority partners, representing around 20% of the enterprise value of the Paradies Group).

The completion of the transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including regulatory approval and the agreement of several third parties. Gregg Paradies, President and CEO, will remain at the helm of the new company, facilitating its integration, noted the parties in a statement.

Dag Rasmussen, Chairman and CEO of Lagardère Travel Retail, said: “This acquisition transforms the presence of Lagardère Travel Retail in North America. It significantly strengthens our business and allows us to expand our concession portfolio and to develop relationships with our brand partners and suppliers. We are very pleased to welcome Gregg Paradies and all his employees to the group. Together, we will aim to create a regional leader and break new ground.”

Gregg Paradies, President and CEO of Paradies, added: “We at Paradies are very excited to join a company of Lagardère’s reputation and international experience. Paradies and the Lagardère group share many similarities including our strong family cultures. The combination of resources and experience will help accelerate our growth and competitiveness in this very dynamic industry.”

Family culture and regional presence Lagardère Travel Retail noted Paradies’ “strong family culture” and its partnerships with a large number of US and Canadian airports, including the following: Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, New York JFK, San Francisco, Charlotte, Las Vegas and Phoenix.

It said: “Through long-term concessions, Paradies currently operates in more than 76 airports. In recent years Paradies’ sales growth has largely outperformed passenger air traffic growth in the USA thanks to its recognised operational excellence, the increased diversification of its activities and the development of new concepts. This growth has also been driven by the development and continuous expansion of retail space in airports.”

In its fiscal year ended 28 June 2015, Paradies generated sales of US$515 million (€471 million).

In addition to sales synergies, significant cost synergy potential (purchase conditions, structure costs, etc.) will be generated from the first year of integration, said Lagardère Travel Retail. Recurring synergies could reach US$15 million a year as of the fourth year after the acquisition.

Market potential Commenting further on Paradies and on the potential of the wider market, the French company said: “Having started out with a comprehensive range of convenience products and travel essentials, Paradies underwent major diversification into other segments including fashion, accessories and specialty products through a portfolio of strong and recognised brands. In addition, during the last few years, Paradies has expanded its activities into the food services segment, which represents another major driver of future growth.

“Its nationwide coverage is highly complementary with that of Lagardère Travel Retail, which has a stronger presence in Canada and a number of international US airports including New York-JFK and Los Angeles.”

It added: “The airport travel retail market in North America (91% of it concentrated in the USA) is estimated to be US$7.7 billion (€7 billion). The market is characterised by a shifting competitive environment and a segmentation that differs from that of other continents. Its growth potential resides primarily in the expansion of the food services and speciality segments as well as in the modernisation of airport terminals, which expands the space available to retail shops, a key differentiating factor for airports.”

The company said that traffic growth, linked to economic growth, is projected to be approximately +3% per year between 2015 and 2021, and +2% during the decade thereafter. The North American travel retail market also has “favourable prospects in terms of increased sophistication and development, taking inspiration from European, Middle Eastern and Asian models,” it said.

Lagardère Travel Retail noted that the new company will carry “complementary” concepts (combining global brands with local and national concepts). The rollout of commercial and marketing synergies will “help seize numerous development opportunities in a dynamic and growing marketplace”.

Strategic interest Lagardère Travel Retail said the acquisition will enable it to enter a new phase in its growth strategy by: • acquiring a major presence in North America, “a highly resilient market” driven by traffic growth and the addition of new retail space in airports; • creating a major player in the North American travel retail market, with a strong competitive position (combined presence in approximately 100 airports) in a market that remains relatively fragmented; • seizing growth opportunities through the critical mass attained across all market segments and throughout all of the USA and Canada; • strengthening its management teams in North America, notably with the arrival of Gregg Paradies who has led Paradies’ growth; • bringing to North America the same “ambition for excellence” as in the other regions, particularly in Europe and the Asia Pacific region.

Transaction financing The acquisition value amounts to US$530 million (€485m), which will be paid in cash by Lagardère Travel Retail via a bridge loan and then refinanced according to market conditions.

The additional debt would bring the Lagardère Group’s net debt to recurring EBITDA ratio to slightly below 3x at the end of 2016. The transaction is expected to be finalised during the fourth quarter of 2015.

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Lagardère Travel Retail adds Tastes on the Fly to Paradies Lagardère portfolio

By Trbusiness Editor | Tuesday, 12 September 2023 14:45

The acquisition is expected to complete in 2023 Q4.

Paradies Lagardère parent company Lagardère Travel Retail has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of North American airport dining operator Tastes on the Fly. The deal is expected to close during Q4 of 2023.

Tastes on the Fly will be integrated into the group’s Paradies Lagardère arm, which operates restaurants and F&B concepts in the US and Canada.

The acquisition represents the continued growth of Paradies Lagardère’s dining footprint in the region, and consolidates its position within the F&B sector.

On completion of the transaction, Paradies Lagardère will become the second-largest operator within the North American airport travel retail and restaurant industry, with operations in more than 90 airports, and overall annual sales exceeding US$1.5 billion.

Tastes on the Fly operates 25 concepts across five major airport locations, notably San Francisco, Denver, New York JFK, Boston Logan and Vancouver International.

The Tastes on the Fly management team, led by Executive Chairman and Co-Founder Michael Levine, CEO Edie Ames, and CFO Luke Torres, will remain at the company with a view to facilitating its successful integration.

A new force in airport F&B

Paradies Lagardère President and CEO Gregg Paradies noted : “We are thrilled to be adding the diversified portfolio of Tastes on the Fly to our existing F&B operations in North America.

“The founders’ unwavering focus on delivering airport passengers a high-quality food offering representing the best of the local dining scene reflects Paradies Lagardère’s commitments and values. This acquisition will accelerate our growth and enable us to achieve our goal of becoming one of the largest and best airport restaurant operators in North America.”

The new combined portfolio will incorporate a wide array of brands, including Starbucks, Stephanie’s, Chick-fil-A, P.F. Chang’s and Vino Volo.

Lagardère Travel Retail Chairman and CEO Dag Rasmussen added: “This acquisition strongly reinforces the presence of Lagardère Travel Retail in the food service industry and is in line with our strategy to grow in the three segments of travel retail: Duty Free & Fashion, Travel Essentials and Foodservice.

“We are very pleased to welcome Tastes on the Fly into our group. Together, we will aim to create a regional leader and break new ground.”

  Tastes on the Fly Executive Chairman and Co-Founder Michael Levine concluded: “We are delighted to be joining forces with the Paradies Lagardère team.

“I personally have known Gregg since we got started in the airport F&B world over 20 years ago, and have always admired his company’s commitment to delivering outstanding passenger service on all levels, which matches Tastes on the Fly’s guest-first culture and DNA.

“We are excited to embark on new opportunities with the Paradies Lagardère team in this next chapter of Tastes on the Fly’s growth.”

READ MORE: Paradies Lagardère’s Savaria to take on advisory role in 2024; Bisset is new hire

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Travel | Carnival doles out more details on new Bahamas…

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Subscriber only, travel | carnival doles out more details on new bahamas destination.

MIAMI BEACH — Carnival Cruise Line has released another round of updates on what travelers can expect when its new private destination Grand Bahama Celebration Key opens.

Debuting in summer 2025, the port of call will be welcoming ships from Florida ports Port Canaveral, PortMiami, Tampa and Jacksonville as well as six other U.S. ports.

The 369-acre site less than 20 miles east of Freeport will be the first dedicated to Carnival Cruise Line, although Carnival ships have used sister line destinations Princess Cays and Half Moon Cay for years.

The largest port construction project in the line’s history will be carved into five segments the company calls portals, and Carnival released details about the third one tied to retail, an artisan village called Lokono Cove.

Named in deference to the native Lucayan language, “lokono” means “the people.” It was the winning selection from Grand Bahamas resident Deidre Rahming, who was on hand in Miami Beach with an entourage from the Bahamian government on Tuesday at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference.

She received a check for $5,000 from Carnival and a future day pass for the resort, which won’t normally be open to visitors from the island. The line says at least 300 jobs will be generated for locals serving the cruise guests.

Lokono Cove will have kiosks and stores alongside “an authentic Bahamian artisan market” showcasing local craftsmanship, according to Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy. Beyond the items for sale, the space will have music and murals to enhance the space, and local food.

“Lokono Cove will be a treasure trove – a place for our guests to immerse themselves in the spirit of the Bahamas and find locally inspired keepsakes, symbols of paradise they can share with loved ones, or cherish for themselves for years to come,” said Duffy said/ “Honoring the beauty and culture of the Bahamas is integral to our plans for Celebration Key, and that will be on display throughout Lokono Cove.”

The space also will be the excursion gateway for visitors to explore Grand Bahama.

It’s the third name drop by Carnival following the reveal of welcome area Paradise Plaza and adult-friendly area Calypso Lagoon. The final two space names and details, which will be a family-friendly area and an adults-only private area, will be revealed later.

The site will also have a south-facing mile-long beachfront expanse and massive freshwater inland lagoon the line says is the largest in the Bahamas and Caribbean.

Paradise Plaza features a rainbow-colored walkway through a sunshine entranceway with a 10-story “Suncastle” as a centerpiece. The welcome area is the place to book the day’s activities including cabanas, water sports and shore excursions. The area will also feature a Bahamian-themed fountain and ice cream shop.

Calypso Cove is the name of an adult-friendly area coming to Carnival's Celebration Key on Grand Bahama island when it opens in summer 2026. (Carnival Cruise Line)

This image shows cabanas within Calypso Cove, an adult-friendly area coming to Carnival's Celebration Key on Grand Bahama island when it opens in summer 2026. (Carnival Cruise Line)

Calypso Lagoon falls just to the west, home to the sport court and freshwater lagoon and lounging options galore. It’s home to a bar with 50 swings that let visitors dip their feet into the water, and just one of many bars serving the space and two full-service restaurants and other casual snack shacks. And adults-only area of the portal will feature a swim-up bar with a DJ, food trucks and more lounging options.

Future expansion will build beyond the five portals including the construction of a water park.

The port of call will open with one dock capable of handling its largest ships, the 6,000-passenger Excel class, including Port Canaveral-based Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration out of Miami.

The line announced this year a $100 million plan to expand that with a second dock so that it could handle up to four such ships beginning in 2026. That expansion, which grows the line’s investment to $600 million so far, means it expects nearly 4 million passengers to visit the site annually by 2028, an average of 11,000 visitors every day. For now, it has more than 500 itineraries planned among 18 ships available to book.

Other U.S. ports visiting the new site are Galveston, Texas; Baltimore; Norfolk, Virginia; Mobile, Alabama, Charleston, S.C. and New Orleans.

“As is fitting for our plans for Grand Bahama island, our vision for Celebration Key is quite grand, and we’re already thinking about the next phase of expansion and development,” said Duffy when the pier expansion was announced. “Building the second pier now allows us to implement growth plans and build itineraries with certainty, and signals to the local community just how important this development is to Carnival Cruise Line and the future of the island.”

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With 10.38 million inhabitants, Moscow is the most populous city in Russia. It is the most popular tourist destination in the country.

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Looking for warm weather? Then head to Moscow in July, when the average temperature is 62.6 °F, and the highest can go up to 69.8 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 12.2 °F, with an average temperature of 17.6 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in July, when precipitation is around 3.1″. In contrast, February is usually the driest month of the year in Moscow, with an average rainfall of 0.8″.

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There are 4 airports serving Moscow. Moscow Vnukovo (VKO) is the closest to the city center (17 miles). Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO) is located 18 miles from downtown Moscow, while Moscow Zhukovsky (ZIA) is 25 miles from the center. The shortest flight to Moscow from the United States departs from Boston and takes around 18h 15m.

Located 1.3 miles from the city center, Moscow Paveletsky is the busiest station in Moscow. Another popular train station is Moscow Passazhirskaya, located 3 miles from the center.

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The Paradise Path forms a critical link between the Latah Trail and Bill Chipman Palouse Trail , two long rail-trails on opposite sides of Moscow, Idaho. Winding within Moscow city limits, the Paradise Path closely follows Paradise Creek for most of its route.

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A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

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Moscow Travel Guide: Best Things to Do + More [2023]

· everything to know about visiting moscow, including the best things to do and how to get around. ·.

Moscow is Russia’s vibrant capital city, and it also happens to be the largest city in all of Europe. The city’s long and infamous history makes it one of the most unique places we have ever visited.

The architecture ranges from centuries-old palaces to uniform, gray concrete buildings. The people range from cold and private to warm and welcoming. Moscow is a city is strong juxtapositions, and we learned a lot during our time there.

This post will break down all you need to know about visiting Moscow, including the best things to do, how to get there, how to get around, and more.

The Best Things to Do in Moscow

1. explore the red square.

The Red Square is the heart of Moscow. Most of the city’s top attractions can be found here, including just about everything on this list. The Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and Lenin’s Mausoleum are all located here, and the State Historical Museum and GUM are not far from here, either.

The Red Square is a common home for parades, protests, and seasonal celebrations. There are massive Christmas celebrations here, with food vendors and carnival rides set up in numbers.

2. Check Out the Ziferblat

The Ziferblat is a café in Moscow that is unlike any café we have ever been to. While most cafes charge you for your drinks and food, the Ziferblat charges you for your time.

Upon arrival, you are given a clock. When you leave, the barista calculates how much time you spent in the café and charges you accordingly. This concept was created to help visitors to be more intentional with their time, and the cafe itself is incredibly charming.

For a detailed look at everything you need to know before you visit, make sure you read my post about visiting the Ziferblat Cafe in Moscow .

3. Marvel at St. Basil’s Cathedral

St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of the most iconic churches in the world, and it was the single thing we were most excited to see while in Moscow. Built almost 500 years ago, St. Basil’s Cathedral is recognized by its colorful domes and whimsical style. The church is of the Russian Orthodox faith, and the inside is just as wondrous as the outside.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is located on the edge of the Red Square, making it incredibly convenient to visit. Entrance for non-worshippers costs 800 rubles, and tickets can be bought at the church

4. Explore the Kremlin

The Kremlin is the largest active fortress in Europe, and it is the site of most of Russia’s government affairs. In addition to government buildings, the Kremlin Complex is filled with courtyards, towers, and museums that are open to the public. If you have the time, you could spend a couple of days fully exploring all that there is to see in the Kremlin.

5. Walk Through Lenin’s Mausoleum

Vladimir Lenin is one of the most important figures in Russian history, and his body is located perfectly embalmed in a mausoleum in the Red Square. The Mausoleum is open to the public to visit, and as long as you are willing to go through a few security checks, it is easily one of the best things to do in Moscow. Its convenient location in the Red Square makes it a can’t miss attraction.

There is absolutely no photography allowed inside the Mausoleum. Do not test this rule.

6. Wander Along Arbat Street

The Arbat is a very popular street in Moscow that is lined with stores, cafes, and other touristy attractions. It is one of the oldest streets in the city, dating back to the 1400s. This street is both quaint and trendy, and there are many walking tours that introduce tourists to the neighborhood’s wonders and highlights.

7. Catch a Show at the Bolshoi Theatre

As a lover of the arts, it is hard to think of Moscow and not think of ballet. Russia has always been a top dog in the world of fine arts, and Bolshoi Theater is one of the best places to catch a performance. We were lucky enough to attend an Opera here, and it is a venue that you don’t want to miss out on if you enjoy opera, ballet, or orchestral performances.

8. Visit the State Historical Museum

The State Historical Museum is one of the most respected museums in Moscow. Despite its name, it is not really focused on the history of Russia as a nation. Rather, it contains a collection of artifacts from all throughout Russia’s history.

The museum’s collection is very broad in nature. It houses some items from indigenous tribes that used to occupy the region, pieces collected by the Romanov family, and more.

9. Wander Around GUM

GUM is an absolutely massive mall within walking distance of the Red Square. It isn’t just the size that draws visitors here; it’s the sense of luxury. The mall is so beautiful inside, much like the metro stations.

While visiting a mall might not sound like it belongs on a bucket list, this mall does. You will not want to miss out on visiting GUM while in Moscow.

10. Admire the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

While St. Basil’s Cathedral is the most iconic church in Moscow, it isn’t the only one. The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is absolutely stunning, with massive golden domes. It is the tallest Orthodox church in the world, and it is the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow.

It is located just about a mile from the Red Square, just south of the Kremlin Complex. You can walk to it from the Red Square in about 20 minutes.

How to Get to Moscow

Flying to moscow.

Moscow has three major international airports: Sheremetyevo (SVO) , Domodedovo (DMO) , and Vnukovo (VKO) . All three of them are directly connected to downtown Moscow by the Aeroexpress trains, which leave every 30 minutes throughout the day. By Aeroexpress train, you can expect to get to the city center in 25-45 minutes depending on the airport that you fly into.

Sheremetyevo is the biggest and busiest of the three airports, and it is the one you are most likely to fly into – especially if you are coming from outside of Europe or the Caucus region. We flew into Sheremetyevo on a direct flight from New York City.

I usually provide backup airport options, because flying right into the city isn’t always the cheapest way to get where you’re going. Unfortunately, when it comes to Moscow, don’t really have a choice other than to fly right into Moscow. It is a very remote city, and it is usually the cheapest place to fly into in Russia as a whole.

Since Sheremetyevo is so busy, you will probably find a great flight option anyway. I wrote in  my post about finding cheap flights  that using hub airports will lead to more affordable airfare, and the same logic applies here. Even though Russia’s national airline, Aeroflot, is no longer a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, Moscow is still a major hub connecting passengers from all over the world.

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Train or Bus to Moscow

Trains and buses are one of the most popular ways to get around Europe. However, they’re of very little use when you’re trying to get to Moscow.

Moscow is hundreds of miles from the nearest major cities. The only major European city that can even be reached within 8 hours on the ground is St. Petersburg, and even the Baltic capitals of Riga, Vilnius, and Tallinn are over 12 hours away.

If you want to get to Moscow, the best option is almost always to fly. While the train routes to Moscow are scenic, they simply take forever.

How to Get Around Moscow

METRO | TROLLEYS | TRAMS | BUSES

Moscow has one of the most memorable metro systems in the world. Its metro lines are very deep underground, and the stations are absolutely stunning. Each station has its own unique style, but all of them contain escalators that seem to go on forever.

The system was built in an effort to showcase the power of the Soviet Union and its bright future. The plans were a form of propaganda, but they resulted in what is still one of the most visually appealing subway systems on earth.

Moscow’s metro system isn’t just pretty. It is also very useful and accessible. The system has 17 lines that connect the city and its surrounding area.

But wait; there’s more!

The Moscow metro system is also incredibly affordable, with each ride costing less than a dollar. The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow, as it is almost impossible to beat the connection times and the low cost to ride.

Tickets can be bought at electronic, English-speaking kiosks in stations, or directly from ticket counters at certain larger stations. There are also day passes available, which are a very solid option if you plan on riding the metro several times per day.

The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow.

In addition to the metro system, Moscow also has a network of buses, trams, and trolleys. This system is nowhere near as convenient or well-connected as the metro, though, and is likely of little use to you during your trip. There is no Uber in Moscow, but a similar app named Yandex is available if you need a ride in a pinch.

How Many Days Do You Need in Moscow?

Moscow is the biggest city in all of Europe, and it is absolutely loaded with things to do. You could spend weeks in Moscow and still find new things to do. Of course, most travelers don’t have that kind of time to spend in one place!

I recommend spending no less than three full days in Moscow, and ideally closer to five or seven.

Moscow is very spread out, and it can take some time to get from one major point to another. There are also so many places that are nice to just sit back and relax, which is hard to do when you’re in a hurry trying to cram activities into just a few days.

If you only have a week to visit Russia, I’d advise spending all of the time in one city. If you decide to split your time between Moscow and St. Petersburg, I recommend not trying to squeeze in any day trips beyond those two cities.

When Is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Moscow?

There are two different ways to approach this question. Personally, I think the best time to visit Moscow is around Christmas and New Year’s Day. While the weather will be absolutely freezing, Moscow is a surreal winter wonderland in December and January.

We were in Moscow right before Christmas. While it was very cold, you can always bundle up. Exploring the Christmas markets and pop-up ice skating rinks throughout Moscow is one of my favorite memories from anywhere I’ve traveled, and I dream of going back to do it again.

If you aren’t fond of the cold, Moscow is beautiful in the summer. It tends to get pretty cold in the shoulder seasons, so if you want warm weather, you should plan to visit in the summer. Moscow actually gets pretty warm in July and August, and there are a bunch of fantastic places to soak up the sun within the city.

The best time to visit Moscow is either around Christmas or from late May to August.

Is Moscow Safe to Visit?

While Moscow is a truly wonderful city, there’s no denying that visiting Russia comes with risks. As the country is run by an infamous communist dictator, concerns about visiting are valid. While we didn’t experience any sort of threat or negative treatment during our time in Moscow, we visited in a peaceful time.

In our experience, Russia doesn’t seem to detain normal Americans or Westerners to use as pawns. As a regular person, as long as you don’t commit any crimes, there is a slim chance you will run into any issues. However, Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

To make matters worse, Russia has a bad reputation for gang violence. While the Russian mafia has very little interest in normal Western tourists, they won’t hesitate to pick a fight with anyone who ventures into their sphere of influence. If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

Finally, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, things are all very different. Russia is currently at war, and there are battles raging within 8 hours of Moscow. While it is still relatively safe to visit, that could change at any time as the war with Ukraine continues.

Is Moscow Worth Visiting?

Without a doubt, Moscow is worth visiting. It is one of the most unique major cities we have ever visited, and we hope to make it back one day. The Russian Orthodox churches are stunning, the city’s history is unlike any other, and the food is to die for.

While many visitors prefer St. Petersburg to Moscow, I think Moscow deserves a lot of hype of its own. Moscow is the beating heart of Russian culture and history, and it’s a place I highly recommend checking out if you have the chance.

That’s all we have for you about Moscow! I hope this post was helpful as you plan your trip to Russia’s capital.

Have you been to Moscow? Or is this your first time visiting? Comment below if you have anything to add to our travel guide!

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.

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