We arrived in Moscow on the 28th August, one day after the beginning of our Visa. Upon arrival we ventured from the station to a shopping mall across the road to find a SIM card. We found a Megafon store and bought a SIM card with unlimited data that was valid for one month for only 1000 RUB or 15 CHF. We were later told this was a rip off but in the end it suited us perfectly. Now that we had a connection we were able to find a hostel in the city center for 12 CHF per person per night. It was called Hostel Strawberry Duck.
This was definitely the most modern hostel we had been to, but it was quite large. The facilities were amazing, with a wonderful kitchen and lounge area situated in some old cellars beneath the hostel. But unfortunately due to the large number of rooms, they were always crowded. We would stay here for two nights while we explored Moscow.
After arriving in our hostel we decided to explore our surroundings. We realised quickly that Moscow is quite expensive, at least the city center is. Perhaps the first mistake we had made was booking a hostel in the city center. We went to a craft beer bar and were shocked by the prices. I think the bartender was suprised that an Irish man ordered a half pint of beer. It cost roughly 6 CHF for a beer, which was far more than we were used to, or had budgeted for. We decided we would avoid bars or restarauts and cook at the hostel as much as possible.
Thankfully travel cards are cheap and easy to buy, every metro has a machine that you can buy a day card in. Speaking of metros, the Moscow metro stations are amazing! Simply travelling to the main historical metro stations is a day trip in itself. We found a list of the most beautiful stations and went from station to station to have a look. The first metro line was built under Stalin in 1935 with 13 stations. The order from Stalin was to build the “palaces of the people”, and as you can see, this is the case.
On another day we decided to go to the obligatory red square. The square is a wonderful collection of architecture. The Kremlin stretches across one side, to its left Saint Basil’s Cathedral and to its right the State Historical Museum.
Overall Moscow was worth the visit, but I was suprised by how similar to most European cities it is, I guess I was hoping for something more “Russian”, whatever that is. I would definitly recommend exploring outside the city center as I feel that is where you find the real Moscow.
After Moscow we would take a night train to Kazan, the capital city of the republic of Tatarstan.