There are two usual ways to reach Kazan: by train and by airplane. It is possible to reach Kazan by plane directly escaping the stop in Moscow. Direct flight from Western Europe to Kazan is run by Lufthanza from Frankfurt. Turkish Airlines also runs a couple of flights a week from Istanbul direct to Kazan. Or you can arrive to Moscow and change the flight to Kazan. The other option is to go to Kazan by train from Moscow, Kazanskiy railway station ("Komsomolskaya" underground station).

There are two major international airports in Moscow: Sheremetyevo and Domodedovo. If you come from abroad you will arrive either to Sheremetyevo 2 international airport (all major international airlines and Aeroflot) or to Domodedovo international airport (Swiss Airlines, AirMalta, British Airways, Emirates, El Al, China Eastern, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and most of the Central Asian airlines, plus most domestic airlines, except Aeroflot). The flights to Kazan from Moscow are usually served by Domodedovo airport.

Sheremetyevo 2 international airport

Phone: +7 (495) 232-6565 (English-speaking operator), 956-4666, 578-9101. 578-4727.

Advices inside airport: There's a very neat and nice post office opened 24 hours in Arrivals zone (2nd floor), where among other things you can browse the internet for 200RUR ($8) / hour, use a printer, and charge your mobile phone. There's also wi-fi zone in TGI Friday's restaurant (2nd floor, Arrivals).

There's a bar and a good grocery store in the Arrivals area, both opened 24 hours. A few restaurants are scattered in the departures area (after the check-in counters), the only ones worth attention are Tajmahal restaurant (located next to Terminals 6-9, upstairs) and the Irish bar — the favourite among transit passengers. If you end up waiting for your flight, it's better to go to one of these two places (by the way, you can plug in your laptop there). The departure and arrival area outside of the check-in area have a few 24-hour food and souvenirs shops, pharmacy, cafes (a meal for about $10, drink — $2-$5), bank and exchange offices.

It will take you about 30-40 minutes to pass the passport and customs control and to get your luggage.

From airport Sheremetyevo-2 to Moscow.

The airport is located about 15 km to the north outside of Moscow, 5km to the right from Moscow — St Petersburg highway. You have three choices how to reach Moscow city from Sheremetyevo-2 airport: by train-express, by bus or by taxi.

• 1. By train (aeroexpress). It is the best, shortest and cheapest way. There is a station of train-express near Sheremetyevo-2 (in 100- 150 meters). You will find the directions to the station inside the airport. The train delivers you to Sheremetyevo-2 to Belorussky and Savyolovsky railway stations. Trains run from 5.00 am to 0.30 am daily. The trip takes 30-35 minutes. The price for one-person trip is 250 RUR.
• 2. By bus. The bus station is easy to find — it is near the exit of airport. The bus delivers you to the last station of underground "Rechnoy Voksal". There you need to continue your trip by underground. Bus #851 and #817 go from Sheremetyevo 2 to the metro station Rechnoy Voksal and back to Sheremetyevo 2. Ticket charge is 19 RUB each way, you can buy your tickets on board the busses.
• 3. By taxi. There a lot of taxies in front of airport. Taxis to Moscow are available day and night at the arrival level of terminal 2 and in front of terminal 1. You can call a taxi on (495) 981 08 81.

From Domodedovo Airport to Moscow

You can choose the most convenient for you mode of transport among the following key options:

• 1. Aeroexpress train is a comfortable high-speed train that goes the airport to Moscow, Paveletsky station. Time of journey: 40-50 minutes.
• 2. Commuter Train.This train goes from airport to Moscow, Paveletsky station, with all stops en route. Time of journey: 1 hour 10 minutes.
• 3. Express Buses. Modern Scania, Man, Mercedes. Busses go non-stop from Domodedovo airport to "Domodedovskaya" underground station. Timetable: from 06:00 to 00:00. Time of journey: 25-30 minutes. Departure time: every 15 minutes.
• 4. Shuttles.Mini busses go from airport to the "Domodedovskaya" underground station round the clock. Timetable: from 06:00 to 00:00. Time of journey: 25-30 minutes. Departure time: every 15 minutes. Nighttime schedule (from 00:00 to 06:00): 00-00; 00-40; 01-20; 02-00; 02-40; 03-20; 04-00; 04-40; 05-20; 06-00.

More information on www.domodedovo.ru

There are four regular daily flights from Moscow to Kazan. Airlines that service Kazan include Aeroflot, Siberia Airlines and Tatar airlines. Siberia is by far the cheapest offering flights for as little as 1500 RUR one way or 3000 RUR return. The only direct flight from Western Europe to Kazan is run by Lufthanza from Frankfurt. Turkish Airlines also runs a couple of flights a week from Istanbul direct to Kazan which can be bought for as little as $200 return during sales but are usually closer to $350-$400. Central Asian and Caucasian locations are also serviced directly. Full flight schedules can be found on the Kazan Airport's website:www.airport.kazan.ru

From Kazan airport to Kazan

Bus No.321 leaves from the airport to the bus station in the center of Kazan five times daily and takes between 60-90 minutes depending on traffic. Tickets cost 20 RUR. A taxi to the center will cost $20-$30.

Trains from Moscow to Kazan

Trains directed to Kazan dispatch from Kazanskiy Railway Station. It is located in the centre of Moscow, on "Komsomolskaya" underground station which is on circle line. From Moscow the best train to take is the direct train 002, which takes 10.5 hours and costs about 700 RUR 3rd class, 1800 RUR 2nd class and 3600 RUR 1st class. The 050 takes 12 hours but is equally acceptable and the prices are about the same. The trains from Moscow that continue on to places like Ekaterinburg, Omsk or Tumen are usually a little bit cheaper but are slower and not as nice.

You can book the ticket on www.russiantrains.com