World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Moscow  - Road
Road

The network of roads around Moscow is much more comprehensive than in other parts of the country, but off the main intercity routes the surfaces are often poor. There are suggested tourist routes with some road signs in Latin script. Motorways are prefixed by 'M' and major routes are prefixed by 'A'.

It is a good idea to plan an itinerary and accommodation beforehand to avoid difficulty with bureaucratic red tape. Traffic drives on the right. The speed limit is 110kph (68mph), except in built-up areas where it is 60kph (37mph). It is forbidden to use the horn (except in an emergency), carry unauthorised passengers or pick up hitch-hikers. Driving under the influence of drugs or any amount of alcohol is forbidden, but this practice is increasingly common and motorists should avoid driving at night when the risk is greater. Seat belts, a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher and an emergency triangle or red light are required. It is wise to carry spare petrol as filling stations can be far apart.

An International Driving Permit or national driving licence with an authorised translation is necessary. Visitors travelling in their own cars must also possess the following documents at all times: passport and visa; itinerary card bearing visitor's name and citizenship; car registration number; full details of itinerary (presented upon entry to the country); form provided by Customs on arrival guaranteeing that the car will be taken out of the Russian Federation on departure; petrol vouchers purchased at the border; and insurance documents. Road tax is payable upon entry to the country.

Motor insurance for travel within the Russian Federation should be arranged prior to departure, or upon entry to the Russian Federation at the offices of Ingosstrakh, the Russian Federation foreign insurance agency. The Russian Embassy or a specialist tour operator can provide further details. One reputable (although not necessarily English-speaking) automobile association in Moscow is Avtomobilnyy klub Rossii, Yaroslavskaya ulitsa 4 (tel: (095) 286 8562), which can provide information and a 24-hour breakdown line (tel: (095) 785 1010).

Emergency breakdown service:
GAI (095) 923 5373

Routes to the city: The Moskovskaya Koltsevaya Avtomobilnaya Doroga (Moscow Ring Road) is an orbital motorway surrounding the city linking roads arriving from Minsk (M1), Kiev (M2), Nizhny Novgorod (M7), Riga (M9) and St Petersburg (M10).

Driving times to Moscow: from Nizhny Novgorod - 7 hours 15 minutes; St Petersburg - 12 hours 30 minutes; and Kiev - 14 hours 15 minutes.

Coach services: The Central Bus Station is located at Shchelkovskoe Shosse 75 in the eastern suburbs of the city. There are, however, no middle- or long-distance coaches available of a quality acceptable to most Western travellers.



Copyright © 2001 Columbus Publishing
    
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