Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) is one of the airports that serve Moscow, the Russian capital. SVO is the busiest airport in Russia and among the 10 busiest airports in Europe.
The airport is located near the town of Khimki, approximately 29 km northwest of central Moscow.
Sheremetyevo’s links to Europe were severed in 2022 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent sanctions. Still, SVO handled more than 43 million passengers in 2024 and remains a major international hub.
Major Airlines - Aeroflot
Sheremetyevo is a major hub for Aeroflot, the flag carrier of the Russian Federation. Aeroflot flies to over 100 destinations, operating upwards of 5000 flights per week. Nearly all domestic airports in Russia are linked by direct flights to SVO.
The other airlines that use Sheremetyevo as a hub are Rossiya Airlines, Nordwind, Smartavia, and Pobeda.
Smaller Russian airlines that serve SVO include Severstal Avia, Yamal Airlines, and Red Wings.
Since 2022, no European (except Serbian and Belarusian), American, or Japanese airlines have flown to Russia. Instead, the airport provides extensive links to the Middle East and Asia, and a few direct routes to African destinations. International airlines serving SVO include China Southern, China Eastern, Belavia, Air Cairo, Air Algerie, Etihad, Vietnam Airlines, Qatar Airways, and others.
Click here to see a current list of airlines with direct flights to and from Sheremetyevo Airport.
Terminal Layout and Gates
SVO is divided into two main complexes: the Northern Complex (Terminals B and C) and the Southern Complex (Terminals D, E, F). They are located on opposite sides of the airport:
Terminal B handles all airlines that have domestic flights from Sheremetyevo, plus all of Aeroflot’s domestic flights except for its Far East routes.
Terminal C is part of the northern complex and is adjacent to Terminal B. It handles most of the international airlines at SVO.
Terminal D is a large terminal comprising 22 gates and used by Pobeda and Smartavia.
Terminal E is directly connected to D via a pedestrian link. It has been closed since March 2020 due to the drastic decrease in passenger traffic.
Terminal F has been closed for renovations since 2021.
Terminal A is a special, separate terminal used only for private and business aviation.
An automated underground “people mover” (APM) links the northern and southern terminal complexes. Transferring between terminals takes about 5-8 minutes via this system.
The APM can be used by both airside and landside passengers: the first two cars allow landside transit (before Security); the last two cars allow airside transit (after Security).
Connecting Flights and Transit
Airside transfers do not require re-clearing security as long as you stay within the transit zone (airside/the clean area), have two flights under the same reservation, and the layover duration does not exceed 24 hours. As long as these conditions are fulfilled, you will not need a visa to transit through SVO.
Most transits will allow you to remain within the same terminal. Should you need to change terminals, this is facilitated by the APM people mover, the use of which doesn’t necessarily require you to leave the airside area.
The minimum connection time depends on the terminal you land at and the terminal you depart from:
Terminal B (domestic) to Terminal B (domestic): 1 hour. No passport control
Terminal B (domestic) to Terminal D (domestic): 1.5 hours. You need to use the APM train. No passport control.
Terminal B (domestic) to Terminal D, E, or F (international): 1.5 hours. You need to use the APM train. Go through passport control before proceeding to your new gate.
Terminal B (domestic) to Terminal C (international): 1.5 hours. You do not need to use the APM train. Go through passport control before proceeding to your new gate.
Terminal C (international) to Terminal C (international): 1 hour. There is passport control, but you don’t need a visa if you transit for less than 24 hours.
Terminal C (international) to Terminal D, E, or F (international): 1.5 hours. You need to use the APM train. There is passport control, but you don’t need a visa if you transit for less than 24 hours.
Terminal C (international) to Terminal B (domestic): 1.5 hours. You do not need to use the APM train. Go through passport control before proceeding to your new gate.
Terminal C (international) to Terminal D (domestic): 1.5 hours. You need to use the APM train. Go through passport control before proceeding to your new gate.
Terminal D (international) to Terminal D (international): 1 hour. There is passport control, but you don’t need a visa if you transit for less than 24 hours.
Terminal D (international) to Terminal E (international): 1 hour 10 minutes. Use the connecting gallery opposite Gate 32 in Terminal D. There is passport control, but you don’t need a visa if you transit for less than 24 hours.
Terminal D (international) to Terminal F (international): 1 hour 10 minutes. Use the connecting gallery opposite Gate 32 in Terminal D. There is passport control, but you don’t need a visa if you transit for less than 24 hours.
Terminal D (international) to Terminal D (domestic): 1 hour 10 minutes. Go through passport control before proceeding to your new gate.
Terminal D (domestic) to Terminal D (international): 1 hour 10 minutes. Go through passport control before proceeding to your new gate.
Terminal D (domestic) to Terminal E (international): 1.5 hours. Go through passport control before proceeding to your new gate.
Terminal D (domestic) to Terminal F (international): 1.5 hours. Go through passport control before proceeding to your new gate.
Terminal D (domestic) to Terminal D (domestic): 1 hour. No passport control.
Terminal D (international) to Terminal B (domestic): 1.5 hours. You need to use the APM train. Go through passport control before proceeding to your new gate.
Terminal D (domestic) to Terminal C (international): 1.5 hours. You need to use the APM train. Go through passport control before proceeding to your new gate.
Terminal D (international) to Terminal C (international): 1.5 hours. You need to use the APM train. There is passport control, but you don’t need a visa if you transit for less than 24 hours.
Connecting flights under the same reservation with a layover of less than 24 hours do not require any additional check-in procedures or the reclaiming and re-checking of your luggage; it will be checked through to your final destination.
Free WiFi
Sheremetyevo offers free Wi-Fi across terminals. Due to government regulations, you must be able to receive an OTP code/call at your phone number to verify.
To connect, select the “_Sheremetyevo Wi-Fi” network. This will automatically launch a welcome splash page, where you can input your phone number. It doesn’t have to be a Russian number.
You can choose whether to receive a call or an SMS (sometimes one can work while the other doesn’t). With the callback option, all you need to do is remember the last 4 digits of the number calling you, then use them as the code. With the SMS option, you will receive the OTP code in a message.
You will be immediately connected upon entering the code. The network is not limited in time or bandwidth.
Other services at SVO
As a major global airport and the largest in Russia, Sheremetyevo offers a wide range of passenger services across all its terminals.
There are ATMs, currency-exchange facilities, a pharmacy, and medical services available in several terminals.
Other amenities include baby-care rooms, children’s playgrounds, a spa/salon, including a hairdresser, prayer/chapel rooms, and a small museum.
Baggage carts and porter services are also available.
Luggage storage is located on the first floor of Terminal B. The Lost & Found office is in the same place.
For those with kids under 7 or pregnant mothers, there are Family Rooms in the common areas of Terminals B, C, and D.
Free showers (without toiletries) are available in the Transit Hall for those on a layover. Paid showers (9 AM to 9 PM) are in Terminal D, near the Baikal Lounge - pay for access in the lounge, 400 RUB for 30 minutes, toiletries included. Some lounges also offer shower facilities.
Lounges at Moscow Sheremetyevo Airportzz
SVO has over 15 VIP and business lounges:
Rublev Lounge (Terminal B): Located near gates 105 and 106. This lounge is spread over 2 floors and is open 24/7. It has a large buffet, children’s area, TV, Wi-Fi, and other amenities. Access is via Aeroflot first / business class, Aeroflot Bonus Gold/Platinum, or pay-at-door (2500 RUB for 4 hours).
Kandinsky Lounge (Terminal B): Located opposite Gate 114. Also open 24/7 and includes showers, computers, a children’s zone, and conference facilities. Access is free for Aeroflot Bonus Gold or Platinum Cardholders, other premium travelers, or for 3500 RUB for a 4-hour pass.
Malevich Business Hall (Terminal C): Located on the 4th floor in the terminal rotunda area - use the elevator/escalator near Gate 143 to reach. This lounge includes a VIP area with 11 sleeping rooms for rest, showers, and a relaxation hall. Aeroflot Bonus Golden or Platinum cardholders and other premium travelers can enter for free, while everyone else needs to pay 3500 RUB for a 4-hour pass.
Chagall Lounge (Terminal C): Located next to gates 124-146. Offers a rich buffet, meeting and study rooms, rest and sleep rooms, a TV room, and children's rooms.
Alfa Only Lounge (Terminal C): Located on the 3rd floor, after the Duty Free area, near Gates 126-127. Offers a selection of snacks in a buffet, a fully-stocked bar, Wi-Fi, TV, reading materials, a children's corner, business rooms, sleepboxes, a smoking room, shower cabins, and more.
Moscow Lounge (Terminal D): Located on the 4th floor and open 24/7. Offers a diverse buffet, comfortable furniture, wide-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, children's play rooms, baby changing tables, and a skin spa on the 2nd floor.
St. Petersburg Lounge (Terminal D): Located on the 3rd floor, and offers sleepboxes, showers, and a TV room.
Gallery Lounge (Terminal D): Located within the international area. Open 24/7.
Sochi Lounge (Terminal D): Located on the 2nd floor, near Gate 1. A unique amenity in this lounge is the 30 premium-class massage chairs. Open 24/7.
Matryoshka Lounge (Terminal D): Located on the 3rd floor in the Domestic Departures area.
Mastercard Lounge (Terminal C): Located on the 3rd floor in the International Departures area.
Space (kosmos) Lounge (Terminal E): Located on the 3rd floor, in the International Departures area. This is quite a unique lounge for its high-tech space theme and "starry sky" lighting plus panoramic windows. Amenities include showers, a children's playroom, and a Thai massage parlour. Open 24/7.
Galaxy Lounge (Terminal E): Located on the 3rd floor, in the International Departures area. Open 24/7.
All Star Lounge (Terminal F): Located on the 3rd floor, in the International Departures area. This lounge features a modern, high-tech design alongside a buffet, bar, children's playroom, shower stalls, free wifi, TV, and reading materials. Open 24/7.
Classic Lounge (Terminal F): Located on the 3rd floor, in the International Departures area. Includes a buffet of cold and hot meals and a play area for kids. Open 24/7.
The Amber Lounge (Terminal F): Located on the 2nd floor in the International Departures area. Open 24/7.
Sber (Terminal C): Located on the 3rd floor and reserved for those traveling on an international flight. This is an all-inclusive lounge with premium amenities, a dedicated restaurant with an a la carte menu, a playroom for kids, a library, and more.
Dining Options at SVO
Sheremetyevo offers a wide range of places to eat and drink: cafés, fast-food outlets, bars, and restaurants of global and Russian cuisine.
There is also a service where you can order food online (from restaurants like those of the Novikov Group) and have it delivered to your gate.
Some of the best bars at the airport are Beluga Caviar Bar (Terminal C), Krušovice Bar (Terminal B), and Spaten Haus (one bar in each Terminal B, C, and D).
The most popular restaurants include Mama Russia (Terminals B and D), Magadan (Terminals B and C), Kolbasny Tsekh (Terminals B and C), and Butcher and the Sea (Terminal D).
There are more than 10 coffee houses in Sheremetyevo Airport. For example, Free Flow (Terminal F), La Corte (Terminal B), and Mercedes-Benz Cafe (Terminals B and C).
Lastly, if you’re in a hurry, check out one of the fast food outlets. The most popular ones include Farsh (Terminal B), Kroshka Kartoshka (Terminal B and C), Vkusno i tochka (the McDonald’s equivalent, located in Terminals B, C, and D).
Transport to and from the airport
To get to Sheremetyevo Airport by car, you can take the M11 toll road or the free Leningradskoye and Mezhdunarodnoye Highways. Driving time from the central areas of Moscow to the airport is around 30-35 minutes.
SVO is connected to central Moscow via the Aeroexpress train, which departs from the airport's railway station and arrives at Belorussky Railway Station in approximately 65 minutes. The ticket price for a single trip is 350 RUB. Tickets can be purchased at the station or online. The same train also stops at Savyolovskaya station and Okruzhnaya station.
Public buses (Mosgortrans) also serve the airport, linking to different parts of Moscow. An Express Bus #1195 links both the north and south terminal complexes with the Khorivo Metro Station with a journey time of just 20 minutes. The single ticket price is also 350 RUB - you can use your contactless card to pay directly in the bus or buy a ticket from the driver.
The other public buses that go to SVO are:
Bus 851 to Rechnoy Vokzal Metro Station
Bus 817 to Planernaya Metro Station
Bus H1 to Kitay-gorod Metro Station
Buses 62k, 41, and 43 to Khimki
Buses 38, 48, 21, 24k, and 33k to Lobnya.
During the night, a special N1 Night Bus provides service to Leninskiy Prospect Metro Station every 30 minutes.
Taxi service at SVO is provided by Yandex. Use the app to call a taxi at any time and travel to any point within Moscow Oblast. The standard fare from the airport to Moscow City Center is 1000 RUB. You can also organize a private transfer to Moscow before you arrive at the airport.
Rental car counters are available in Terminal D.
Parking at SVO
Both the northern (B/C) and southern (D/E/F) terminal complexes have parking facilities provided by the airport authority.
Short-term parking is available near the terminal forecourts. Parking in the Passages area along the multilevel parking of Terminals B and C is free for the first 30 minutes. You can also park for free for up to 10 minutes on the forecourt of Terminals B and C, or up to 15 minutes on the forecourt of Terminals D, E, and F.
Indoor parking options include:
Terminal B parking: Linked to Terminal B via a covered walkway. Costs 300 RUB per hour or 1000 RUB per day.
Terminal C parking: Located right next to Terminal C. Costs 300 RUB per hour or 1000 RUB per day.
Terminals E and F parking: Located within the Aeroexpress Building. Costs 300 RUB per day.
P12 Indoor Parking: Offers free shuttle service to Terminals B and C. Costs 300 RUB per day.
Outdoor parking is available at:
P6 Parking: Within walking distance of Terminals E and F. Costs 400 RUB per day.
P12 Outdoor Parking: Offers free shuttle service to Terminals B and C. Costs 250 RUB per day.
P13 Parking: Across from Terminal B. Costs 100 RUB per hour or 700 RUB per day.
P17 Parking: About a 5-7 minute walk from Terminal B. Costs 250 RUB per hour or 700 RUB per day.
P18 Parking: Within walking distance of Terminal B. Costs 250 RUB per hour or 700 RUB per day.
Hotels near Sheremetyevo Airport
Sleeping within the airport during a layover is possible at the GettSleep Capsule Hotel. It has several locations - airside in Terminal C (suitable for international flights) and landside in Terminal B (suitable for domestic flights). Each capsule-style room has independent ventilation, an ergonomic bed, luggage storage, a shower and toilet, towels, dedicated wifi, and charging points. Short stays are also possible at a day rate per 3 hours.
Another option is the Novotel Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport Hotel, which is adjacent to the airport. While this hotel is landside, it offers a unique transit service that doesn’t require a visa - go to the Transfer/Transit Without Visa desk to inquire about it. You will be escorted to and from the hotel just before your next flight. The Novotel is also a suitable option for early flights and late arrivals. It offers a free shuttle service too.
Other nearby hotels include:
The 4-star Park Inn (within walking distance of Terminals D, E, and F). It has an on-site restaurant and a lobby bar.
The 5-star Radisson Blu (connected to Terminals D, E, and F via a pedestrian passage). It boasts a 24/7 restaurant, a sauna, a fitness center, and a steam bath, among other premium amenities and facilities.
The 3-star Sky Point Hotel (linked to Terminals B and C via a free shuttle bus every 30 minutes). The hotel provides an early breakfast among other perks.
Several other hotels in nearby Khimki also provide shuttle service to SVO, making them good options for overnight stays. Click here to see more hotels near Sheremetyevo Airport and book online.
Moscow, Russia
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