Destination Moscow
If you're planning a trip to Moscow, you'll find the internet has a plethora of sites offering every conceivable service for travelers. Essential information is harder to come by, however, and many English-language sites provide only a bare minimum of often outdated advice on accommodation, sightseeing, dining and nightlife. The links below have been chosen for the scope of information they provide on Moscow, and for value in the services they offer.
Top Five
The backpackers' bible provides solid advice for budget travelers in its abridged online version. While the sightseeing info is very brief, the accommodation listings are extensive and accurate, featuring a number of super-cheap options that are hard to find elsewhere. Services available through the site are generally pricey, though.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/europe/russia/moscow/
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/europe/russia/moscow/
This sprawling travel site is packed with information on numerous aspects of travel and life in Moscow and elsewhere in Russia, plus links to affordable services. Particularly commendable for its in-depth practical advice for independent travelers and regular updates, the site can easily be forgiven its occasionally idiosyncratic English.
http://www.waytorussia.net/
http://www.waytorussia.net/
A smart, user-friendly online guide to Moscow, with excellent sightseeing information and superb picture galleries, Moscow Info provides comprehensive travel information and a limited range of travel services, including visa support, through partner companies. Probably the most extensive Moscow guide on the net.
http://www.moscow.info/
http://www.moscow.info/
Featuring exhaustive information on all hotels listed, this specialist site is well written and honest, with online booking and bargain rates at most of the city's big-name hotels, as well as offers at some lesser known and better value options. The site also provides a range of auxiliary services available online, including visa support.
http://www.moscow-hotels.net/
http://www.moscow-hotels.net/
The Moscow Times, the city's leading expat paper has a large travel section which focuses on practical tips for independent travelers, and also includes interesting and regularly updated features on lesser known aspects of the city and the surrounding area. Includes information on visiting St. Petersburg.
http://www.moscowtimes.ru/travel_guide.html
http://www.moscowtimes.ru/travel_guide.html
Simple, reliable city guide aimed at business travelers.
http://www.economist.com/cities/citiesmain.cfm?city_id=MCW
http://www.economist.com/cities/citiesmain.cfm?city_id=MCW
Excellent though slightly outdated online city guide.
http://www.moscow-taxi.com
http://www.moscow-taxi.com
Ugly but informative site. Short reviews and useful contact info.
http://go.wcities.com/city.php?lang=en&cityID=245
http://go.wcities.com/city.php?lang=en&cityID=245
Dirt-cheap accommodation, services and cynical advice for Moscow.
http://www.cheap-moscow.com/
http://www.cheap-moscow.com/
Useful mini-guide from this upmarket series.
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=moscow@107
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=moscow@107
Extensive recommendations for top-end travel.
http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/europe/russia/moscow/overview.html
http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/europe/russia/moscow/overview.html
Official tourist guide with booking services.
http://www.moscow-city.ru/
http://www.moscow-city.ru/
Attractive but underdeveloped guide to the city.
http://www.moscow-life.com/
http://www.moscow-life.com/
Information portal run by Moscow University with good photo galleries.
http://sunsite.cs.msu.su/moscow/
http://sunsite.cs.msu.su/moscow/
Interesting articles and good readers' tips.
http://travel.guardian.co.uk/tag/moscow
http://travel.guardian.co.uk/tag/moscow