Moscow to Suzdal and Vladimir in less than $30
If you are already searching for a Day tour to Suzdal, you might have come across several websites selling the tour for as much as $500. Before you buy any tour let me explain how you can go from Moscow to Suzdal and Vladimir in less than $30. Here are a few examples of expensive tours across the web:
Take a Train from Moscow to Suzdal and Vladimir
If you are ok using public transport then you will realize that it is so easy and cheap going from Moscow to Suzdal and Vladimir. Moscow is connected with Vladimir via Trans-Siberian Railway. Every few hours a high-speed train called Strizh leaves Moscow for Vladimir and covers the distance in only 1 hour and 40 minutes. In my experience, Strizh was much nicer and faster than Amtrak in the USA or Via Rail in Canada.
Strizh is different than Sapsan, which runs between Moscow and St. Petersburg. Sapsan is equally convenient as Strizh but slightly faster.
One way journey in Strizh costs only around 700 rubles, which is about $12 at the time of writing this article. From Vladimir, Suzdal is almost half an hour away by local bus.
Since I wanted to see both Suzdal and Vladimir, I took the earliest train at 06:35 from Kurskaya station in Moscow.
You can check out the trains on the official website of Russian Railways.
Take a Bus from Vladimir to Suzdal
As soon as I reached Vladimir I went to the bus stop, which is right on the other side of the road as you come out of the railway station. Vladimir is a major city and there are lots of buses connecting other cities. You will have to specifically ask for a ticket to Suzdal, which costs around 95 RUB. Buses leave Vladimir for Suzdal every 30 minutes. You must remember that once you leave Moscow, the major method of payment is in cash. Cards are accepted only in big restaurants and shops.
I could not find my receipt for my onward journey but below is the receipt of my return journey from Suzdal bus station to Vladimir.
- Receipt for my bus ticket from Suzdal to Vladimir
The way from Vladimir to Suzdal is very smooth and scenic. I expected it to be not a very smooth ride, but I was surprised. The bus stopped at a few bus stands on the way and we were at Suzdal bus station in about 30 minutes. Some people left the bus here, but I stayed in the bus because I wanted to go to the city centre. The driver got up from his seat and started collecting an extra 14 rubles from everyone who wanted to go to the centre. There was no receipt provided. Once you are in the city centre, all the major places to visit in Suzdal are walkable. The town is very small, buildings and houses are colourful, roads and sidewalks are beautiful, clean and safe.
Bus back from Suzdal to Vladimir
When you are ready to go back to Vladimir, you will have to take a bus from the centre to Suzdal main bus stand. From Suzdal bus stand you will find a bus to Vladimir. Make sure you find the bus stand that is for the buses going towards the main Suzdal bus station. When I went to the bus stand I realized after asking a lady that I was at the wrong bus stop, so I crossed the street and went to the right one. Not every bus goes to the main bus station. There was a girl at the bus stop who helped me get into the right bus going towards the Suzdal main bus station. If you are not comfortable in speaking Russian, Google Translate will surely help you. There is good mobile network everywhere and people are very friendly and happy to help.
- Bus from Vladimir to Suzdal, this was much bigger and better bus than the one I got from Vladimir to Suzdal in the morning.
Back in Vladimir, the bus stand and railway station are in the centre of the city that makes it very convenient to walk to the city centre and see places of interest such as Holy Assumption Cathedral and Demetrius Cathedral.
Should you take a day trip from Moscow to Suzdal and Vladimir?
I spent a lot of time in Suzdal, therefore, I had less time to explore Vladimir, but whatever I saw was wonderful. A day trip from Moscow to Suzdal and Vladimir is possible, but if you are an avid explorer like me then I would suggest keeping one day for each city.
Next Steps
Check out what to do in Suzdal and my favourite traditional Russian fine dining restaurant in Suzdal. If you are on a budget, find a stolovaya for a healthy and economical traditional Soviet-style meal. Write in the comment section if you have any question or want to make a suggestion. I would love to read and reply to them!
