Getting to Russia by air in 2026 is not what it was five years ago. The airspace closures and sanctions that followed the conflict in Ukraine in 2022 reshaped international aviation to and from Russia in fundamental ways. Direct flights between Russia and the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and most other Western nations were suspended — and as of early 2026, they remain so. The practical consequence is that reaching Russia from the West now requires at least one connection through a third country.
This is inconvenient but far from impossible. Millions of international passengers fly to Russia each year through a well-established network of connecting hubs. The journey takes longer and costs more than it once did, but the options are numerous, the routes are reliable, and the connecting airports are among the best in the world. This guide covers the current state of air travel to Russia, the main routing options, prices, Moscow's airports, and practical tips for making the journey as smooth as possible.
The Current Situation
Since February-March 2022, EU, UK, US, and Canadian airspace has been closed to Russian airlines, and Russian airspace has been closed to airlines from those countries. This mutual ban eliminated all direct flights on these corridors. No direct flights operate between Russia and any EU member state, the UK, the US, or Canada.
Russian airlines (Aeroflot, S7, Pobeda, Ural Airlines, and others) continue to operate international flights, but only to destinations whose airspace remains open: Turkey, the UAE, Gulf states, Central Asia, the South Caucasus, Serbia, China, India, and parts of Southeast Asia and Africa.
Non-Russian airlines from neutral or friendly countries continue to fly to Russia, providing the main connecting options for Western travellers.
Main Routing Options from Europe and North America
Via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines)
Istanbul is the single most important connecting hub for travellers between the West and Russia. Turkish Airlines operates multiple daily flights to both Moscow airports (Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo) and to Saint Petersburg.
Advantages: Excellent frequency (5-7 daily flights to Moscow alone), modern Istanbul Airport, reliable connections, high service standards, and Turkish Airlines' Star Alliance membership allows codeshare bookings from many Western carriers.
Connection time: Minimum 2-3 hours at Istanbul Airport; many itineraries allow 4-6 hours, which is comfortable.
Price range: 300-600 EUR round trip from major European cities, 500-900 USD from North American cities.
Turkish Airlines is the default choice for most Western travellers to Russia and the most frequently recommended option for good reason.
Via Dubai and Abu Dhabi (Emirates, FlyDubai, Etihad)
The UAE is the second major connecting hub. Emirates and FlyDubai operate multiple daily flights from Dubai to Moscow, while Etihad serves the route from Abu Dhabi.
Advantages: Excellent airports, premium service (particularly on Emirates), and good connections from North America, Asia, and Australasia. FlyDubai offers budget-friendly fares.
Price range: 400-700 EUR round trip from Europe, 600-1,000 USD from North America.
Connection time: Dubai connections can be tight — allow at least 3 hours, especially if you need to change terminals.
Via Doha (Qatar Airways)
Qatar Airways operates flights from Doha to Moscow. The Hamad International Airport in Doha is consistently rated among the world's best, making lengthy layovers relatively pleasant.
Price range: 350-650 EUR from Europe, 550-950 USD from North America.
Qatar Airways is a strong option for passengers from the UK, where Doha connections are particularly well-timed.
Via Yerevan, Armenia (Various Airlines)
Yerevan has emerged as an unexpectedly popular connecting point, particularly for travellers from Southern and Eastern Europe. Several airlines operate the Yerevan-Moscow route, and Yerevan itself has become a significant hub for Russians and those doing business with Russia.
Advantages: Relatively short connection from Southern Europe, no visa required for most nationalities for short stays in Armenia, and lower fares on the Yerevan-Moscow segment (from 100 EUR one-way).
Disadvantages: Fewer flights, smaller airport, limited connecting flight options compared to Istanbul or Dubai.
Via Belgrade (Air Serbia)
Air Serbia maintains direct flights between Belgrade and Moscow. Serbia has not imposed sanctions on Russia, making Belgrade one of the few European connecting points.
Price range: 250-500 EUR round trip from Western European cities via Belgrade.
Advantages: Stays within Europe for the first leg, shorter total journey time than routing through the Gulf.
Via Other Hubs
Additional connecting options include:
- Tbilisi, Georgia: Georgian Airways and others operate to Moscow, though the political relationship between Georgia and Russia introduces some unpredictability.
- Astana/Almaty, Kazakhstan: Air Astana connects well to Moscow, useful for travellers from Central and East Asia.
- Beijing/Shanghai, China: Chinese carriers (Air China, China Eastern) operate to Moscow, with connections from North America and Asia-Pacific.
Prices and How to Find the Best Fares
Airfares to Russia have increased significantly since 2022 due to the elimination of direct routing and reduced competition. As a general guide:
From Western Europe:
- Budget connections (Belgrade, Yerevan): 250-400 EUR round trip
- Standard connections (Istanbul, Dubai): 300-600 EUR round trip
- Premium/last-minute: 600-800+ EUR round trip
From North America:
- Standard connections (Istanbul, Dubai, Doha): 500-900 USD round trip
- Premium: 900-1,200+ USD round trip
From the UK:
- Standard connections: 300-550 GBP round trip
Booking Tips
Aviasales.ru (also accessible as aviasales.com) is the most comprehensive flight search engine for Russia-bound flights. It aggregates fares from Russian and international carriers and displays options that Western search engines (Google Flights, Skyscanner) sometimes miss, particularly for the intra-Russia and CIS segments.
Google Flights and Skyscanner remain useful for pricing the international legs, but may not show all available Russian domestic connections.
Book segments separately if you are comfortable with the risk: buying the Western city-to-hub flight and the hub-to-Moscow flight as separate tickets can sometimes save 20-30% over a through-ticket. The downside is that if the first flight is delayed and you miss the connection, you have no protection — you must buy a new ticket for the second leg.
Timing: Book 4-8 weeks in advance for the best prices. Summer (June-August) and the New Year/Christmas holiday period (late December to mid-January) are peak seasons with higher fares.
Moscow's Airports
Moscow is served by three major airports, all located 25-45 km from the city centre.
Sheremetyevo (SVO)
The largest and busiest of Moscow's airports, Sheremetyevo is the hub for Aeroflot and handles most international traffic. Terminal B (domestic) and Terminals D, E, and F (international) are connected by an inter-terminal train. The airport has undergone extensive modernisation and is now a comfortable, well-organised facility.
Getting to the city: The Aeroexpress train runs every 30 minutes to Belorussky Station in central Moscow. Journey time is 35 minutes, fare is 500 RUB (approximately 5 EUR). Taxis via Yandex Go cost 1,500-2,500 RUB depending on destination and time of day (40-70 minutes in traffic).
Domodedovo (DME)
Moscow's second airport, located south of the city. It handles a mix of international and domestic traffic, including flights by Emirates, S7, and Ural Airlines.
Getting to the city: Aeroexpress to Paveletsky Station, 45 minutes, 500 RUB. Taxis: 1,800-3,000 RUB to central Moscow.
Vnukovo (VKO)
The closest airport to central Moscow, Vnukovo is the hub for Pobeda (Russia's main budget carrier) and handles Turkish Airlines flights. It is smaller and less hectic than Sheremetyevo.
Getting to the city: Aeroexpress to Kievsky Station, 35 minutes, 500 RUB. Taxis: 1,200-2,000 RUB to central Moscow. Vnukovo is also directly connected to the Moscow Metro via the Vnukovo station on the Solntsevskaya line.
Pulkovo (LED) — Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg's single airport handles both domestic and international flights. Turkish Airlines, FlyDubai, and various CIS carriers serve international routes. The airport is modern and efficient.
Getting to the city: Bus 39 to Moskovskaya Metro station (30-40 minutes, 50 RUB). Taxis: 800-1,500 RUB to the city centre.
Russian Airlines
Aeroflot
Russia's flag carrier and largest airline. Aeroflot operates a modern fleet and provides a service standard comparable to mid-range European carriers. International routes are limited to non-sanctioning countries, but the domestic network is extensive. Aeroflot is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, though codeshare options with Western partners are currently suspended.
S7 Airlines
Russia's second-largest carrier, based in Novosibirsk. S7 operates an extensive domestic network and selected international routes. Known for reasonable fares and decent service.
Pobeda
Aeroflot's low-cost subsidiary, comparable to Ryanair or EasyJet. Pobeda operates domestic routes and selected international flights from Vnukovo. Fares are the lowest available, but baggage fees, seat selection charges, and no-frills service apply. Useful for budget domestic hops.
Ural Airlines
Based in Yekaterinburg, Ural Airlines operates domestic and international routes, including services to the Middle East and Central Asia. A solid mid-range carrier.
Practical Tips
Before Departure
- Verify your visa requirements well in advance — most nationalities need either a standard visa or an e-visa
- Print your visa, hotel confirmations, and return ticket — Russian border control may ask to see them
- Download Yandex Maps and a SIM card provider's app before departure
- Have at least 5,000-10,000 RUB in cash for airport transfers, as foreign bank cards do not work
At the Connecting Airport
- Allow at least 3 hours for connections, more if changing terminals
- If your connection is 6+ hours in Istanbul, consider the free Turkish Airlines transit lounge (for business class) or the paid lounge options
- Ensure your checked luggage is tagged through to your final destination — if booking separate tickets, you will need to collect and re-check bags at the connection point
On Arrival in Russia
- Immigration queues at Sheremetyevo can take 30-90 minutes depending on the time and number of arriving flights
- Fill in the migration card (still required in paper form at most airports)
- Proceed to the Aeroexpress or taxi rank — avoid unofficial taxi drivers who approach in the arrivals hall
- For onward travel within Moscow, the transport guide covers all options
Baggage Considerations
Russian airline baggage policies have tightened in recent years. Aeroflot economy class includes one checked bag of up to 23 kg on international flights, but domestic fares may be hand-luggage only. Pobeda charges for everything beyond a small personal item. If you are connecting from an international carrier to a domestic Russian flight, check baggage allowances separately for each segment.
Key Takeaways
Flying to Russia in 2026 requires a connection through a third country, adding 3-6 hours and 50-200 EUR/USD to what was once a straightforward direct flight. Istanbul is the most convenient hub for Europeans, Dubai and Doha serve a wider geographic range, and Belgrade and Yerevan offer budget alternatives. Prices range from 300 EUR for a budget routing to 800+ EUR for last-minute premium bookings. Moscow's three airports are well-connected to the city centre by Aeroexpress trains, and Russian domestic aviation continues to function efficiently. Book through Aviasales.ru for the best visibility on all options, carry cash in rubles for your first hours in the country, and allow plenty of time for connections and immigration.
