Pre-arrival Information
How to navigate Moscow to get to the Skoltech dormitories on your first day
You are only a few days away from your trip to Russia – how exciting! But we understand it can be a little scary, too, so we prepared a handy guide to help you in your first hours in Russia. With this guide, you will be able to comfortably get to the Skoltech dormitories step-by-step.
Cell phone service
Your trip to our Dorm will most likely start from a big transport hub, like the airport / railway station. There should be free wi-fi in case your home service provider doesn't allow you to connect to a cell network in Moscow.
We recommend to visit an official shop of any Russian mobile network (MTS, Megafon, Beeline, Tele2) and purchase a SIM-card. You will need to present your passport. The probability that staff of such shops in airport or in railway station speaks English is higher than anywhere else.
In order to use the internet during your first trip to Palisad Dormitories you can use public Wi-Fi. Most streets in the city center, parks and almost all public transport provide free internet access. Wi-Fi networks are available at over 1,000 locations. Each of them will be marked accordingly to keep you informed. To connect, select "Moscow_Wi-Fi_Free" among accessible networks, open the browser and register. This can be done through text messages; you should enter your Russian phone number, and receive a text message with a code.
We also advise you to bring a powerbank with you (most airlines and railway carriers allow you to carry a 20000 mAh powerbank).
We recommend to visit an official shop of any Russian mobile network (MTS, Megafon, Beeline, Tele2) and purchase a SIM-card. You will need to present your passport. The probability that staff of such shops in airport or in railway station speaks English is higher than anywhere else.
In order to use the internet during your first trip to Palisad Dormitories you can use public Wi-Fi. Most streets in the city center, parks and almost all public transport provide free internet access. Wi-Fi networks are available at over 1,000 locations. Each of them will be marked accordingly to keep you informed. To connect, select "Moscow_Wi-Fi_Free" among accessible networks, open the browser and register. This can be done through text messages; you should enter your Russian phone number, and receive a text message with a code.
We also advise you to bring a powerbank with you (most airlines and railway carriers allow you to carry a 20000 mAh powerbank).
Navigation resources
To make it easy for you to navigate Moscow, we have compiled a list of navigation apps for you. Download them before your trip! To navigate the metro you will need the Yandex Metro app , for navigation in public transport you will need Yandex Maps app and taxi apps like Yandex Taxi. Feel free to download and save this picture of the Moscow Metro map as well.
Find these apps in the App Store and Google Play. We recommend you bookmark the basic address in advance!
For the future: Skolkovo Innovation Centre is easily accessesd via MCD - new railway lines recently integrated in Moscow Metro system. Skolkovo railway station is a part of MCD D1 line.
Lastly, we also recommend to purchase transportation card Troika (in Russian: Тройка). This card allows you to pay less for each journey on public transport. You can buy a card in any metro station (central metro stations have English speaking staff or you can do this in a ticket vending machine). Until that moment, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPass are available practically on all types and vehicles of Public transport in Moscow. This payment method isn't always available at MCD stations.
Find these apps in the App Store and Google Play. We recommend you bookmark the basic address in advance!
For the future: Skolkovo Innovation Centre is easily accessesd via MCD - new railway lines recently integrated in Moscow Metro system. Skolkovo railway station is a part of MCD D1 line.
Lastly, we also recommend to purchase transportation card Troika (in Russian: Тройка). This card allows you to pay less for each journey on public transport. You can buy a card in any metro station (central metro stations have English speaking staff or you can do this in a ticket vending machine). Until that moment, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPass are available practically on all types and vehicles of Public transport in Moscow. This payment method isn't always available at MCD stations.
How to get to the dorms
Here is the exact address: Moscow, Skolkovo Innovation Center, Kulibina st., 2/2 (in Russian: Москва, Инновационный центр Сколково, улица Кулибина 2/2). Feel free to copy and paste it in your navigation app of choice or click this link.
When you arrive, there won't be a Skoltech representative at the airport or railway station, so these instructions are to be followed on your own. We recommend avoiding unofficial taxi drivers who will be offering you their personal and private services after you pass customs– they are good enough, but most probably don't speak English and/or most likely don't accept cashless payment.
When you arrive, there won't be a Skoltech representative at the airport or railway station, so these instructions are to be followed on your own. We recommend avoiding unofficial taxi drivers who will be offering you their personal and private services after you pass customs– they are good enough, but most probably don't speak English and/or most likely don't accept cashless payment.
Traveling via Taxi
If you don't want to worry about taking public transport on your first day, you can always order a taxi directly from the airport or the railway station directly to the Palisad dormitory. We recommend to order one via Uber App or Yandex Taxi – you'll see the price in advance, would be able to choose the type of the vehicle (considering your bags) and can pay by credit card if you don't have cash on you yet. We recommend to order a taxi above the Comfort class category – because anything lower will most likely not help you with bags or speak English.
The approximate price depends on traffic and travel time. Usually it takes anywhere from1-1.5 hours and costs from 800-1300 RUB.
The approximate price depends on traffic and travel time. Usually it takes anywhere from1-1.5 hours and costs from 800-1300 RUB.
Traveling via public transportation from Sheremetyevo Airport
The Aeroexpress train leaves from Terminal E to the Skolkovo station every 30 minutes. Travel time is approximately 65 minutes. You can buy a ticket in the Aeroexpress ticket offices in the airport or the Aeroexpress website, the trip will cost 300 rubles in Standard class, and 800 rubles in Business.
When you arrive at the Skolkovo station you need to switch to the Sk1 bus and exit the bus at the stop called "10th Quarter". From there, Palisad is within walking distance (300 meters).
When you arrive at the Skolkovo station you need to switch to the Sk1 bus and exit the bus at the stop called "10th Quarter". From there, Palisad is within walking distance (300 meters).
Traveling via public transportation from Domodedovo Airport
The Aeroexpress train from the Airport Terminal "Aeroexpress" (Airport exit #3) to Paveletsky railway station leaves every 30 minutes. Travel time is approximately 45 minutes. You can buy a ticket in the Aeroexpress ticket offices in the airport or the Aeroexpress website, the trip will cost 300 rubles in Standard class and 800 rubles in Business.
At Paveletsky station enter the Metro and find the way to Skolkovo station (map in the hall will make this easy).
When you arrive at the Skolkovo station you need to switch to the Sk1 bus and and exist theb us at the stop called "10th Quarter". From there, Palisad is within walking distance (300 meters).
At Paveletsky station enter the Metro and find the way to Skolkovo station (map in the hall will make this easy).
When you arrive at the Skolkovo station you need to switch to the Sk1 bus and and exist theb us at the stop called "10th Quarter". From there, Palisad is within walking distance (300 meters).
Traveling via public transportation from Vnukovo Airport
The Aeroexpress train from the Airport Terminal "Aeroexpress" (Airport exit #3) to Kievsky railway station leaves every 30 minutes. Travel time is approximately 45 minutes. You can buy a ticket in the Aeroexpress ticket offices in the airport or the Aeroexpress website, the trip will cost 300 rubles in Standard class and 800 rubles in Business.
At Kievsky station enter the Metro and find the way to Skolkovo station (map in the hall will make this easy).
When you arrive at the Skolkovo station you need to switch to the Sk1 bus and and exist theb us at the stop called "10th Quarter". From there, Palisad is within walking distance (300 meters).
At Kievsky station enter the Metro and find the way to Skolkovo station (map in the hall will make this easy).
When you arrive at the Skolkovo station you need to switch to the Sk1 bus and and exist theb us at the stop called "10th Quarter". From there, Palisad is within walking distance (300 meters).
Traveling via public transportation from the railway stations
Every railway station in Moscow is connected to a metro station with the same name. Mark this as your starting point in the apps.
Then you choose your metro station and choose "Skolkovo" station as your final destination. Please remember, this route is not direct, so keep track of your transfers. One metro ride costs 57 rubles.
Your journey on the metro, depending on the starting point, will take from 30 to 60 minutes.
When you arrive at the Skolkovo station you need to switch to the Sk1 bus and and exist theb us at the stop called "10th Quarter". From there, Palisad is within walking distance (300 meters).
Then you choose your metro station and choose "Skolkovo" station as your final destination. Please remember, this route is not direct, so keep track of your transfers. One metro ride costs 57 rubles.
Your journey on the metro, depending on the starting point, will take from 30 to 60 minutes.
When you arrive at the Skolkovo station you need to switch to the Sk1 bus and and exist theb us at the stop called "10th Quarter". From there, Palisad is within walking distance (300 meters).
That's it! Good luck on your trip. We look forward to meeting you soon:)
Get support
If you have any questions, need advice in choosing your accommodation or support in reserving a dormitory place, please contact the Skoltech Dormitory Team at dorm@skoltech.ru, +7 915 350 05 34 (consider working hours).
In case you are a current resident and have an emergency, contact Dormitory Head Irina Morozova at i.morozova@skoltech.ru or at +7-963-6055025.
In case you are a current resident and have an emergency, contact Dormitory Head Irina Morozova at i.morozova@skoltech.ru or at +7-963-6055025.