Domodedovo Airport review by K Spensley

5 May 2008   Customer Rating :

Just used DME for first time since Lufthansa switched from SVO and there is no comparison. It's clean, bright, shiny, has nice business-class lounges. Smokers have to use those little fish-tank rooms so the place doesn't stink. And there is an express train to Paveletsky Station for only 150 rubles. Compared to sitting in Moscow traffic for 2-3 hours from SVO for 1,500 rubles, this is awesome. They are building Terminal 3 at Sheremetovo along with an express train to the city. Until it's functional, when traveling to Moscow I'm happy to fly into DME.

Domodedovo Airport review by Doug Watchorn

15 April 2008   Customer Rating :

Left DME on Lufthansa who just switched from SVO. Much better airport both coming in and going out. Cleaner, brighter and better access than SVO. No driving to switch terminals from international to domestic just walk inside to other terminal. Used this terminal last year coming from London going to Irkutsk, same experience but with no construction this time. Will use this airport and local hotel from now on, I will avoid SVO if at all possible whenever I can!

Domodedovo Airport review by Oleg Hmara

29 October 2007   Customer Rating :

I've been flying to Sakhalin through Domodedovo, and it was awful. It looks nice and clean, but if anything happens nobody will help you. I had unexpected problems with oversized luggage. The staff was extremely rude. While I was arguing with them, I was delayed so that I almost missed my plane. Later I realized that they simply wanted a bribe. So if you encounter unexpected problems when everything should be ok, it most probably means that they just want a little cash. I don't understand what's the point in making the airport look european if they treat passengers Soviet-style.

Domodedovo Airport review by Yevheniy Kahanovych

21 September 2007   Customer Rating :

I used Domodedovo last week for departure to Kiev. First notice. Less and less airlines are allowed for in-town check-in. Less and less airlies provide free rail transfer. The airport itself remains very well organised, clean and easy to navigate through. Two serious minuses. Most of the airlines haven't heard about line management. It causes situations like the one I was in. My flight was about to leave in 55 minutes. Despite being checked in online i should stay in regular line because they don't have bag drop-off desks. When having being in the line for about 20 minutes (the queue was about 35 people), I've decided to take a look at the other side of the isle of desks, and found there three working check-in desks with nobody lining up. Would be very helpful to have line manager there. Immigration on departure was slow and not very polite. Departure area after security is full of good cafes and shops, but very overpriced. Boarding was not throgh airbridge, but they bussed us to the plane fast.

Domodedovo Airport review by Chris McQuaid

28 August 2007   Customer Rating :

I used DME several times last year on my first visit to Russia, and was very impressed. Forget the comments about it being excellent by "Russian" standards - it compares very well with other airports. First experience was arriving from BKK on Thai Airways - plenty of staff available at immigration, and no hassle (all complete and through to baggage claim within five minutes of joining the queue). Baggage took 30 minutes, then out into the concourse. It was much less crowded than Don Muang, and much better laid out. After changing some money and escaping the taxi touts I got the express train to Paveletsky - highly recommended, even if some grizzle about the lack of air-conditioning. Make sure that you walk all the way to the front of the train so that you have less distance to walk when you reach the city. Next use was arriving domestically from St Petersburg - no problems, and baggage waiting when we got to the conveyor. Stayed overnight at Airport Hotel (noisy and overpriced for what it provides), then back to the airport for an early flight to Kazan. Security - only 5 minutes. I returned 10 days later - no problems again. Last time was when flying back to BKK - check-in only took 15 minutes, despite a full load including a big tour group of Thais, and easy progress through Customs and Security. Then came the only drama I had at this airport - there is no currency exchange facility airside! Helpful security staff sympathised with my predicament (I had lots of roubles still in my pocket), but wouldn't let me back into the main concourse to return to the bank. The story ends with me still having lots of roubles, as I couldn't change them anywhere else. Overall impression of this airport was excellent - Sheremetyevo is another story!

Domodedovo Airport review by Nick Fortuna

19 July 2007   Customer Rating :

I used Domodedovo on a couple of occasions in June. The airport train from Paveletsky Station was badly signposted. There are four halls to choose from - by trial and error (welcome to Russia). It is located in Hall 3. The ticket counter to the Airport was closed because the power went out (welcome to Russia). The 'Help' Desk wasn't able to help. Power came back on, ticket was sold. The train is the old, rattly variety, departing every 40 min. No airconditioning. Then again, I can only compare with Vienna and HK. If you use the city check-in, you're on the train for free. Airport itself was busy, being holiday and charter season. Austrian's check-in went smoothly. Since we were Senator members, we got to use the VIP passport control and security. A new whole-body scanner was in use, though it broke down and we had to wait ca. 10 minutes for it to reboot. So much for VIP service. Airport facilities are excellent - lots of shops and a whole food court upstairs. Sheremetyevo take note! Arrival too was a breeze. Toilets were clean, stocked and functional, a welcome worthy of the name. Immigration was the usual Russian mess with no clear line(s), but push your way to the front and feign ignorance. Baggage arrived quickly enough and after the customs gauntlet, you run the taxi mafia gauntlet (though not as bad as Sheremetyevo. Due to the reconstruction, getting out of the arrivals hall to the car park was badly signposted. Some inconvenience, but temporary, hopefully. In all, a positive airport experience on a global scale. And for Russian standards, simply outstanding!

Domodedovo Airport review by Yevheniy Kahanovych

17 July 2007   Customer Rating :

Recently arrived to and departed from Domodedovo. I was surprised how smooth everything was. The airport is well organized - facilities clean, toilets clean and well stocked (this is Russia!). Arrivals (I tried both domestic and international) are clearly signposted, immigration took less than 10 minutes. Baggage in 15 minutes. In-town check-in worked well, direct train is a great plus to this airport. The staff were polite. Food facilities and landside shops are good, but very overpriced. Airside facilities could not be better. Very light and airy halls with lots of space.

Domodedovo Airport review by Martin Braithwaite

2 December 2005   Customer Rating : n/a

Not a bad airport, and currently better than Shemeretyvo for arrival and departure. That said, there are a lot of improvements to cut out some of the bureaucracy - and the touts that seem to pop up everywhere around the airport. Immigration and customs service can be really slow, and the staff are are "charming" as at SVO !

Domodedovo Airport review by David Pryer

13 May 2005

Agree with just about everything said about DME. A hassle-free experience. Don't take a taxi, best way into town is the Airport Express train. It is a long way into Moscow but fast, clean and inexpensive by train.

Domodedovo Airport review by Alberto Pezzotti

15 February 2005

Domodedovo is a really different airport compared to what it was just 10 years ago. Passport control and customs are really quick if compared to Sheremetyevo 2 standards. Once you are in the main area you can enjoy a nice, clean and safe airport. The restaurants and bars are fine, although a bit limited in size and quality. I arrived at DME in the early morning from Siberia and I was able to rest for a few hours at the very convenient airport hotel. The rooms are quite clean and they are reasonably priced. The hotel is located 500 ms from the main terminal and is reachable with a shuttle bus that is departing in front of the train station. Check in facilities, both for domestic and international flights are hassle free, unlike Sheremetyevo 2.

Domodedovo Airport review by Bill Sullivan

21 October 2004

DME is a very good airport. I have also found it easy to arrive and depart from - fast immigration and baggage handling. The restaurants are okay, nothing great, but I like the cleanliness and modern interior. Next time I will check out the train as suggested by some.

Domodedovo Airport review by Ajay Kamalakaran

27 July 2004

Many people don't know about the special facilities that Domodedovo offers to passengers. A passenger flying out of Domodedovo can check in his or her baggage at the Paviletsky Railway Station in the heart of Moscow. From there, a free electric train service takes passengers directly to the airport. This train leaves every half an hour. A passenger can check in at the Paviletsky Station up to 24 hours before the flight. What I usually do when I come to Russia is take a minibus from Sheremetyevo-II to the airport metro station. The Paviletsky Station is on the same metro line. So I end up spending just 17 roubles to change airports. A taxi ride would cost 50 or 60 dollars. Plus I get to spend the whole day in Moscow and just go to the airport half an hour before the flight.

Domodedovo Airport review by Roger Naden

18 May 2004

I found Domodedovo a refreshing change for the better. Clean, efficient and modern. I can only say to anyone that it is complete and utter contrast to SVO. This time I was using DME for an internal flight. I feel that in the future it will be worth my while to pay more and use BA to fly to Moscow so that I can start my visit to Russia without the usual onset of depression brought on by a dose of SVO.

Domodedovo Airport review by Ashley Crump

15 April 2004

Moscow Domodedovo is one of the most wonderful airports I have ever visited - particularly when looking at the ghastly Sheremetyevo II. I am sure that many more major airlines switch from SVO to DME just as BA and Swiss did. The staff were courteous and spoke English, the interior was bright and wonderfully clean. I was actually delayed for two hours but the wonderful complex more than made up for it.

Domodedovo Airport review by Paul Rex

31 March 2004

Travelled through Domodedovo in both directions this weekend. On the way in, 10 minutes from leaving the plane (with hand baggage) to getting into my taxi! On the way back out, 20 minutes from arrival to clearing passport control and customs. Can some of the management be transplanted to Sheremetyevo?

Domodedovo Airport review by E Lam

19 December 2003

I really appreciate the rail service to DME. DME is clean, and the service is friendly. Arriving from London, the passport control was quick. I am just very grateful that this airport exist in Moscow. It has really made travelling to and from Moscow a much more humane experience.

Domodedovo Airport review by Bob Epstein

3 July 2003

Just to add the comments - the airport is shiny and modern - (yes, the toilets are clean) - but be prepared for the same old Soviet-era slowness. I arrived at 0500 for a 0710 Swiss Intl flight. It took 1:15 just to get to the ticket agent - and the customs and border agents were as bored, and sleepy as ever. Once past passport control, you'll find a western-style coffee shop (which makes a decent latte), and newsstands with only Russian publications - but they are trying, and its huge leap forward from SVO.

Domodedovo Airport review by Karl Reiman

21 June 2003

I can add to the previous comment that in DME, unlike other Moscow airport SVO, you may not worry about suspicious Russian touts offering taxi - there is an official taxi service desk in the arrivals with rates displayed. Train journey to the city centre is 40 mins. In addition, passport control and airport staff is much more friendly and efficient than in SVO. Not enough non-smoking areas though.

Domodedovo Airport review by Martin Miller

11 May 2003

Moscow's reconstructed Domodedovo Airport brings "normal" standards of airport service to Moscow at last. Lots of natural light, clean floors and toilets, clear indicator boards, working baggage carousels, adequate restaurants, plenty of seats (look upstairs) and a friendly business lounge. There are not many air bridges yet (more under construction), but the buses are modern and wide. Siberian Airways dominate, with Urals and TransAero growing; Swiss have moved there and BA join them in July - that has to be a good move. Arriving passengers will enjoy the easy connections for Siberia and Central Asia or the convenient train to Central Moscow. The drive (40 km) can be a bit tedious though.

 

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