Airport taxi desk (ground floor) · About 45–90 min to central Moscow depending on traffic (estimate)
Where they are
One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
SVO6.2+0.2
ZIA6.0
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
SVO6.5+2.0
ZIA4.5
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
SVO6.8+2.3
ZIA4.5
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
SVO7.8+3.8
ZIA4.0
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
SVO6.9+2.4
ZIA4.5
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
SVO6.7+2.2
ZIA4.5
Best for
SVO
Rail connections to MoscowAeroflot/SkyTeam hubLounge variety for elites
ZIA
Direct flights from Moscow to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and KyrgyzstanTravellers living in south-eastern Moscow or Moscow OblastPassengers who want a small terminal with short walks
Frequent short-notice restrictions during drone alerts over MoscowNo direct rail link: bus 441 or a train plus shuttle busLong passport-control queues when several international flights arrive together
Check the terminal letter before you leave — B/C is not D/E/F.
Free underground train between north and south
Wrong complex plus the underground train is a 20-minute mistake.
SkyTeam / Aeroflot Bonus — not Star Gold, not assumed PP
Aeroflot is SkyTeam. Star Alliance Gold does not unlock Rublev.
ZIA
Pay-in business loungeCafés in international departuresSky Duty Free and shopsMother-and-child roomsFree assistance for reduced mobilityBus 441 to Kotelniki metro
Allow extra time at the entrance and passport control
Screening starts at the terminal door; check-in closes 40 minutes before departure.
One small terminal on two floors
Check-in downstairs; lounge and departure zones upstairs.
Most choice is in international departures
Plov, Shokoladnitsa, a pub and coffee bars airside for international flights.
SVO · Solid hub with good rail links but split terminals and variable lounge quality create navigation friction.
ZIA · Zhukovsky is a compact single-terminal airport with mostly international flights to Central Asia, the Caucasus, Turkey and Israel, but it has no direct rail link, long passport queues at busy times and frequent drone-alert restrictions.
