• The METRO SYSTEM (open 5:30am-12:30am) is incredibly efficient, with the wait between trains usually less than 3 minutes. - However, all public transportation should generally be avoided at RUSH HOUR if at all possible.
• TOKENS COST 1,200 ROUBLES (equivalent of $0.20) and can be purchased at the kassa inside stations. To enter the stations, put a token in a slot to the right of each gate, watch the light change, and walk through.
• On the ESCALATOR, stand on the right on the way down. (Ominous sounding loud-speaker announcements are merely advertisements).
• SIGNS at the base of the escalator indicate station stops. A good way to get pointed in the right direction is to look on the map for the first station on your line. The stations are listed in order, so the first station is easy to locate. Then count how many stops before yours.
• When two STATIONS ARE CONNECTED by a walkway, this will be marked by ïåðåõîä. Exits are indicated by âûõîä, and entrances by âõîä. Âõîäà íåò means "do not enter," commonly used at metro entrances.
• Once on the train, the announcement "astaro-zhna, dveri zakryvayoutsa" means careful, doors are closing." They're not kidding: doors close immediately and hurt if you're caught in them. Don't try to hold the doors open.
• SIGNPOSTING at each station is bad. Either count the number of stops to your station, or listen to the announcements. As you approach each station you will hear two station names announced, the name of the one you are approaching, followed by the words "sleduyoushaya stansia..."("the next station will be") and the name of the following station.
• Doors may open before the train comes to a complete stop. Few commuters seem to notice. It's okay to be aggressive trying to exit the train. Pushing, shoving, and tripping over one another is the norm.
• If you are standing by the door, someone may ask "vuie vuikhoditye?" or something similar. They want to know if you are getting off at the next stop so they can either sit tight or push on past you to get to the door. Answer with a "da" or "nyet" and stay put or move aside, respectively.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION:

• BUSES, TROLLEY BUSES (electric buses), and TRAMS (on tracks) operate on an honour system. Tickets are the same for all three. They can be bought in a 10-pack from the driver, at some kiosks, or from babushki (grandmothers) who have set up little tables in metro underpasses. Tickets are called "taloni" and cost about 10,000 rubles for 10. To validate your ticket, slide it into the top of one of the devices mounted on the walls, and punch it. During the day, especially in the centre, these forms of transportation can get extremely crowded. If someone hands you their ticket, they want you to pass it on towards someone standing near a puncher, or if that is you, to punch it for them and pass it back. If you travel without a ticket and an inspector catches you, you will be fined 20,000 rubles. (Make sure to get a receipt).
• Tram numbers are posted on small signs hanging on wires above the street.
• Trams stop in the middle of the street, but you can wait on the sidewalk. When a tram approaches, cars are obliged to stop and wait for passengers getting on and off the tram.

TAXIS

• TAKE ONLY OFFICIAL TAXIS. Any car can be flagged down and a price agreed on between you and the owner; but officially licensed taxis are recognised by a checkered light on top, or checkered strips on the side, often faded.
• Don't get into a car which already has a passenger.
• If you are taking the taxi to a private residence, never give the exact address.
• Most do not operate by a meter, and not all drivers are 100% trustworthy. Settle on a price before you board. Always pay in roubles, to avoid a higher price and possible robbery. Locals tend to pay between 10,000 and 20,000 unless it is a very short or long trip.
• A second type of taxi can be found outside major hotels. Often Volvos or Mercedes, they are new, clean, more expensive and charge in hard currency.