{"id":1824,"date":"2020-03-21T19:22:53","date_gmt":"2020-03-21T19:22:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/russiable.com\/?p=1824"},"modified":"2024-01-06T11:35:38","modified_gmt":"2024-01-06T11:35:38","slug":"boat-cruise-tour-moscow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/russiable.com\/boat-cruise-tour-moscow\/","title":{"rendered":"Boat tours and river cruises through Moscow: where to take them and how to buy tickets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Taking a boat tour in Moscow along the Moskva River is a very pleasant experience. It will allow you to get to know the city from another totally different perspective, see the bridges over the Moskva River up close and view some of the city\u2019s main monuments. In this article I\u2019ll give you details of the different tours you can take by boat and how to buy tickets.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Boat<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

0. Cruises on the Moskva River, a polluted but very navigable river<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Moskva River is about 500 kilometers long and is part of the Volga River watershed. Its source is in the Smolensk Mountains (311 meters above sea level) and it flows across the city of Moscow to empty into the Oka River (the second largest tributary of the Volga River). The Moskva is navigable along its entire course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In its upper part, the Moskva River is more or less a clean river, but as it moves towards Moscow it becomes dirty due to industrial waste and urban drainage. When it reaches Moscow it is so polluted that its water is unhealthy and bathing in its waters is prohibited for the residents of the city. Of course, Muscovites like to sunbathe in the green areas of the river when the weather is good.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Sunbathing<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

In spite of this, and as you certainly are not going to bathe in the Moskva River, I suggest that you take a boat cruise to see the city from a totally different perspective and to also be able to admire Moscow\u2019s beautiful bridges<\/a>.<\/u><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, boat tours on the Moskva River are mainly for entertainment and recreational purposes with cruises that begin and end their journey at the same embankment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are traveling through Russia, keep in mind that boat tours can be done not only in Moscow, but also in St. Petersburg, the Venice of the north.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, I\u2019ll tell you about the different tours of Moscow you can take by boat, as well as the companies that operate these tours, their prices and how to buy tickets.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Russian<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

1. Practical information for taking a cruise in Moscow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1.1. When to take a boat tour?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Until not long ago it was only possible to take cruises in Moscow from April to October, that is, the warmer months. However, for some years now an icebreaker boat has been responsible for allowing the passage of boats during the winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So there are cruises throughout the year, although when the weather conditions are bad the boats suspend their departures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, keep in mind that not all cruise companies operate in winter.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Radisson<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

1.2. Schedules, frequency and duration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Normally the boats sail between 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. although there are also companies that offer night cruises with dinner included. I recommend that you take advantage of the afternoons for a boat tour, when the monuments and museums are closed. Going on a night cruise to see the Moscow city lights is also a very good option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The frequency of the boats depends on each company and can range between 30 minutes and 2 hours. The itineraries, however, usually last between 1 and 3 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.3. Onboard services<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While some companies only offer the boat ride, without many additional services, others offer the opportunity to have lunch or dinner on board, such as the boats of the Flotilla Radisson or the River Palace cruises, where you can discover Russian cuisine<\/a> from another side.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Radisson<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Most cruise ships offer audio guides, which tell you about the tourist attractions as you are going along. In some cases this explanation is only in Russian, while some ships also offer explanations in English, Spanish, French, Italian or other languages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.4. Where to buy tickets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can buy tickets in two ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n