Moscow to Vienna Flights

  About Moscow

Situated on the banks of the sparkling Moskva River, the city of Moscow is the capital of Russia. With a rich history and contribution towards the performing arts industry, the city is a haven for tourists during summers.

Best time to visit Moscow

June to August is practically perfect for a visit to Moscow. However, the finances will take a supreme toll during these months. As a cold country that witnesses a decent summer, the three months automatically become a favourite not just for tourists but also citizens of Russia. Hotel prices and flights are staggering and affording the same is next to impossible. Of course, the city does have some lovely festivals during this time, such as the Moscow International Film Festival and Usadbha Jazz Festival that takes place. Another reason that makes tourists from within Russia head to the capital. Nobody would want to miss the carnivalesque celebrations of Moscow. While June to August might be rough on the pockets, April to May might give you the satisfaction shelling out fewer rubles. The temperatures during this stretch are quite alluring as the sun starts to pop out of the clouds to entertain the city. Not to mention the festivals and events such as Russian Fashion Week, Labour Day/Spring Festival and Victory Day, that take over the city streets. You should know though that the cheap hotel prices in Moscow are only in the initial few days of spring. As the temperatures start to rise, the costs of the room will also see a tremendous growth.

No matter when you plan your trip, do avoid the winters in Moscow. Unless you're willing to risk the possibility of frostbites and low heart rates, the winter is certainly not meant for you. The temperatures drop to negative between November to March. It literally does have freezing cold winters that are not ideal for tourism or travelling.

Places to visit in Moscow

The one thing Moscow does not fall short off is the intriguing slew of museums, art galleries and preservation of monuments. You will notice how these places have been preserved by the government officials as they reflect the historical significance as well as the cultural relevance of Russia. From age-old cathedrals to Russian iconography, the city witnesses some of the finest architecture from the old times that continue to stand firm. As part of your sightseeing expedition in Moscow, you should start with Red Square. It is located at the heart of Moscow and is known to have symbolic significance to also be at the centre of the whole of Russia. Take some good time from your travel duration and spend as much time in Red Square as possible. The views are scintillating and definitely worth being captured. St. Basil's Cathedral is the next important place in the city. Originally called the Cathedral of Intercession of Theotokos on the Moat, the cathedral is located within the red Square. You will be able to recognise this structure for its bonfire-styled architecture.

Further continuing with your pilgrimage, do check out the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, nestled beautifully on the banks of river Moscow. The architecture is as Russian as it can get while the history is rather strange. Close to the cathedral is the Moscow Kremlin, a fortress located in the city centre, a little away from the Red Square. Kremlins are basically Russian citadels that serve as the official abode to the President of Russia. There are four palaces, a few towers and four cathedrals located in the Kremlin. Pushkin Fine Arts Museum is the perfect place to visit if you're invested in the artistic past of the country and its literary contributions. As home to one of the largest collections to be found in European art in Moscow, the museum honours some of the prominent names in the Russian art history. You should also check out Moscow Zoo if you're travelling with family. The zoo houses over 6,000 animals that range from 1,000 diverse species. It is an extremely old zoo and is definitely compelling. You should also check out Lenin's Mausoleum, which is actually quite a strange site. The place attracts tourists majorly because of the fact that it contains the embalmed body of Vladimir Lenin, which is always on display. It is odd and even disturbing, which seems to attract tourists from around the world.

Things to do in Moscow

Moscow caters majorly to the shopaholics in a traveller. They have the humongous department store called GUM, which houses a slew of high-end boutiques and brands. The interiors of the store are exquisite and marvellous. Luxury brands such as Dior to high-street fashion brands like Zara, also have stores in the complex. To give your taste buds a culinary excursion, head to Arbat Street. The place is legendary and is known to attract the highest number of tourists in Moscow. Thanks to the street, which is no short of a puny carnival, there are many restaurants, cafes, performers, live music, caricaturists, etc., who entertain the travellers. If you are tired with all the touristy indulgences and simply want to kick off your shoes and sit back, head to Gorky Park. The city's luscious green space is well-maintained and is perfect for finding tranquillity in the city. You simply cannot miss the Bolshoi Theatre as it is one of the biggest entertainment institutions in the country. The stage hosts a bunch of opera performances as well as beautiful ballet.

Food and Restaurants in Moscow

Russian cuisine is unique as it comprises dishes based on the geographical and environmental factors. From cold soups to excess meat, their meals are one of a kind and definitely worth trying. Using a single base, they make a plethora of dishes. Not only is this impressive, but it also expands their cuisine with variations to dishes. Traditional Russian meals should be something to indulge in when you're visiting Moscow. One of the most basic and common meals found in the city is Kasha, a healthy and unique version of porridge. You will find this everywhere, and its homely flavours will make you feel happy and satiated. Pelmeni is another interesting dish made by the Russians which consists of fish dumplings that are kept frozen, only to be cooked in boiling water for a flavourful explosion. The Russian version of pancakes or crepes, if you will, has meat and is served sour cream. Russians roll blini with cottage cheese, cabbage, mushrooms as fillings and complete the dish with smoked salmon and sour cream. You can change the sides to jam or honey as well. Of course, one of their most famous meals is borscht. It is typically cooked with beetroot and tomatoes, which is why it has the reddish-purple hue. The soup has beef, tossed with other vegetables.

To find some of the best Russian meals, you should head to Boemi, Megobari, LavkaLavka Farm Restaurant, Russian Pub and Paktika By Darvin. Of course, the city doesn't rid you of any other international cuisine. In fact, they do have some upscale dining experiences which can be found at places such as Italoniya, Tkemali, Beer Harbor, Lure Oyster Bar, Dzhumbus, Sabor de la Vida and 5+2, to name a few. Moscow has many cheap restaurants and pubs where you can chill to enjoy the city's vibe and interact with the locals. Shopping centres in the city have many food joints that would give you company, in case you were bored and hungry.

How to reach Moscow (Transportation)

Flight connectivity to Moscow from India is actually much better than you would assume. The city of Mumbai has dedicated direct flights to Moscow, making travel duration considerably less. There are nearly 280 flights that operate from India to Russia thanks to the demand it has. This provision of several flights is on a daily basis. Hence, in terms of getting flights to Moscow from India, you don't have to worry. Even the flight tickets to Moscow are inexpensive from India. Various international routes to Moscow are from the Middle East and European belt. Delhi also has the provision to charter direct flights to Moscow. The capital has two airlines that provide direct flights to Moscow. Travelling duration from Delhi to Moscow is close to seven hours while flights from Mumbai to Delhi have eleven hours travel duration. Airlines such as Air India, Air Arabia, Etihad, Emirates and Aeroflot are some of the primary ones to source flights to Moscow from India. The travelling is actually quite convenient with Middle being the popular route to reach Moscow from India.

As the flight tickets to Moscow from India aren't very exorbitant, you will be able to avail some travel discounts. In fact, there might be cheap flight tickets to Moscow available online. The more you peruse through the internet, the more you will find flight deals to Moscow. Accommodation options are also available, and some are even located close to the airport. Depending on the kind of trip, you can accordingly make your hotel reservations in Moscow.

  About Vienna

Austria's capital, Vienna, is recognised as one of the most romantic and historically rich cities in the world. The city is known to have contributed significantly to the intellectual and art world with legends like Mozart, Sigmund Freud and Beethoven, the architecture is pristine. With the Danube river flowing through the city of Vienna, there are impeccable locales that should be visited. The Hungarian city is a big hit among tourists around the world. In Austria, Vienna is easily the economic, political and cultural hub for the country. It is also the sixth-largest city in the European Union. Predominantly a German-speaking city, Vienna has a thriving food culture that deserves to be checked out. The city experiences a great number of tourists every year. Not to mention how Vienna is also recognised to be one of the liveable cities in the world.

Best time to visit Vienna

Vienna's backwaters can best be experienced in the months April to May and September to October. Although the summer months are a big hit among a majority of tourists who flock over to enjoy the cool but fresh summer breeze, spring and autumn are ideal. During spring, which falls on the months of April and May, the city experiences chilly weather transiting to hot summers. The temperatures vary between 15 degree Celsius to 20 degree Celsius, which is ideal for engaging in touristy activities. As the peak season for tourists is later in the summer, this time makes it perfect for checking out some of the biggest attractions without having to deal with the long queues. It is also the best time to book hotels in Vienna as the prices are quite cheap and affordable. Even the flights flying to Vienna are cheap and come with impeccable deals. You should know though that the summers are when some of the best festivals take place, and the city streets are full of lively purveyors. Events such as Vienna Festival, Rainbow Parade and Danube Island Festival keep the spirits high of the locals as well as the tourists.

September to October, which is fall in Vienna, is again a lovely time to visit the city. Even though the temperatures fluctuate between 14 degree Celsius to 20 degree Celsius, it still manages to maintain a favourable climate that would keep the tourists happy. It is advised that you book your hotel rooms in Vienna a few weeks in advance to avoid any surge in price. In fact, it would be ideal to even get your flight tickets to Vienna booked so that you don't have to worry about the expensive prices. Don't worry, though as you will find some astounding rooms facing breath-taking views to elevate your experience in the city. Plus, the city also witnesses some big festivals such as Vienna Fashion Week, Viennale Vienna International Film Festival and Long Night of the Museums, that attract a lot of crowds. Hence, even though the city might not be too hot for tourists to enjoy the weather in the city, it certainly would give them quite the experience. Winters are also good, provided you are okay with the chilly breeze and the frigid weather.

Places to visit in Vienna

Vienna's fame doesn't just come from the personalities that the city offered to the world (Mozart, Sigmund Freud, to name a few), but also the rich history and architecture that it preserves. You should start your trip from St Stephen's Cathedral, a Gothic structure that has seen various times of history as it was constructed back in the 12th century. You should also visit the Museum of Fine Arts to celebrate the artwork of European stalwarts Velasquez, Rubens, Titian and Van Dyke. Another important location would be the Schönbrunn Palace, which has historical significance for being a hunting lodge turned palace. House of Music (Haus der Musik) is another famous location in the city where revered musicians such as Mozart, Beethoven, Mahler, Haydn and Strauss once lived. It is a fascinating museum that cherishes the life and works of the elite musicians of Vienna. While in the city, do not miss Tiergarter, known to be the oldest zoo in the world which houses over 750 animal species ranging from lemurs to tigers. Hofburg Palace is also a beautiful structure that should check out when in the city.

Things to do in Vienna

From Vienna, you can take up a day tour to the Danube Valley and Melk Abbey as a way to unwind from the city's tourist attractions. These places are more nature-friendly and bring about calmness and serenity to a person. You should also try to book yourself a ticket and catch a show at the Vienna State Opera for it holds a very important position in Austria. Another fun activity to indulge in would be to check out the Naschmarkt. It is known to be a big market that comes together for the sale and purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables. There are some food stalls and joints here too that will amaze you. Vienna sells history, and you should try to soak in as much as you can. The place bustles with beautiful palatial structures and cathedrals with stunning architectural works. It would be a shame to not explore more of the city. You can rent a bicycle to do the same.

Food and restaurants in Vienna

Austrian cuisine is predominantly meat-based. The city's cuisine is something one should definitely indulge in, but it might be difficult for a vegetarian to survive. Much if their dishes come from their love for meat, which is something that a vegetarian cannot enjoy. Hearty meals such as Austrian taverns, also known as beisls, are basically hefty portions of boiled beef (tafelspitz), goulash (a stew prepared from potatoes and beef) and a schnitzel (deep-fried wiener). To get the best and authentic flavours of an Austrian meal, you should check out Lugecj and Ofenloch, located within Innere Stadt. Of course, if you need to save some money because you're following a strict budget, then you should leave Innere Stadt and walk up beyond the city centre. Innere Stadt is quaint and extremely posh, which would only work for you if you have to the bucks to splurge.

To get some cheap and affordable food that continues to express the culture of Austria, then you should visit Gmoakeller in Landstrasse and Motto in Weiden. Although it is recommended that you savour in as much Austrian, you can indulge in some international cuisine too. In the city, you will find Asian and Italian cuisine to continue your food expedition. Remember to carry enough cash for your food as most of their restaurants and food establishments do not accept credit or debit card. Vienna's streets have cafes, desserts and patisseries galore which would leave you in awe of their gugelhupfs (Bundt cake) and apple strudel. Everything they consume is incomplete without wine, so do not hesitate to pick a fine wine for your dining. Or you can call for some beer too to complete your meal.

How to reach Vienna

There is an abundance of flights available that fly to Vienna from India. However, there are no direct flights that fly to Vienna from India. However, thanks to some of the airlines, there are layovers and connecting flights that fly to Vienna. Airlines such as Lufthansa, IndiGo, Turkish Airlines, Vistara, LOT Polish Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, to name a few, have regular flights to Vienna. The most popular route to Vienna often picked by tourists is the one connecting from Istanbul. The duration via this route is the least and hence, is the most convenient. Some of the other cities where layovers take place are Warsaw, Doha, Munich, Cairo, Frankfurt, Muscat and Dubai. The duration of flights to Vienna from India is close to 11 hours from Mumbai. However, depending on the airlines that you pick, the duration can extend accordingly. The flight tickets to Vienna are also decently priced, but it might be steep for you if you have a lot of other cities in Europe that you plan to travel to from Vienna. Flight deals to Vienna might be available online provided you book in advance and get more miles.

As a holiday destination, there is a high demand for Vienna from India. People mostly opt to travel to a plethora of cities as part of their European trips. Hence, they start from one place in the EU Union and then travel within the continent. When using this method, Vienna is best reached via Munich by train. Either Munich or Zurich, there are fancy trains that traverse to the beautiful Austrian city. Booking your hotels in Vienna is key to getting great discounts and cheap deals. The city is always crowded with tourists, thanks to its popularity. It is also one of the cheaper vacations one can look for, which makes the accommodations a tad bit difficult to find. If you are planning for a trip, especially during peak season, it is best advised to book rooms in Vienna to avoid the surge in prices.