Renting a car in Moscow can be an excellent way to explore the Russian capital and its surroundings at your own pace. Bookingautos is here to help you navigate the process and find the best deals from both international and local car rental companies. This ultimate guide will provide you with essential information to make your car rental experience in Moscow smooth and enjoyable.
Choosing the Right Car
When selecting a vehicle, consider factors such as:
The number of passengers
Amount of luggage
Planned destinations (city driving vs. long-distance trips)
Fuel efficiency
Comfort level
Moscow's traffic can be challenging, so a compact or mid-size car is often the best choice for navigating the city streets.
Documentation and Requirements
To rent a car in Moscow, you'll need:
A valid driver's license (held for at least one year)
International Driving Permit (IDP) if your license is not in Russian
Passport
Credit card for the security deposit
Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old, with some setting the minimum age at 25 for certain vehicle categories.
Navigating Moscow's Roads
Driving in Moscow can be challenging due to heavy traffic and complex road systems. Consider these tips:
Use a GPS navigation system or smartphone app
Familiarize yourself with Russian traffic rules and road signs
Be prepared for toll roads when leaving the city
Park only in designated areas to avoid fines
For a unique experience, consider driving to the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius in Sergiev Posad, a UNESCO World Heritage site located about 75 km northeast of Moscow.
Insurance and Additional Services
When booking through Bookingautos, carefully review insurance options and additional services such as GPS rental, child seats, or additional drivers. These can provide peace of mind and enhance your travel experience.
By following this guide and using Bookingautos to compare offers, you'll be well-prepared to rent a car and explore the fascinating city of Moscow and its surroundings. Don't miss the opportunity to visit iconic landmarks like the Moscow Kremlin during your stay. Happy driving!
Video Guide to Must-Visit Locations
Where to Park Your Rental Car in Moscow
Finding parking for your rental car in Moscow can be challenging, but several options are available. Here are some of the best places to park:
Paid Parking Zones
Moscow has an extensive network of paid parking zones in the city center. These are generally the most convenient options, but can be expensive. Look for blue lines on the road to identify these areas.
Park-and-Ride Facilities
For a more budget-friendly option, consider using park-and-ride facilities located near metro stations on the outskirts of the city. From there, you can easily access the city center via public transportation.
Shopping Center Parking
Many shopping centers offer parking garages, which can be a good option if you're planning to spend time in the area. Some popular choices include:
AFIMALL City
Evropeisky
GUM
Remember: Always check parking signs and regulations to avoid fines or towing.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Europcar
Most popular car class
Standard
Average price
27 € / Day
Best price
19 € / Day
Monthly price chart. Approximate prices for 7 days rental
January
€194
February
€120
March
€137
April
€147
May
€175
June
€240
July
€241
August
€250
September
€154
October
€119
November
€106
December
€147
* Prices are based on orders processed over the previous 2 years.
The best month to rent a car in Moscow is November. There are fewer tourists and a lot of available cars. You can book a compact class model at a price from €22. This is 31% cheaper than the average during the year.
The best time to rent a car in Moscow is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €22, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
Convertibles are especially popular in summer. It is difficult to find a free car for rent, and you will have to pay more than usual for a trip with a breeze. Renting Audi A3 Convertible during Summer period can costs €339 per day.
Bookingautos offers a wide range of cars of any class. In Moscow you can rent a convertible, SUV, sedan, minivan, as well as a business class car. Our rental fleet consists of new cars manufactured in 2024 year.
You can choose a car of any required category. The following classes are in particular demand among customers:
Cabriolet;
Business Class;
SUV;
Minivan.
Also available other models and you can rent them in Moscow at a convenient time and on favorable terms.
The demand for electric cars is growing not only in the segment of their sales. These cars are just as popular when renting, which is often accompanied by the provision of a free parking space and the possibility of free car charging around the city. To rent an electric car you should set the appropriate filter. Moreover, the rental of BMW i3 when ordering in Moscow will cost quite a modest amount.
Documents required for car rental
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
TOP-10 car rental Tips:
Download desired area of Google maps for offline access
Before the trip, we recommend that you download the necessary maps to the Google Maps application on your smartphone. This will allow you to build travel routes and use offline navigation on the ground. Thus, you can significantly save on Internet roaming charges, as well as on the "Navigator" service. Downloading the map is easy. You should select the required area, set the desired scale and enter "ok maps" in the search field.
Book in advance
Moscow is a popular tourist destination, so car rental is consistently in demand. The earlier you book a car, the more options there will be and the lower the prices will be. Choose transport online at least 6 weeks before your visit. Better yet, do it as soon as you start planning your vacation. If plans change, you can cancel your booking without penalty up to 48 hours before it starts.
Which car to choose
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Toyota Aygo or Ford Focus. These models are the most popular with our customers in Moscow.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. Ford Foxus Estate will cost €33 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car
Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.
The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.
Insurance recommendations
When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.
What types of insurance are available for car rental?
Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
Fuel prepayment terms
When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Moscow for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.
Mileage without limits
Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.
Compare conditions of different rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Moscow, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.
Which rental company to choose
Pay attention to the car park. Large and reliable companies regularly buy new cars.
Our clients name the top companies in Moscow - sixt with an average rating 9.8 points and budget with 9.7 points.
We show all the rental conditions of different companies. Read the rules carefully before booking a car.
Getting a car at a rental office
Before signing a car rental agreement, it should be carefully checked for damage and defects. Do not be shy to point out the identified problems and problems - then you will not have to answer for them. When returning, pay attention to the fuel in the tank. Its volume must correspond to that prescribed in the agreement.
Also, do not ignore the phone number provided by the technical support representative when concluding the contract. After all, even the most experienced driver is not insured against a breakdown, accident or other force majeure event. In such a case, contact a specialist before the arrival of the police.
Our main advantages
24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees
Car rental reviews: Moscow
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
Based on 8255 reviews
Tony
4,8
Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!
Michael
4,7
Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!
Luna
4,5
The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.
Jody
4,9
Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.
Download the BookingAutos mobile app
Download our mobile app and get access to special offers and discounts in Moscow.