Getting around by cab and VTC Russia

Wheely was originally a carpooling service offered by a London-based company that now offers luxury car rental with driver (closer to a VTC than a limousine, we assure you). Established in Moscow since 2012, it is very successful thanks to its easy-to-use mobile application available on Apple Store and Google Play. You can also use it in St Petersburg, Perm, Ekaterinburg, Kazan, Sochi and Krasnodar. It offers a more premium service than its competitors Yandex or Gett.

Founded in 2011 Yandex.GO is the essential app for your travel in Moscow and most provincial cities. Owned by Yandex, the publisher of the "Russian Google", it is one of the best rated, exceeded only by GETT. Its competitiveness is based on a very large number of partners, allowing immediate availability of the ordered taxi and innovations such as speed tracking. The application allows you to see the route to the chosen destination in real time and offers the possibility to pay directly via the application.

The Lingotaxi service has existed for many years and is available in several cities in Russia: St. Petersburg, Moscow but also Kazan, Samara or Sochi. The service is also present in Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia or Azerbaijan. It offers transfers to/from the airport and some tours. The drivers are English-speaking. Payment is possible in advance via PayPal and credit card. A little more expensive than the standard taxi or applications, but the service is consequently more upscale and always without unpleasant surprises.

St. Petersburg has many cab companies, each with its own rates. In addition to official cabs, it's common to use unmarked private cars to transport passengers. However, it can be difficult to stop a car on the street if you're not familiar with the city and its language. Some cars may have a "cab" sign on the roof without being official cabs. To avoid misunderstandings and exorbitant fares, it is advisable to agree a price in advance and clearly specify the destination. The prices of official cabs in St. Petersburg have fallen considerably, but there are still many illegal cabs. It is advisable to always book with a reliable service. A popular option is the Yandex application, which makes it easy to book a cab.