Russia's transportation network is heavily reliant on rail, which serves as the vital circulatory system binding the colossal country together. The state-owned Russian Railways (RZD) operates one of the largest networks in the world, famously anchored by the Trans-Siberian Railway connecting Moscow to Vladivostok. High-speed rail, such as the *Sapsan*, connects Moscow and Saint Petersburg in under four hours.
Aviation is crucial for traversing the immense distances across Siberia and the Far East, with Moscow's Sheremetyevo (SVO), Domodedovo (DME), and Vnukovo (VKO) serving as the main international and domestic hubs.
Public transit within cities is generally excellent and affordable. Major cities possess extensive networks of buses, trams, and trolleybuses. The Moscow Metro and Saint Petersburg Metro are world-renowned, not only for their efficiency and depth but for their breathtaking, palace-like station architecture. The road network is vast but of variable quality, with major modern highways radiating from Moscow, though rural roads can be notoriously difficult to navigate in winter and spring thaws.
