Visiting the Moscow Kremlin is a must for anyone traveling to Moscow, but like any popular tourist destination, it can come with long wait times. To make the most of your visit and avoid spending hours in line, here are several tips on how to skip the lines and make your trip to the Kremlin as smooth as possible.
1. Purchase Tickets in Advance
One of the easiest ways to skip the lines is to buy your tickets online before your visit. The Kremlin offers an official website where you can purchase entry tickets for the Kremlin Museums, cathedrals, and other attractions inside the Kremlin complex. Buying tickets in advance guarantees entry and helps avoid waiting in ticket lines.
Why It’s Effective:
- Purchasing tickets ahead of time gives you priority access, allowing you to bypass the regular ticket queues. You’ll save time and can go straight to the security check and entrance.
How to Do It:
- Visit the official Kremlin website or trusted ticket platforms like Viator or GetYourGuide to book tickets for the specific sites you want to visit, such as the Armoury Chamber, Assumption Cathedral, and the State Kremlin Palace.
2. Use a Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access
Many guided tours of the Kremlin offer skip-the-line access as part of their services. These tours typically include an English-speaking guide who takes care of all the logistics and ensures that you don’t have to wait in the general lines. Tours can be private or group-based, and they allow you to explore the Kremlin with expert insights.
Why It’s Effective:
- Guided tours are often given priority access to avoid the crowds. Plus, the added benefit is you get to learn about the Kremlin’s history, architecture, and significance from a knowledgeable guide.
How to Do It:
- Book a Kremlin skip-the-line tour through reputable platforms like Viator, GetYourGuide, or Moscow Tours. Many tours include fast-track access to key attractions inside the Kremlin and sometimes even skip the security checks.
3. Arrive Early or Late in the Day
If you prefer to explore the Kremlin on your own without a guide, arriving early or later in the afternoon can help you avoid the crowds. The Kremlin is a popular attraction, and it tends to get busier as the day progresses, especially during peak tourist seasons.
Why It’s Effective:
- Early morning visits (right when the Kremlin opens) typically have fewer tourists, allowing you to avoid the long queues and explore the sites with more space and freedom.
- Late afternoon (1–2 hours before closing) is another great time when some tourists begin to leave, and the crowds thin out again.
How to Do It:
- Aim to arrive at the Kremlin’s opening time, which is usually at 9:30 AM, or visit during late afternoon hours around 4:00 PM or later. Check the opening hours on the official Kremlin website to plan accordingly.
4. Use the Kremlin’s Special Entrance for Groups
If you’re traveling as part of a group tour, you’ll likely have access to a special entrance that bypasses the general visitor line. Many group tours come with exclusive entrance privileges that allow visitors to skip the long queues.
Why It’s Effective:
- Group tours typically enter through dedicated entrances designed to accommodate multiple visitors at once, allowing you to avoid waiting in the public lines.
How to Do It:
- Book a group tour through official sources or travel agencies. Make sure to ask if the tour includes priority access or a special entrance to avoid waiting in line.
5. Consider Visiting on Weekdays
The Kremlin can get very crowded on weekends, especially in the summer months. For a more relaxed experience, consider visiting on a weekday, when there are fewer tourists.
Why It’s Effective:
- Weekdays, particularly Monday through Thursday, generally see fewer crowds. This means shorter lines for tickets, security checks, and attractions.
How to Do It:
- Plan your visit for a weekday and try to avoid weekends or Russian holidays (e.g., New Year’s, Victory Day) when the crowds are at their peak.
6. Avoid Peak Tourist Seasons
The Kremlin is most crowded during the summer months and around major Russian holidays. If you’re flexible with your travel dates, consider visiting during the off-season (late fall, winter, or early spring) when the number of visitors is significantly lower.
Why It’s Effective:
- Off-peak seasons mean fewer tourists, which results in shorter lines at both the entrance and the attractions inside the Kremlin.
How to Do It:
- Plan your visit for fall, winter, or early spring when the weather is colder, and fewer tourists flock to Moscow.
7. Take Advantage of the Moscow Pass or City Pass
If you plan on visiting multiple attractions in Moscow, consider purchasing a Moscow Pass or a City Pass, which often includes skip-the-line access to popular sites like the Kremlin, Red Square, and St. Basil’s Cathedral. These passes can help you save time and money.
Why It’s Effective:
- The Moscow Pass gives you priority access to key sites, and it can also allow you to skip the lines at popular attractions like the Kremlin Armoury and the Cathedrals.
How to Do It:
- Buy a Moscow Pass or City Pass online before your visit. These passes often include digital tickets that can be scanned for entry, further reducing waiting times.
8. Choose Off-Peak Days
On holidays like New Year’s, Victory Day, and public celebrations, the Kremlin tends to be extremely crowded. If possible, avoid visiting during these times to prevent lengthy wait times.
Why It’s Effective:
- If you avoid peak national holidays, you’ll encounter shorter lines and a less stressful visit.
How to Do It:
- Check the Russian holiday calendar to avoid major public holidays. For instance, visiting in January (except around New Year) or October will often be quieter.
Conclusion
To skip the lines at the Moscow Kremlin, the key is planning ahead and being strategic about the time of day, the season, and how you buy your tickets. By purchasing tickets in advance, opting for guided tours, and visiting at the right time, you can maximize your time spent exploring the Kremlin’s rich history and stunning architecture, all while avoiding long waits. Whether you choose to book skip-the-line tickets or go early to enjoy the quieter hours, you’ll have more time to take in the beauty of one of the most important cultural landmarks in Russia.
