Here you will find practical answers to questions about private tours, choosing a guide, payment, additional costs and changes of plan.
Who will be with me, and how many people can take part?
A private tour is exclusively for you and the people you invite. We do not add guests you do not know. For engaging conversation with the guide, a party of up to 15 is ideal; for larger groups, we will suggest a suitable format, transport, radio headsets or division into several smaller groups.
How do you choose my guide, and when will I know their name?
We match the guide to the route, your party, the children's ages, the language, your preferred pace and the nature of the occasion. Every guide has specialist subjects, such as architecture, literature, theatre, the Metro, family programmes or Moscow's drinking history. We usually provide the guide's name in advance; once the booking is confirmed, you can view their profile on the website and receive their contact details.
Can I change the route or pace, or take a break?
Yes. The private format allows you to linger at a place you like, stop for coffee, take photographs, shorten one part of the programme and explore another in greater depth. We will be delighted to accommodate your wishes. Significant changes, additional hours and transport are best arranged before the tour begins.
Can we visit places that large group tours do not?
Sometimes, if the venue's rules and the particular route allow it. It is easier for a small party to remain quiet in a courtyard, entrance hall or small museum. For example, a more intimate format is better suited to the entrance hall of the “Bad Apartment” or brief stops on the theatre tour. We cannot promise access to closed sites without permission.
What additional costs might there be?
We agree these in advance. Drinks and food on the alcohol-themed tour, museum tickets and admission to the Sun of Moscow observation wheel, Flying Over Moscow at Zaryadye or Panorama 360 may be charged separately. If a venue's rules require a ticket to be purchased for the guide, this will also be taken into account before booking.
What happens in bad weather?
Ordinary rain does not always prevent a walking tour, but in genuinely adverse conditions we will offer to reschedule, change the time or choose a more suitable format. We will make the decision together with you, taking the route, transport and any tickets already purchased into account.
Will I receive a refund if I cancel my booking?
We will first offer to reschedule the tour for a convenient date. If rescheduling is not suitable, the refund will depend on the tour format.
Walking tour. If you cancel before the day of the tour, we will almost always refund the deposit in full. If you cancel on the day of the tour, we will deduct a small amount to compensate the guide for the time reserved.
Tour by car. The refund will depend on how much time remains before the tour begins:
- More than 14 days in advance. We will refund the deposit in full. We will not deduct any transport or guide costs.
- Between 14 days and 24 hours in advance. We will not deduct any compensation for the guide from the deposit. If transport has already been booked and the transport provider will not refund its cost, we will deduct only that amount. If transport has not yet been booked, we will refund the deposit in full.
- Less than 24 hours in advance. We will deduct the amount we are required to pay for transport already booked, as well as compensation for the guide’s reserved time. This is usually the entire deposit.
We will also deduct any other non-refundable costs agreed in advance, such as tickets already purchased. We will refund the remaining amount and provide a breakdown of the calculation.
How do I pay for the tour?
Place your order using the form in the catalogue or on the page of your chosen tour, specify the date and time, and pay the deposit using any available method. Once confirmed, you will receive the guide's name and contact details, together with the exact meeting point. The remaining balance is usually paid after the tour; terms may differ for certain bookings and will be agreed in advance.
Why is a deposit required?
It reserves your chosen date, time and guide in the schedule and allows us to confirm transport or ticket arrangements where required. The exact amount and payment method are shown before you complete your order.
Are discounts available?
Discounts may be available for returning clients and when booking several tours. The terms depend on the programme, date, party size and transport.
May alcohol be consumed during the tour?
Alcohol may be consumed in moderation on routes where it forms part of the programme, such as the tour of Moscow's drinking culture that includes visits to bars. Guests pay separately for drinks and food. Drinking alcohol in the vehicle is prohibited.
Can I book a tour for one person or a large group?
Yes. We offer tours for solo guests as well as families, friends, business parties and corporate groups. For a large party, we will plan the arrangements in advance so that everyone can hear the guide clearly and the tour maintains a comfortable pace.