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Patient groups welcome additional NHS support to cover cost of hospital travel

  • Long term conditions
  • Older people
  • Patient care

Please see our  Transport support for patients attending in-centre haemodialysis page , for the most up-to-date information.

Every patient who needs kidney dialysis will benefit from free transport to and from vital hospital appointments, the NHS in England announced today.

New rules will also come into place to make it simpler for other patients to get free transport, including those with long term conditions and mobility problems.

After a full public consultation period, the updated criteria would mean all 21,000 kidney dialysis patients will be eligible for free transport to hospital appointments.

The new offer have been developed in partnership with patient groups and will be used and funded by local health systems when arranging transport services for people in their areas.

A patient or their family will be offered appropriate transport or be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel, when they are referred to hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests.

New guidance follows an extensive review commissioned by former NHS chief executive Simon Stevens into non-emergency patient transport services, which help people who need regular hospital care but who can’t travel by themselves, to attend important hospital appointments. It includes those who have:

  • a medical need for transport, for example because they require oxygen while travelling which needs specialised equipment or support
  • a cognitive or sensory impairment that requiring the support of patient transport staff or trained driver
  • no other suitable transport option given their wider mobility or medical needs, and treatment or discharge would be missed or severely delayed

Around 11 million patient transport journeys are taken every year in England, covering a combined 140 million miles – roughly the distance of travelling 5,600 times around the earth – and accounting for around a fifth of direct NHS transport emissions.

As well as improving the experience of patients who need to make these journeys, the plan will introduce requirements to reduce their environmental cost, supporting the health service’s world-leading ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2045.

The NHS has worked extensively with patient groups including Age UK, Healthwatch England and Kidney Care UK as part of the review to ensure that the needs of patients have been at the forefront of the proposals.

Professor Stephen Powis, the NHS’s national medical director, said : “The NHS is easing the health and financial costs of long-term conditions.

“Digital, video and phone consultations all have their part to play, but each year patients still need millions of convenient face-to-face appointments with hospitals and GPs. That’s why these new arrangements – developed in partnership with patients’ groups – will make it easier to get convenient NHS care, while easing the financial burden of long-term health conditions and helping reduce the health service’s carbon footprint.”

Imelda Redmond CBE, National Director, Healthwatch England, said : “It’s good to see that NHS England have listened to the experiences of thousands of people with this review and committed to significant improvements to better support them in getting to and from their hospital appointments.

“With the key challenge people told us about being the vague eligibility criteria for travel support, we hope the changes to set more consistent measures that determine entitlement will be particularly welcomed, along with improvements to patient communication and access to additional financial or information support outside of the service.

“People requiring non-emergency hospital transport are often older, disabled or living with a long-term condition, such as patients needing renal dialysis. For them, these services are incredibly important in ensuring that appointments aren’t missed, or that transport issues don’t exacerbate the physical and emotional stress of travelling and receiving medical treatment.

“We look forward to supporting NHSE in implementing the changes and ensuring they work for everyone who relies on hospital transport.”

Fiona Loud, Policy Director of Kidney Care UK, said : “As a member of the NEPTS Review Expert Advisory Group, we are delighted to welcome the universal transport support commitment for all of the 21,000 kidney patients on dialysis, who receive their treatment in hospitals or satellite units.

“For far too long we have heard about the variable and often difficult experiences many individuals have when travelling for their life-sustaining treatment, with transport regularly at the bottom of Kidney Care UK’s annual survey of patient experience.

“These new proposals show a real determination to improve patient care. National data, including waiting times, will be monitored and published, providing a real opportunity to improve the day to day experience for people who have to make over 300 journeys a year to get to and from their life-maintaining treatments.”

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said : “Older people have been telling us for some time about how difficult it can be for them to get to and from hospital for clinic appointments and the like, so we were delighted to take part in this NHS England review.

“Non-emergency patient transport has been something of a Cinderella service for far too long, because when it works well it can make the world of difference to an older person who may otherwise find it unbelievably stressful and tiring accessing hospital services when they need them.

“It’s great that NHS England is committing to review the criteria which determine entitlement to hospital transport, and to improving the overall quality of the service too. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating, but we really do hope that the outcomes of this review will make an appreciable difference to many older people, up and down the land.”

“We would also like to thank NHS England for sticking with the review and seeing it through to a successful conclusion, when they have had so much else to focus on over the last fifteen months.”

Among the specific measures announced include:

  • A new universal transport support offer for patients travelling to and from renal dialysis.
  • Overhauling the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme to make it easier for people on a low income to claim back journey costs.
  • A commitment to 100% zero emissions journeys by 2035, except for ambulance journeys and volunteers driving their own cars.

The review also sets out a path to making greater use of technology to better communicate with patients and coordinate journeys, expanding the role of community transport, and improving accountability, procurement and contracting.

Subject to Parliamentary approval of reforms to the NHS announced by the Government this week, the review also confirms that Integrated Care Systems will be responsible for commissioning and overseeing the quality of patient transport across their areas from April 2022.

Patient transport emits up to 65 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide a year, around 20% of direct NHS transport emissions, and costs the NHS around £460 million each year, around the same amount as radiotherapy.

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The Healthcare Travel Costs scheme

You may be able to claim a refund under the 'Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme' of the cost of travelling to University Hospitals for NHS-funded treatment or a diagnostic test arranged by a doctor or dentist. To qualify for help with travel costs you must meet three conditions:

1. At the time of your appointment, you or your partner (including civil partners) must be receiving one of the qualifying benefits or allowances, or meet the eligibility criteria of the  NHS Low Income Scheme .

2. Your journey must be made to receive NHS-funded non-primary medical or non-primary dental care services, to which you have been referred to by a GP, dentist or hospital consultant.

3. For referrals made by a primary practitioner such a GP or dentist, the service must be provided on a different day and in premises other than those occupied by the practitioner who made the referral.

You can claim travel costs for your children if 2 or 3 above applies to them and you are in group 1 above at the time of the appointment. Any young person aged 16 or over may make their own claim - there is more information on the NHS website

You can claim travel costs for an escort, if your doctor, dentist or consultant says that for medical reasons you need someone to travel with you.

You cannot claim help with travel costs, if you are visiting someone in hospital. However, visitors in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits may be able to receive assistance in the form of a Discretionary Care Grant. Furt​her information about this assistance can be obtained from your local council.

Please click here for more information  (external link to NHS choices).​

NHS Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme  (external .gov website)​

Get healthcare cover abroad with a UK GHIC or UK EHIC

The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get necessary state healthcare in EU countries, and some other countries, on the same basis as a resident of that country. This may be free or it may require a payment equivalent to that which a local resident would pay.

The UK GHIC has replaced the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you have an existing EHIC you can continue to use it until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you'll need to apply for a UK GHIC to replace it.

You can apply for a new card up to 9 months before your current card expires.

A UK GHIC is free and lasts for up to 5 years. Apply for your new card through the NHS website. Avoid unofficial websites – they may charge you a fee to apply.

If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you can choose to apply for a new UK EHIC instead.

The UK GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. We advise you to have private travel and medical insurance for the duration of your trip.

We also recommend you check FCDO travel advice on GOV.UK for the country you're visiting.

You can apply for a UK GHIC if you're a resident in the UK. You can also add your family members to your application when you apply.

You'll need to provide your:

  • date of birth
  • National Insurance or NHS number (if you're from England or Wales)
  • CHI number (if you're from Scotland)
  • Health and Care number (if you're from Northern Ireland)

Applying for family members

Every member of your family needs their own card. You can add your spouse, civil partner and children to your application when you apply. You must enter your own details first and apply for any additional cards when prompted.

If you've already completed your application and want to add additional family members contact NHS Overseas Healthcare Services . You'll need to give us your reference number, name, date of birth and address so we can access your record.

After you apply

After you've submitted your application, we'll email you within 24 hours to let you know whether it has been approved or not (if you don't get a reply, check your junk folder). We may need to see additional information or documents before approving it.

Once your application has been approved, you should receive your new card within 15 working days. It will be sent to you by post.

If you do not receive it before you travel, and need medically necessary treatment during your visit, you can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) to get temporary cover. For more information, see "If you don't have your card with you" towards the end of this page.

If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement

If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you can choose to apply for a new UK EHIC rather than a UK GHIC. A UK EHIC provides cover for some countries that are not currently covered by the UK GHIC (these are Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein). Like the UK GHIC, it's free and lasts up to 5 years. You can find out if you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement on GOV.UK.

What your card covers

You can use your card to get state healthcare that cannot reasonably wait until you come back to the UK (sometimes called "medically necessary healthcare"). This includes things like:

  • emergency treatment and visits to A&E
  • treatment or routine medical care for long-term or pre-existing medical conditions
  • routine maternity care, as long as you're not going abroad to give birth

You'll need to pre-arrange some treatments with the relevant healthcare provider in the country you're visiting – for example, kidney dialysis or chemotherapy – as it's not guaranteed that local healthcare providers will always have the capacity to provide this care.

Whether treatment is medically necessary is decided by the healthcare provider in the country you're visiting.

Not all state healthcare is free outside of the UK. You may have to pay for treatment that you would get for free on the NHS, if a local resident would be expected to pay in the country you're visiting.

Before travelling, you should check the state-provided healthcare services in the country you're visiting and any potential charges you may face.

Check the relevant country guide on GOV.UK for information on how to access treatment in the country you're visiting

What your card does not cover

A UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) does not replace travel and medical insurance or cover services like:

  • being flown back to the UK (medical repatriation)
  • treatment in a private medical facility
  • ski or mountain rescue

We advise that you have a UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) and private travel and medical insurance for the duration of your trip.

Where you can use your card

You can use a UK GHIC when you're visiting:

  • an EU country ( see a list of EU countries on GOV.UK )
  • Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man
  • St Helena, Tristan and Ascension

You can use a UK GHIC in Switzerland if you're one of the following:

  • a British national
  • a Swiss national
  • an EU citizen
  • a stateless person
  • a family member of someone who holds one of the above nationalities or statuses

The UK government is negotiating with other countries to expand the use of the UK GHIC, so always check coverage before you travel.

You can use a UK EHIC when you're visiting:

  • Liechtenstein
  • Switzerland

Visiting Norway

You can use a UK passport to get medically necessary healthcare in Norway if you're a UK resident.

Visiting Montenegro

You can get free emergency treatment in Montenegro but you'll have to pay for your prescribed medicines and for other medical treatment.

If you're a UK national, your UK passport will give you access to emergency healthcare in Montenegro.

If you're a UK resident but not a UK national you'll need your passport and a UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) to get emergency healthcare.

Getting healthcare in other countries

You'll have to pay for treatment unless the UK has a healthcare agreement with that country .

Check if you're eligible for a UK GHIC

You'll be entitled to a UK GHIC if both of these things apply:

  • you're ordinarily and legally resident in the UK
  • you do not have healthcare cover provided by an EU country or Switzerland

There is information about what "ordinarily resident" means on GOV.UK

You may also be entitled to a UK GHIC if you're:

  • living in the EU or Switzerland with a registered S1 form
  • living in the EU or Switzerland with an A1 document issued by the UK
  • a family member or dependant of an entitled individual already listed

Check if you're eligible for a UK EHIC

You may be eligible for a new UK EHIC if you meet one of the following criteria:

  • you're living in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, and have been since before 1 January 2021 with a registered S1, E121, E106 or E109 form issued by the UK
  • you're living in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein since before 1 January 2021 with an A1 issued by the UK
  • you're a national of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein who has legally resided in the UK since before 1 January 2021 and are covered under the Withdrawal Agreement – you may not be covered if you are also a UK national or if you were born in the UK
  • you're a family member or dependant of an entitled individual already listed

If your circumstances change and you no longer meet one of the above criteria, you may not be entitled to continue using the card and should contact NHS Overseas Healthcare Services .

You must be entitled to use your UK GHIC or UK EHIC at the time of the treatment. If you use it to access healthcare that you're not entitled to, you may be liable for the full cost of all treatment received or face prosecution.

Applying for a UK Student EHIC or UK GHIC

To apply for a UK Student EHIC or UK GHIC, you'll need a letter from your university or college showing:

  • the name and address of the UK educational institution if you're travelling as part of your course
  • the address of where you're studying in the EU or Switzerland
  • details of the qualification you're studying for
  • the dates your study period in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland started and is due to finish
  • your permanent residential address in the UK

If the letter from your university or college does not include your permanent residential address in the UK, you'll be asked to provide further evidence to confirm this.

This is in addition to the information set out in "How to apply" above.

Students studying in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland applying for a UK Student EHIC or UK GHIC

If you normally live in the UK and have been studying in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland since before 1 January 2021, you may be eligible for a new UK Student EHIC for use in the EU and your country of study.

You will not be able to use this card for treatment in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein unless one of these countries is your country of study.

If you started your course after 1 January 2021, or you're planning to study in an EU country, you'll need to apply for a UK Student GHIC. If you're studying in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein you can also apply for a UK GHIC but it will not cover you for treatment in those countries, even if you are studying there.

You can use the UK Student GHIC in the EU, Switzerland and your country of study, but not yet in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

Using a UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) when abroad

You should take your UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) with you when you travel abroad. If you need medically necessary treatment, you'll need to present the card to the hospital (or other service provider) that is treating you – make sure that you are being treated at a public health provider and not a private one. Keep all receipts and paperwork.

Depending on the country you visit you may be expected to pay all or part of your bill upfront and then claim a refund afterwards.

Some countries ask patients to pay a contribution towards the cost of their care. This is known as a co-payment or patient share. You can claim back the difference between the total bill and the co-payment, but the actual co-payment is not refundable.

Your UK GHIC or UK EHIC will not cover costs that a local resident would have to pay.

If you don't have your card with you

If you need emergency treatment when you're in another country and do not have your UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) with you, you can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC). A PRC gives you the same level of cover as a UK GHIC or UK EHIC.

A PRC also covers you if you've applied for a UK GHIC or UK EHIC and it has not arrived yet.

Find out more about PRCs and how to apply for one

You'll need to pay in full for treatment if you do not have a UK GHIC, UK EHIC or PRC. You should ask for a copy of your invoice and obtain a receipt.

How to claim a refund

To claim a refund for healthcare covered by your UK GHIC or UK EHIC, you'll need to download and fill in a refund claim form and send it to NHS Overseas Healthcare Services. You should include receipts and any supporting documents with your claim form.

Find out how to claim a refund for healthcare covered by your UK GHIC or UK EHIC

Incorrect charges for treatment

If you think you've been incorrectly charged for medical treatment, contact NHS Overseas Healthcare Services .

Keep all documents relating to your treatment. You may need to provide more information to confirm your eligibility and the cost of the treatment you had. This could include:

  • receipts or invoices relating to treatment
  • confirmation that the treatment was state-provided
  • confirmation of payments made to healthcare institutions
  • documents relating to insurance cover if your insurer paid for treatment
  • discharge documents

NHS Overseas Healthcare Services will look at your claim to decide whether you were charged when you should have been covered. If they determine that your treatment should have been covered by the UK GHIC or UK EHIC, they'll reimburse you or your insurer for the costs of treatment that are covered by your card.

If you suspect GHIC or EHIC fraud

If you suspect that somebody has fraudulently applied for or used a UK GHIC or UK EHIC they are not entitled to, you can report this to the NHS Counter Fraud Authority .

Alternatively, you can email your concern to us at [email protected] .

Page last reviewed: 12 December 2023 Next review due: 12 December 2026

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Reclaiming travel costs

Patients who are not eligbile for Medical Non-Emergency Transport may be able to claim a refund for travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS). This covers reasonable costs of travelling to hospital or other NHS premises for NHS-funded treatment or diagnostic tests arranged by a doctor or dentist. To be eligible, the patient must be on a low income or in receipt of qualifying benefits ; and be unable to get a friend or relative to take them.

Further details can be found on the NHS England website .

As a general rule your reimbursement should be made by the hospital where you have attended for treatment. However, where this is not possible, an HC5 form should be completed and sent together with your travel receipts to:

NHS Business Services Authority, Bridge House, 152 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 6SN.

You can make a postal claim up to three months after your appointment has taken place.

You may claim for the travel costs of one helper to come with you, if this is considered medically necessary. The relevant section of the HTCS claim form must be completed by a member of medical staff.

You may claim for the cheapest form of public transport   available, including concessionary and promotional fares.

You may claim a locally agreed mileage rate of 15p per mile to and from your home address (determined by Google Maps) plus parking charges. You may not claim for any penalty notices.

As a rule taxis fares are not refunded but are paid at private car rates (as above). Patients are assessed on an individual basis.

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Help with health costs (HCS1): information booklet - August 2021

Information booklet (HCS1) providing advice on what help a person may be entitled to for NHS charges.

Travel Costs (to hospital for NHS treatment)

You can get help with necessary travel costs (including travel costs for your dependent children) if you:

  • Income Support;
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance ( ESA ) paid on its own or with contribution-based ESA :
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance ( JSA ) paid on its own or with contribution-based JSA ;
  • Universal Credit;
  • and had no earnings or net earnings (take-home pay) of £435 or less during the most recent assessment period; or
  • which includes an element for a child and/or limited capability for work or limited capability for work related activity, and had no earnings (take-home pay) or net earnings of £935 or less during the most recent assessment period;
  • are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate;
  • are named on a valid HC2 certificate for full help under the NHS Low Income Scheme;
  • are a war pensioner and the hospital treatment is for your pensionable disablement.

Note: contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance or contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance on their own do not entitle you to help with travel costs.

  • For children under 16 and those aged 16 to 18.

Partial help:

  • if you are named on a valid HC3 certificate you might get some help with travel costs.

Email: [email protected]

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How does the refund process work?

Because of the pandemic, the airline industry is facing a difficult situation with a large number of flight cancellations and pending payment refunds. If you wish to change or cancel your flight reservation, we will contact the airline on your behalf, although please keep in mind that airline rules vary from airline to airline and we cannot guarantee that the airline you are traveling with will be able to meet your request. Please know that we are doing our best to support you in this challenging situation. Read more about our fee for the manual handling here.  

We handle all refunds or change requests in the order we receive them and the expected handling time is longer than usual due to the pandemic and the increased volume. We are doing our very best to assist you as quickly as possible. 

How will you keep me informed about updates? 

You will receive an email when your change or refund has been processed and we ask you to wait for such further information via email before contacting us. Remember that you can check your refund status by logging in to "My Bookings", which you can access through the top right corner of our site, or by clicking here. Log in with Facebook or Google if you used your linked email account to make the booking, or enter your order number and the email you used when booking.

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Can I claim a refund for costs paid before the start date of my HC2 or HC3 certificate?

If you paid for NHS health costs up to 3 months before your certificate start date, you can claim a refund.

Refunds must be claimed within 3 months of the charge being paid.

Read more information about how to claim a refund .

Check what help you could get to pay for NHS costs and apply online .

Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE)

Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE) provides reimbursement of excess travel or accommodation costs incurred due to undertaking practical training on a clinical placement.

How to claim TDAE

You must apply for an NHS Bursary and be assessed as eligible for at least the £1,000 non-means tested grant. Then you can:

  • Download a TDAE claim form (PDF: 828MB)
  • Send your completed form and any relevant invoices or receipts to your university.

You can submit your claim up to 9 months from the last day of the placement period you’re claiming for.

For Academic year 2023 to 2024 - New Rates have been introduced for excess Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses

You could claim:

  • bicycle - 30p per mile
  • motor vehicles - 42p per mile
  • passenger miles - 7.5p per mile

Travel costs can also include:

  • car parking
  • permit charges
  • congestion charges
  • tunnel or bridge tolls
  • community travel

Temporary accommodation

If you’re eligible, you could claim back up to:

  • £82.50 per night for commercial accommodation (for example, hotel, bed and breakfast)
  • £37.50 per night for non-commercial accommodation (for example, with a friend or relative, but not parents)

Overseas placements

If you attend a placement outside the UK, Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands, you could claim money back for:

  • accommodation
  • medical tests
  • vaccinations

Find out more in our TDAE Guidance Booklet (PDF: 2.36MB)

You can watch a short (YouTube) video with information about TDAE .

Placements that commenced in the 2022 to 2023 academic year will be reimbursed at the old rates 

Excess travel costs.

The cost to and from your placement must be more than your normal daily travel cost to and from your university.

If you’re eligible, you could claim:

  • bicycle - 20p per mile
  • motor vehicles - 28p per mile
  • passenger miles - 5p per mile
  • £55 per night for commercial accommodation (for example, hotel, bed and breakfast)
  • £25 per night for non-commercial accommodation (for example, with a friend or relative, but not parents)

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Bursary fraud

Find out how to report suspected bursary fraud.

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Moscow-City: 7 surprising facts about the Russian capital’s business center

travel refund nhs

1. Guinness World Record in highlining

travel refund nhs

The record was set in 2019 by a team of seven athletes from Russia, Germany, France and Canada. They did it on September 8, on which the ‘Moscow-City Day’ is celebrated. The cord was stretched at the height of 350 m between the ‘OKO’ (“Eye”) and ‘Neva Towers’ skyscrapers. The distance between them is 245 m. The first of the athletes to cross was Friede Kuhne from Germany. The athletes didn't just walk, but also performed some daredevil tricks. Their record is 103 meters higher than the previous one set in Mexico City in December 2016.

travel refund nhs

2. Domination of Europe's top-10 highest skyscrapers

7 out of 10 Europe’s highest skyscrapers are located in Moscow-City. Earlier, the  ‘Federation Tower’ complex’s ‘Vostok’ (“East”) skyscraper was the considered the tallest in Europe.

Left to right: the lower of the ‘Neva Towers’ (296 m), Commerzbank Tower in Frankfurt (300 m), Gorod Stolits (“City of Capitals”) Moscow tower (302 m), Eurasia tower (309 m), The Shard’ skyscraper in London (310 m), Mercury City Tower (339 m), Neva Towers (345 m).

Left to right: the lower of the ‘Neva Towers’ (296 m), Commerzbank Tower in Frankfurt (300 m), Gorod Stolits (“City of Capitals”) Moscow tower (302 m), Eurasia tower (309 m), The Shard’ skyscraper in London (310 m), Mercury City Tower (339 m), Neva Towers (345 m).

However, in 2018, the construction of the 462 meter tall ‘Lakhta Center’ in Saint-Petersburg was completed, pushing ‘Vostok’ (374 m) into 2nd place. The 3rd place is taken by OKO’s southern tower (354 m).

3. The unrealized ‘Rossiya’ tower

travel refund nhs

If all the building plans of Moscow-City were realized, the ‘Lakhta Center’ in St. Petersburg wouldn't have a chance to be Europe's highest skyscraper. Boris Tkhor, the architect who designed the concept of Moscow-City, had planned for the ‘Rossiya’ tower to be the tallest. In his project, it was a 600 meter tall golden cylindrical skyscraper ending with a spire that was inspired by traditional Russian bell towers. Then, the project was reinvented by famous British architect Sir Norman Foster. He had designed ‘Rossiya’ as a pyramid ending with a spire. The skyscraper itself would have been 612 meters tall, and the height including the spire would have reached 744,5 meters (for comparison, the ‘Burj Khalifa’ in Dubai, UAE, would have been just 83,5 meters taller). Unfortunately, the investors faced a lot of economic problems, due to the 2008 financial crisis, so the ‘Rossiya’ skyscraper was never built. A shopping mall and the ‘Neva Towers’ complex was constructed at its place in 2019.

4. Changed appearance of ‘Federation Tower’

travel refund nhs

In its first project, the ‘Federation Tower’ was designed to resemble a ship with a mast and two sails. The mast was to be represented by a tall glass spire with passages between the towers. It was planned to make a high-speed lift in it. The top of the spire was going to be turned into an observation deck. But the ship lost its mast in the middle of its construction. Experts at the Moscow-city Museum based in the ‘Imperia’ (“Empire”) tower say, that the construction of the spire was stopped, firstly, due to fire safety reasons and secondly, because it posed a threat to helicopter flights – the flickering glass of the spire could potentially blind the pilots. So, the half-built construction was disassembled. However, an observation deck was opened in the ‘Vostok’ tower.

5. Open windows of ‘Federation Tower’

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We all know that the windows of the upper floors in different buildings don’t usually open. Experts say that it’s not actually for people’s safety. Falling from a big height is likely to be fatal in any building. The actual reason is the ventilation system. In a skyscraper, it’s managed with a mechanical system, and the building has its own climate. But in the ‘Zapad’ (“West”) tower of the ‘Federation Tower’ complex, the windows can open. The 62nd and last floor of the tower are taken up by a restaurant called ‘Sixty’. There, the windows are equipped with a special hydraulic system. They open for a short period of time accompanied by classical music, so the guests can take breathtaking photos of Moscow.

6. Broken glass units of ‘Federation Tower’

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The guests of the ‘Sixty’ restaurant at the top of the ‘Zapad’ tower can be surprised to see cracked glass window panes. It is particularly strange, if we take into consideration the special type of this glass. It is extremely solid and can’t be broken once installed. For example, during experiments people threw all sorts of heavy items at the windows, but the glass wouldn’t break. The broken glass units of ‘Zapad’ were already damaged during shipment . As each of them is curved in its own way to make the tower’s curvature smooth, making a new set of window panes and bringing them to Russia was deemed too expensive . Moreover, the investors had financial problems (again, due to the 2008 financial crisis), so the ‘Vostok’ tower even stood unfinished for several years. Eventually, the cracked window panes were installed in their place.

7. The highest restaurant in Europe

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‘Birds’, another restaurant in Moscow-City, is remarkable for its location. It was opened at the end of 2019 on the 84th floor of the ‘OKO’ complex’s southern tower. Guests at the restaurant can enjoy an amazing panoramic view at a height of 336 meters. On January 28, the experts of ‘Kniga Recordov Rossii’ (“Russian Records Book”) declared ‘Birds’ the highest restaurant in Europe, a step toward an application for a Guinness World Record.

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

19 Unique And Fabulous Experiences In Moscow

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  • Destinations

Thinking of visiting Russia? When visiting such a famous city, one must, of course, visit the iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists. Once you’ve seen the sights that are on most travelers’ lists, it’s time to branch out and visit some of the lesser-known sites, and there are some fascinating places to see and things to do.

I know this list is long, but I just couldn’t help myself. You probably won’t have the time to see them all. But that’s okay. Just scroll through the list and choose what sounds the most interesting to you. Where possible, make sure to book in advance, as things can get crowded, especially during high season.

Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, Russia

1. The Red Square, Kremlin, And Surroundings

Red Square (Krasnya Ploshad) is the heart and soul of Russia, and where much of the country’s history has unfolded. This is the most famous landmark in Moscow and indeed the whole country, it’s an absolute must-do! The square is always full of people and has a rather festive atmosphere!

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

This is the famous church with the rainbow-colored, onion-domed roof. The cathedral was commissioned in the 1500s by Ivan the Terrible and according to legend, the Tsar thought it was so beautiful, that he ordered that the architect’s eyes be cut out afterward, so he could never build anything more beautiful! He wasn’t called Ivan the Terrible for no reason!

Lenin’s Mausoleum

The “love-it-or-hate-it” of tourist attractions in Russia. A glass sarcophagus containing the embalmed body of Russian revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin. It may seem a bit bizarre to display the mummy of a person, but it has been there for almost half a century and the 2.5 million visitors who come each year, clearly feel the queuing and thorough body search are worth it, to be in Lenin’s presence.

Pro Tip: no photos and no loud talking are allowed inside the Mausoleum.

Eternal Flame

There is an Eternal Flame in honor of an unknown soldier on the left side of Red Square. The hourly changing of the guards is worth seeing.

The Kremlin is the official residence of the Russian president. You can see it from the outside, or you can take an excursion to one of the museums located inside. This is the biggest active fortress in Europe, and holds a week’s worth of attractions! Once behind the 7,332-feet of walls, there are five squares, four cathedrals, 20 towers, various museums, and the world’s largest bell and cannon to see. Worth a special mention is the Armory Chamber that houses a collection of the famous Faberge Eggs.

Pro Tip: You can only go inside the Kremlin if you are part of a tourist group.

Interior of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscos

2. Bolshoi Theatre

Bolshoi Theatre translates to “The Big Theatre” in Russian, and the building is home to both the Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera — among the oldest and most famous ballet and opera companies in the world.

Pro Tip: It’s hard to get an inexpensive ticket, so if you’re reading well in advance of going to Moscow then try buying tickets on the official website . Last-minute tickets cost around $250 per person. If this is out of your budget, about an hour before a performance, you can try buying a ticket at the entrance from a reseller. Most can speak enough English to negotiate the price.

Tour the Bolshoi Theatre: You can take a group guided tour of the Bolshoi Theatre which focuses on the history and architecture of the theatre and behind the scenes. There’s an English language tour that lasts 2 hours and costs around $300 for a group of up to six.

GUM, a popular department store in Moscow

3. Luxury Shopping At GUM And TSUM

Russia’s main department store, GUM, has a stunning interior that is home to over 100 high-end boutiques, selling a variety of brands: from luxurious Dior to the more affordable Zara. Even if shopping is not on your Moscow to-do list GUM is still worth a visit; the glass-roofed arcade faces Red Square and offers a variety of classy eateries. TSUM, one of the biggest luxury malls in town, is right behind the Bolshoi and GUM. It’s an imposing building with lots of history, and worth a visit just for its design and its glass roof.

Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow

4. Christ The Savior Cathedral

This is one of Russia’s most visited cathedrals and is a newer addition to the gorgeous array of Muscovite cathedrals, but don’t let its young age fool you. After perestroika, in the early 90s, the revived Russian Orthodox Church was given permission to build a cathedral on this site. It did the location honors and built the largest temple of the Christian Orthodox Church. The façade is as grand as you’d expect, but it’s the inside that will mesmerize you, with its domes, gold, gorgeous paintings, and decor!

The cathedral is located just a few hundred feet away from the Kremlin and was the site of the infamous Pussy Riot protest against Putin back in 2012.

Pro Tip: Bring a shawl to cover your hair as is the local custom.

Gates at Gorky Park in Moscow

5. Gorky Park

Moscow’s premier green space, Gorky Park (Park Gor’kogo) is the city’s biggest and most famous park. There is entertainment on offer here for every taste, from outdoor dancing sessions to yoga classes, volleyball, ping-pong, rollerblading, and bike and boat rental in summer. In winter, half the park turns into a huge ice skating rink. Gorky Park is also home to an open-air movie theater and the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art. There is also Muzeon Art Park, a dynamic contemporary space with a unique collection of 700 sculptures. It is located right in front of Gorky Park.

6. Sparrow Hills Park

If you take a walk from Gorky Park, along the Moscow River embankment, you’ll end up in the city’s other legendary park, Sparrow Hills. Although the park doesn’t offer as many activities as its hip neighbor, it has a great panoramic view of the city

Pro Tip: You can take a free walking tour to all of the above attractions with an English-speaking guide.

River cruise in Moscow

7. River Cruising

One of the best ways to experience Moscow, and see all the famous landmarks, but from a different angle, is from the Moscow River. Take a river cruise. Avoid the tourist crowds. There are little nameless old boats that do the cruise, but if you are looking for a more luxurious experience take the Radisson Blu cruise and enjoy the sights with some good food and a glass of wine.

Moscow Metro station

8. Metro Hopping

Inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow Metro system is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the world. Started in Stalinist times, each station is a work of art in its own right. I’d recommend touring the stations between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. This way, you’ll be able to properly see it without the crowds. Ideally, I’d recommend taking a tour with a knowledgeable guide with GuruWalk, who will tell you stories of forgotten stations and how the history of the country is interconnected with the metro development. If going by yourself, then I definitely recommend checking out: Mayakovskaya, Ploschad Revolutsii, Kievskaya, Kropotkinskaya, Kurskaya, and Novoslobodskaya stations.

Visit the free Moscow Metro Museum: For real train enthusiasts, located in the southern vestibule of Sportivnaya station is a small free museum. Here you can take a peek into the driver’s cabin, see a collection of metro tokens from different cities, and see different models of a turnstile, traffic lights, escalator, and more.

Moscow State University at dusk

9. Moscow State University View

In his effort to create a grander Moscow, Stalin had seven skyscrapers built in different parts of town; they’re called the Seven Sisters. The largest of these buildings and the one with the best view is the main building of the Moscow State University. Although this is a little outside the city center, the view is more than worth it.

Izmailovsky Market in Moscow, Russia

10. Izmailovsky Market

Mostly known for the city’s largest flea market, the district of Izmaylovo is home to a maze of shops where you can get just about anything, from artisan crafts to traditional fur hats, handcrafted jewelry, fascinating Soviet memorabilia, and antiquities. It’s also one of Moscow’s largest green spaces. There are often no price tags, so be prepared to haggle a bit. Head to one of the market cafes for a warming mulled wine before continuing your shopping spree.

The History of Vodka Museum is found here, and the museum’s restaurant is the perfect place to sample various brands of the national drink.

Once you’ve covered the more touristy spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer, and the places below will also be full of locals! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend the spots below!

The skyscrapers of Moscow City

11. Moscow City

With a completely different vibe, Moscow City (also referred to as Moscow International Business Center) is like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressive tall glass buildings. Here is where you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, like Ruski Restaurant, the highest restaurant both in Moscow City and in Europe. Moscow City is great for crowd-free shopping and the best panoramic views of the city.

Art in the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow

12. Tretyakov Gallery

Tretyakov Gallery started as the private collection of the Tretyakov brothers, who were 19th-century philanthropists. They gave their private collection to the government after their deaths. If there is just one museum you visit in Moscow, I recommend this one!

Tsaritsyno Museum Reserve, former residence of Catherine the Great

13. Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve

Tsaritsyno was a residence of Catherine the Great more than two centuries ago. It became derelict during the Soviet era but has now been fully renovated. With its opulently decorated buildings, gardens, meadows, and forests, Tsaritsyno Park is the perfect place for a green respite in Moscow.

Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve in Moscow

14. Kolomenskoye

A 10-minute metro ride from the city center is Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve, where you can get an idea of what Russia looked like 200 years ago. You’ll find ancient churches (one dating back to the 16th century), the oldest garden in Moscow, and the wonderful fairytale wooden palace of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, father of Peter the Great.

Ostankino TV Tower in Moscow at night

15. Ostankino TV Tower

Built in 1967, Ostankino TV Tower was the tallest free-standing construction in the world at the time, it’s still the 8th tallest building in the world and the highest in Europe. It’s also the best observation deck, with a glass floor and 360-degree views. The speedy elevators take you 1,105 feet in next to no time.

Pro Tip: You need to book in advance; entrance is based on specific ticket times and the capacity is limited and only a certain number of tourists are allowed per day. Don’t forget your passport, you’ll need it to get through security.

The floating bridge of Zaryadye Park in Moscow

16. Zaryadye Park

Zaryadye is a newly opened, landscaped urban park so new you won’t find it in a lot of tour guides. The park is near Red Square and is divided into four climatic zones: forest, steppe, tundra, and floodplains, depicting the variety of climatic zones in Russia.

These last three suggestions are a little quirky, but all are really worth checking out.

17. Museum Of Soviet Arcade Games

Release your inner child playing on 66 arcade machines from the Soviet era! What a great way to spend a couple of hours when tired of visiting museums and palaces. The staff speaks excellent English and are happy to explain how the games work.

The rooftops of Moscow, Russia

18. Moscow Rooftop Tour

Take a 1-hour private Moscow rooftop tour with an experienced roofer. I can just about guarantee none of your friends will be able to say they’ve done it! For your comfort, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Take your camera, there are some amazing photo opportunities out there!

A pool at Sanduny Banya in Moscow

19. Sanduny Banya

This classical Russian bathhouse opened its doors in 1808 and is famous for combining traditional Russian banya services with luxurious interiors and service. If you enjoy spas and saunas, then you should experience a Russian bathhouse at least once in your life! Go with an open mind and hire a specialist to steam you as it’s meant to be done — by being beaten repeatedly with a besom (a leafy branch)! This is said to improve circulation, but is best done by a professional!

So there you have my list of things to do in Moscow. I could have gone on and on and on, but I didn’t want to try your patience! There are so many things to do in this vibrant city that you’ll definitely need to allocate several days for exploring.

Here are some other reasons to visit Moscow and Russia:

  • 7 Reasons To Put Moscow On Your Travel Bucket List
  • Russia 30 Years (And 30 Pounds) Ago
  • Massive Mysterious Craters Appearing Again In Siberia

Image of Sarah Kingdom

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Africa at the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and guide, traveler, yoga teacher, trail runner, and mother of two. When she is not climbing or traveling she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides and runs trips regularly in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, taking climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times a year.

IMAGES

  1. HC5(T)

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  2. Coronavirus Travel Refund Tips

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  3. Apply for refund if you had treatment abroad

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  4. Covid: How can I get a refund on my holiday? Your travel questions

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  5. Claim a refund for travel costs to receive NHS treatment: form HC5W(T

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  6. How to Get a Travel Refund: 8 Steps to Follow

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COMMENTS

  1. Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS)

    Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) If you're referred to hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests by a doctor, dentist or another primary care health professional, you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS).

  2. How do I claim a refund of travel costs? · Customer Self-Service

    If the place of travel has a cashier's office, you can claim a refund by showing your receipts and evidence of your qualifying benefit or exemption at the time of treatment. If you're unable to claim a refund at the time of treatment, complete a HC5 (T) and return this with the original travel receipts. The HC5 form tells you where to send it.

  3. How do I apply for a refund of NHS health costs I've already paid?

    If you live in England. Download, print and return the relevant form: You can also order a form online and we'll post it to you. The HC5 (W) form cannot be ordered online. You must call 0300 330 1343 and we'll post the form to you. To claim a prescription refund, ask your pharmacist for a FP57 refund receipt when you pay. You cannot get one ...

  4. PDF HC5(T) Refund claim form

    HC5(T) Refund claim form: travel costs to receive NHS treatment Please read this page before filling in this form - it will help you make this claim correctly. Use a separate form for each person who has paid travel costs or has had travel costs paid for them. Part 4 tells you where to send the completed form.

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    Download and complete the Refund claim form. You cannot claim a refund for treatment in Montenegro. The amount refunded is decided by the country where treatment was received. All refunds are paid by Bacs (Bankers Automated Clearing System).

  6. PDF Help with travel costs

    The rules for deciding who can claim refunds for travel to hospital can seem complicated. The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) or the General Office at the hospital, or the ... www.nhs.uk Ring an NHS travel costs advisor on 0300 330 1343. This is the number on the HC5(T) which offers to help people with making a claim.

  7. NHS England » Patient groups welcome additional NHS support to cover

    A patient or their family will be offered appropriate transport or be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel, when they are referred to hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests. ... Professor Stephen Powis, the NHS's national medical director, said: "The NHS is easing the health and financial ...

  8. The Healthcare Travel Costs scheme

    The Healthcare Travel Costs scheme. You may be able to claim a refund under the 'Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme' of the cost of travelling to University Hospitals for NHS-funded treatment or a diagnostic test arranged by a doctor or dentist. To qualify for help with travel costs you must meet three conditions: 1.

  9. Applying for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC)

    A UK GHIC is free and lasts for up to 5 years. Apply for your new card through the NHS website. Avoid unofficial websites - they may charge you a fee to apply. If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you can choose to apply for a new UK EHIC instead. The UK GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance.

  10. Travel to receive NHS treatment

    If you live in Wales. Call 0345 603 1108 (select the option for health publications) and ask for an HC5 form to be sent to you. You might be able to get an HC5 from your Jobcentre, NHS hospital, GP practice, dentist or optician. Share this page. Includes who's entitled to help with the costs of sight tests, glasses, contact lenses and travel.

  11. PDF NHS Foundation Trust Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme Quick guide for

    Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) is a Department of Health scheme which allows patients on a low income or specific benefits to claim a refund for reasonable travel costs to hospital. Can I claim? You are eligible for reimbursement if you are in receipt of one of the following benefits:

  12. Reclaiming travel costs

    Reclaiming travel costs. Patients who are not eligbile for Medical Non-Emergency Transport may be able to claim a refund for travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS). This covers reasonable costs of travelling to hospital or other NHS premises for NHS-funded treatment or diagnostic tests arranged by a doctor or dentist.

  13. What NHS travel costs can be claimed? · Customer Self-Service

    What NHS travel costs can be claimed? Certain groups can claim help with the cost of travel to receive NHS care if they: We cannot advise how much you'll get for your travel costs. The cashier's department at the hospital you're attending can provide information about how much they're able to refund. If you need to use a taxi, you should ...

  14. Get help with NHS travel costs

    Help with travel costs. If you need to travel to receive NHS treatment under the care of a consultant, you may be entitled to help with necessary travel costs. You may be eligible for help if: you are getting certain benefits. you have a low income. you are 16 or over but under 20 and are counted as a dependant of someone getting certain benefits.

  15. Travel Costs (to hospital for NHS treatment)

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  16. PDF Guide to Travel and Dual Accomodation Expenses for NHS Bursary students

    It is also intended to provide general guidance for university administrators and staff who are involved in the arrangement and authorisation of student placements, including the authorisation of Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE) claims. NHS Bursary funding is available to the following students in 2021/22: • Students studying to ...

  17. How does the refund process work?

    Because of the pandemic, the airline industry is facing a difficult situation with a large number of flight cancellations and pending payment refunds. If you wish to change or cancel your flight reservation, we will contact the airline on your behalf, although please keep in mind that airline rules vary from airline to airline and we cannot ...

  18. PDF HC5(T) Refund claim form: travel costs to receive NHS treatment

    Treatment can be provided by a private hospital, you can still claim if the treatment was arranged by an NHS organisation or a local authority. If you need help with travel costs and you are: under 16 - your parent(s) should fill in this form - it is their income that counts. aged 16 or over - fill in the form yourself.

  19. Moscow Russia Tourist Places

    Russia is very big and beautiful country and I was invited by russian TV show WHO IS RUSSIA for a russian reality show. So I visited entire Russia during thi...

  20. Can I claim a refund for costs paid before the start date of my HC2 or

    If you paid for NHS health costs up to 3 months before your certificate start date, you can claim a refund. Refunds must be claimed within 3 months of the charge being paid. Read more information about how to claim a refund. Check what help you could get to pay for NHS costs and apply online.

  21. Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE)

    Share this page. Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE) provides reimbursement of excess travel or accommodation costs incurred due to undertaking practical training on a clinical placement. How to claim TDAE You must apply for an NHS Bursary and be assessed as eligible for at least the £1,000 non-means tested grant.

  22. Moscow-City: 7 surprising facts about the Russian ...

    Moscow-City is a vivid skyscraper cluster with a lot of amazing secrets. 1. Guinness World Record in highlining. mos.ru. The record was set in 2019 by a team of seven athletes from Russia, Germany ...

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    The supermarket asked anyone who had purchased the product to return it if it has a batch number of 4044 or 4045 and a best before date of February 2025, for a full refund.

  24. 19 Unique And Fabulous Experiences In Moscow

    5. Gorky Park. Moscow's premier green space, Gorky Park (Park Gor'kogo) is the city's biggest and most famous park. There is entertainment on offer here for every taste, from outdoor dancing sessions to yoga classes, volleyball, ping-pong, rollerblading, and bike and boat rental in summer.