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Saints Row fast-travel photo locations

Every fast-travel photo subject and location

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Getting around Saints Row Santo Ileso takes some time — the map has 20 different regions to explore. Luckily, there are six fast travel locations to unlock.

In this Saints Row fast-travel photo location guide, we’ll show you where to find all six fast travel photos and how to unlock them.

There are six fast-travel locations around Santo Ileso. Unlocking each one requires you to head there and snap a photo of a landmark with your phone’s camera. Below, we’ll show you where to stand for each.

Cactus Bill fast-travel photo location

Lakeshore south.

On the west side of Lake Sebastian, look for the two leaning cactus statues. You’ll need to take a picture of the one to the south, but it’ll take a little moving around to get the shot lined up correctly. Try standing a little north of where the icon appears on your mini-map to get a shot of Cactus Bill .

Bear Lake fast-travel photo location

Marina west.

Head to the north shore of Lake Sebastian and look for a small wooden walkway below the Santo Ileso sign. Snap a photo of the bear and rabbit statue to unlock the Bear Lake fast-travel point.

Lone Wolf fast-travel photo location

Badlands south.

In the southwestern desert of Santo Ileso, head for the Lone Wolf Motel and take a picture of the giant wolf statue out front to unlock the Lone Wolf fast-travel point.

El Dorado fast travel photo location

The fast-travel location in El Dorado in the south is the El Dorado sign . Head to The Varmint and face the big sign to the east to unlock this fast-travel location.

Twin Coyotes fast travel photo location

Rojas desert north.

Way out in the desert to the east, look for the Twin Coyotes arcade. Take a zoomed out picture of the sign by the road to unlock the Twin Coyotes fast-travel location. (While you’re here, you can also take a zoomed in picture of the coyote statue on the right to unlock the Metal Coyote collectible.)

Panther Rock fast travel photo location

West providencia.

The West Providencia fast travel location is the huge rock formation that looks like a panther. Head up into the rest area to the northwest of the rocks to get the shot of Panther Rock .

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How to Unlock Fast Travel: All Fast Travel Photo Locations

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There are six Fast Travel Locations spread across Santo Ileso in the 2022 reboot of Saints Row (Saints Row 5), but there are some cases where fast travel is not available. Learn how to fast travel, how to unlock fast travel spots, their locations, and reasons why fast travel might be unavailable or not working.

List of Contents

How to Unlock Fast Travel

All fast travel photo locations, how to fast travel, why is fast travel not working.

• Related Guides

Go to Fast Travel Photo Locations and Take a Photo

Each of the locations on the map with an icon resembling a train car indicates a Fast Travel Photo Location. Go to each spot and take a photo of the monument found there to unlock a permanent Fast Travel location, and snag some XP along the way!

How to Use the Camera

To use the camera, open up the phone menu and select the Camera app. Alternatively, you can just press Up on your d-pad .

Bring the monument into view and place it at the center of the frame. You'll be informed if you're too far or too close to the monument. Use the camera's zoom to correct this.

There are 6 Fast Travel Photo Locations in Saints Row, with a 7th one automatically unlocked through the story. The Panther Rock and Cactus Bill points will be shown on the Map at the start of the game, with more revealed upon progressing through Missions. It is possible to unlock all 6 points from the beginning of the game simply by going to the location and taking a picture of the monument.

Saints HQ AKA The Church is also a fast travel location but doesn't require you to take a photo to unlock it . Instead, it is part of the rewards you receive for completing the Take Me to Church main mission.

Take Me to Church Walkthrough and Rewards

Panther Rock Fast Travel

Panther Rock is just east of JimRob's Garage and right beside the main highway , giving convenient access to that location. As its name indicates, it's a mountain shaped like a panther. You don't have to get too close due to its size, so just approach it from the highway until you have a clear view of it.

West Providencia Map & All Activities

Cactus Bill Fast Travel

Cactus Bill is on the west side of the city, in a large park . Cactus Bill is a giant cactus statue with a cowboy hat so it'll be hard to miss. Don't get too close since you'll need to fit the whole statue in your camera frame.

Lakeshore South Map & All Activities

Bear Lake Fast Travel

Bear Lake is the only Fast Travel point on the north end of the city . The monument is a bear and rabbit statue surrounded by water. Since it's in the middle of the lake, you'll need to take a picture of it from a small viewing deck.

Marina West Map & All Activities

Lone Wolf Fast Travel

Lone Wolf is found in the southwest, isolated from the big city . It's right across from a clothing store which you can use as a marker. It's a large wolf statue that's howling into the sky. You can take a picture of it from the other side of the road to get its whole body in the frame.

Badlands South Map & All Activities

El Dorado Fast Travel

The El Dorado fast travel spot is south of Lake Sebastian . It's a large sign hanging above the road that shows the name of the district. You may need to fully out zoom out to get the whole sign in the frame.

El Dorado Map & All Activities

Twin Coyote Fast Travel

The Twin Coyote fast travel spot is on the east end of the city . It's two statues of coyotes made out of spare parts. You'll need to get both in the camera frame, so stand behind them and just take some steps back if needed.

Rojas Desert North Map & All Activities

Select a Fast Travel Point from the Map

When you're not in battle or in a mission, it's possible to Fast Travel at any time by simply selecting a Fast Travel Point from the Map and selecting the Fast Travel option.

At the start of the game, the only Fast Travel point in the game is your home, which changes to The Church after unlocking it in the Take Me to Church Main Mission. Other Fast Travel Points must be unlocked by taking their photos.

Unavailable in Battle

When your player is currently being attacked by NPCs, you will be unable to Fast Travel. Confusingly, no notification is shown onscreen for this, and the option to Fast Travel will simply not work with no explanation. This is unrelated to Notoriety and will occur any time other characters might come to attack you, so even if you simply damaged another car, you might have NPCs after you without being unaware of it.

When this occurs, try leaving the area and selecting Fast Travel again. This may be a bug or error and will be resolved in a future patch, so keep your eyes open for updates.

Unavailable During a Mission

After starting a Mission, you will be unable to Fast Travel. A notice will appear onscreen informing the user of this, so it causes less confusion, but is still frustrating.

To get around this, if you are at the start of a Mission, you can go to the Options menu and select Abort Mission. From there, you can Fast Travel to the location where the Mission begins, and then start the Mission again to save time.

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Saints Row All Fast Travel Locations

August 22, 2022 by PowerPyx Leave a Comment

Saints Row has 6 Fast Travel Locations. They are called Fast Travel Photos on the map and count as a type of Discovery. Finding all Fast Travel Photos is a requirement for 100% district completion and to obtain the All Mine trophy.

Fast Travel Points are particularly useful because they let you get around the map much quicker. Instead of driving everywhere you can fast travel to save time. You should get them as early as possible to get the most out of it. Not every district has a Fast Travel Point. You can also fast travel to your Headquarters and to the Saints Tower once you’ve built it.

None of the Fast Travel Points are missable. You can still get them after the story in free roam. To activate the Fast Travel Points you must take a photo of a monument at the marked spot. Press D-Pad Up to take out the camera, zoom in or out until the object has a green outline, then take the picture. If done correctly the fast travel icon will change its color from yellow to purple. Click the icon on the map to fast travel there.

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Fast Travel Points

Fast Travel #1: Panther Rock (West Providencia)

Fast Travel #2: Twin Coyote (Rojas Desert North)

Fast Travel #3: Bear Lake (Marina West)

Fast Travel #4: Cactus Bill (Lakeshore South)

Fast Travel #5: El Dorado (El Dorado District)

Fast Travel #6: Lone Wolf (Badlands South)

That’s all 6 Fast Travel Points in Saints Row (2022 Reboot).

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Saints Row: How To Unlock Every Fast Travel Location

There are several landmarks in Santo Ileso that serve as fast travel locations. Here are where they're located.

Saints Row provides you with a beautiful map that you're free to run, drive, or fly around. And it's an enjoyable place to explore. However, sometimes, you just want to get to a specific area quickly. After all, if your desired location is across the map, you may not fancy making the long trip over there.

RELATED: Best Fast Travel Systems In Video Games

Thankfully, the title includes a fast travel system. Yet, it's easy to miss, as the game doesn't really tell you about it. You just have to discover it for yourself. Alternatively, you can use this handy guide that explains how the system works and how to unlock every fast travel location.

How To Unlock Fast Travel Locations

You gain a few fast travel spots automatically while playing, such as your apartment and home base. However, you must unlock the rest of them. To do so, you need to visit certain landmarks in Santo Ileso and take a picture of them.

You can access the camera from your in-game phone . From there, you must get the camera in the correct position and take the shot. When you do, you will be able to fast travel to that location from the map.

Fast Travel Photo Locations

Panther rock.

The Panther Rock fast travel spot is in West Providencia . Most specifically, it's near a Jimrob Garage, right by some hiking trails. The subject of the picture is a giant Panther head.

Twin Coyote

When you're in the Rojas Desert North region , head toward the northeastern corner to find an establishment that is a gas station and an arcade . Outside of the place, you will find two large metallic coyotes . Take a picture of them.

In the northeast corner of the Marina Wes t region, you will find a small body of water. And inside that little lake is a Bear, which is the required subject for your photo.

Cactus Bill

This one is located around the center of Lakeshore South . The landmark you must get a shot of is the large cactus wearing a cowboy hat . Surprisingly, there are two of them - you need to photograph the more central one.

Toward the south of the map, in the aptly titled Badlands South area, sits another fast travel spot. This one is outside the Lone Wolf Hotel , and to unlock it, you need to take a picture of the big wolf sculpture.

El Dorado is a flashy region with plenty of interesting places. On the road that runs through the middle of the entire region , sits a few large El Dorado signs. Take a picture of the one in the center to unlock this fast travel spot.

NEXT: Saints Row: The Best Vehicles In The Series

How to unlock fast travel in Saints Row ASAP

It’s time to use that camera.

Saints Row is a back-to-basics reboot of the franchise, but it also features the biggest and most diverse location to date. Santo Ileso is a massive city that feels like Las Vegas was infused with a healthy dose of Texas, and there are plenty of fascinating landmarks to discover. While Saints Row ’s open world map is a bit modest compared to others, it can still take a while to navigate unless you take a few steps. You’ll have to unlock fast travel in Saints Row , however, as it’s not a default mechanic you have access to — so here’s exactly how to do just that.

How to unlock fast travel in Saints Row

In order to unlock fast travel, you’ll need to take a photograph of each specific fast travel point. These are marked on your map as little yellow icons with a train on them, and they’re pretty easy to spot. If you hover over the icon on the map it’ll tell you exactly what you need to take a photo of in order to unlock that point, such as Panther Rock.

Fast travel is certainly a bit easier than driving everywhere, as fun as that might be.

Now, the only issue is that the photos can be a bit finicky. To take a picture, open your main menu and select the camera option. If you bring up the camera near the object, you’ll see a little border appear around it, but you need to make sure the photo is centered and at the proper distance. You might need to navigate around a bit and remove any obstacles from your view. Essentially, you’ll want to line up the icons around the object with the lines of your camera and make sure the object itself is in the very center of your frame. If you need to, you can also adjust the zoom of your camera using the left and right triggers.

Once you’ve taken the proper photo, you’ll unlock the fast travel point and the icon will change to purple. To use fast travel, simply open your map go to the point and press X (or A) to travel.

All Fast Travel Points

There are a total of seven fast travel points scattered throughout Santo Ileso, with another being added after you beat the game and place the Saints Tower, which costs eight million dollars. Below we’ll show you each of the points and where to find them.

At the start of the game, The Apartment will be the very first fast travel point you unlock, but once you progress the story a bit and obtain the church, the point will switch to that. This fast travel point is unlocked automatically and you won’t need to do anything.

Found in the Marina West section of the city, Bear Lake requires you to take a picture of, well, a bear. The statue sits in the middle of a little lake just off the street.

Cactus Bill

Found in the Lakeshore South area of the city. This landmark is pretty easy to spot as it’s a gigantic cactus statue with a hat, and it even glows at night. There aren’t a lot of other objects nearby, so it should be easy to photograph.

Found in the El Dorado section of the city, this one’s a bit tricky. You need to actually take a photo of the El Dorado sign that sits above the main road. You’ll likely need to use the zoom function to get a clear picture.

Found in the Badlands South area, this wolf statue basically sits right where the three roads meet, and it’ll be up on top of a rock, giving you a clear picture.

Panther Rock

Found in the West Providencia area, Panther Rock is a massive landmark that you really can’t miss when you’re driving around. To get the picture lined up right you might need to move around a bit and play with the zoom.

Twin Coyote

The final landmark lies in the Rojas Desert North area, right next to the Twin Coyote Arcade store. You’ll need to do a bit of traveling to get there; Just head to the arcade, and the statues will be right outside.

Saints Row is currently available on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

This article was originally published on Aug. 24, 2022

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DualShockers

Saints row: how to unlock all fast travel locations.

Save yourself some time, use the fast travel feature!

Compared to previous entries in the series, Saints Row has a gigantic map that takes a long time to travel across. Thankfully, Volition has included various fast travel points around Santo Ileso, but they're not readily available as soon as you jump in.

Players will need to put in a little bit of time to unlock all of the fast travel locations in Saints Row, but is worth it in the long run. So, here are all of the fast travel locations and how you can unlock them in Saints Row.

• RELATED: Saints Row: How To Upgrade & Customize Weapons

All Fast Travel Locations In Saints Row

Not including the Saints HQ, there are 6 fast travel locations for players to unlock. These are:

• Cactus Bill (Lakeshore South)
• Lone Wolf (Badlands South)
• El Dorado (El Dorado)
• Panther Rock (West Providencia)
• Bear Lake (Marina West)
• Twin Coyote (Rojas Desert North)

All of these locations can be seen in the images below, and are indicated via the yellow symbols on the map.

How To Unlock All Fast Travel Locations In Saints Row

The Saints HQ is a fast-travel location that is made accessible from the moment it is unlocked, but the remaining six locations will need to be unlocked manually.

To do this, open up your map of Santo Ileso and locate one of the fast travel points (all of the locations can be found in the images above). Travel to the location and pull out your camera by pressing 'up' on the d-pad. You might need to fiddle around to get the right angle, but simply aim your camera at the monument and a green border will appear. Take the picture by pressing 'X' and the location will then be available on your map to fast travel too.

Complete this for each of the six fast travel monuments around Santo Ileso to unlock all of the available locations. Players can use the fast travel feature in Saints Row by opening the map, selecting one of the fast travel symbols and selecting 'X', this will then present a loading screen and your character will then appear next to the monument.

Saints Row is available now for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

• UP NEXT: Saints Row (2022) Review

How to fast travel in Saints Row

Unlocking new Saints Row fast travel points explained

The Saints Row fast travel system is handy for getting around the expansive world map, however the way to use it is somewhat confusing as you first need to take photographs of major landmarks found across Santo Ileso. The sheer size of the map in Saints Row can make progress around it feel overwhelming, and manually travelling everywhere is a drawn out process, so being able to fast travel is key. As it's not exactly clear how to unlock new fast travel points and locations in Saints Row, I've got a full explanation and list of locations below.

To fast travel in Saints Row to a compatible point they've already unlocked, players simply need to open the map from their phone, move their icon over the location, and hit X/A/LMB (depending on platform). The player will then fast travel to that location after a quick loading screen. This is something you can basically do whenever you're not in the middle of a mission, but is almost never an option while you're in the middle of one.

Of course, while fast travel doesn't require Saints Row money to use, it does require compatible fast travel points to go to, and this is where the issues arise…

How to unlock new fast travel points

Certain fast travel points will come pre-unlocked - the apartment from the start of the game, and the Church HQ when you access that several hours into the story, for example. However, most other fast travel points need to be unlocked manually, which is… a process, one that we've laid out below.

1. As you explore the map, getting close to a potential Fast Travel Point will mark it on your map with an icon of a yellow train. There's almost never more than one fast travel point per region.

2. Head to that train icon when you want to unlock it. There'll be a landmark or noteworthy object there (indicated on its map icon).

3. Use your phone to access the camera, and take a photo of the landmark (it'll be marked through the camera, make sure it's fully in view)

4. If done correctly, it'll be ticked off and the fast travel point will be unlocked, now presented as a purple train instead.

Saints Row fast travel photo locations

The big problem here is finding fast travel points, as it's not always obvious, and not every photo collectible in the game is a fast travel point too (it has to have the train icon). We've found seven fast travel points in Saints Row, including the Saints HQ church. The key is to look for noteworthy objects that stand out, even from a distance. It's a good thing to keep in mind while you're clearing side objectives and threats for the Ventures in Saints Row .

The Church - Old Town Shoreline

This is the Saints HQ, which you'll unlock after completing the mission called "The Saints". you can fast travel to it at pretty much anytime.

Panther Rock - West Providencia

Not far from the Saints HQ, you'll be able to spot this massive panther-shaped rock. Make sure you snap a picture to unlock it as a fast travel point as it makes it easier to reach the busy southeast parts of Santo Ileso.

El Dorado Sign - El Dorado

Southwest of Panther Rock and across the water, you'll arrive in the gaudy El Dorado part of Santo Ileso. Get a photo of the bright sign as a souvenir and to unlock it as a fast travel point.

Lone Wolf - Badlands South

Snap a picture of the large wolf statue at the Lone Wolf Motel in the southwest corner of the map. 

Cactus Bill - Lakeshore South

From the Lone Wolf Motel, you can head north towards the more modern parts of Santo Ileso. When you're in Lakeshore South, head to the park area to spot a pair of huge, reclining cactii. Get a photo of the cactus to the south and you'll be able to fast travel to this park area at any time.

Bear Lake - Marina West

From Cactus Bill, go northeast and across the bridge over the lake to reach Marina West. Head over to the lake in the northern half of that area and snap a photo of the big bear statue in the lake to get this fast travel point.

Twin Coyote - Rojas Desert North

In the northeast section of the map known as Rojas Desert North, you need to venture to the southeast corner near a small lake and look for the Twin Coyote Motel. There's a big sculpture of two metal coyotes playing an arcade machine. When taking a photo, make sure you take a picture of the 'Twin Coyote Fast Travel' and not the 'Metal Coyote' as this will not count as the fast travel point.

Fast Travel Photo not working

Fast Travel Photo points don't always actually unlock fast travel when you get them with your camera, which is annoying and can even feel like a glitch. However, there's a couple of reasons that this might be happening (assuming it isn't a bug).

• You haven't framed the photo correctly. Make sure you've zoomed out so the entire object is in the viewfinder. The box will highlight green when it's ready for you to take the photo. 
• It's a Photo Collectible, not a fast travel point. Many collectibles are picked up by photographing them, but not every photo point allows for fast travel. Make sure it's marked on the map by the train icon, and the label "Fast Travel". It's easy to get thrown by a Photo Collectible and a Fast Travel Photo being in the same area, snapping one and mistaking it for the other.

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Joel Franey is a writer, journalist, podcaster and raconteur with a Masters from Sussex University, none of which has actually equipped him for anything in real life. As a result he chooses to spend most of his time playing video games, reading old books and ingesting chemically-risky levels of caffeine. He is a firm believer that the vast majority of games would be improved by adding a grappling hook, and if they already have one, they should probably add another just to be safe. You can find old work of his at USgamer, Gfinity, Eurogamer and more besides.

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Saints Row Fast Travel And Landmark Locations

Here's where you can find and unlock every fast travel location in Saints Row.

By James Carr on August 22, 2022 at 3:13PM PDT

Saints Row has made its return, giving players a new sandbox to cause chaos in. This time that sandbox is Santo Ileso, a southwestern town set out in the desert. While there is plenty to discover while traversing the streets of Santo Ileso, if you want to get around town quickly you will need to find and unlock fast travel points. These points can be unlocked by finding specific monuments or landmarks to take a photo of. Once you unlock your base of operations at the Church, it unlocks a fast travel point there. Here are all the landmarks we have found so far.

Bear Lake - Marina West

The Bear Lake fast travel point is located in Marina West, which is in the northern section of the map. In the northern part of Marina West there is a small lake, which is visible on the map. Head to that lake and take a picture of the bear statue that has a small rabbit in front of it.

Panther Rock - West Providencia

Panther Rock is a massive mountain shaped like a panther. Located in West Providencia, which is in the central part of the eastern half of the city. The mountain is located right off the main highway and is hard to miss in the daytime.

El Dorado Sign - El Dorado

The El Dorado sign is located in El Dorado, the casino district of Santo Ileso. El Dorado is located in the southern part of the city, on the eastern side of the water. The El Dorado sign is located on the main strip, hanging over the road.

Lone Wolf - Badlands South

The Lone Wolf Motel statue is located in the Badlands South, which is in the southeastern part of the map. The motel is located off a small section of water at the intersection of two roads, sitting on top of a small rock.

Cactus Bill - Lakeshore South

The Cactus Bill statue is located in the Lakeshore South area, which is in the northeastern part of the city. There is a park area indicated by a circle and some overlapping roads in the area. You will need to get off the main road and into the park for this fast travel point to appear on the map.

Twin Coyote - Rojas Desert North

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The Twin Coyote fast travel point is located in the Rojas Desert North region. The Twin Coyote is loathed on the eastern edge of the map, but can easily be found by heading to the Twin Coyote Arcade clothing store, which is automatically marked on your map from the start of the game. The Twin Coyote statue is smaller than some of the other landmarks, but the Five Nights at Freddy's looking statues are easy to spot.

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Saints Row: Fast travel guide — All fast travel photo locations

Navigating an open-world game like Saints Row can be tough if you’re only starting from a single area. Thankfully, there are a few places where you should be able to teleport to when you need to speed up the process. Here’s our Saints Row fast travel guide to help you with all the fast travel photo locations in Santo Ileso.

Note: We’ll have a Saints Row guides and features hub soon, so stay tuned.

Saints Row fast travel guide – All fast travel photo locations

How to unlock fast travel points in Saints Row

Unlocking fast travel points in Saints Row isn’t obvious at first. That’s because these spots won’t appear on your map unless you’re within close proximity. If one is nearby, an icon of a trailer (or shelter) will show up.

You’ll then need to enable Photo Mode (i.e., “P” key by default) to take a picture. Make sure that the object is centered and that you’re not too close (or too far away). Likewise, mousing over the icon on the map will also tell you the proper angle. Anyway, once the borders of the camera turn green, press the spacebar to tag that location to enable it for fast travel.

Note 1: Unlike your apartment or the church HQ much later, these regular fast travel points in Saints Row are only for teleportation. There are no garages or helipads. As such, if you need special vehicles, then you’ll definitely need to spawn back in your HQ. Alternatively, you can use JimRob’s car delivery service after completing all his tasks.

Note 2: The Criminal Empire ventures do not act as regular fast travel points, though you still get teleported to them once they’re built for the first time. After that, you’ll have to drive/fly/glide to these establishments normally.

Saints Row fast travel locations maps

Below, you’ll see three images with maps of the fast travel photo locations in Saints Row . We’ve divided these into three locations (east, north, and south) to correspond to the game’s districts. You can click on each image (or right-click and open the image in a new tab) for a larger view.

West Providencia: Panther Rock

Head east along the highway from JimRob’s Garage (which you’ll unlock as a location after finishing a few main missions). The panther-shaped bluff can be easily spotted from there.

Rojas Desert North: Twin Coyote Motel

This one is further away than most other spots. You’ll have to continue east by following the highway and dirt paths until you come across a lonely motel.

Marina West: Bear Lake

Follow the main roads until you reach the northern section of Marina West. The bear statue is on a lake just below the Santo Ileso sign on the hill.

Lakeshore South: Cactus Bill

The cactus statue is in a large park in the southern portion of the district.

El Dorado: El Dorado Sign

The sign itself is seen as you pass through the main highway heading into the El Dorado district. You’ll need to take a photo from street level to get the right angle.

Badlands South: Lone Wolf

This is another fast travel location in Saints Row that’s off the beaten path. You might visit a location that’s close to it while doing The Dustmoot mission from Eli.

Saints Row is available via the Epic Games Store .

Saints Row Fast Travel – All Locations

Posted in Guides

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Saints Row fast travel locations are unlocked by whipping out your smartphone and snapping a picture of a specific location or landmark indicated by a train on the map.

Locked fast travel points appear yellow, while unlocked locations take on the Saints’ signature purple, at which point you can use the fast travel point. Fast travel isn’t available during missions, so keep that in mind.

You’ll need to pass near or in the general vicinity of a fast travel point for it to appear on your map. The trigger radius is relatively large, which helps things, but finding them in the first place can be quite the task given Saints Row’s sprawling open-world map .

Most Saints Row Fast Travel locations pop up on the map organically as you go about your criminal business. But if the long drive between activities gets tedious, we’re here to help.

Below you’ll find a list of all the Saints Row Fast Travel points and their specific locations in Santo Ileso.

READ MORE : Saints Row Review: Cheap Thrills and Plenty of Sins

Saints Row Fast Travel Locations

The church fast travel.

The Church Fast Travel unlocks automatically once the gang takes over The Church and establishes it as their base of operations. It’s an unavoidable story beat, so power through the first few Saints Row main missions to unlock it this fast travel point.

Panther Rock Fast Travel

The Panther Rock Fast Travel is just east of JimRob’s Garage in West Providencia. Take a photo of the large panther head jutting out from a small rocky hill located on the right of the highway.

Lone Wolf Fast Travel – Saints Row Fast Travel Point

The Saints Row Lone Wolf Fast Travel point is in the southern portion of Badlands South, next to the Starmadillo clothing store. Take a picture of the giant wolf statue with ‘Lone Wolf Motel’ stamped on its body.

El Dorado Fast Travel

You’ll find the El Dorado Fast Travel in El Dorado next to the El Dorado archway. You’ll need to take a picture of the El Dorado sign to unlock the fast travel point. El Dorado, got it?

Bear Lake Fast Travel – Saints Row Fast Travel Point

You’ll come across the Bear Lake Fast Travel point by visiting the small lake in Marina West. It’s located northeast of #Trending clothing store. To unlock the fast travel, take a picture of the bear statue with a rabbit sitting on its lap in the middle of the water.

Cactus Bill Fast Travel

The Saints Row Cactus Bill Fast Travel point is in the middle of Jasinski Park in Lakeshore South. As the name implies, you’re searching for a cactus – a hulking one – with a wild rag that reads ‘Keep it Strange Santo.’

You can’t miss it when passing through the area. You’ll need to get all of Cactus Bill into the photo to unlock the fast travel point, so move far back before pulling out your phone.

Twin Coyote Fast Travel – Saints Row Fast Travel Point

Head to the Twin Coyote Arcade clothing store in the southern part of Rojas Desert North. The Twin Coyote Fast Travel is out front, recognizable by two giant coyote statues shooting at Space Invader-style pixel aliens. Snap a shot of the coyotes to unlock the fast travel point.

That’s a wrap on our Saints Row Fast Travel locations guide. Happy fast traveling, boss.

If you prefer you guides in visual format, our sister site, WePC, has kindly condensed all the fast travel locations into a snappy little TikTok.

@wepcgaming All fast travel locations in the new Saints Row! #saintsrow #saintsrowreboot #gaming #gamingontiktok ♬ original sound – WePC Gaming

Need help unlocking threats? We’ve go you covered .

Saints Row: How to Unlock New Fast Travel Locations

In order to travel quickly, Saints Row players will need to unlock new fast travel locations by taking photos of some of the landmarks around the map.

Quick Links

How to fast travel in saints row, how to unlock new fast travel points in saints row.

As far as sandboxes go, the one found in Saints Row is a lot bigger than most. The game boasts one of the largest open-world maps around and players will need to explore nearly every inch of it as they make their way through the game's main story. Driving and flying with the wingsuit are great ways to do so and both can be an awful lot of fun. Sometimes, however, players will want to fast travel in order to save themselves some time.

RELATED: Saints Row Reboot Release Time

Unfortunately, the team over at Deep Silver Volition didn't do a particularly good job of explaining how exactly fast travel works in Saints Row , with players pretty much left to figure things out for themselves. Initially, they'll only be able to fast travel to the apartment, though, after a little while, they'll gain the ability to unlock new fast travel locations by using the camera on their smartphone.

In order to fast travel in Saints Row , players will need to open up the map and scroll to one of the purple "Headquarters" icons. From there, it's a simple case of pressing the X (PlayStation) or A (Xbox) button twice to initiate fast travel. After a short loading screen, players will find themselves at their desired location. If they want to go anywhere other than the gang's apartment , however, they'll need to unlock some new fast travel points.

Saints Row players can unlock new fast travel locations by heading to the yellow "Fast Travel Photo" icons on the map and then taking a photograph of the landmark there using the camera on their smartphone. Unfortunately, the icons will only show up once players get within a certain range of the landmark locations, so players will need to explore the map pretty thoroughly in order to find them all.

Once within range of a landmark, players should press up on the D-Pad to open the camera app on their phone and then frame the landmark in the center of the screen, ensuring that they're neither too close nor far away. The viewfinder will turn green once the framing is perfect, at which point, players can press the X (PlayStation) or A (Xbox) button to take a photo and unlock the fast travel location for future use.

It's worth noting that even though both are classed as discoveries and marked with yellow icons on the map, "Fast Travel Photo" and "Photo Hunt" icons aren't the same thing , with the latter not becoming fast travel points upon being completed. Thankfully, players should be able to tell the difference between the two pretty easily, as the icon for fast travel landmarks shows a train carriage rather than a camera and a photo.

Saints Row is available now for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.

MORE: Saints Row: Everything You Need To Know About The New Saints Gang

2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner

In Transit: Notes from the Underground

Jun 06 2018.

Spend some time in one of Moscow’s finest museums.

Subterranean commuting might not be anyone’s idea of a good time, but even in a city packing the war-games treasures and priceless bejeweled eggs of the Kremlin Armoury and the colossal Soviet pavilions of the VDNKh , the Metro holds up as one of Moscow’s finest museums. Just avoid rush hour.

The Metro is stunning and provides an unrivaled insight into the city’s psyche, past and present, but it also happens to be the best way to get around. Moscow has Uber, and the Russian version called Yandex Taxi , but also some nasty traffic. Metro trains come around every 90 seconds or so, at a more than 99 percent on-time rate. It’s also reasonably priced, with a single ride at 55 cents (and cheaper in bulk). From history to tickets to rules — official and not — here’s what you need to know to get started.

A Brief Introduction Buying Tickets Know Before You Go (Down) Rules An Easy Tour

A Brief Introduction

Moscow’s Metro was a long time coming. Plans for rapid transit to relieve the city’s beleaguered tram system date back to the Imperial era, but a couple of wars and a revolution held up its development. Stalin revived it as part of his grand plan to modernize the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 30s. The first lines and tunnels were constructed with help from engineers from the London Underground, although Stalin’s secret police decided that they had learned too much about Moscow’s layout and had them arrested on espionage charges and deported.

The beauty of its stations (if not its trains) is well-documented, and certainly no accident. In its illustrious first phases and particularly after the Second World War, the greatest architects of Soviet era were recruited to create gleaming temples celebrating the Revolution, the USSR, and the war triumph. No two stations are exactly alike, and each of the classic showpieces has a theme. There are world-famous shrines to Futurist architecture, a celebration of electricity, tributes to individuals and regions of the former Soviet Union. Each marble slab, mosaic tile, or light fixture was placed with intent, all in service to a station’s aesthetic; each element, f rom the smallest brass ear of corn to a large blood-spattered sword on a World War II mural, is an essential part of the whole.

The Metro is a monument to the Soviet propaganda project it was intended to be when it opened in 1935 with the slogan “Building a Palace for the People”. It brought the grand interiors of Imperial Russia to ordinary Muscovites, celebrated the Soviet Union’s past achievements while promising its citizens a bright Soviet future, and of course, it was a show-piece for the world to witness the might and sophistication of life in the Soviet Union.

It may be a museum, but it’s no relic. U p to nine million people use it daily, more than the London Underground and New York Subway combined. (Along with, at one time, about 20 stray dogs that learned to commute on the Metro.)

In its 80+ year history, the Metro has expanded in phases and fits and starts, in step with the fortunes of Moscow and Russia. Now, partly in preparation for the World Cup 2018, it’s also modernizing. New trains allow passengers to walk the entire length of the train without having to change carriages. The system is becoming more visitor-friendly. (There are helpful stickers on the floor marking out the best selfie spots .) But there’s a price to modernity: it’s phasing out one of its beloved institutions, the escalator attendants. Often they are middle-aged or elderly women—“ escalator grandmas ” in news accounts—who have held the post for decades, sitting in their tiny kiosks, scolding commuters for bad escalator etiquette or even bad posture, or telling jokes . They are slated to be replaced, when at all, by members of the escalator maintenance staff.

For all its achievements, the Metro lags behind Moscow’s above-ground growth, as Russia’s capital sprawls ever outwards, generating some of the world’s worst traffic jams . But since 2011, the Metro has been in the middle of an ambitious and long-overdue enlargement; 60 new stations are opening by 2020. If all goes to plan, the 2011-2020 period will have brought 125 miles of new tracks and over 100 new stations — a 40 percent increase — the fastest and largest expansion phase in any period in the Metro’s history.

Facts: 14 lines Opening hours: 5 a.m-1 a.m. Rush hour(s): 8-10 a.m, 4-8 p.m. Single ride: 55₽ (about 85 cents) Wi-Fi network-wide

Buying Tickets

• Ticket machines have a button to switch to English.
• You can buy specific numbers of rides: 1, 2, 5, 11, 20, or 60. Hold up fingers to show how many rides you want to buy.
• There is also a 90-minute ticket , which gets you 1 trip on the metro plus an unlimited number of transfers on other transport (bus, tram, etc) within 90 minutes.
• Or, you can buy day tickets with unlimited rides: one day (218₽/ US$4), three days (415₽/US$7) or seven days (830₽/US$15). Check the rates here to stay up-to-date.
• If you’re going to be using the Metro regularly over a few days, it’s worth getting a Troika card , a contactless, refillable card you can use on all public transport. Using the Metro is cheaper with one of these: a single ride is 36₽, not 55₽. Buy them and refill them in the Metro stations, and they’re valid for 5 years, so you can keep it for next time. Or, if you have a lot of cash left on it when you leave, you can get it refunded at the Metro Service Centers at Ulitsa 1905 Goda, 25 or at Staraya Basmannaya 20, Building 1.
• You can also buy silicone bracelets and keychains with built-in transport chips that you can use as a Troika card. (A Moscow Metro Fitbit!) So far, you can only get these at the Pushkinskaya metro station Live Helpdesk and souvenir shops in the Mayakovskaya and Trubnaya metro stations. The fare is the same as for the Troika card.
• You can also use Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Rules, spoken and unspoken

No smoking, no drinking, no filming, no littering. Photography is allowed, although it used to be banned.

Stand to the right on the escalator. Break this rule and you risk the wrath of the legendary escalator attendants. (No shenanigans on the escalators in general.)

Get out of the way. Find an empty corner to hide in when you get off a train and need to stare at your phone. Watch out getting out of the train in general; when your train doors open, people tend to appear from nowhere or from behind ornate marble columns, walking full-speed.

Always offer your seat to elderly ladies (what are you, a monster?).

An Easy Tour

This is no Metro Marathon ( 199 stations in 20 hours ). It’s an easy tour, taking in most—though not all—of the notable stations, the bulk of it going clockwise along the Circle line, with a couple of short detours. These stations are within minutes of one another, and the whole tour should take about 1-2 hours.

Start at Mayakovskaya Metro station , at the corner of Tverskaya and Garden Ring,  Triumfalnaya Square, Moskva, Russia, 125047.

1. Mayakovskaya.  Named for Russian Futurist Movement poet Vladimir Mayakovsky and an attempt to bring to life the future he imagined in his poems. (The Futurist Movement, natch, was all about a rejecting the past and celebrating all things speed, industry, modern machines, youth, modernity.) The result: an Art Deco masterpiece that won the National Grand Prix for architecture at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. It’s all smooth, rounded shine and light, and gentle arches supported by columns of dark pink marble and stainless aircraft steel. Each of its 34 ceiling niches has a mosaic. During World War II, the station was used as an air-raid shelter and, at one point, a bunker for Stalin. He gave a subdued but rousing speech here in Nov. 6, 1941 as the Nazis bombed the city above.

Take the 3/Green line one station to:

2. Belorusskaya. Opened in 1952, named after the connected Belarussky Rail Terminal, which runs trains between Moscow and Belarus. This is a light marble affair with a white, cake-like ceiling, lined with Belorussian patterns and 12 Florentine ceiling mosaics depicting life in Belarussia when it was built.

Transfer onto the 1/Brown line. Then, one stop (clockwise) t o:

3. Novoslobodskaya.  This station was designed around the stained-glass panels, which were made in Latvia, because Alexey Dushkin, the Soviet starchitect who dreamed it up (and also designed Mayakovskaya station) couldn’t find the glass and craft locally. The stained glass is the same used for Riga’s Cathedral, and the panels feature plants, flowers, members of the Soviet intelligentsia (musician, artist, architect) and geometric shapes.

Go two stops east on the 1/Circle line to:

4. Komsomolskaya. Named after the Komsomol, or the Young Communist League, this might just be peak Stalin Metro style. Underneath the hub for three regional railways, it was intended to be a grand gateway to Moscow and is today its busiest station. It has chandeliers; a yellow ceiling with Baroque embellishments; and in the main hall, a colossal red star overlaid on golden, shimmering tiles. Designer Alexey Shchusev designed it as an homage to the speech Stalin gave at Red Square on Nov. 7, 1941, in which he invoked Russia’s illustrious military leaders as a pep talk to Soviet soldiers through the first catastrophic year of the war.   The station’s eight large mosaics are of the leaders referenced in the speech, such as Alexander Nevsky, a 13th-century prince and military commander who bested German and Swedish invading armies.

One more stop clockwise to Kurskaya station,  and change onto the 3/Blue  line, and go one stop to:

5. Baumanskaya.   Opened in 1944. Named for the Bolshevik Revolutionary Nikolai Bauman , whose monument and namesake district are aboveground here. Though he seemed like a nasty piece of work (he apparently once publicly mocked a woman he had impregnated, who later hung herself), he became a Revolutionary martyr when he was killed in 1905 in a skirmish with a monarchist, who hit him on the head with part of a steel pipe. The station is in Art Deco style with atmospherically dim lighting, and a series of bronze sculptures of soldiers and homefront heroes during the War. At one end, there is a large mosaic portrait of Lenin.

Stay on that train direction one more east to:

6. Elektrozavodskaya. As you may have guessed from the name, this station is the Metro’s tribute to all thing electrical, built in 1944 and named after a nearby lightbulb factory. It has marble bas-relief sculptures of important figures in electrical engineering, and others illustrating the Soviet Union’s war-time struggles at home. The ceiling’s recurring rows of circular lamps give the station’s main tunnel a comforting glow, and a pleasing visual effect.

Double back two stops to Kurskaya station , and change back to the 1/Circle line. Sit tight for six stations to:

7. Kiyevskaya. This was the last station on the Circle line to be built, in 1954, completed under Nikita Khrushchev’ s guidance, as a tribute to his homeland, Ukraine. Its three large station halls feature images celebrating Ukraine’s contributions to the Soviet Union and Russo-Ukrainian unity, depicting musicians, textile-working, soldiers, farmers. (One hall has frescoes, one mosaics, and the third murals.) Shortly after it was completed, Khrushchev condemned the architectural excesses and unnecessary luxury of the Stalin era, which ushered in an epoch of more austere Metro stations. According to the legend at least, he timed the policy in part to ensure no Metro station built after could outshine Kiyevskaya.

Change to the 3/Blue line and go one stop west.

8. Park Pobedy. This is the deepest station on the Metro, with one of the world’s longest escalators, at 413 feet. If you stand still, the escalator ride to the surface takes about three minutes .) Opened in 2003 at Victory Park, the station celebrates two of Russia’s great military victories. Each end has a mural by Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli, who also designed the “ Good Defeats Evil ” statue at the UN headquarters in New York. One mural depicts the Russian generals’ victory over the French in 1812 and the other, the German surrender of 1945. The latter is particularly striking; equal parts dramatic, triumphant, and gruesome. To the side, Red Army soldiers trample Nazi flags, and if you look closely there’s some blood spatter among the detail. Still, the biggest impressions here are the marble shine of the chessboard floor pattern and the pleasingly geometric effect if you view from one end to the other.

Keep going one more stop west to:

9. Slavyansky Bulvar.  One of the Metro’s youngest stations, it opened in 2008. With far higher ceilings than many other stations—which tend to have covered central tunnels on the platforms—it has an “open-air” feel (or as close to it as you can get, one hundred feet under). It’s an homage to French architect Hector Guimard, he of the Art Nouveau entrances for the Paris M é tro, and that’s precisely what this looks like: A Moscow homage to the Paris M é tro, with an additional forest theme. A Cyrillic twist on Guimard’s Metro-style lettering over the benches, furnished with t rees and branch motifs, including creeping vines as towering lamp-posts.

Stay on the 3/Blue line and double back four stations to:

10. Arbatskaya. Its first iteration, Arbatskaya-Smolenskaya station, was damaged by German bombs in 1941. It was rebuilt in 1953, and designed to double as a bomb shelter in the event of nuclear war, although unusually for stations built in the post-war phase, this one doesn’t have a war theme. It may also be one of the system’s most elegant: Baroque, but toned down a little, with red marble floors and white ceilings with gilded bronze c handeliers.

Jump back on the 3/Blue line  in the same direction and take it one more stop:

11. Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square). Opened in 1938, and serving Red Square and the Kremlin . Its renowned central hall has marble columns flanked by 76 bronze statues of Soviet heroes: soldiers, students, farmers, athletes, writers, parents. Some of these statues’ appendages have a yellow sheen from decades of Moscow’s commuters rubbing them for good luck. Among the most popular for a superstitious walk-by rub: the snout of a frontier guard’s dog, a soldier’s gun (where the touch of millions of human hands have tapered the gun barrel into a fine, pointy blade), a baby’s foot, and a woman’s knee. (A brass rooster also sports the telltale gold sheen, though I am told that rubbing the rooster is thought to bring bad luck. )

Now take the escalator up, and get some fresh air.

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Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

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To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

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The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

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Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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