sirui carbon fiber travel 5c tripod

Sirui Traveler 5C Review

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Our Verdict

Few true travel tripods are quite as compact as the Traveler 5C. This lightweight carbon tripod makes an ideal travel companion packing down small enough to easily slip inside a medium-sized backpack or straps discreetly to the outside.

The small transport size and weight does come at a price. The centre column is fixed and can’t be dropped neatly through the crown of the tripod; however, with a twist lock, the column’s two-section design extends the height to a decent enough height. At lower height levels, Sirui suggests the centre column is removed helping to balance the centre of gravity.

Overall, the Traveler 5C is a solid, decent choice as a true travel tripod. I might not be keen on fixed centre columns, but here it definitely works. Ultimately if you’re off on your world travels and need ultra-lightweight and compact support, then the Sirui Traveler 5C is a great choice.

• Ultra-compact
• Solid construction
• Fixed centre column

What is Sirui Traveler 5C?

Ultra lightweight travel tripods have lost some of their popularity in recent years. The small size, lightweight construction, and lack of height make them rather limited in many respects, especially when so many companies jumped on the marketing bandwagon and tried to sell their cheaper multi-purpose tripods as travel.

The market has now settled down, and the true travel tripods are starting to reemerge from what became an overly crowded market. The Sirui Traveler 5C is one of the most compact and smallest out there, with a carbon and metal constructions and a good range of features.

Its design is travel through-and-through, and while it might not have the height of many compact multi-purpose tripods, this model will comfortably slip into a backpack without adding too much weight or bulk.

This tripod will comfortably travel with you and supply the support you need. While some design decisions aren’t to my liking, such as the centre column, you can see why they have been made.

Ultimately, if you need to travel light and a tripod, that is exactly what the Sirui Traveler 5C is.

Specification

• Max height 1380mm: Max height 1380mm
• Lowest height 160mm: Lowest height 160mm
• Folded height 610mm: Folded height 610mm
• Minimum folded height 330mm: minimum folded height 330mm
• Max payload 4kg: Max payload 4kg
• Weight 0.85kg: Weight 0.85kg

Build and Handling

Sirui tripods are known for their quality design and build; the Traveler 5C is a testament to this. The 8x carbon 5-section legs are all well constructed with decent twist locks that release and lock the leg sections tightly.

Due to the small size of the tripod, the leg sections are thin, so as you’d expect, there is some flex when fully extended to 1.4m. However, mounting a Sony A7 III with a heavyweight 24-70mm f/2.8 lens and the tripod shows that it has the quality and robustness to hold the camera securely.

If you want to drop the tripod down to the lower heights Sirui suggests that the centre column is removed to maintain balance. To do this the centre column unscrews and once removed the tripod head can be screwed onto the crown. With the tripod dropped to its minimum and all legs retracted, it all feels good and solid.

When it comes to the leg angles you have three choices providing plenty of flexibility on all types of surfaces.

Extending the legs and without the centre column, the tripod’s stability feels good, with only a slight flex due to the small diameter leg sections. Finally, with the centre column screwed in to reach the maximum height, the tripod feels solid, with the spread of the legs distributing the weight load well.

Through the test, the quality of the construction stood out, and while the leg sections are small by design, the compact, lightweight construction does help make this a great travel tripod choice.

Despite being a travel tripod, the Traveler 5C packs many features. Starting at the base, you have the three rubber feet that provide good purchase on most surfaces. These are not removable, but the rubber is of excellent quality, and the fixing feels like it should provide a good few years of use.

Moving up to the 5-section 8x carbon legs, they’re all well-finished with simple twist locks securing each. The twist locks feature Sirui-style rubber grips, which give excellent grip in all weather conditions. A nice feature of these twist locks is the half-turn function, half a turn to unlock and half a turn to lock solid; easy to use and almost like a failsafe in use.

At the top of the legs are the leg angle adjusters; these are lever type and enable the alteration of the leg angle through three positions that offer plenty of flexibility. The levers are well designed, with a full press releasing the lever, and then a push switches them back to a sprung ratchet design.

On top of the tripod, a crown is the centre column as standard. This centre column sits bolt-upright in the tripod crown and, unlike most tripods, is fixed so it cannot be dropped. The column is relatively quick to unscrew; once removed, the tripod head can be removed and screwed directly into the crown. The complete swap-around takes about a minute and is a bit of a faff and how often you need to do this will depend on how you use the tripod.

The small ball head is well made and features panoramic rotation and an Arca Swiss-style base plate. The base plate is small and requires an Allen key or coin to loosen and tighten. A nice feature of the small head is that it only has one release knob for the ball head and panoramic rotation; it rotates to unlock both axis and again to lock. This can be annoying if you only want to rotate the head, but it is a livable sacrifice considering the size.

Other features worth noting are the sturdy bag hook on the base of the crown that helps add weight and the lightweight pull-string tripod bag.

Performance

Setting up the small tripod instantly shows that there is a certain way of using the tripod. I’m never keen on the fixed centre column design, but here with such a lightweight and compact model, it makes sense.

As the maximum height of the tripod is only 1.38m at a maximum height I found that in use, the tripod was usually extended to its maximum height. The fact that the centre column is fixed doesn’t really affect the use or stability of the tripod as the centre of gravity with the legs fully extended is well balanced.

If the legs are retracted even by one section, then I found it best to remove the centre column; however, as many tripods require some type of adjustment when lowered, such as column removal or low-angle adapters, this isn’t too much of a different approach.

In use, the tripod performed well, with the leg locks proving solid in all conditions, even with heavier cameras loaded onto the base plate. The baseplate clamp is a little fiddly due to the small size of the head, but it is still easy enough to use.

I did find as the wind picked up, attaching my kit bag to the clip hook at the base of the crown, stengthened the tripod, with the legs feeling solid and overall far more robust.

Final thoughts

As ever, with this design of an ultra-light travel tripod, my thoughts are split. I’m not keen on the style of the centre column, but here it works well and keeps things simple; you really only need to unscrew it if you’re dropping the tripod down to ground level.

Regarding the important travel tripod feature of being compact and lightweight, it ticks all the boxes slipping easily into several bags, including the Wandrd PRVKE, without issue.

Ultimately the Sirui Traveler 5C is a true travel tripod with a few very nice features that make it stand out from other travel tripods. If you’re off trekking the world, this could be a wise purchase for your travels.

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Sirui Compact Traveler 5C Tripod 54.3 inches Lightweight Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod Portable Camera Tripod with 360° Panorama Ball Head and Arca Swiss Quick Release Plate Load Capacity Up to 4kgs

Aluminum 5A

Carbon Fiber 5C

Aluminum 7A

Carbon Fiber 7C

Purchase options and add-ons

About this item.

• Solid Construction: High quality carbon fiber camera tripod, construction for maximum lightness and sturdiness. Center column with hook for hanging goods to increase stability. Max. loading Capacity: 8.8lbs/4kg. Tripod weighs only 1.87lbs/0.85kg.
• Adjustable and Extendable: 5-section carbon fiber legs with quick release twist-locks allow you to adjust the working height from 6.3" to 54.3" in seconds, while with a folded height of 13". 3-position leg angle adjustment system can provide flexible shooting for different photography scenarios and conditions.
• 360° Ball-Head and Panoramic View: With two independent control knobs, the specially designed ball-head can rotate 360° allows you to take photos at any angle in horizontal and vertical directions, making it easy to take panoramic photos and video shooting. Quick release plate with standard 1/4" screw for fast camera connection, compatible with almost all DSLR such as Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Fujifilm, Pentax and more.
• Multi-angle Shooting: The center column inverted function ensures extreme low angle photography and macro shooting. When the center column attached to the tripod, twist the column lock to adjust the column for additional working heights.
• Easy to carry: Light-weight but durable, the portable tripod legs can be inverted and folded back 180 degrees, saving length to 13" compact storage size, also comes with a portable bag, which is easy to carry and pack for travel.

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Product details

• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.6 x 9.7 x 40.5 cm; 850 g
• Date First Available ‏ : ‎ June 18 2020
• Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ SIRUI
• Place of Business ‏ : ‎ ENCINO, CA, 91436 US
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07KD181B3
• Item model number ‏ : ‎ 780270
• Country of origin ‏ : ‎ China
• #145 in Tripods

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Product description.

SIRUI Compact Lightweight Traveler Tripod-A Capable Travellig Partner!

• Weighing only 0.85kg/ 1.87lbs, the SIRUI Traveler 5C can reversibly fold up to minimize its size at 330mm/13inches.
• Shoulder less : With a reverse leg fold-up, easily backpack the 330mm/13inches compact fit and carry less at a weight approximate to 0.85kg/ 1.87lbs.
• Multiple Working Height : Remove the center column for low angle and macro shots. When the center column attached to the tripod, twist the column lock to adjust the column for additional wor king heights.
• Easy Leg Adjustments : Adjust the legs to your desired angle by pulling out the semi-automatic leg angle adjustment button. Easily set up the legs with a quick turn twist of the leg locks.
• Shoot Beyond Your View : Smoothly pan the head 360° to capture a beautiful landscape panorama shot.

You deserve a better one!

Package Contents

• 1 x Traveler Tripod with Ball Head
• 2 x 4mm Allen Wrench
• 1 x Tripod Carrying Bag
• 1 x User Manual

Lightweight Traveler 5C Tripod

Specification:.

Material: Carbon Fiber

Sections: 5

Tube Diameter(mm/inch): 10-22/0.39-0.87

Min. Height(mm/inch): 160/6.3

Max. Height(mm/inch): 1380/54.3

Retracted Height(mm/inch): 615/24.2

Folded Height(mm/inch): 330/13

Weight(kg/lbs): 0.85/1.87

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10 Of The Most Popular Camera Tripods, Ranked By Portability

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You may have a steady hand, but some shots require the stability afforded by a good tripod, which makes them an essential camera accessory . Camera tripods come in a variety of designs and flavors, from behemoths for use in fixed locations to sleek designs portable enough to tote while hiking to stunning landscapes.

However, the definition of portable can vary in the eye of the beholder. It can connote a lightweight piece of equipment, a compact size -- or both. Which of these metrics matters most depends on how you plan to use the tripod and how much tripod you feel comfortable carrying around. If weight is paramount, you're likely going to focus on carbon fiber models, although those models carry a price premium. If you can tolerate a slightly heavier design, aluminum tripods can be a good price alternative. Other points to consider when buying a tripod include the load capacity, minimum and maximum height, whether it includes a ball head, and its locking mechanisms.

We took all of these perspectives into account when considering this list. When considering portability, we focused on tripods that could hold more than 15 pounds of gear and weighed less than 3.5 pounds -- although we did find a few interesting travel tripods that held less than 9 pounds of gear or weighed closer to 4 pounds. At the end of the day, your choice comes down to personal design preferences and your budget. Read on for our picks of the 10 most popular camera tripods, ranked by portability.

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SmallRig AP-10

The SmallRig AP-10 is a carbon fiber tripod with the longest folded length of any on our list -- 21.1 inches. That folded length may make this awkward to add to your backpack, even if you're attaching it to the outside of your bag. Yes, it does come with a shoulder bag, but for some, the folded length might be a drawback. That said, this is also one of the lightest tripods around that can hold a range of gear, as it weighs just 2.6 pounds yet can hold up to 26.5 pounds. In addition, the maximum height is 52.4 inches. 

The tripod includes a ball head with pan and friction knobs, 360-degree panning, and a 90-degree tilt. The head also supports Arca-Swiss quick-release plates. The tripod lacks a center column, but you can attach the ball head to the one removable leg to convert this into a monopod. You can buy the SmallRig AP-10 tripod for $139 at B&H Photo . 

3 Legged Thing Legends Bucky

The 3 Legged Thing Legends Bucky is a carbon fiber travel tripod that extends extra high and gets extra low. Its load capacity is up to 66 pounds, with a maximum height of 71 inches, which is terrific whether you're the tallest person in the room or if you want to shoot from on high using a remote. The minimum height is 4.3 inches using the standard legs, which is one of the lowest specs we've seen for a convertible standard tripod to table-top tripod. It also converts into a table-top tripod if you add the $70 Vanz dual ball and spike legs.

Bucky's folded length is 16.1 inches, which is large enough to struggle with being inside a backpack but compact enough to travel -- the kit includes a padded carry bag with a shoulder strap and handles. The hallmark of British manufacturer 3 Legged Thing's approach to tripods is modularity, and this model is no exception. The legs and column are removable, which is how this tripod converts into a monopod or tabletop tripod. 

The base model comes with a flat mount, but 3 Legged Thing sells a version with its AirHead Vu ball head for $100 more. The five-section legs have leg locks with a unique squared-off design that makes it simpler to lock into place, even if you have gloves on. At 3.4 pounds, this model is a bit heavier than our most portable models, but this tripod makes the cut for its unique design and capabilities.

The 3 Legged Thing Bucky is $430 at B&H Photo  and 3 Legged Thing . Add the company's AirHead Vu ball head and pay $530 at 3 Legged Things .

Benro Induro Hydra 2

The Benro Induro Hydra 2 is, as its name implies, a waterproof tripod that's primed to go on all your outdoor adventures, regardless of how harsh the terrain -- or the weather. Benro specifically calls out how this model has waterproof and dust-resistant twist locks on the tripod's carbon fiber legs, which boosts both the endurance and durability of the tripod. The locks are larger than most and easy to turn, even with gloves on.

The tripod has five sections, with a maximum height of 60 inches and a minimum height of 13.2. Its legs fold upwards, but even with five sections, the Induro Hydra 2 remains a bit bulky. It's portable, but when folded it measures 16.7 inches, which means it's too big for a typical backpack. Benro supplies a padded carry case with both handles and a shoulder strap, but this won't be something you pop into your bag. That said, its weight is a reasonable 3.3 pounds, making it a good companion that straps to the side of your backpack.

The Hydra has a center column and includes a built-in bubble level. It also has a ballast hook should you want to add weight or hook a bag to it. Speaking of weight, the Hydra is one of the sturdiest portable tripods we found -- it supports up to 37.5 pounds. Built into the tripod is a hidden hex wrench, so you can make adjustments to leg tension and more on the fly. This tripod is sold for legs only and does not come with a ball head. The Benro Induro Hydra 2 costs $475 at B&H Photo . 

Zomei Z669C

The Zomei Z669C delivers a versatile tripod that won't break the bank. This carbon fiber model weighs 3.2 pounds and measures 14 inches when folded. That translates to a highly portable package that can fit inside many backpack designs. Yet, it still feels sturdy and is capable of supporting up to 33 pounds of gear. Its maximum height is 59.4 inches, and its minimum height is 20.8 inches. With five sections and padded twist locks, it's easy to set this up on the fly. The rubber feet adjust so you can add spikes for added stability on some terrain.

The tripod has a removable center column that you can attach to one of the legs to convert it into a monopod. Alternatively, you can invert the central column to mix up the angle and shoot from low down from between the tripod's legs for added creativity. It comes with a ball head that's compatible with Arca-Swiss plates for quick removal.  

You can buy the Zomei Z669C for $120 at Amazon . Zomei makes the same tripod in aluminum. That version is a little heavier, at 3.6 pounds –- but that weight comes at a savings of $45, bringing the total price of this tripod down to just $75 at Amazon , which makes this a great tripod for beginners looking to find accessories a new camera . 

Manfrotto Element MII

At 3 pounds and a folded length of 16.9 inches, the Manfrotto Element MII is portable enough to bring with you, even if it might be a tight fit inside a backpack. It has three-section adjustable-angle carbon fiber legs with an aluminum Manfrotto ball head capable of smooth adjustments along a single axis, with a pan lock and friction control knob, too. The head is not sold separately, but it supports Manfrotto and some Arca-Swiss quick-release plates.

This tripod supports up to 17.6 pounds of gear. Its extensible center column lets the tripod stand an impressive 63 inches tall, with a modest minimum height of 16.9 inches, which is the same as its folded length. This model is a good choice for content creators using a mobile phone since it also comes with a universal smartphone clamp for phones up to 3.2 inches in width and a Bluetooth remote control. You can find the Manfrotto Element MII at B&H Photo for $188.

Benro MeFoto RoadTrip Pro Carbon Fiber Series 1

The Benro MeFoto RoadTrip Pro Carbon Fiber Series 1 tripod is one of the most versatile tripods we've seen for the price. It includes a Benro Q-series ball head and a convertible center column design that lets you turn it into a monopod as well. This tripod weighs 3 pounds, and it folds up to 15.1 inches, making it a fairly compact and portable package to take with you. The carbon fiber legs have five sections, with metal twist locks. Each leg is independently adjustable.

The tripod's maximum load capacity is 17.6 pounds, which is enough for most body and lens combinations. Its maximum height is 61.8 inches, and its minimum height is 15.6 inches, just a bit more than the tripod's folded height. The center column comes off easily, and a removable padded leg lets you turn this tripod into a monopod. You can also invert the center column to get low-angle shots, and there is a set of small legs hidden inside the center column that works with the ball head to turn this tripod into a table-top tripod. The ball head itself includes an Arca-Swiss compatible QR plate and a separate plate that includes a convertible phone holder.

You can find the Benro MeFoto RoadTrip Pro Carbon Fiber Series 1 for $199 at B&H Photo .

Manfrotto Befree Advanced Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod

Our second Manfrotto tripod to make the cut is the Manfrotto Befree Advanced Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod, which includes Manfrotto's 494 ball head with pan and friction knobs and a separate panoramic knob. The head supports the Manfrotto RC2 and Arca-Swiss quick-release plate mounts, so you have flexibility on what accessories to use. It has a load capacity of 19.8 pounds, with a maximum height of 59.1 inches and a minimum height of 16.1 inches, which is the same as its folded length.

The carbon fiber legs have four sections and use Manfrotto's M-Lock design for twist leg locks. The legs have three angles you can adjust independently. The tripod also has Manfrotto's Easy Link design–seen on other, pro-grade models–for attaching lights or reflectors to the Befree.

Buy the Befree Advanced Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod for $374 at Amazon or $390 at B&H Photo .

Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod

The Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod mixes an elegant space-saving design with functionality. The Peak Design tripod weighs 2.8 pounds and folds up to 15.5 inches, making it a reasonably compact package. Even better, It folds up tighter than most with its angled leg design that lets the legs get closer when folded. The tripod can hold up to 20 pounds of gear. It has a maximum height of 60 inches, and a minimum height of 5.5 inches, so you can get low down for creative angles. You can also invert the center column for low-angle shots.

The carbon fiber legs have five sections with flip locks. The ball head's minimalist design eschews the usual knobs and protrusions on ball heads for a single adjustment and locking ring. The ball head includes a Peak Design mounting plate, but it's also compatible with Arca-Swiss style plates, and it includes a mobile mount inside the center column. The center column itself has a weight hook. The tripod has mounts for a shoulder strap, too, although these are sold separately.

Buy the Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod for $600 at B&H Photo  or Amazon . You can also find the aluminum version -- which weighs more but costs less -- for $380 at B&H Photo .

Sirui ET-1204

The Sirui ET-1204 carbon fiber tripod weighs 2.4 pounds and has a load capacity of 17.6 pounds, plenty for most camera and lens configurations. If you anticipate needing a higher load capacity, it's worth noting the similarly designed, slightly more expensive–and slightly less portable–ET-2204 supports up to 26.5 pounds to accommodate bigger lenses , although it's also half a pound heavier.

This model is one of the few we found that includes both standard and short center columns. The inclusion of both makes it easy to use one tripod in a variety of different scenarios and environments. The short column lets this tripod go down as low as 5.1 inches. Keep in mind, however, that when it does so the legs splay out, which means the ET-1204 requires a larger footprint than a dedicated tabletop tripod. It can also stand up to 55.1 inches tall.

The tripod's legs fold up in reverse to 16.5 inches, which is a little large for most backpacks. The tripod's legs have four sections, each independently adjustable using an unusually wide flip lock. Two legs have padding, too. The rubber feet also integrate metal spikes for further stability.

You can buy the Sirui ET-1204 for $200 at B&H Photo . If you like this tripod's design and are willing to trade weight for money, Sirui has an aluminum version that weighs half a pound more but saves you $60 on B&H Photo , where it retails for $140. Finally, the higher capacity Sirui ET-2204 sells for $250 at B&H Photo .

Gitzo GIGT1555T Traveler Series 1

The old adage that you get what you pay for comes to mind with regard to the Gitzo GIGT155T Traveler Series 1 tripod. This legs-only model is one of the most expensive on our list, but it is also the lightest and most compact. It weighs just 2.3 pounds and folds to 14 inches, making it easy to tote around all day long on your adventures. The tripod uses Gitzo's reinforced Carbon eXact Tube design which contributes to its sturdy feel, even if you max out its 22-pound load capacity. The legs use a twist-lock designed by Gitzo to be both ergonomic and quick to set in place.

The legs have five sections that fold up in reverse and the maximum height is 54.3 inches. With the invertible short center column, you can get creative low angles down to 7.9 inches. It has convenient built-in hooks for a shoulder strap, so you can throw the tripod over your shoulder if you prefer. If you've got the cash, you can buy the Gitzo GIGT155T Traveler Series 1 tripod for $550 at B&H Photo . 

Read the original article on SlashGear .

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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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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: