Rooms, B&B, homestays, couch in the kitchen, floor space etc. starting at $10/night! Several quite decent $25/night offers while $50-60 will get you luxury room in the city center.

Recently added/verified/inspected offers tend to be at the top of this list.

Related: Hostels

Added Jan. 20 2010  A room near Metro Alexeyevskaya from Mme Zelikman.  Three to five min. from the Metro. Walking distance from the Sokolniki park and the Exhibition. $25/night single or double! THE WHOLE APARTMENT AVAILABLE IN THE SUMMER. CHEAP!!! NO MORE THAN $70/NIGHT!!!!

More >>

June 2, 2009  MOVED TO #1 PLACE FOR HIS RECENT (NOV. 1 2009) FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO KEEPING THIS SILLY PROJECT AFLOAT. BUT I RECOMMEND DIMITRY REGARDLESS..... A few steps from the KGB headquarters, Drug Control Committee, and Moscow's oldest synagogue! An early 19th century couch in a room cluttered beyond imagination [Jan. 18 2010 inspection visit: the amount of junk is way down; room rated as livable and even cozy] is yours for $20.

Detailed description of the apartment and the surrounding area.

Warning: the owner is a bit of an asocial type. A chain smoker. Still, given the price and the location and, despite all, a knowledgeable helpful English-speaking host, this is a good deal. A great deal. A superb deal.

From my Nov. 3 2009 mailbox:

Bonjour Paul, I had the opportunity to rent Dimitri's flat for three weeks last September. Dimitri was very helpful... without being the least intrusive. He respected my privacy. Moreover, he was nice enough to lend me a cell phone & (very important) to make sure that the coffee jar was well supplied. Thus, I don't hesitate to recommend his (extremely well located while quiet) place to fellow travellers. François Dallaire 

More feedback coming up. All positive.

June 1 2009  Fighting kids, all sorts of animals, including an overactive little canary, bikes. You have been warned. But despite many agents of chaos the apartment is clean and orderly, and your host Snejana (Anna) is the rare sociable type with not a trace of anything annoying in or about her. Even an old grouch like me is able to spend time in her company. Tushino district, northwest end of Moscow, 30 min. walk or a short bus ride to either Metro Tushinskaya or Skhodnenskaya, very close to the Sheremetyevo airport. Lots of water and parks nearby.  20Euro/night single, 25/night double,120/week, 400Euro/month. Snejana will be happy to be your guide around Moscow in exchange for a chance to practice her already passable English. Especially if you bring her Belgian dark chocolate. The place is very close to the Tushinskaya inter-city bus station from where you can easily get to my dacha near Staritsa, Tver region.  Pets  and children are, naturally, welcomed in this household.

More about this offer >>

 Always copy to me when writing to Snejana becaue she often is off-line for a few days in a row but regularly in touch with me via telephone. I also tend to know about the availability of her room.

THIS HOST IS ALMOST AS SENSITIVE AS I AM TO DROPS ON THE TOILET SIT OR RIM, AND ABSOLUTELY INTOLERANT TO THE HABIT OF SCATTERING AROUND DIRTY SOCKS.

Add: Summer is the best time to take this offer. The kids are off to the dacha. The area is green and jogger/walker friendly etc. Often you will be left alone in the apartment while paying just for the room!

Feb. 10, 2009  From Alla & Sophie. A room in a "kommunalka". One minute walk from Metro Vodny Stadion, north end, green line, very close to the Sheremetyevo airport but access to the city core is easy.. $25/night single, $35/night double. Guests are expected to have experience with "communal" living arrangements.. Alla & Sophie will be happy to act as your guides in exchange for English practice. Once again, note that the room is in a "kommunalka" that Alla and Sophie share with an older working-class couple! For seasoned travellers only! Yes, guests are allowed to borrow Alla's bicycle! She and especially Sophie are funs of everything British! Unlike Snejana above, Alla/Sophie will tolerate your little faults like poor aiming. Even a cigarette but in the kitchen sink will not necessarily get you killed as you deserve.  More ==>>
 

April 2009 From Natalia Alexandrovna, Snejana's mother (see above).  A quiet, freshly renovated room 10-15 min by bus from Metro VDNKh or Alexeyevskaya. There are unconfirmed reports that you can walk to VDNKh through the Botanical Gardens and then the Exhibition if you know the local trails. 20Euro/night single, 25/night double,120/week, 400Euro/month. The other room in this 2-room apartment is occupied by a silent young woman, a vet, named Olesya.. WARNING: FIND A POLITE WAY TO TURN DOWN OLESYA'S OFFER OF FOOD. THIS YOUNG LADY HAS NO CONCEPT OF EXPIRY DATE, AND HAS BEEN KNOWN TO MISTAKE RAT POISON FOR VITAMINS. More eyewitness reports about Natalia Alexandrovna's room ==>>
 

Feb. 10, 2009     The most luxurious room offer on my list. Write to Valentina . Written English is fine but write in short clear sentences because she uses Machine Translation. Or, if you speak Russian, call her at +7-905-552-0220. Full service and support, 5 min. walk from Metro Belorusskaya, quiet and dignified, $50-60/night. Stayed there myself and loved it. Your hostess Valentina will surround you with her care. Gentle force-feeding Russian style included. Lots of space. A 1923 building constructed for the Soviet banking elite, clean, quiet, and full of  "we are not the people" air.  High on character/authenticity scale. Stalin-era neighbourhood. Easy access to both city core, Sheremetyevo airport, and several train stations. Lots of good Russian books in the apartment. If into reading and sleeping, ask for my favourite "Oblomov" room. More ==>>

May 2009 
Alexander, tel. +7-499-243-3889, +7-906-724-7720. Looks like an excellent room in the same building as the Ukraine Hotel, at the very beginning of Kutuzovsky prospekt. 50 Euros/night single or COUPLE (rate verified Feb. 2008). Internet access, breakfast included, friendly sociable host. Full board possible "at cost". Excellent feedback. This offer is on my list since at least 2004. Also a room is available from Alexander's mother, near the US Embassy.May 2009: Lots of construction in the area, be prepared for some noise. VERY INEXPENSIVE (AROUND $30) AIRPORT PICKUP FOR ALEXANDER'S GUESTS.
More =>>

Added May 21 2009   A room from Ilya somewhere in the Metro Bagrationovskaya area. Description from the host:

the place is very close to metro; 15 minutes jogging on the overland
metro line to Arbat, 20 to Kremlin. I live alone with a cat in 2 room
apartments. Stalin's era furnishing... last floor, quite, safe... Looks
odd may be, but peaceful like dacha. One room available for guests, I
think USD 25 per person\USD 35 per couple will be fine. Please find
some pictures attached. Photos ==>>  RESPONDS FAST

April 5, 2009  25$/night single, 35$/night double. Unedited escription from the host:

Viacheslav / mobil +7-903-167-7704
16 square meters, clean, 16th floor (a great view from the windows), 10 min. walk from Domodedovskaia metro (green line).
features:Nice and newed interior, Telephone, TV DVD, Washing machine, Refrigerator, Fast wirless internet and all office equipment
Preference is given  to native speakers,
Contact information:   +7 903-1677704 email Calibre@mail.ru
I could pick you up from Domodedovo Airportor or from other airports

January 6, 2010 - YET ANOTHER COMPLAINT THAT SHE DOES NOT RESPOND ENQUIRIES. OFF THE LIST SHE GOES. TOO BAD. A room from Asya Mikhailovskaya from Bolotnaya Ploshad (Swamp Square), Metro Metro Borovitskaya, Polyanka, Tretyakovskaya, across the river from Kremlin. 35 Euros/night single, 50 double as of March 2008. This offer has been on my list for several years. Excellent feedback. The apartment is of the "communist boss" type and style. An excellent value/price ratio. Very close to my apartment so if it is booked or you are looking for something cheaper in the same area, consider Asya's offer. Or, if you need something self-contained in the same area, check out my place. Hotels in the immediate vicinity of Asya's apartment will normally cost $200/night at the very least.  More info and lots of pictures ==>>  NB. Asya also has a friend who offers inexpensive accommodation in St. Petersburg

Natalia & Victor, tel. +7-495-978-2631 & +7-926-220-7664. A room in an apartment between Metro Belorusskaya and Metro Mendeleyevskaya. Computer, internet. 45 Euro/night. The whole apartmnet (2 bedroom) is occasionally available for about 80-100Euro/night. Fast response to enquiries. Lots of very good feedback. Photos ==>>

Added Jan. 6, 2008   Dasha & Nonna, tel. +79263358216.  Description from the host: 

Near M. Voykovskaya (one minute). 400 Euros/month + long-distance. Very easy access to the Sheremetyevo airport and to city center. Will suit a woman in the 18-30 age range. Washing machine. Dasha is a designer and speaks English well. Nonno is an architect.

skvo1971@mail.ru  Description from the host:

Two sisters offer a cosy 12m room in their two bedroom flat for a short-term rent, commencing on 20th Nov 07. Not far away from metro station VDNKh (ВДНХ), 10 min on foot. We are looking for one only (!) intelligent, reliable and accurate girl. The room has all necessities: a very big bed, wardrobe, chest of draws and broadband Internet. There is a bath/over bath shower, basin, w.c. and washing machine in the bathroom, and all basic appliances in the kitchen. Everybody cleans after themselves, cleaning of communal areas on equal turns, strictly no smoking permitted within the accommodation.  Monthly rent is 15.000RUB (including the bills and the Internet), plus security deposit of 10.000RUB (refundable on departure). Please write a bit more about yourself on skvo1971@mail.ru

Anya, tel. +7-495-360-9278, mobile +7-905-724-7247. Large room, 7 min. walk from Elektrozavodskaya, 3 stops/10 minutes from Red Square. Anya's letter:

"DBL ROOMS FOR RENT, 20 square meters each, cozy and  clean in Stalin-epoch 9-storey building, within 7 min of walk from  Elektrozavodskaya metro station- blue line (3 stops = 10 min from Red Square). Responsible, friendly & inoffensive hostess.
    Preference is given  to native speakers, that may give me an opportunity to improve my  knowledge of English. Photos and more details on my web site homestaymoscow.com or anyahomestay.spaces.live.com  You can e-mail (belozan@yandex.ru) or  call me +7(Russia) 495(Moscow) 360 92 78, mob.phone +7 905 724 724 7
 Welcome to share my place, you will never regret it."

Received Nov. 2, 2009  
Bonjour Paul, I had the opportunity to rent Dimitri's flat for three weeks last September. Dimitri was very helpful... without being the least intrusive. He respected my privacy. Moreover, he was nice enought to lend me a cell phone & (very important) to make sure that the coffee jar was well supplied. Thus, I don't hesitate to recommend his (extremely well located while quiet) place to fellow travellers. François Dallaire 

Added Sept. 2 2008   Room, Patriarchy Ponds, accommodates two. 60 Euros/night, $600US/month. +44 (0)7523214431 , Russia  +7 495 690-2421. Letter from the owner:

> Dear friends,
> > I have two rooms (14 sq.m and 18 sq.m)in 4room apartment in the central
> > historical part of Moscow (Russia) for short-term (appx. 3 month) rent for
> > 600 USD per month. (weekly and daily rate can be discussed)
> > 18 sq.m room has two sleeping beds and can accomondate two people.
> > Catering can be provided on request.
> > Very good location, in walking distance from Pushkin Square, near the
> > Patriarshy Pond, very quet.
> > Contact information: UK  +44 (0)7523214431 , Russia  +7 495 690-2421

>>DAILY RATE PER ROOM, DOUBLE OCCUPANCY:  60 EUROS

Added Sept. 2 2008    From the landlord:

> Flat (2 rooms, kitchen, WC, bedroom) in the centre of Moscow for tourists
> > (3-4 persons) and business trips.
> > Near Kremlin, Big Theatre, underground station Tulskaya.
> > Breakfasts, transfer from the airport, visa support (the letter of
> > invitation), guide are possible. 60 Euro/night from one person or 120 per room.
> > Phone +7906-074-25-98
> > E-mail: rumias@list.ru

HOW CAN METRO TULSKAYA BE NEAR THE BOLSHOY? RATE TOO ARE WAY OUT OF LINE. - PV

> Pasha,
>
> I have 2 room apartment in the centre of Moscow (m. Prospekt mira, 3 minutes on foot from  metro) and I would like to give a room for rent. It can be one day renting (from 35$ per day) or for whole month (500$/month) and longer. I have next features:
> Balcony
> Stylish interior (western standard)
> Telephone
> TV
> Washing machine
> Refrigerator
> Fast internet and equipment such as: printer, scanner
>
> Pls, let me know if it is possible to put add about it on your site.
>
> Waiting for your reply,
> Oksana

Marina Barrett  offers several B&B, M. Mayakovskaya area, 20-35Euro/person or 25-30 per couple.  A very civilized place, with concierge and all, for 20-25Euros/person or 30-40/couple on Dmitri Donskoi boulevard, close to Metro, just outside the Ring Road. Near Varshavskoye shosse, with easy access to Domodedovo & Vnukovo airports. This is FAR from the city center, thus high availability and possibility of discounts. 

Tel. in Holland, where Marina lives permanently:  0031 16666 32 25
E-mail: russianguide@mail.ru
URL: www.russianguide.20m.com

POSITIVE FEEDBACK, APARTMENTS AVAILABLE TOO, QUICK RESPONSE, HEARD OF SOME GREAT DEALS OBTAINED THROUGH HER.

JULY 2009 - COMPLAINTS ABOUT HER NOT RESPONDING.

Received July 21, 2007. From the owner:

Three rooms, 15, meters, 17 meters and 23 meters, new construction (2007), super view, green area in prestige district, 10 minute walk from metro Park Kulturi, easy access by foot to city center and Gorky Park, 90-150 euros per day.  Bike rental and transportation to/from airports and rail lines available.  Discount for extended stays.  Accepts cash, credit cards through PayPal. Contact Jerome by email at JeromekJerome@gmail.com or phone +7-926-746-2118..

THIS IS RATE FOR A ROOM. I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH A RATE FOR A ROOM.

Another version received a few days later:

Three rooms in new construction (2007) with a super view surrounded by many green areas. It's just a 10 minute walk from metro Park Kulturi, easy access by foot to city center and Gorky Park, 45-75 euros per day.  American owner also offers bike rental and transportation to/from airports and rail lines.  Can also arrange guides and interpreters for English, German or French. Discount for extended stays.  Discounts at local restaurants and bars.  Owner accepts cash , personal checks, credit cards through PayPal.

Contact Jerome by email at JeromekJerome@gmail.com or phone +7-926-746-2118..

THIS SILLY OFFER IS POSTED TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF THE MARKET. RUSSIAN LANDLORDS HAVE NO QUALMS ABOUT ASKING FOR RATES THAT DON'T MAKE SENSE. WESTERNERS WHO SPEND SOME TIME IN THIS LAND SOON BECOME EVEN WORSE THAN ITS NATIVE INHABITANTS.

Homestay with Maria (Masha) in Pechatniki, east end. A young attractive hostess with a fun personality.  The whole apartment may also be available.  [MY OLD DESCRIPTIONFROM 2005]

Comfortable & secure accomodation offered for rent on a daily basis in Moscow Centre area (Bolshaya Pereyaslavskaya street). Tourists welcome! To rent a room in a nice two-room apt please contact me at my mob 8903 241 1619

Your friend and companion in Moscow 
 Basic bed and breakfast 30 euro/person/night
"Making YOUR MOSCOW Safe,Predictable,Interesting,Friendly and even FUN"
travel escort
www.luxlana.net    c_sveta(at)mail(dot)ru

FROM WHAT I HEAR SHE IS BACK IN MOLDOVA, NOW BUSY CARBON-COPYING PHRASES AND WHOLE PAGES FROM WWW.MARISHA.NET  CAN'T BE RECOMMENDED ON THESE GROUNDS ALONE.

$10/night per person or $15/couple. Whole room for $20-30. Mattress-on-the-floor type of sleeping arrangement, north end but near Metro, helpful host, and underpaid physics teacher whom I've seduced into trying herself in the hospitality business. WHOLE APARTEMENT, AROUND $40, ALSO SOMETIMES AVAILABLE, NORTH END (M. BABUSHKINSKAYA, CLOSE TO THE NATIONAL EXHIBITION). VISA SUPPORT, REGISTRATION ETC. no problem.  Write her. More info on Marina K. 

...... THINK THE RATE INFORMATION IS HOPELESSLY OUTDATED. EXPECT TO PAY $30/NIGHT PER PERSON FOR THE ROOM, EVEN A VERY BASIC ONE, EVEN FOR A BED IN A DORM-TYPE SITUATION, AND NO LESS THAN $90-100 PER NIGHT FOR AN APARTMENT......

From my mailbox. Received March 14, 2008.
You will never meet Marina, but her son, a total asocial, rude and autistic teenager, who opens the door and ask you 1) When do you go out/be back home: there is only one housekey; 2) You stay x.. nights, so it will be x.. X 1500 roubles: do you can all pay now ?; and sudden runs to his computer to tap nevrotically as continuously day and night, persiuing devils and hitches, eating twice a day at the nearby mac do (that helps you having an idea when to get out or come back: he holds the key). Never expect any spontanuous attention from that human being (?)

Yelena Nifakina, nif63@hotmail.com. Recommended by one of my clients a long time ago. Vaguely recall it is somewhere by the Moscow State University.

xxxxx   This landlord asked me to advertise his offer on my site without revealing his name, contact information, and the nature of his offer out of his fear of Mafia, tax police, and space aliens. As requested, I am posting his offer to allow you a glimpse into the workings of the Russian mind and a sample of the Russian secrecy culture.

HI
ONE ROOM IN MOSCOW IN A TWO ROOM FLAT IS AVAILABLE AT 30 DOLLARS PER NIGHT.MAXIMUM 2 TWO PEOPLE CAN STAY
THANKS
MANOJ
MPINR@YAHOO.CO.IN

June 7, 2008 - NOT AVAILABLE   May 27, 2009      A couch in a room full of philology and biology books. This Kuzminki apartment (southeast end of Moscow, 12 min. walk from Metro Kuzminki) is occupied by an off-beat overeducated aikido-obsessed English, Italian, and Japanese speaking journalism professor and her three quiet not-too-smelly dogs adopted off Moscow streets. Rate: $20/night or whatever you can afford. THIS OFFER IS NEW ==>> AVAILABILITY NEAR 100% Contact Tatiana, dajma@mail.ru, +7-495-379-9645, +7-910-456-8816. Meals can be arranged! Among her other qualifications your host is a certified cook working in the French and Chinese style, or a creative mix of both. Bicycle! Piano! Close to a large Kuzminki park/estate/cultural center. Riding stables and boat renal in the park.

October 30, 2009

TRAVELLERS -
PLEASE REPORT HOSTS WHO DON'T RESPOND! THEIR OFFERS WILL BE MOVED DOWN AND EVENTUALLY TAKEN OFF THE LIST.

 Homestays are NOT for everyone. You will be sharing space with your host/roommate. Think carefully of compatibility. If in doubt, opt for an apartment or even better a hotel.

Know of any good places to crash cheap? Help your fellow travellers and local hosts by sharing this information.   Leave a note in my Guestbook from where it will eventually get to this or other lists and/or send me an e-mail.

Don't hesitate to complain. Hosts too are welcomed to complain about guests. Complaints from hosts help me to develop the profile of a traveller who needs to be discouraged from staying with a local family.

Hosts! Adding your offer here is free and easy. Just e-mail me what you want to say it will be added within hours and uploaded within days. It is your responsibility to monitor that your information shows up.

If you start to receive clients from this site regularly I'll expect a 10% site upkeep contribution from you.

Hint

If looking for homestay type arrangement, try advertising in www.izrukvruki.ru or post a notice in the Foreign Languages Library (Taganskaya subway station)

Lots of "accommodation in exchange for English" opportunities floating around but not always quick and/or easy to find.

See my new
Free Accommodation
page

Russian-only resources through which you may try looking for a room (or apartment):

www.tenant.ru

sutki24.narod.ru

mflat.ru 

An agency that **specializes** in rooms, $280-300/month range

sdam-snimu.com
has LOTS of rooms, some without agents

kvartiranasutki.
boom.ru

kvartiranasutki2006.
narod.ru

An excellent new resource:
www.slando.ru

....

An extensive list of Russian hostels
As of the moment (April 22, 2008) it is in Russian but the English version is promised soon.

Suspended animation
from $40/day

An article about my dacha by Liz Fudge

==>>

 Recommended:
 A panorama of Moscow from the top of the Federation Tower on a clear and cold February night

Roommate matching: flatmates.ru/eng/  Please make a note of and use, and support this new initiative by my esteemed competitors at www.waytorussia.net. You may also find a few homestay offers there.