Buses , trolleybuses and trams operate from 5.30am until about 11pm, although the odd one is occasionally seen at midnight. Buses and trolleybuses run through the centre of the city, trams usually in the outskirts. Bus stops are marked with yellow signs and trolleybus stops have blue and white signs suspended, like those for tram stops, from overhead cables. Tickets ( talony ) for buses, trolleybuses and trams are available from the driver of the vehicle (single tickets and batches of ten for around $1). Some buses and trams have conductors who sell and check tickets. In general, overground transport is inefficient in central Moscow and you're best off sticking with the metro.

The official taxis are yellow or grey Volgas, but others can come in all shapes and sizes. Taxi drivers often don't use their meters, so it's best to negotiate the fare before getting in to avoid any unpleasant surprises, especially as foreigners are likely to be charged more than the standard fare. Private cars will also stop if you stick your hand out and can be considerably cheaper than an official taxi with its meter off. They're generally safe, but for a woman travelling alone at night they should be avoided.