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Louis Vuitton Epi Keepall 50 Boston Bag Green M42964 Lv Auth 64117

Chanel Vintage Lipstick Red Caviar Leather Cosmetic And Toiletry Pouch, Makeup Case Bag

Louis Vuitton Keepall 50 Travel

Louis Vuitton Epi Keepall 45 Boston Bag Red M42977 Lv Auth 64974

Louis Vuitton Keepall 45 Handbag

Louis Vuitton Keepall 45 Travel

Saint Laurent Large Weekender Bowling Bag Tote

1960s Authentic Louis Vuitton Luggage Pieces - a Pair

1970 Gucci Leather and Fabric Logo Suitcase With Brass Insignia

Louis Vuitton Cipango Gold Epi Leather Keepall 50 Bag

Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Bag With Strap

Chanel Metallic Grey Quilted Leather Airlines Round Trip Bowler Bag

Gucci Gucci Large Travel Bag

Gianfranco Ferre Gianfranco Ferre Large Travel Bag

Gucci Large Diamante Travel Bag

Louis Vuitton Cotteville 40 Trunk Suitcase Handbag Monogram M21424 68052

Dior Dior Christian Dior Monogram Black Canvas Travel Bag

Celine Vanity Cosmetic Pouch Leather Black Auth 43930

Louis Vuitton Monogram Macassar & Black Leather Alzer Trunk 70

Chanel Bag Vanity Black Gold Metal Fittings Cosmetic Pouch Coco Mark Women's Caviar Skin A01997

Louis Vuitton Monogram Keepall 45 Travel Duffle Handbag M41428 152525

Louis Vuitton Monogram Keepall 50 Duffle Travel Handbag M41426 152305

Gucci Beige Monogram Canvas Weekender Travel Bag With Stripes

Louis Vuitton Epi Keepall 50 Travel Bag

Louis Vuitton Monogram Keepall Bandouliere 60 Duffle 2Way Shoulder Handbag M41412 99957

Louis Vuitton Monogram Keepall Bandouliere 60 Duffle 2Way Shoulder Handbag M41412 132787

Celine Vintage Brown Macadam Blaison Doctor Bag With Tanned Brown Leather Trimming

Prada Tricolor Saffiano Leather Travel Bag

Louis Vuitton Monogram Keepall 55 Travel Bag

Louis Vuitton Louis Vuitton Travel Bags Keepall

1996-1997 Chanel Black Mini Leather Vanity Bag

Gucci Green Leather Large Tonal Double G Duffle Bag

Louis Vuitton Monogram Sirius 70

Louis Vuitton Monogram Keepall Bandouliere 55 Travel Bag

Trussardi Trussardi Vintage Leather Luggage

Chanel 4Th Series Caviar Skin Black Vanity Bag

Louis Vuitton Monogram Keepall 45 Travel Duffle Handbag M41428 152254

Moynat Suitcase In Beige Monogram Canvas

Louis Vuitton Keepall Bandouliere 45 Boston Bag Red Fusion Damier Infini Leather N41142

Loewe Canvas Logo Drawstring Travel Bag

1995 Louis Vuitton Travel Bag Leather Epi Green

Louis Vuitton Monogram Keepall 60 Duffle Handbag M41422 132786

Hermes Toile Bolide 35 Travel Bag

Louis Vuitton Epi Speedy 40 Handbag Boston Bag Noir Black M42982

Hermes Earl D Boston Bag Handbag Rouge Ash Ardennes Leather Women's

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Buy vintage and antique leather luggage from Chairish from our coveted, carefully curated collections of pieces ranging from 19th-century French leather suitcases to 1970s designer leather suitcases. We have one-of-a-kind finds and rare vintage luggage sets.

For Leather Luggage Lovers

Our leather vintage suitcase collections include antique leather and wood trunks, vintage leather jewelry traveling cases, handsome leather travel bags, wardrobe steamer trunks, and beautiful hand-tooled leather suitcases. We have suit luggage in leather and even antique traveling cases for hats. See our hand-painted leather suitcases, vintage Italian train case and Louis Vuitton leather suitcase sets. Browse our collection to discover an antique Chinese leather trunk or a beautifully detailed vintage Gucci leather luggage piece from the 1980s. We have brass-studded leather valises and more.

Rare and One of a Kind

Rarely do we carry more than one pre-owned leather suitcase. Our one-of-a-kind collectible leather suitcases make one-of-a-kind gifts for lovers of all things leather. We have seen these suitcases displayed in stacked sets displayed as unique décor in well-appointed homes. Large antique steamer trunks become exquisite coffee tables. Vintage leather saddlebags become the good-looking alternative to ordinary briefcases and computer bags. Or, find a vintage Italian calfskin leather attaché case. If you’re a collector of French-made leather luggage, see our antique and vintage French luggage collection .

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The 10 Best Vintage-style Suitcases

Our top pick is the versatile Urecity Designer Vintage Trunk Set.

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Streamline Luggage

So, you didn’t inherit a Louis Vuitton steamer trunk — well, allow us to introduce you to some equally stylish (and more affordable) vintage-inspired alternatives. Whether you’re looking to channel the glamorous days of Pan Am (minus the whole smoking-on-the-plane bit) or just set your luggage apart from the ubiquitous black suitcases circling at baggage claim, a classic suitcase is always a good investment. You may be tempted to seek out real vintage luggage, but we’d encourage frequent flyers to opt for something less delicate and with the added bonus of wheels, which weren’t really a thing until the late 20th century . If this sounds tempting to you already, we’ve rounded up suitcases with the tasteful trappings of yesteryear combined with modern offerings like spinner wheels, compression straps, and retractable handles. 

Our overall favorite is the Urecity Designer Vintage Trunk Set for its fantastic value, its silent four-way spinner wheels, and the range of charming patterns on offer. But in case that doesn’t suit your needs, we’ve rounded up the best styles on the market for every type of traveler, from the British royal family’s go-to trunk to budget-friendly duffel bags. 

Here’s our breakdown of the best vintage-style luggage to shop now:

Best Overall

Urecity vintage trunk set.

This stylish set is a great value for the price, and features four-way spinner wheels for easy transport. 

The trunk style fits significantly less than a traditional carry-on. 

If you’re in the market for vintage-inspired luggage, you might as well keep things classic with a two- or three piece set — and one that would fit right in at the TWA lounge at that. These adorable, rose gold-accented pieces are an excellent value for those who travel light, but note that they do sacrifice space for style. As long as you’re committed to minimalist packing (or taking them on a shorter trip), these bags are an excellent way to elevate even the most budget airline experience with a bit of old-world glamor.

We’d recommend the carry-on size, as the material is shockingly durable for regular use but may not stand the test of time if handled too aggressively and tossed around at baggage claim. We love that it comes with a clear waterproof dust cover and that the smaller bag includes a detachable strap for easy carrying. 

The Details: 12.5 x 5 x 9 inches (cosmetic case), 22 x 8.2 x 13.3 inches (carry-on) | 2.65 pounds (cosmetic case), 7.36 pounds (carry-on) | PU leather

Best Rolling Carry-on

Mark & graham terminal 1 carry-on.

Mark & Graham

You can personalize this expandable rolling suitcase. 

The light coloring is more likely to show scratches over time. 

Mark & Graham is known for its luxe leather goods at a mid-range price, and the ability to personalize just about anything with a monogram. Set your luggage apart with the classic Terminal 1 carry-on, which comes in white, navy, or black or olive, all with brown accents. While the white may eventually show more scuffs, it’s a classic color combo and the polycarbonate exterior makes it easy to clean.

For peace of mind, the brand also offers a lifetime limited warranty, although it’s unlikely that you’ll need it given the quality. The genuine leather accents add a retro flair while a one-inch expander, four 360-degree spinning wheels, and a telescopic handle offer modern convenience. 

The Details: 14 x 10 x 22 inches | 7.93 pounds | Polycarbonate, polyester, leather

Best Top-handle Carry-on

Bric’s cargo duffle bag.

The leather handles can withstand a good deal of wear and tear. 

There’s only one zippered pocket inside.

While Bric’s is less flashy than some other luxury labels , the brand — founded in the 1950s — still offers top-shelf (or, should we say, overhead bin-worthy) luggage. This is a carry-on worthy of a winter getaway spent sipping an Old Fashioned and reading a book by the fire. Available in cream or black, it’s sturdy and easy to clean thanks to the leather-like exterior (made of PVC, or polyvinyl chloride).

It’s the perfect size for a weekend or even an overnight trip, plus features interior and exterior zip pockets to help you stay organized. Plus, while the top handle on this handmade beauty is made to stand the test of time, we appreciate that it also comes with a shoulder strap (and a TSA-approved lock). 

The Details: 16.9 x 11 x 7.5 inches | 2.6 pounds | Embossed PVC, polyester, leather

Best Checked

Delsey paris hardside luggage.

This rugged hardside suitcase features a unique brake system that prevents the bag from rolling away. 

It’s not expandable. 

The great debate of check-in luggage is whether hardside or softside is more durable. The former can be more prone to scratches and dents while the latter may rip more easily but, either way, investing in higher quality materials will pay off in the long run. This rugged hardshell from iconic French luggage brand Delsey Paris looks far more expensive than it is, and holds up well over time thanks to its polycarbonate exterior that’s designed with temperature and impact resistance in mind.

Our favorite features are the special brake system, which locks the front two wheels with the push of a button so that you can still roll the luggage, but it won’t roll away on its own, plus the removable add-ons including a hanger, a laundry bag, and a shoe bag. While we’d love to recommend the stunning champagne white color, that may be best for a carry-on; a darker shade is more practical for check-in luggage, as it will better hide any scratches or nicks that may appear over time. 

The Details: 27.5 x 12.5 x 20 inches | 12.6 pounds | Polycarbonate

Globe-Trotter Safari Carry-On Suitcase

Globe Trotter

It offers the look of an antique trunk but a subtle telescopic handle and wheels make it easier to transport.  

It’s a major investment. 

Globe Trotter has been the leading name in luxury trunks since 1897, and even counted the late Queen Elizabeth II as a fan. The refined Safari carry-on pairs the timeless design of a classic steamer trunk with the convenience of modern suitcases: there’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it telescopic handle and the option to choose two or four spinner wheels, depending on your preference. It’s also personalizable for an added fee.

This stately suitcase is the ideal companion for long weekends or business trips due to its smaller capacity, but it’s a minimalist’s best friend. If you’re looking for a lifelong investment piece, this is it. 

The Details: 22 x 8.27 x 16 inches | 9.3 pounds | Vulcanized fibreboard, leather

Best Leather

Steamline luggage the pioneer carry-on.

Steamline Luggage

It marries an antique luggage look with modern amenities like a telescopic handle, all-terrain wheels, and internal zippered storage compartments. 

You’ll likely want to use the included nylon cover on rainy travel days.

It doesn’t get more luxurious than a leather Steamline suitcase. Nostalgic and new-world all at once, this beauty looks almost too antique to actually use — but, fear not, it’s more rugged than it looks. Equipped with two silent, all-terrain wheels, studded corners, a telescopic handle, TSA-approved locks, a hanging travel kit, and functional leather straps, there’s little left to be desired in this masterpiece of modern luggage (except perhaps the price tag, although it’s reflective of the quality).

The carry-on comes with a stylish ripstop cover made from the same yellow honeycomb print of the lining; of course you might not want to cover up all that gorgeousness, but it’s handy to have for protective purposes. The full-grain leather will age gracefully, developing a patina over time.  

The Details: 20 x 14.5 x 6.5 inches | 9.9 pounds | Leather

Best Softside

Steve madden designer luggage collection.

There’s a designated space for shoes built-in to the interior mesh compartment. 

The compression straps offer less stretch than normal because they aren’t elastic.

This designer set channels major Murder on the Orient Express vibes. While an overabundance of zippers makes most softside luggage look cheap, the tassel finish on these add retro flair that’s sure to net you some compliments. The wheels (which add about an inch, keeping them within most carry-on guidelines) are designed specifically to provide extra stability and prevent bags from falling forwards.

We love that there’s a built-in shoe slot inside the interior mesh compartment and that the under-seat bag has numerous pockets and slots to keep your belongings organized and in easy reach (plus it’s got its own telescopic handle for easy transport). If you’re counting on the compression straps, note that they aren’t elastic and therefore don’t offer as much give — you may want to consider packing cubes instead if you need to save space, although the two larger pieces are also expandable. 

The Details: 15 x 9 x 14 inches (under-seat bag), 20 x 14 x 8 inches (carry-on), 28 x 18 x 10.5 inches (check-in) | 5 pounds (under-seat bag), 7.8 pounds (carry-on), 10.1 pounds (check-in) | Polyester

Best Hat Box

Calpak large hat box.

This stylish hat box is sturdy enough to check and large enough to fit most wide-brimmed sun hats.

There’s only a trolley sleeve on the smallest size. 

Whether you’re looking to protect your “OOO''-emblazoned sun hat for a beach getaway or pack a bachelorette party’s worth of cowboy hats, Calpak’s hat box is a perfect fit. It’s available in small, medium, and large sizes (and two classic colors: black and almond). Our favorite is the large since it accommodates most wide-brim hats (up to 18.5 inches). We love the croc-inspired pattern and that it’s made from durable polycarbonate instead of actual crocodile, which also means it’s sturdy enough to check. There’s space to layer several hats, depending on how delicate they are, and to tuck some softer items like sweaters or small accessories around them or in the handy interior elastic pockets.

For carrying convenience, there’s a cushioned top handle and a removable, adjustable shoulder strap. And, if you’re as sold on it as we are, you can always build out a matching set with the rest of Calpak’s Trnk collection . 

The Details: 19 x 20 x 8.5 inches | 6.7 pounds | Polycarbonate, polyester

Best Duffel

Baosha travel tote.

It’s larger than your typical gym bag.  

The lining isn’t sewn in.

This bag is a great value for the price. If you’re looking for something larger than a typical gym bag, this oversized canvas carry-on will do the trick for most weekend trips. The material is ultra lightweight yet durable, and PU leather accents add a timeless, sophisticated touch. There’s an exterior pocket as well as two slim interior zippered pockets, plus a compartment to store your phone and cardholder.

Do note that the vibrant interior lining isn’t sewn into the bag which may make this more prone to snags if you don’t treat it carefully. 

The Details: 21.3 x 9.4 x 13 inches | 2.8 pounds | Canvas, PU leather

Cotrunkage Vintage Luggage Set

From feminine florals to retro stamp prints, this three-piece set is available in fifteen eye-catching patterns.

The luggage straps are necessary to properly secure the suitcases, making it less easy to access your belongings in a pinch.

Luggage sets typically offer more bang for your buck and are a streamlined way to store all your travel essentials. Plus, they nest inside each other for easy storage when not in use. While that’s handy, it’s likely you’ll find any excuse to break out this three-piece set from vintage-inspired purveyor Cotrunkage, which comes in fifteen envy-inducing patterns — think florals that would make your grandmother’s wallpaper blush and Christmas colors fit for the Polar Express.

Note that these suitcases sacrifice space for design, so if you’re not one to skimp on souvenir shopping, you may want to look for bags with more give. 

The Details: 13 x 9 x 5.5 inches (cosmetic case), 22 x 13 x 7.5 inches (carry-on), 28 x 15 x 8.5 inches (check-in) | 2.9 pounds (cosmetic case), 8.5 pounds (carry-on),10.5 pounds (check-in) | Polyurethane leather, polyester

Tips for Buying Vintage-Style Suitcases

Know your capacity requirements.

It’s crucial to figure out how much space you need for a typical trip in order to select a suitcase that, well, suits you. Are you looking for a weekend-getaway companion or are you jetting off on weeks-long trips abroad? Do you tend to pack minimally or find yourself sitting atop your suitcase, struggling to close the zipper? If you’re the latter, you’ll want to prioritize expandable or softside luggage over hardside, as the material offers much more flexibility. Many trunk-style vintage pieces run smaller than modern luggage, so you may want to size up if you need more packing space (or invest in compression packing cubes ). 

Consider airline size and weight restrictions

While it pays (or rather, saves), to check individual airline baggage requirements, most standard carriers follow the same size and weight guidelines. Typically, you’ll be able to bring one personal item and one carry-on for free, and check other bags for additional fees. Most international flights also include one free checked bag. 

Personal items, which should fit under the seat in front of you, should be under 17 x 10 x 8 inches (but, again, sizing varies per carrier). Backpacks, duffels, or totes are usually accepted — and softside, squishable bags are ideal for tighter spots. 

Carry-ons will need to be stored in the overhead bins and not exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches, including handles and wheels. Typical weight limits are 15-25 pounds for economy passengers — be sure to check your airline.

Checked suitcases are great for longer trips, or for bringing back loads of souvenirs for family and friends. They need to be less than 62 linear inches, meaning the height, width, and length can’t add up to more than that. Anything larger will typically be subject to added fees, as will luggage over 50 pounds. (But, as always, check with your carrier before travel for no airport surprises.)

Aged leather, luggage straps, and steamer-trunk-style handles add vintage flair to modern luggage, which thankfully has evolved over time to include handy amenities like retractable handles and 360-degree spinner wheels. Retro touches like studded corners mimic the steel frames of actual vintage luggage, while vibrant linings and playful patterns like wallpaper florals recall the glamorous heyday of air travel in the 20th century.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, T+L contributor Sophie Dodd researched every aspect of vintage-inspired luggage, from different types of wheels to TSA-approved dimensions and what materials best withstand a bit of jostling at baggage claim. She used her expertise as a travel writer to narrow down a list of the most reliable options for every need and budget.

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Leather crossbody tote.

Discover our luxury designed vegetable tanned leather bags that are soft, durable, colorful, timeless, and easy to personalize.

Men's Leather Backpack with 15.6 Inches Laptop Compartment

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Handmade of natural Italian vegetable tanned leather. It's not trying to get glamorous attention, but it is actually the most user-friendly bag you'll own.

Elegant Leather Crossbody Tote

With a detachable and adjustable shoulder strap, the tote bag is convertible as an elegant shoulder bag, crossbody, suitable for every occasion.

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Men's Vintage Crazy Horse Leather Sling Bag

Love it. It’s perfect !! Will buy again whenever I need a new backpack

Purchased this to carry my 13” MacBook Air and it works perfectly .. light , high quality , numerous storage pouches , and looks great !

The fanny pack, is wonderful, it certainly was a rare find! I have been looking for replacement for My old one for many years. Best regards, David C.

I purchased the BACKPACK as a gift for my daughter and she LOVES it,

Can’t believe such a great bag was offered at such an incredible price. Can’t wait to see how this bag holds up.

I really like the backpack. it is really nice and the pockets are very well designed. I just would like to make the staps shorter and I have them at the shortest length possisble. It is still very good though. I recommend to purchase this backpack.

I am so happy with my purchase! The quality is amazing and sturdy and sleek. I've received several compliments. The size is as described and fits on top of my luggage bag perfectly. Lots of zipper compartments and areas that just make sense. Overall, great bag!!

For the money, you can’t beat it!

High quality, durable, and chic. This bag was exactly what I was looking for and is my new favorite every-day bag.

Very nice quality leather and hardware. Versatile in ways to wear it. Lovely. Bought more Luke Case bags for all 4 daughters in law!

perfect colour, size and construction - items do not fall out easily as has been my experience with other cross body bags.

This is a cute backpack ideal for carrying laptop and other items. I wanted a backpack that didn't look much like a laptop bag, but rather was a more elegant way to bring my computer with me while walking. It is exactly what I expected- nice color, many pockets and zippers, comfortable and stylish.

Men's Vintage Crazy Horse Leather Backpack

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Leather Vintage Travel Wallet and Passport Holder - 5.5" x 4" - Genuine Leather Travel Case for Men and Women - Passport Wallet, Leather Folding Wallet for Passports

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About this item.

• ✔️ Premium Full Grain Leather: Experience the richness of 100% full-grain high-quality leather with a beautiful vintage patina. Crafted by hand, our distressed vegetable-tanned leather will naturally age with character - a travel companion for life.
• ✔️ Unique Patina with Age: The high-quality distressed buffalo leather guarantees a long-lasting life and remarkable durability. As you use the wallet, it will continue to develop a beautiful and unique patina, showcasing the leather's age and grace. Embrace the evolving character of your wallet as it becomes a testament to your journeys.
• ✔️ Slim, Vintage & Versatile Design: This pocket-sized wallet is perfect for 10-year passports, featuring 2 spacious pockets making room for a passport on each side, plus 4 card slots for your ID, credit cards, or transit cards. Dimensions: 5.5 x 4 x 0.5"/ 14 × 10 x 1cm. Weight: 4.5oz / 130g.
• ✔️ Thoughtful Gift Packaging: Our vintage passport wallet comes elegantly presented in a vintage gift box, making it the perfect leather passport holder for men or women. This thoughtful and enduring gift is sure to be appreciated for a lifetime.
• ✔️ Built to Last: Crafted with durability in mind, this passport wallet is built to withstand the test of time. If, for any reason, you're not completely satisfied with your purchase, feel free to contact us. Your satisfaction is our top priority.

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Warranty & support, product description.

Are you the type of person who likes to buy something once and use it forever? We are too!

That's why we created the Wanderings vintage travel wallet/passport case for men and women. The Wanderings full-grain vintage leather passport wallet will stand the test of time.

How will your journey begin?

Here are 5 reasons why you and the Wanderings vintage passport wallet will live happily ever after together

1. STYLISH AND LIGHTWEIGHT: it's stylish and lightweight yet tough - Steel-tough Full-Grain Leather organizer, perfect for all your travel needs. Made from full-grain vegetable-tanned leather, this wallet is a must-have for life on the road.

2. CLASSIC, vintage, old, rustic, retro ... It is a companion that will always be by your side or a gift that will never be forgotten. It is an excellent passport case for women or men.

3. SAFE AND RELIABLE: travel the world in style, with security and peace of mind. Keep documents, boarding passes, cards and cash perfectly safe with a variety of pockets and compartments

4. FUNCTIONAL - This passport wallet is designed to carry Standard passports of Mexico, US, UK, EU and Canada: 125 × 88 mm (4,921 × 3,465 inches).

5. HANDMADE QUALITY - Dark brown full-grain genuine leather that ages exactly as high-quality leather should. It is a great vintage leather passport case for men or women

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Customer reviews.

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the quality, fit, and feel of the wallet. For example, they say it's beautifully made, fits a standard passport perfectly, and is made of genuine leather. Customers are also satisfied with the value and smell. That said, opinions are mixed on size.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the wallet. They mention that it is beautifully made, with good quality materials. Some appreciate the excellent workmanship and color. Overall, most are happy with their purchase and recommend it to others.

"...High quality leather and great craftsmanship . 5 stars!" Read more

"Good size. I think it will work nicely for keeping my stuff organized while traveling." Read more

"...Having all of this in a good looking , strong 'wallet' is nice. It fits in the door pocket really well too!" Read more

"...I'm keeping it because it's still nice and I can probably find other travel things to store in it along with the passport but just something to be..." Read more

Customers like the fit of the wallet. For example, they say it fits a standard passport perfectly, and is the perfect size to fit in any pocket. Customers are also impressed with the quality and the fact that it holds the passport snugly but not so tightly that they're struggling to get it. They say it's wide enough for passports and fits vertically.

"Beautiful leather that fits my passport , medical certificate and pilots license so I’m ready for any flight...." Read more

" Good size . I think it will work nicely for keeping my stuff organized while traveling." Read more

"...It fits in the door pocket really well too!" Read more

"... They fit vertically , if you don't mind having them overlap each slot but that's not very secure...." Read more

Customers like the leather of the wallet. They say it's decent, made of genuine high quality leather, and beautiful. Some say the leather will develop a handsome character.

" Beautiful leather that fits my passport, medical certificate and pilots license so I’m ready for any flight...." Read more

"This case is nice leather and attractive vintage looking, but the card slots are too small for me to fit any cards in. Not wide enough...." Read more

"The product was carefully and finely made of genuine high quality leather " Read more

"...I’m sure the leather will develop a handsome character ." Read more

Customers like the feel of the wallet. They mention that it's soft, comfortable, and well made. Some appreciate the crazy horse leather, which is soft and smooth.

"...I like the feel of the leather , and the markings one makes overtime gives it such unique character and evidence of one’s journeys, characteristic of..." Read more

"...added info..the thickness of the leather was around 3cm, leather is soft , yet a stiffness to it, smooth yet has some marks -which i find a nice..." Read more

"...It’s perfect, soft a little rugged not girly but I still love it! It’s a keeper for sure." Read more

"...It is real leather and SO soft . He loved it!" Read more

Customers appreciate the value of the wallet. They say it's a good buy, high quality for a reasonable price, and durable. Some customers also mention that it'll fill the bill very nicely.

"1. RFID2. Room for two passports3. Great Value " Read more

"Excellent quality, real leather and good value for money , highly recommend." Read more

" High quality for a good price !! Exceeded my expectations!!" Read more

" Excellent item . I have absolutely zero complaints...." Read more

Customers like the smell of the wallet. They mention that they love the smells of genuine leather.

"I love the smell of genuine leather —pockets for many sizes of documents." Read more

"The smell and feel of leather ...." Read more

"...I was thrilled when I found this and I absolutely love it. And it smells wonderful . Quality work, quality look, quality happy!" Read more

"...You can feel and smell the quality of this leather . I am sure the beauty of the leather will only improve with usage and time...." Read more

Customers are mixed about the size of the wallet. Some mention that it holds more than passports and credit cards, and has spaces for ticket stubs and random mementos. However, others say that it's too large to fit in a pocket, some of their cards don't fit, and the holders are very tight.

"...case is nice leather and attractive vintage looking, but the card slots are too small for me to fit any cards in. Not wide enough...." Read more

"I love the smell of genuine leather— pockets for many sizes of documents ." Read more

"...It could be slightly more spaced out , but I guess that’s so it doesn’t slip out of place on the go. Overall, I’m really happy with it!!..." Read more

"...Now to be fair, it's pretty large . It will be difficult to carry in your pants pockets. It works best in a jacket pocket, or a bag...." Read more

Customers are dissatisfied with the scratch resistance of the wallet. They mention that it scratches easily, gets scratch marks from keys, and leaves an indelible mark.

"...It will look a little scratched /scuffed after a few months of use, but I was intentionally going for a “worn in” look." Read more

"...for the passport and the cards snug perfect, the quality of the leather scratches easily so just be mindful…or not." Read more

"...It also gets scratch marks from keys . The wallet did not come apart but I had a concern that it might over time...." Read more

"...The edge of the flap was stretched, damaged and warped. The edge has a rough surface, not burnished well." Read more

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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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21 Things to Know Before You Go to Moscow

Featured city guides.

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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Soviet Moscow: Incredible Vintage Photos Show What Moscow Looked Like in the 1950s

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Moscow was the center, heart, and soul of the Soviet Union in the 1950s. The country was recovering from World War II , and moving towards the rapid development and prosperity. The city housed the headquarters of the Soviet secret service, the KGB, and the developing nuclear and aerospace breakthroughs of the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

New architectures, theatres, skyscrapers, and hotels were built in the city during the 1950s. The Hilton Moscow Leningrad kaya, one of Moscow’s Seven Sisters Skyscrapers, was also built-in 1954. Moscow also hosted the 1957 Ice Hockey World Championships and 6th World Festival of Youth and Students.

Here below are some stunning vintage photos that will take you back to the Soviet Moscow in the 1950s.

#1 Approaching the Kremlin on Moskvoretskaya naberezhnaya, Moscow.

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#2 Trash piles up at an unknown location.

#3 The Red Square, Moscow, 1950s

#4 The streets of Soviet Moscow were pretty empty in the 1950s.

#5 Driving up Moscow’s Bolshaya Nikitskaya ulitsa, with the Stalinist skyscraper on Kudrinskaya ploshchad rising in background.

#6 Driving down Novinsky bulvar, Moscow.

#7 Log-topped housing and ramshackle sheds topped with corrugated steel in Moscow’s Tagansky raion.

#8 The corner of Moscow’s Bolshoi Devyatinsky pereulok and Novinsky bulvar, near the new U.S. Embassy opened shortly after May Day in 1953.

#9 Reading room at an unknown location.

#10 A street corner in central Moscow. The building has since been demolished.

#11 A bust of Lenin decorates a window of a Moscow City Bank branch.

#12 A street scene in central Moscow.

#13 People line up outside a grocery store at an unknown location.

#14 Road repairs on Novinsky bulvar, Moscow.

#15 The steeple of Moscow’s Novospassky Monastery, seen from a nearby street.

#16 A truck rolling down Novinsky bulvar, Moscow.

#17 View of the Moscow Zoo with the Temple of St. George in the background.

#18 Streetcleaners wielding tree-branch brooms on Red Square.

#19 Red Square.

#20 The GUM department store on Red Square.

#21 Donskoy Monastery, Moscow.

#22 The entrance to Donskoy Monastery, Moscow.

#23 A one-sided volleyball match in Moscow’s Tagansky raion.

#24 A line of horses take over the center lane, unknown location.

#25 18 Novinsky bulvar under construction in Moscow.

#26 Ostankino Palace, Moscow.

#27 A lovely Moscow view.

#28 A man floating in the park of Moscow, 1950s

#29 A massive cannon on the Red Square

#30 A typical interior of the soviet apartment. Nowadays, we can’t believe that many of the Soviet homes had the same furniture and design

#31 Fontaine attracted soviet people

#32 Founder of Moscow monument

#33 It seems like this is a road construction vehicle

#34 It’s hard to believe, but the passengers of this bus agreed to exit it in the middle of nowhere just for the photo of the foreigner

#35 A lovely attraction for the Soviet kids

#36 Many buildings in Moscow had a very poor outlook in the 1950s

#37 Many churches and cathedrals were destroyed during the Soviet rule

#38 Soviet people passing by a store

#39 Soviet pupils

#40 Soviet tourists on the Red Square in Moscow, 1950s

#41 Street Food in Soviet Moscow, 1950s

#42 The monumental construction was a signature urbanist approach during Joseph Stalin rule

#43 Moscow, 1950s.

#44 These school students are looking relatively good.

#45 This building had to demonstrate that the Soviet Union recovered from WWII.

#46 Two soviet girls standing at the Moscow river embankment, the 1950s

#47 People crossing the street.

#48 Mother and son buying milk from a vendor.

#49 People gathering to watch and feed the pigeons.

#50 Two people pushing pram side by side at a park.

#51 Silhouette of Saint Basil’s Cathedral on the Red Square.

#52 A woman sweeping a broom at a park.

#53 Warmly-dressed children playing in a public garden.

#54 A traffic policeman in the center of a wide cobbled avenue.

#55 A man walking on the platform of Lenin’s mausoleum.

#56 Men playing chess in a courtyard.

#57 Four men installing a model of Sputnik 1 on an abstract sculpture in a public garden.

#58 A boy playing with a toy gun.

#59 Line of people at a market.

#60 A young bookseller at her stall.

#61 Warmly-dressed children in a public garden.

#63 A traffic policeman preparing to open the front trunk of a car.

#64 A man sharpening his knife.

#65 Elderly people in a public garden.

#66 Two boys in uniform smiling on the sidewalk.

#67 A young boy dressed in cold clothes and carrying his satchel.

#68 A man wiping a child’s face on Pushkin Square.

#69 Red Square.

#70 The finishing touches are put on the Stalinist skyscraper on Kudrinskaya ploshchad.

#71 Railway Street, April 1975

Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

Wow! What kind of development and prosperity are we talking about? Even in the 1980s, toilet paper was still hard to find in many parts of the country even though production started in 1969

Amazing! Westerners sure are obsessed with toilet paper! Well, you like the butt stuff anyway, right? However, the country rebuilt and developed rapidly after World War II, especially considering how much of the European part was razed in that event and how nearly a whole generation of men got disabled. In the late 1960s, living standards and human development were far above the global average. All of my relatives have nothing but good things to say about those times and the 1980s. Although, unfortunately, so many resources had to be spent on defence, it was unavoidable given the continuous threats from Western imperialist aggressors. It was either that or got “Untermenschen”.

© 2024 Bygonely

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