I was feeling down after my brother moved to a distant city. We'd be seeing each other rarely, and I wanted to keep our family ties strong. It's tough, but I'm determined to make the time we spend together truly memorable.
"My Russia".I'd been to the exhibition in Moscow before, so I knew what to expect and what to look out for. Plus, I wanted to add something new to our Moscow trip.
Both my brother and I love heights. Some people get scared, some are okay with it, but we're the type who's drawn to going as high as possible. So, we thought it'd be awesome to ride the world's highest Ferris wheel.
We'd been wanting to visit Moscow's Ferris wheel for years, but we finally had the chance last year when we stopped over in Moscow for a few hours between Tver and Syktyvkar. At the time, we couldn't get on the Ferris wheel, but we were able to do it a year later. And I was surprised to find out that the prices for the Moscow Ferris wheel have skyrocketed. Last year, it cost 1,500 rubles, but now it's 1,800. That's a huge price, considering that in other cities, the Ferris wheel is usually three to four times cheaper. So, I started looking for ways to ride the Moscow Ferris wheel more affordably.
There are a few options if you want to save some money.
Option one: When you buy food at the food court downstairs, some cafes and kiosks might give you flyers for a 10% discount on the Moscow Ferris wheel.
the security checkpoint at the Moscow Ferris wheelOption two: If you register for the VDNH loyalty program, you can get a 5% discount on your ride.
Moscow Ferris Wheel, VDNH, MoscowOption Three: I found it's worth checking out the company's social media groups on VKontakte and Telegram, or their website. They occasionally post interesting promotions. Moscow Ferris WheelI came across a promotion in June that let you buy a one-day unlimited ride ticket for 2300 rubles. I really liked this option, but unfortunately, we were traveling with a big group and not everyone was comfortable with heights, so we couldn't take advantage of it. If I were traveling with someone, we would've definitely bought this deal and ridden it 3-4 times.
Moscow Ferris Wheel GuideOption Four: This one's perfect for a family subscription, where you've got adults and kids.Option Five: The senior, military, or disability discount might work out for you. Moscow Ferris Wheel Ticket, looks originalGetting to the Moscow Ferris Wheel.
2nd Ostaninskaya, 3
It's about a 10-minute walk from VDNKh station, but there are also public transportation options available.
Moscow Sun Ferris Wheel rulesMoscow Sun Ferris Wheel operating hours:
Monday to Thursday: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM.
Friday: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM.
Weekends: 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM.
STARTING THE MOSCOW SUN FERRIS WHEEL
VDNKh Ferris Wheel reviewsTicket purchase is available both online and at the ticket booths. I wanted to buy them online to get at least a 5% discount, but unfortunately, it didn't work out properly. And in the reviews, people mentioned situations where they were charged twice or paid for a ticket that wasn't valid due to weather conditions.
queue at the ticket booths of Moscow Sun Ferris WheelIn the end, we stood in line at the ticket booth with our big group. It's safer that way, but it's also less convenient.
I remember mid-June, a weekday during the summer break, but the ticket booths were practically empty. Two windows were open, and people gradually came to buy tickets and left with big smiles.
After buying the ticket, you'll need to go through security. Unfortunately, the Ferris wheel isn't accessible to people who are intoxicated, have water in their bags, or are carrying small animals, skateboards, and there are a few more restrictions. You'll be told about them before you board. If you have something, you can leave it at the bottom.
Sun of Moscow souvenir shopOn the escalator, you'll follow the signs on the walls and floor.
The queue is divided into two types:
Those with standard ticketsAnd those with express passes.
Sun of MoscowWe had a standard ticket and were prepared to wait in line for a while. All reviews say that the wait can be around an hour.
We got lucky with the queues, as we chose a weekday and the start of the working day in Moscow. From the moment we bought our tickets to getting into the cabin took around 10 minutes. I also want to mention that there are three types of cabins.
With a transparent floor, but you need a special ticket, which costs more.Cabins without seats.And cabins with the option to sit.
Since we have colleagues who are afraid of heights, as well as those who struggle with long periods of standing, we chose the cabin with seats. It's worth mentioning this to the girl who lets you into the attraction. If you don't mention it, they'll put you in the one that's currently running.
Also, we had the advantage of being in the cabin with just our own group. There were 7 of us, and we really didn't want to be with anyone else.
Sun Observation Wheel at VDNKh, MoscowNow, I know what you're thinking - what if there are a lot of people? In theory, we would've been grouped with someone else. But on the day we went, the staff did an amazing job of keeping us in our own little cabin, away from the crowds.
Reviews of the Sun Observation Wheel at VDNKhThe cabins don't stop moving, so you have to get in while it's still in motion. I know some people might find this scary, while others think it's fun. In our case, one of us had to get in just as the cabin was pulling away from the platform.
Views from the Sun Observation Wheel Sun Observation Wheel at VDNKhThe doors close, and you get a brief rundown of the attraction through the speakers. Apparently, back in the day, there were three voices from Russian celebrities - one for the ascent, the highest point, and the descent. We only got one guy's voice, though.
It takes about 18 minutes to complete a full rotation.
The cabin moves smoothly upwards, but it's not like it's crawling like a snail. The wide-angle view lets you take in what's below, and you can spin around to look at trees and houses from 140 meters up.
And then we just stopped at the top...and the cabin wasn't moving downwards. I was feeling pretty comfortable until the voice from the speakers told us to remain calm.
I'll admit, hearing that kind of phrase always gets you on edge. We were all a bit spooked, but it turned out the issue was that the Moscow Sunwheel's wheel had been paused to let people with mobility issues get on or off the moving cabin. It took a few minutes, and then we continued downwards smoothly.
Actually, I didn't really feel like I was that high up. I mean, I've been to the 21st floor for a friend's party, I've got a flat on the 9th floor...140 meters is just a fun height, not intimidating, but not exactly breathtaking either.
The ride in the gondola is smooth, it doesn't wobble, it doesn't rattle, you feel safe. But not everyone in our crew felt that way. Two people are afraid of heights, so for them, it was scarier and more challenging to be inside the gondola of the Moscow Sun. It's good that there was a bench. It's tightly integrated into the floor, comfortable, and still allows you to look around.
The bird's-eye views of the city are interesting, but they're not super unique. You look around and see houses and a bit of greenery. Maybe if we had gone during the sunset in Moscow, it would've been more exciting. As it is...
What I didn't like
I've got to say, the price is pretty steep and keeps going up.The ride is super fast - it feels like you're only on it for 10 minutes, not 18.It's a real time-suck.The whole experience isn't as flashy as I thought it'd be.No discounts for kids or students - that's a bummer.There are some pretty annoying lags when you're trying to buy tickets online.
What I liked.
I loved that I got to spend time with my family and create some pretty unique memories - like visiting the world's tallest Ferris wheel.The fact that there's no huge line to buy tickets or get in is a major plus.The option to have your own private cabin is awesome.I also appreciated being able to let them know my preferences for having a bench in the cabin.
How our company did.
Initially, we thought it'd just be the three of us on the ride, but we ended up wanting to go as a group.
Two of us were pretty scared and regretted the expense - it's a lot to shell out for just 18 minutes and 40 seconds. We did try to spin it as an adrenaline rush, but it's tough to justify spending that much for something that's basically a day's worth of work.
I think it would've been way cooler to spend the money on a masterclass (like a family one). For example, we love going to paint with oil at Art Space.
Overall, I'd say the Ferris wheel at Moscow's Sun is way overpriced. It's got some cool aspects, like being super high up and having new equipment, but the fact is, you're paying a lot of money for 18 minutes of ride time that just doesn't blow your mind.
I think this is a one-time thing. It's just too pricey. I'm not even sure if I'd go back again, even if it was half the price.
If you're unsure whether to go for the Moscow Sun or spend your money on something else, think about why you're doing it. If you want to brag to others, experience something new, or feel proud of reaching such heights – then yeah, it's worth it.
I've gotta say, if you're looking to make a big impression or collect some cool attractions, this Ferris wheel in Moscow is worth a shot.
I wouldn't recommend Moscow's Ferris wheel to friends, to be honest - it's a bit overhyped in my opinion. But it's still a great spot for tourists, and if I were visiting Moscow just once, I'd probably want to check it out.
There's actually a lot more to Moscow than just this Ferris wheel - here are a few other attractions worth checking out:
ATOMIC PARKMY RUSSIA (expo)And if you're looking for a budget-friendly meal, try grabbing something at one of the cafes with fixed prices - like this one, where you can get a meal for around 300-350 rubles.