Khimki sits immediately beyond Moscow's Ring Road, about 18 kilometres northwest of the city centre, on the road and rail line that runs between Moscow and Sheremetyevo Airport. It is a working city rather than a tourist town, and its layout is shaped by the Moscow–Saint Petersburg Railway, the Leningradskoye Highway and the west bank of the Moscow–Volga Canal.
For a visitor, the practical question is where to base yourself relative to the rail line and the highway, since these are what connect you to Moscow and to the airport. This guide covers the areas the sources identify within Khimki and along its transport corridor, and explains who each one suits. It does not recommend individual places to stay.
Best areas to stay in Khimki
1. Central Khimki, around the Khimki railway station
The city grew up around its railway station on the Moscow–Saint Petersburg line, and this remains the most connected part of Khimki for a visitor. Staying near the station puts you on a direct rail link toward Moscow and keeps you within the built-up centre, where the city's commercial activity is concentrated.
This suits first-time visitors and anyone planning to spend time in Moscow as well as Khimki, because the train does the work of getting you in and out. It also suits travellers who prefer to be in the middle of things rather than on the edge of the city. Expect a busy, functional urban setting rather than a quiet one.
2. The northern side, near the Leningradskoye Highway and the large shopping mall
The northern part of Khimki, along the Leningradskoye Highway, is where the city's largest retail complex is located, alongside the intersection with the Moscow–Saint Petersburg railway. The World War II memorial at the "Kilometer 23" point of the highway stands nearby, just short of that intersection.
This area suits visitors who want to be close to the highway corridor toward Sheremetyevo Airport and who value having shops and services within walking distance. It is a car- and bus-oriented part of the city, so it works best if you are comfortable with road transport as well as rail.
3. The canal side, on the west bank of the Moscow–Volga Canal
Khimki lies on the west bank of the Moscow–Volga Canal, which runs through the city's western edge. This side of Khimki is more open and less built up than the highway corridor.
It suits visitors who want a quieter base away from the main road and rail traffic, and who do not mind relying on buses and trolleybuses to reach the stations and the highway. Distances here are less walkable to the main transport nodes, so plan your connections in advance.
4. The southern edge, along the Moscow Ring Road boundary
Khimki is adjacent to Moscow immediately beyond the Moscow Ring Road, so the southern edge of the city runs right up against the capital's boundary. This is the closest you can base yourself in Khimki to Moscow itself.
It suits visitors whose priority is easy access to Moscow and who are willing to trade a sense of being in Khimki's own centre for proximity to the city line. Road transport, including bus and trolleybus routes, serves this corridor.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Look for simpler guesthouse-style and basic hotel accommodation, most plausibly in the central station area and along the main road corridors where transport is available.
- Mid-range: The city's commercial activity, driven by its position between Moscow and Sheremetyevo Airport, supports a broad band of standard hotel accommodation, particularly near the station and the highway.
- Splurge: The upper end of the market in Khimki is limited by the city's character as a working and airport-corridor city; if you want a wider choice at this level, basing yourself in Moscow and travelling out is the more practical option.
Best area for a first visit
Central Khimki, around the Khimki railway station, is the best base for a first visit. It puts you on the Moscow–Saint Petersburg Railway, which is the most straightforward way to reach both Moscow and the wider region, and it keeps you in the city's main commercial centre. From here you can reach the highway corridor and the airport side of town without committing to a car-dependent location.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Khimki into Moscow?
Khimki station is on the Moscow–Saint Petersburg Railway, which connects the city toward Moscow. Road transport, including bus and trolleybus routes, also links parts of Khimki to Moscow metro stations, including Planernaya.
Is Khimki a good base for Sheremetyevo Airport?
The city's commercial activity stems largely from its position between Moscow and one of its main airports, Sheremetyevo, and the Leningradskoye Highway runs through the city toward it. Basing yourself on the highway corridor or near the railway puts you on that route.
Do I need a car to get around Khimki?
Not necessarily. The city has rail stations and platforms at Levoberezhnaya, Khimki, Podrezkovo, Skhodnya and Firsanovskaya, plus bus and trolleybus routes. Some areas, such as the canal side, are less walkable to the main nodes, so check your connections before booking.
Which part of Khimki is quietest?
The canal side, on the west bank of the Moscow–Volga Canal, is the least built up and the furthest from the main road and rail traffic. The trade-off is that you will depend more on buses and trolleybuses to reach the stations and the highway.
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