I visited this WHS in August 2016. It is a very pleasant day trip from Moscow and for those who have more time it would be great to sleep over in Yaroslavyl (another WHS) after having visited Sergiev Posad as you'll be able to use the same train station. I decided to allow more time to Sergiev Posad instead of a rush visit to take in yet another WHS as there is quite a lot to see in what is nicknamed Russia's Vatican. First I took the metro to Komsomolskaya and once I exited the metro station I immediately saw the Yarolavsky railway station and I bought the return tickets for the sub-urban train to Sergiev Posad. The cashiers (look out for KACCA) don't speak English so make sure to print the name of Sergiev Posad in Russian (Сергиев Посад). There is a faster train that takes closer to one hour which leaves only at around 09:00 and 13:30 while the other trains leave almost every half an hour and take around 1hr 30mins. I found the right platform by looking at the big departures screen and comparing the Russian scrolling letters to my printed version. The return train is much easier as there are only 2 platforms and you only have to look out for the train to MOCKA. The trains are quite an experience as they are similar to a locomotive flea market with different alternating vendors and performers. Make sure to time your departure and be ready to get off the train after around 1hr 15mins (otherwise you'll end up visiting the WHS in Yaroslavyl instead!). Once in Sergiev Posad, a 10 minute walk will lead you to the Trinity Sergius Lavra (there are signs in English and Russian everywhere). The first view is a great panoramic view of the fortified monastery with several onion-domed churches and cathedrals. Unlike the Novodevichy Convent there is no pond. Instead of ducks there are hundreds of pigeons which are fed outside the monastery with the hope of focusing their droppings outside monastery walls. When I visited it was impossible to visit without paying an entrance fee of 350 roubles. You can avoid paying the 100 roubles extra fee for photography because nobody ever checks your ticket inside as there seems to be no entrance fee for Russians. I looked all over the place but there is no mention of its WH inscription nor is there a UNESCO plaque. The only queues were those of devotees waiting in line to kiss the tomb of St Sergius however tourists are invited to go inside without having to wait in line. There are vespers in the Assumption Cathedral at 5pm daily (similar to the ones recorded on the CD given as a 'gift' when paying the 100 roubles for photography). The main highlight of the Lavra are the huge starry domes of the Assumption Cathedral next to the green bell tower, the pink chapel, the holy water spring, and the golden spired Church of John the Baptist. Year after year more colours are added to the facade paintings creating a disney-like effect which reminded me at times of Myanmar. However, the interior icons and murals are really worth viewing and the whole ensemble is my favourite WHS after the Kremlin out of the 4 I visited during my trip to Moscow. Don't forget to try the delicious fried potato or cabbage and leek fritters and wash them down with the local Kwas from inside the Lavra.