Opened in 1935, the Moscow Metro system is one of the most heavily traveled rapid transit systems in the world with more than nine million people riding the Metro on any given weekday. The system today features more than 180 stations and almost 200 miles of track, with additional expansions planned through the year 2020. While it is a great way to get around Moscow, it is also a bit of a tourist attraction in its own right, with extravagantly decorated stations dating back to the Stalin era. Even if you never take it to get around, a Moscow Metro tour would be a fascinating experience.
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Moscow Metro station
Metro stations are open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. A single ride costs 30 rubles (just less than $1) and as you purchase additional rides at the same time, the cost per ride decreases slightly. For example, 11 rides cost 300 rubles (about $9 or 82 cents per ride) and 20 rides cost 500 rubles (about $15 or 75 cents per ride). You can also purchase a “smart card” that provides for unlimited rides within a certain time period. One day costs 200 rubles (about $6) while a 30-day pass costs 2200 rubles (about $67). Technically, you are also supposed to purchase a luggage ticket for 50 rubles ($1.50) if you are carrying large pieces of luggage on the Metro, but it isn’t clear how strictly that rule is enforced.
At first glance, the map of the Moscow Metro can appear extremely confusing. It features twelve different lines, which are known by number or name and which appear in different colors on the standard Metro map. Many maps that are posted in stations or on train cars only include the names of stations in Russian (which uses the Cyrillic alphabet), so you will want to either have a map that includes both Russian and English names or know the Russian name for your destination.
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Platform in a Moscow Metro station
The system consists of the Koltsevaya (Circle) Line that goes around the center of Moscow, plus eleven other lines that generally cross the city and intersect the Koltsevaya Line at some point. Each station is indicated by a small circle on the map, while larger circles connected together indicate a transfer point, where you can change between lines.
When you reach the platform (likely after a long, descending escalator ride), you will see signs that list the upcoming stations for the trains on each side of the platform. Make sure you are on the side that includes your destination. Again, these are often only in Russian, so it is important to know the name of your destination in Russian. Trains generally run about every ninety seconds, so you should not have to wait long for a train. Once you are onboard, listen carefully as the station names are announced. Generally, you should hear the name of the current station, followed by the name of the next station.
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Platform sign at a Moscow Metro station.
As you exit the train at your final destination, look for signs that say “Выход в город,” which means “exit to the city.” There are usually multiple exits from Metro stations, so if you know you need to come out onto a certain street, keep an eye out for the street name on the signs as well.
More likely than not, you will need to change trains at some point in your journey within Moscow. Transfer stations can feel particularly chaotic, especially during rush hours. Follow signs that say “переход” plus the name of the station you wish to transfer to. You will find yourself going up stairs, then down stairs, through corridors and possibly up and down escalators before getting where you wish to go. You should not need to pay again in order to transfer.
Riding the Moscow Metro can be frustrating at times and you should always be very aware of your belongings, as pickpockets are not uncommon. However, it is also the most efficient and least expensive way of getting around Moscow, so it is worth it to stay patient and figure it all out.
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