Moscow tops the list of the world’s worst traffic and after seeing the streets in a continuous state of traffic jam all hours of the day, we believe it! Taxis in Moscow aren’t metered; you agree upon a price with the driver before you start your journey, but it is often faster to walk than to take a taxi. But we found the absolute best way to get around the city was to use the Moscow Metro.
The Moscow Metro is the 3rd busiest in the world and an average of 7 million people use it every day. There are 12 lines serving 180 stations that span nearly 300 kilometers. Sound a bit intimidating? You might be shocked to hear that it was the easiest metro we’ve ever used. Well… once we got the hang of things, that is. After all, you’re dealing with metro signs that are in Russian (which uses the Cyrillic alphabet) and not English. Now pros, we’ve put together our tips for using the Moscow Metro:
1. Get a bilingual colored map.
The Moscow Metro looks a bit like the sun with the main Circle Line (Кольцевая линия) forming a ring around the center of the city. The other 11 lines are like rays of the sun that meet in the center of the city and are all connected by the Circle Line. All of the lines are represented by a color and a bilingual map is the most useful. You’ll be able to match up your stop marked on your map in the Cyrillic alphabet with the signs instead the station.
2. Look for the red “M” to find the entrance to a station.
It’s easy to find metro stations when you’re out about in the city. Just look for a red letter “M”, which stands for метро. There are usually several entrances to the same station. The metro run from 6am – 1am.
Ticket machines
3. Buy a ticket.
There’s no zones in the Moscow Metro like in Paris or London. Instead, you pay per ride and once inside the metro, you can transfer as many times as you like. One trip costs 30 rubles or there is the option for round trip for 60 rubles (less than $2 round trip). You’ll get one card with two trips on it, so be sure to hang on to your card. Also note that the ticket machines only accept cash, so be sure you always have smaller bills or coins.
Loved these easy to use guides at each station!
See the colored stickers on the ground?
4. Follow the colored signs to your train.
Use your magnetic ticket to enter the turnstile. Some stations serve multiple lines and signs are conveniently marked with a colored stripe that corresponds to the colored lines. Sometimes the signs pointing to the colored lines are stickers on the ground instead of hanging from overhead, so just be sure to look around. The signs also list the stops and this is where your bilingual colored map comes in handy. Verify you’re headed in the right direction by matching up the stop on your map with the signs above the escalator or on the wall at each track.
5. Check that you’re at the right track.
Now that you’ve found your correct colored line, be sure to again verify your stop to make sure you’re headed in the correction direction. On the wall at each track, there is another handy sign which both verifies the color of the line and which stops the train makes. The red letters indicate the current stop and remaining stops for that direction of the line are listed. Verify against your metro map. See how much that map is coming in handy? Ours was practically falling apart after 4 days running around Moscow!
6. Count your stops.
Most trains didn’t announce the stops via an intercom like in London, and even in those that did, we didn’t understand anyway. So count your stops and pay attention. There is also a panel above the doors in each car and the red light blinks to indicate the next stop. It’s still a good idea to count your stops because we encountered one panel that was on the fritz and got nervous for a few minutes that we’d hopped on the right line, but in the wrong direction.
7. Don’t rush out of the metro!
The Moscow Metro is known as the underground palaces of Moscow and definitely a sight not to miss in the city. Some of the stations are even put under state protection. Over twenty kinds of marble, labradorite, granite, porphyry, rhodonite, onyx and other types of building stone were used in Moscow Metro construction. The stations are decorated with statues, reliefs, paintings, mosaics, and stained glass with each station being unique. The metro stations are some of the most beautiful sights in the city and, if you’re superstitious, you can even find a bit of good luck in some of them!
Related: The Many Superstitions of Russia
8. Look for выход when you’re ready to exit.
выход means exit in Russian. Follow the signs and you’ll find your way out of the underground maze-like complexes.
Kay says
Great tips, Jen! Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Glad to hear you found the tips helpful!
Marina K. Villatoro says
My parents always said that the russian metro was one of the best in the world, aside from efficient and safe, the art work was worthy of museums.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Most definitely! What is particularly striking about the metro stations in Moscow is that most of Moscow is office-like buildings with some beautiful structures dispersed throughout the city. But nearly every metro station is just beautiful. It’s like two entirely different worlds. In St. Petersburg, where all the buildings are grand in their Baroque style, the metros aren’t as noticeably impressive.
This Way To Paradise says
Very helpful information…especially knowing what the exit sign looks like!
Vagabond Baker says
wow! great post, thank you so much. Heading there very soon so I’ll be taking notes from this. Also good to know it’s easy. Can’t wait to use it 🙂
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Awesome! Are you visiting any other cities besides Moscow?
Vagabond Baker says
Yes! St Petersburg first, Moscow, Ekaterinburg, Irkutsk and Ulan Ude. Setting off in 3 weeks, ever excited!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Sounds very exciting! Pack warm clothes. It looks like the cold temps are already arriving!
Marsha says
Fantastic tips and so detailed, I love it. This will come in handy when I go there in February. I will definitely save this article!!! 🙂
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Ooh, I bet Red Square and the Kremlin looks particularly gorgeous under snow. Pack warm!
Jennifer says
Exit is definitely an important one to be able to recognize in Cyrillic!
JR Riel says
Great account. I guess I never really realized how busy Moscow streets are, and that the metro was that busy, too! Great tips, thanks for putting it together.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
It’s insane! But the metro is so efficient. I’ve had to wait in London sometimes 10 minutes or more between trains, even on a busy route. In Moscow, you wait no more than 90 seconds. There is even a digital clock above each track timing between trains.
Becki | Backpacker Becki says
As s self-confessed Metro geek, Moscow counts as one of my favourites! Great tips and can’t wait to head back someday!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thanks, Becki! I couldn’t get over just how stunning the stations are. And those have got to be the longest escalators I’ve ever been on.
Cheryl says
Very practical tips. I’m always nervous about taking the metro in another city! The stations look gorgeous. Have to get to Russia someday.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I always am nervous too, Cheryl. It can be so easy to get turned around, especially below ground. The Moscow Metro really was very easy to use though. Even easier for someone following these tips! 😉
Katherine Belarminio says
Great post! When I travel I get so nervous about using the public transportation, usually because there isn’t much information I can find beforehand. This is great for future travelers to Moscow. I had no idea their metro was so beautiful!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I agree, Katherine! It’s so much easier and less nerve racking when you can find out about the public transport in advance. But sometimes there just isn’t good information out there.
Marcia says
Great tips, Jennifer. I’ve always heard how beautiful the stations were but hadn’t thought of how to cope with the language barrier. Guess that’s part of the fun of travel.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
The bi-lingual map was definitely the easiest part of coping with the language barrier. Russia was the first place we’ve truly encountered one.
Dmitriy Zembatov says
You must come to Moscow again and refresh your page.
1. Use a taxi much easier – use the Uber app, Gett or yandex.taxi
2. Map of the Moscow metro has expanded considerably.
3. There are new signs in English.
4. Voice announcements are duplicated in English.
🙂
Uljana Wightman says
I wonder how much its will cost to go in Moscow underground for 7 to 10 day for 2 people .2 way ticket a day ?
Siud928 says
Will be in Moscow for 4 days in Sept. Will be taking metro to Sparrow hills and train to Sergiev Posad. Thanks for this easy to follow tips on Moscow Subway. Regarding train to Sergiev Posad, any tips?
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Glad you found the metro tips helpful!
The trains are just as easy to use. You buy a ticket and show the ticket plus your passport to board. The quickest way to get to Sergiev Posad is via the express train to Aleksandrov which takes about 1 hour. Be sure to buy the ticket in advance.
Danny says
Thanks for the tips re. train to Sergiv. I just have to make sure I bring my passport now.
Much appreciated.