Overview
The Moscow Metro is a massive rapid transit system serving the capital city and its surrounding suburbs, including Krasnogorsk, Reutov, Lyubertsy, and Kotelniki. As one of the world's longest systems and a major tourist attraction due to its lavish interior decoration, it functions as a highly efficient way to navigate the city. To ride the metro, you will enter through a station entrance, pass through turnstiles using a valid ticket or card, and board trains that run at very high frequencies—often with intervals of less than 90 seconds during peak hours. The system operates from 05:25 until all stations close simultaneously at 01:00.
The network
The metro is organized into a spoke-hub distribution where most lines run radially from the center to outlying areas. The network includes several distinct types of rail and transit:
- Moscow Metro: A vast underground network consisting of 17 lines and 309 stations. Notable lines include the Koltsevaya Line (line 5), which is a 20-kilometer circle; the Moscow Central Circle (line 14); and the Bolshaya Koltsevaya line (Bolshaya Koltsevaya, line 11). Other notable lines include the Filyovskaya Line (Филиовская линия), Butovskaya Line (Бутовская линия), and Troitskaya Line (Троицкая линия).
- Suburban Rail: The system includes connections to broader rail networks. For example, line 14 is directly connected to mainlines using 3000V DC overhead lines.
- Buses: Various bus routes serve the city and connect metro stations. Specific examples include Bus #851, Bus #949, Bus #817, Bus #948, and specialized services like the Aeroexpress-operated Bus #1195 or the Night Bus H1.
Tickets & fares
While specific ticket types vary by route, several payment methods are available for navigating the city:
- Metro & Local Transit: You can use a Troyka transport card for certain bus routes (such as those to the airports) or purchase tickets at machines.
- Aeroexpress Trains: Tickets for these trains from the airports to the city center cost approximately 525 руб.
- Bus Fares: Prices vary by route and payment method; for example, some bus routes offer a 90-minute transfer ticket purchased from the driver (ranging from 57 руб to 61 руб), while others have fixed fares (e.g., 80 руб or 85 руб). Specialized shuttle buses like Bus #1195 offer one-way (300 руб) or round-trip (500 руб) tickets.
- Night Bus: The Night Bus H1 operates between the airport, city center, and Yugo-Zapadnaya metro station.
From the airport
Depending on which airport you arrive at, there are several ways to reach the city center:
- Sheremetyevo (SVO): You can take the Aeroexpress train to Belorussky Railway Terminal (approx. 525 руб) or use various bus lines (such as #851 or #949) that connect to the Rechnoy Vokzal Metro Station. There is also a direct shuttle bus (#1195) to Khovrino metro station.
- Domodedovo (DME): You can take the Aeroexpress train to Paveletsky Railway Terminal (approx. 525 руб), use a commuter train (approx. 120 руб), or take Bus #308 to Domodedovskaya Metro Station.
- Vnukovo (VKO): You can take Metro Line 8A directly to the city center, or use Bus #911 and Night Bus #H11 to reach Salaryevo Metro Station.
- Zhukovsky (ZIA): Bus #441э operates between the airport and Kotelniki metro station.
Etiquette & customs
While specific behavioral rules like "standing on a specific side of the escalator" are not detailed in the provided records, the system is known for its high volume of passengers and rapid train frequency. You should be prepared for busy conditions during peak hours when trains may arrive every 80 to 90 seconds.
Survival terms
- метро (metro) - subway/metro
- билет (bilet) - ticket
- линия (liniya) - line
- вход (vkhod) - entrance
- выход (vykhod) - exit
- пересадка (peresadka) - transfer
- одинарный тариф (odinarnyy tarif) - single fare
- дневной проездной (dnevnoy proezdnoy) - day pass
Ensure you keep your paper or mobile ticket for the entire duration of any rail journey, such as the Aeroexpress, until you reach your final destination.