Overview
The Saint Petersburg Metro (Russian: Петербургский метрополитен, Peterburgskiy metropoliten) is a rapid transit system serving Russia's second-largest city. As a visitor, you will find it is one of Europe's busiest metro systems, carrying almost 2 million passengers daily. The network is famous for its Stalinist architecture, exquisite decorations, and artwork—many stations are considered works of art. The system is also notable for being the deepest metro network in the world by average station depth, a consequence of Saint Petersburg's challenging geology (soft topsoil, underground rivers, and high-pressure aquifers) and its historical use as bomb shelters during World War II.
To ride the metro end-to-end, you will enter via a ticket hall, pass through security checks and metal detectors (standard procedure at many entrances), and descend via escalators—some of which take up to three minutes due to the extraordinary depth of stations. Escalators are arranged so you stand on the right and allow people to walk past on the left. You tap your ticket, card, or token at the entry gates, navigate clearly signed platforms (signed in both Cyrillic and Latin alphabets), board your train, and exit at your destination. Trains run approximately every 90 seconds to 4 minutes during rush hour.
The network
The Saint Petersburg Metro consists of 6 lines with a total length of 131 kilometres (81 miles) and 75 stations, including 8 transfer points. The system opened on 15 November 1955 with seven stations on Line 1 (an eighth station opened a few months later) and has since expanded to serve the city and surrounding areas.
Metro lines
- Line 1 (Red line): The oldest line, opened in 1955 and featuring the most ornate Stalinist architecture. It connects Moscow Rail Terminal in the city centre with industrial zones and extends northeast to residential areas and south-west via the Kirovsky radius, reaching into Leningrad Oblast by 1978. Notable stations include Avtovo (with 46 columns, including 16 of glass and marble) and Narvskaya (featuring Soviet worker tributes). A section of this line flooded in 1995 between Lesnaya and Ploschad Muzhestva and was restored to service in June 2004.
- Line 2 (Dark blue line): Construction began almost immediately after the metro's initial opening. The section from Tekhnologichesky Institut to Park Pobedy opened in 1961, with Tekhnologichesky Institut becoming the USSR's first cross-platform interchange station. The line was extended north in the 1980s, with the final station, Parnas, opening in 2006. Ploshchad Vosstaniya station, which opened with this line, is notable for its October Revolution mosaic and its connection to Moskovsky train station and Nevsky Avenue.
- Line 3 (Green line): Opened in 1967.
- Line 4 (Orange line): Part of the metro expansion during the Soviet era.
- Line 5 (Purple line): Part of the metro expansion during the Soviet era.
- Line 6 (Brown line): The newest line, opened in December 2025. Kirovsky Zavod station, which transfers to this new line, features industrial and Soviet technology themes.
The deepest station on the network is Admiralteyskaya, situated 86 metres (282 feet) below ground. Its maritime-themed mosaics make it a notable destination near major attractions including the Hermitage, Palace Square, and St. Isaac's Cathedral.
Operating hours and frequency
The metro operates daily from approximately 5:45 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. (midnight), with transfer corridors closing around 0:15. Trains run every 90 seconds to 4 minutes during rush hour, with frequency varying by line and time of day.
Other public transport
Saint Petersburg's public transport network extends beyond the metro. Buses, trams (streetcars), and trolleybuses serve the city, and tickets or passes valid on these services often provide unified fares with the metro. Suburban trains connect to destinations such as Peterhof (Petrodvorets), Lomonosov (Oranienbaum), Gatchina, and Pushkin (formerly Tsarskoe Selo), departing from stations including Baltiysky Station, Vitebsky Station, and Finlyandsky Station. A ferry service also operates in the city.
Tickets & fares
Ticket types and fares
Fares per trip vary depending on your payment method. Prices are approximate and subject to change.
- Token (жетон): 95 roubles for a single metro ride only.
- Podorozhnik (Подорожник) rechargeable smartcard: Card deposit costs 90 roubles (110 roubles for a keychain version). Once activated, each metro, bus, tram, or trolleybus ride costs 65 roubles. The card includes a 60-minute transfer benefit: a second ride within 60 minutes costs 14 roubles, and a third ride is free. Maximum balance is 15,000 roubles. The card remains valid for 3 years from your last top-up.
- Bank card (Russian MIR card, contactless): 65 roubles per ride. Russian MIR cards and St. Petersburg Citizen's Cards (MIR EKP) both cost 65 roubles per ride. Note that Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and JCB do not work in Russia due to international sanctions (as of 2022).
- 90-minute unified ticket: 106 roubles, valid for 1 metro ride plus 90 minutes of unlimited surface transport (bus, tram, trolleybus).
Tourist passes
If you are visiting for 1 to 5 days and plan intense sightseeing, tourist unlimited tickets offer good value:
- 1-day pass: 364 roubles
- 3-day pass: 701 roubles
- 5-day pass: 1,240 roubles
Tourist passes cover the metro, bus, tram, and trolleybus. A 20-minute minimum waiting time is required between rides. The period runs from your first activation, not from purchase. These passes also work on mixed routes to Peterhof and Pushkin (routes 200, 210, 211, 213, 215, 216, 273, 278).
Where and how to buy tickets
You may purchase tickets and recharge the Podorozhnik card at metro ticket offices and self-service terminals throughout the station network. English-language ticket machines are available at certain stations. The Podorozhnik card accepts cash rubles or Russian bank cards; note that card balances are non-refundable. Multi-person cards are available, allowing couples or families to share a card with a 20-minute timeout between uses.
From the airport
Pulkovo Airport (LED) is located approximately 17 kilometres south of the city centre. Several public-transport options connect the airport to central Saint Petersburg.
- City bus service: Bus 39Э (Express) operates between the airport and Moskovskaya (Московская) metro station, which provides access to Metro Line 2 and other buses. Bus 82 operates service to Prospekt Veteranov station, providing access to Metro Line 1 and other buses. Both services cost 80 roubles. Buses are available from 05:15 to 01:40.
- Taxi: Yandex.Taxi is the official airport taxi service, with fares typically ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 roubles to the city centre. You can book via the mobile app or at the desk in the arrivals hall. Taxi 068 is also available for online booking. Pre-booked taxis will cost more but offer the security of a named driver in the arrivals hall; pre-booking via the internet requires no credit card information or prepayment. Do not accept offers from taxi touts unless you have negotiated a price in advance, as they often overcharge significantly.
Etiquette & customs
- Escalators: When riding the long escalators (which can take several minutes at deeper stations), stand on the right side and allow people to walk on the left to pass. This is the standard practice observed by locals.
- Priority seating: The metro has designated priority seating for elderly passengers, pregnant women, passengers with disabilities, and passengers travelling with small children. Respect these designations by vacating a seat if a priority passenger boards.
- Queuing: Passengers typically queue in an orderly fashion at ticket gates and when boarding trains during rush hours.
- Eating and drinking: Food and drink consumption on metro trains and in stations is generally discouraged and may be subject to fines. It is best to avoid eating or drinking while travelling.
- Conduct during rush hours: The metro becomes very crowded during morning and evening rush hours. Be prepared for packed trains and exercise patience and courtesy. Bags and backpacks should be held close to avoid taking up extra space.
- Security procedures: Metal detectors and security checks are standard at many station entrances. Be prepared to pass through these checks and cooperate with security staff.
Official links
For official maps, live fares, journey planning, and up-to-date service information, consult the Saint Petersburg Metro's official resources. However, official English-language links for the metro operator were not confirmed in the provided sources; it is recommended to check the city's main tourism website or contact your accommodation for current journey planning tools and service updates.
Survival terms
- Метро (Metro): Subway; the rapid transit system.
- Билет (Bilet): Ticket.
- Линия (Liniya): Line.
- Вход (Vkhod): Entrance.
- Выход (Vykhod): Exit.
- Переход (Perekod): Transfer.
- Жетон (Zheton): Token; a single-ride fare.
- Подорожник (Podorozhnik): Rechargeable smartcard.
Download a map of the metro system to your phone before your trip, as paper maps can be difficult to find and mobile access will help you navigate transfers and plan your route in advance.