How the Moscow Metro works

What is the Moscow Metro schedule?

The Moscow Metro operates daily from early morning until late at night, with only a few hours of interruption for routine maintenance work at stations and in tunnels.

Train intervals vary depending on the day of the week and time of day. During peak hours trains run frequently, with intervals as short as 90 seconds on some lines.

The detailed schedule of stations is available on signboards at the entrances of the lobbies and in the Moscow Metro mobile application, which is available in both Russian and English.

Additionally, the Moscow monorail transport system is part of the Moscow Metro and runs from Timiryazevskaya station to Ulitsa Sergeya Eyzenshteyna station. The schedule for the monorail trains is available on the Moscow Transport portal (in Russian).

Where can I find the Moscow Metro map?

The map of the Moscow Metro can be found at the lobbies, metro stations, railway and bus stations, as well as in the Moscow Metro app. The interactive map is a convenient tool for planning your journey, allowing you to navigate and estimate your travel time with ease.

What is the Moscow Metro travel fare?

The Moscow Metro provides various fare options, and the cost of a single trip is highest when purchasing one-time travel cards. If you plan to use the metro frequently, it is more cost-effective to purchase a Troika universal card. This card can be used to load a travel card with no travel limit, such as for 1,3, 30, 90 or 365 days, or to purchase 60 trips at a discounted rate.

In addition, the Troika card can be topped up with any amount up to 10,000 rubles and used to pay for single trips on public transport at a lower cost than a ticket for one or two trips. This feature is referred to as a Koshelyok (Wallet) ticket. The card remains valid for at least five years from the last recharge or payment.

Details regarding fares are accessible on the Moscow Transport portal. While the Moscow Metro app offers a fare calculator to assist in selecting the appropriate fare.

How can I get information assistance while on the metro?

Information on travel ticket options and prices, as well as rules for using the metro and transporting luggage, can be obtained at the Live Communication information counters. These counters are operational daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and can be found at various stations across the network.

It's worth noting, that staff at the Live Communication information counters are fluent in both Russian and English, making it easy for foreign visitors to receive the help they need.

Live Communication information counters are installed at 32 stations.

At all Live Communication information counters you can purchase souvenirs featuring the Moscow Metro's logo.

In addition, at each metro station, there are emergency call terminals (SOS) that function in two distinct modes: Emergency Call (SOS) and Information. If you require assistance regarding the workings of the metro, kindly press the Information button. However, in the event of an emergency, press the SOS button and promptly inform the operator about the emergency in a clear and audible manner.

Can I get help with metro travel?

If you require travel assistance on the Moscow Metro or MCC, you can use the services provided by the Passenger Mobility Centre (PMC). PMC inspectors assist you throughout the entire journey, from entering to exiting, and also, if needed, escort you to suburban trains, bus stations, long-distance trains and social facilities.

PMC staff offer support to individuals with limited mobility, including those with hearing, visual and musculoskeletal impairments, seniors, large families, parents with children under seven years of age, as well as organized groups of passengers, including children (students in grades 1 through 6).

Support services are accessible daily from 5:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. The services are free of charge. Passengers only need to pay the fare according to the current rates.

To obtain travel assistance on the Moscow Metro or MCC, kindly submit your application at least 24 hours before your planned journey. For organized groups applications should be submitted at least 10 days in advance.

You can submit your application:

• via the Moscow Metro mobile app;
• on the official website;
• by contacting the Moscow Metro PMC hotline at +7 (495) 622-73-41 or +7 (800) 250-73-41. Hotline operators only speak Russian.

If you need assistance on the MCD, apply via Central EPC website.

How does the MCC operate?

The Moscow Central Circle is the second interchange loop of the metro with high-speed electric trains, known as Lastochka, operating along the loop. During peak hours, trains arrive every four minutes, otherwise, the interval is eight minutes.

You can conveniently pay the MCC travel fares using any city ticket valid for the metro. Additionally, you can also avail all the benefits of social cards.

Transport hubs have been established at the MCC stations, which facilitate connections between the metro, railways and land transport. Interchanges from the metro to the MCC and vice versa (at the station of one transport hub) are free for 90 minutes from the first entry.

How do the MCD operate?

The Moscow Central Diameters (MCD) are railway routes that run throughout Moscow, connecting it with the suburbs. The MCD operate from early morning until late at night. Modern trains including Aeroexpress, Lastochka and Ivolga run the MCD routes.

The diameters are divided into the tariff zones: Central, Suburb and Far. The cost of MCD travel within the Central zone is 57 rubles using the Wallet tariff of the Troika card, which is the same as the fare for travel on the metro, MCC and other forms of public transport. In the Suburb zone the cost is 76 rubles. The cost of a trip in the Far zone consists of the price of a ticket for a train to reach MCD (34 rubles for each zone to reach MCD) and 76 rubles.

You can pay the MCD travel fare using a Troika card, contactless bank cards or a regular train ticket. For more information about the MCD fares and payment methods, visit the MCD website or the carrier's website (in Russian).

MCD stations provide interchange to the Metro, MCC and Moscow land transport.

To pay the travel fare, tap your card or smartphone to a turnstile or validator at the entrance and exit from the MCD stations. Otherwise you will not be able to exit or interchange to the metro or MCC for free. If you do not tap your Troika card on the card reader a second time, it will be blocked. You can unlock the card at ticket offices and ticket machines of the Central Suburban Passenger Company for an additional fee.

Is there free Wi-Fi available on the metro?

Yes. Free Wi-Fi is available in the metro, MCC and MCD trains.

Can I take photos on the metro?

Yes. Taking pictures in the Moscow Metro is allowed. However, if you plan to use a tripod, extra lighting or other equipment, you must obtain written authorisation.

When taking photos, it is important to avoid obstructing passengers, crossing the platform's boundary line, and using a flash when photographing trains to prevent driver distraction.

Are there guided tours of the metro stations?

Yes. For more information about the Moscow Metro stations tours, please visit the official website of the Moscow Metro (in Russian).

I have more questions. Where can I ask them?

You can ask your questions by calling the round-the-clock hotline of the Moscow Tourist Information Support Centre at +7 (495) 122-01-11 (for mobile and landline phones).

The charges for the call will be determined by the pricing policies of the subscriber's operator. Call centre operators are proficient in both Russian and English.

 

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Article Tags: travel, metro

Created: 2 months ago. Modified: Never.