Opened in 1935, the Moscow Metro is one of the world’s oldest metro systems.
Do expect long escalator rides down to the underground platforms too as it is also one of the world’s deepest metro systems, most doubling up as emergency shelters during the Soviet era.
The newer rolling stock have the typical metro look and functionality, just like everywhere else in the world.
If you get on the older trains though, you’ll find that it possess a certain charm incomparable to any other metro systems in the world.
A single ride costs ₽50 from ticket machines or the ticket counter. Fares are trip-based and not distance-based. Tap in when you enter the system, and exit through the one-way turnstiles at your destination station.
You can also get a 24 hour unlimited pass for ₽210 from the ticket counter. A 3-day pass would cost ₽400 and 7-day pass for ₽800, so see which one works for you. There are many other ticket combinations as well, and that’s not including their own travel card, or contactless MasterCard and Visa.
Here are the 6 most interesting metro stations on the Moscow Metro network according to my visit.
1. Komsomolskaya Station
The station serves Komsomolskaya Square, which is a cluster of 3 railway stations, namely, Leningradsky, Yaroslavsky and Kazansky. This is also one of the busiest stations in the whole network.
The design is inspired by the historical Russian fight for freedom and independence, which came from Joseph Stalin’s speech at the Moscow Parade of 1941, where he inspired the soldiers amid the catastrophic losses in the early period of World War II to remember the historical heroics of their Russian forefathers.
2. Ploshchad Revolyutsii Station
The ticket hall is already aesthetically-pleasing, but wait till you get to the platforms.
The station is filled with 76 sculptures, most of which are located at the platform. They depict the people of the Soviet Union, including soldiers, farmers, athletes, writers, aviators, industrial workers, and school children. As the station is located just under Revolution Square (which is its namesake) and near the Red Square, it is the most popular station for tourist to visit, willingly or accidentally.
3. Mayakovskaya Station
This station was opened in 1938, and it depicts Soviet futurism. This is also the first station to be supported with two sets of colonnades on each side, making the underground platform more open.
4. Prospekt Mira Station
The white marble pylons features bas-reliefs floral elements and aspects in the development of agriculture in the Soviet Union. The platform’s chessboard floor pattern is made of grey and black granite.
5. Timiryazevskaya Station
Not really the most beautiful in terms of art, but it is the only deep level single-vault type station in the whole network. Not an easy feat at all, considering that the station is 63.5 meters underground.
6. Vystavochnaya Station
Vystavochnaya features a vastly different design than all other stations on the network. It is built under the Moscow International Business Center, bringing the Moscow Metro into the new modern era.
Adding on to the typical tourist attractions in Moscow, the Moscow Metro is an attraction in itself, allowing time to stand still as you to glimpse into the past of Moscow. And at a fare of ₽50 per entry, it makes it one of the cheapest paid “attractions” in Moscow.
Skip the cabs in Moscow, take the train!
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