Moscow now has a fleet of quiet, heated electric river boats that run on the Moskva River all year — including through winter. Locals call them the "river tram" (rechnoy elektrotransport), and they are part of the city's regular transport system, not a seasonal tourist cruise. A fourth route, Kievsky - Luzhniki, opened on 7 June 2026, and fares on the two busiest routes changed on 15 July 2026. Here's exactly how the service works, what it costs, how to pay as a visitor, and when to take it instead of a sightseeing cruise.
What is Moscow's electric river tram?
The river tram is a network of modern electric vessels that carry passengers along fixed routes on the Moskva River, the same way a bus or metro line does. Around 30 boats — each holding up to 80 passengers, with 42 seats — are named after Moscow's smaller rivers, such as Sinichka, Setun, Presnya, Yauza and Neglinka. They serve 24 piers across the city.
What makes them different from the old sightseeing boats is that they are year-round: the cabins are heated and climate-controlled, and the reinforced hulls can push through thin winter ice, so the service keeps running when the classic tourist cruises stop for the season. That makes the river tram one of the few ways to see Moscow from the water in December or February.
The routes (2026)
As of 2026 there are four regular routes. The city plans to expand the network to around seven routes by 2030.
| Route | Runs between | Opened |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kievsky ⇄ Fili Park | June 2023 (first route, ~6.5 km) |
| 2 | ZIL ⇄ Pechatniki | September 2023 |
| 3 | ZIL ⇄ Novospassky | June 2025 |
| 4 | Kievsky ⇄ Luzhniki | June 2026 (newest) |
For visitors, the two Kievsky routes are the most scenic. Route 1 glides past the Moscow-City skyscrapers on the way to Fili Park, while the new Route 4 links Kievsky with Luzhniki, passing the embankments below Vorobyovy Gory. Either one pairs well with a walk along the water — see our guide to Moscow's river embankments.
The network is still growing. On 15 July 2026 an extra Kievsky pier opened on Route 4 to separate the boat flows and make boarding easier, and the city plans to open new piers at Vorobyovskaya Naberezhnaya and Novodevichy Prudy before the end of 2026.
Fares and how to pay (2026)
The river tram uses the same payment methods as the metro — a Troika card, a Russian Mir bank card, SBP, Mir Pay, or biometric Face Pay — but it has its own, higher tariff, and prices differ by route and by day of the week. On 15 July 2026 the fares on Routes 1 and 4 (the Kievsky routes) went up; Routes 2 and 3 were not changed.
| Payment method | Routes 1 & 4 — weekday | Routes 1 & 4 — weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Troika card | 400 RUB | 700 RUB |
| Bank card / SBP | 450 RUB | 750 RUB |
| Face Pay (biometric) | 300 RUB | 600 RUB |
The fares above are summer tariffs, in effect from 1 May to 30 September. In winter the prices are lower — always check the current fare before you travel.
Routes 2 and 3 (both to and from ZIL) were left out of the increase and stay cheaper — around 330 RUB on weekdays. Rides are also included in the 30-, 90- and 365-day "Unified" (Edinyi) passes, and children under 7 travel free.
Important for foreign visitors: your home Visa or Mastercard will not work in Russia, and Face Pay needs a Russian bank account, so in practice the realistic option is a Troika card topped up with cash. Buy one at any metro ticket window (150 RUB refundable deposit) and tap it at the pier gate. For the full picture, read how the Troika card works, our guide to paying in Moscow as a tourist, and Mir Pay for travelers.
River tram vs sightseeing cruise — which should you take?
They are two different things, so choose by what you want:
- Take the electric river tram if you want cheap, frequent, year-round transport that happens to have great views — to actually get from A to B, to ride in winter, or to travel like a local with a Troika card.
- Take a sightseeing cruise if you want a narrated tour, a restaurant boat, or a round trip past the Kremlin and Gorky Park with commentary. Those run mainly in the warmer months and cost more.
If a guided trip is what you're after, see our Moscow river cruise guide or book a cruise online. Both experiences complement each other — many visitors ride the tram one way and take a cruise another day.
Onboard and at the piers
The boats are built for comfort in any season: free Wi-Fi, USB power sockets and Qi wireless chargers, information screens, toilets, water dispensers, and storage for bikes and e-scooters. The larger piers add cafés, heated waiting areas, restrooms and charging points, so waiting for the next boat is easy even in the cold.
Tips for visitors
- Best views: ride a Kievsky route (1 or 4) for the Moscow-City towers and the Vorobyovy Gory embankments.
- Save money: travel on a weekday — weekend fares are almost double.
- Check live times: boats run on a fixed timetable from early morning to late evening; use the Moscow Transport app or Yandex Maps for the next departure rather than assuming a fixed interval.
- Getting to the pier: the Kievsky and Luzhniki piers are near metro stations; if you're arriving with luggage from the airport, a private transfer is the simplest door-to-pier option.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Moscow river tram run in winter?
Yes. Unlike the seasonal tourist cruises, the electric river tram runs year-round. The boats are heated and climate-controlled, and their reinforced hulls can break thin ice, so the service continues through the winter months.
How much does the river tram cost in 2026?
On the two Kievsky routes (1 and 4), a single ride with a Troika card is 400 RUB on weekdays and 700 RUB on weekends as of 15 July 2026 (450/750 RUB by bank card, 300/600 RUB with Face Pay). Routes 2 and 3 are cheaper, around 330 RUB on weekdays. These are summer fares (1 May-30 September); winter fares are lower. Rides are included in the 30-, 90- and 365-day Unified passes.
Are river tram fares cheaper in winter?
Yes. The prices quoted here are summer tariffs, in effect from 1 May to 30 September. Outside that period the winter fares are lower. Confirm the current fare in the Moscow Transport app before you travel.
Can I pay with a foreign credit card?
No. Visa and Mastercard issued outside Russia do not work in the country. Buy a Troika card at any metro ticket window and top it up with cash, then tap it at the pier gate.
Is the river tram the same as a river cruise?
No. The river tram is regular electric public transport with its own tariff and fixed routes; a river cruise is a narrated, mostly seasonal sightseeing trip that costs more. Both are worth doing for different reasons.
Where do the river trams go?
There are four routes in 2026: Kievsky-Fili Park, ZIL-Pechatniki, ZIL-Novospassky, and the newest Kievsky-Luzhniki (opened June 2026). The Kievsky routes are the most scenic for visitors.
Do I need to book in advance?
No. You pay at the pier as you board, exactly like the metro — just tap a Troika card, a Mir card or your phone. There are no assigned seats or reservations.
Before you go
River-transport fares, routes and timetables change from season to season, and the July 2026 fare update shows how quickly prices can move. Confirm the current fare and departure times in the official Moscow Transport app or on the city transport portal close to your travel date.
