The Moscow Metro is one of the world's busiest and most beautiful underground systems — fast, cheap, and worth visiting for the stations alone. Here's how it works, what a ride costs in 2026, how to pay, and which stations to see.

How the Moscow Metro works

The network has more than a dozen lines plus the circular Koltsevaya line and the above-ground Moscow Central Circle (MCC) and Central Diameters (MCD). Trains run roughly 5:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and arrive every 1-3 minutes at peak times. Stations and trains carry signage and announcements in Russian and English, and lines are colour- and number-coded, so navigation is easy even without Russian.

Tickets and fares in 2026

How to pay: the Troika card

Buy a Troika at any metro ticket office or the machines in station lobbies, then top it up at windows, machines or in the Moscow Metro app. One Troika works across the metro, MCC, MCD commuter lines, buses, trams and electrobuses. You can also tap a contactless bank card or phone at the turnstile — but foreign Visa and Mastercard do not work in Russia, so visitors should use a Troika or cash.

The most beautiful stations to see

Several stations are working museums of Soviet design. Don't miss Komsomolskaya (baroque ceilings and chandeliers), Mayakovskaya (Art Deco mosaics), Novoslobodskaya (stained glass), Kievskaya (mosaic panels) and Ploshchad Revolyutsii (bronze statues whose noses are rubbed for luck). A short self-guided ride between them is one of Moscow's best free sights.

How much does the Moscow Metro cost for tourists?

A single ride is 75 ₽; with a Troika card the per-ride fare is lower. For a few days of sightseeing, a Troika topped up with a modest balance is the cheapest and simplest option.

Can I use a contactless bank card in the Moscow Metro?

Russian-issued cards and phones work at the turnstiles, but foreign Visa and Mastercard do not work in Russia. As a visitor, buy a Troika card or pay with cash at the ticket office.