Transport
Metro
The Moscow metro is the easiest and most reliable way to get around Moscow.
All metro lines have their own colour. The ring line (brown) and the big circle line (turquoise) intersect all radial lines. Metro entrances are marked with a large red letter 'M', with colour markers underneath that indicate the lines that can be reached via a given entrance.
Opening hours: 5:30 am to 1 am.
Trains arrive quite frequently, so there is no need to rush to catch one. The intervals between trains vary from 90 seconds during peak hours to eight minutes on weekends and at night. On the Moscow Central Circle (MCC, which is also part of the metro system), the intervals vary between four and fifteen minutes.
Basic rules for using the metro safely:
- On escalators: stand behind the protective strip, never lean against motionless parts. Never sit or place objects on the escalator stairs, run along them, or walk on an idle escalator. The basic rule is to stand on the right side, and if in a hurry, to use the left side to pass quicker. But during rush hours, the metro staff kindly asks passengers to stand on both sides of the escalator to improve capacity.
- On platforms: stand away from the platform edge until the train stops completely, and after it stops completely, clear the space in front of the car doors to let passengers exit the car. Never descend onto the metro tracks or put items on them.
- In cars: do not lean against car doors or try to open them while moving. Allow other passengers to enter and exit the train. Do not use the 'passenger – metro driver' intercom system unless necessary. Never place luggage on seats. Offer your seat to elderly people, pregnant women, and parents with children.
On most lines, the doors of the metro cars open automatically. But on some lines with outdoor stations, including the MCC, you’ll need to push the button to open the door. This is to avoid unwanted heat loss during winter and for proper AC operation during summer.
To use the metro, you have to buy a ticket. You can purchase various ticket options at the ticket office or machines. You can get a single or a double-ride ticket. For more rides, the better and cheaper option is the Troika card, which you buy once and then top up with money. There are also unlimited travel passes available for 1, 3, 14, or 30 consecutive days. You can enter the metro by paying directly at the turnstiles with a MIR bank card.
The Moscow Metro mobile app (available on iOS and Android) allows users to set up a virtual Troika card on their phones. The app also features a metro map, journey planner, and more.
Staff in Metro ticket offices rarely speak English, so it's a good idea to show cashier a card indicating the number of rides you wish to purchase. You can also buy tickets for ground transport in the metro ticket office. Ticket machines have English interfaces.
Students, including international students, can obtain the Moscow Resident Social Card, which provides discounted public transportation fares. Please contact International Student Support for more information on how to obtain a card.
In the Moscow Metro, there are several stations where two or more lines intersect—so make sure to double-check which direction you need to go. Also, when transferring from one line to another (usually to an aboveground metro station), you will need to scan the ticket again at a turnstile, but no extra fee will be taken.
There are information signs in English in the Moscow metro. Also, every station has a red and blue INFO/SOS (ИНФО/СОС) pillar in the centre of the platform. There is a metro map in two languages. Maps inside the carriages also have information in English.
There are almost no waste bins in the metro for security reasons. So, if you take wrapped food into the metro, prepare to hold the wrapper until you leave.
For further information, please visit the Moscow metro website (unfortunately, available only in Russian). Information about transport fares is available here. You can also calculate approximate travelling time using the Yandex.Metro app available for IOS and Android). See also: architecture photos featuring the whole Moscow Metro network.
Ground Public Transport
Moscow’s public ground transportation includes buses and trams. You can purchase tickets on the bus by scanning your bank card, Troika card, or Moscow card. If you have only cash, you have to buy the ticket in advance, which you can do in metro stations.
Public transport operates from 5:30 am until 1 am. There are a few night routes. If you are in the centre of Moscow, night busses mostly start their route from the metro station Kitay-Gorod. The fare is the same as during the day.
Further information (including fares) is available here. The Yandex.Maps (iOS, Android) app can help you navigate the city using public transport.
Taxi
Using Taxis in Moscow
In Moscow, there are numerous taxi services available, with some of the most popular being Yandex.Go (iOS, Android), Uber Russia (iOS, Android), and Citymobil (iOS, Android). These companies provide reliable transportation options throughout the city. The most convenient way to book a taxi is through their respective mobile apps.
Payment Options
Taxi fares in Moscow can be paid either in cash or via credit/debit cards linked within the chosen taxi company's application. Payments must be made exclusively in Russian Rubles, and currently only MIR cards operate in Russia.
We highly recommend that you use official registered taxi services. While there are illegal taxis in Moscow that offer a cheaper alternative, we strongly advise against using them or hitchhiking—it may be unsafe. Note that if you plan to get reimbursement from HSE University for taxi services, only official taxis provide receipts that will allow it.
For average taxi fares, see International Student Support.