Moscow Metro
Let's be frank - this is the mother of all metros - elegant and impressive compared with the rather grubby affairs in London and New York, and full of passion and style if you ever feel like putting it up against the soulless affairs of the Far East. Many of Moscow's metro stations are architectural masterpieces, heavily themed-up with sculptures, reliefs and mosaics expounding the benefits of a healthy communist life, so expect a full-on dose of soldiers, workers, tractor-drivers, artists and sportsmen.
The Moscow Metro not only looks good - it really works efficiently too. Prices are very reasonable (60 roubles will buy you a ticket valid for 5 trips city-wide), and the trains run very frequently and very fast. A couple of tips - make sure to put your ticket correctly into the entry barrier and COLLECT IT before trying to pass through (see the diagram above from the back of a metro ticket), otherwise good Soviet era engineering will make an efficient effort to amputate your legs with its jaw-snapping barriers! (It's not quite that bad, but it'll certainly have the Pavlovian effect required) Likewise, the doors of the trains themselves are not worth playing with. Forget the slow-closing and feeble doors of the London Underground - Moscow's train doors operate with guillotine-life efficiency and speed.
Of course navigating Moscow's metro can be tricky, especially if you're not so familiar with the language. However head straight to 'moscow metro map' for a handy guide with anglicized letters!
Comments
At some metro stations you can pay for travel using the PayPass card directly. The stations are marked in the diagram below.
ReplyWhen you leave the Metro, in many places you can buy a shot of Vodka at a vendor's stand at the top of the stairs.
ReplyGreat site. I miss Moscow. Learned a little Russian by riding the Metro and deciphering the recorded station calls.
ReplySo shocked by the terrible tragedy on the metro today. As a Londoner, my thoughts are with those who have lost families and friends. We have suffered the same through terrorism.
ReplyThe Moscow Metro Stations ARE the most beautiful!!! And, if you are going to be visiting Russia, it helps to, at least, learn to read cyrillic. Carry cards with common words on them (Exit, Closed, Open, etc)
ReplyWhen I click on the "moscow metro map" link, all I get is "Sorry! This page does not exist!" Kind of disappointing -- I was looking for a handy guide to the Metro. Oh well, guess I'll keep Googling till I find one!
ReplyIt would be very useful if the Metro Map link worked. If this had worked my rating 5/5 but at the moment it is 1/5
ReplyWell, although most of the other countries in the whole world would like to dispute the fact that moscows metro is the excellent subways in the world, but it is with no doubt the best of the best. Anyone who ever doubts that should let his eyes be his witnesses. Добры пожаловат всех.
ReplyI have to agree that Moscow metro is fantastic to look at.However as I do not speak a word of Russian and trying to read Russian is a nightmare, It would be wonderful to see more maps and even better if they were in English.
Replygoing sightseeing is made quite easy and affordable using the moscow metro. the architecture is all together another tourist destination
ReplyObviously and without any doubt, Moscow metro is THE BEST in the world. Metro maps are available with English names.
ReplyMoscow metro is without doubt superb. Intimidating if you cannot read cyrillic, but adds to the adventure. There are so many great things about Moscow, go see for yourself
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