How to Design Your Beautiful Metro Tour in Moscow

Famous for its beauty and elegance, the Moscow subway makes my trip to Russia an exciting one commuting in the city alone.

While the stations are bustling with locals, I could always see some visitors stopping in the crowd, sitting on a bench, and admiring the breathtaking arts and historic décors in different corners and the ceiling at the lobby and train platform.

About the Moscow Subway

“They used to have a palace for kings, we are going to build palaces for the people!” Said one of the key architects of the Soviet Subway.

For decades, the Moscow subway has provided efficient and punctual transportation services to the citizens and the historic network remains among the cleanest and most effective subway systems in the world. As soon as the train approached the station, train doors rapidly sprung open and passengers marched in and out of the cars in a smooth and orderly manner.

So, don’t worry if you miss a train because the next one will probably come soon enough.

I talked about the Free walking tour in Moscow some time ago, and the same company provides another Moscow Metro Tour at 3 pm every day, taking tourists through the metro stations with in-depth information and interesting facts about some of the most iconic stations along the “Coffee Ring”. If you are on a budget, it’s absolutely fine to take your time and visit these stations at your own pace.

How to design your own Moscow subway tour

The “Coffee Ring” (a.k.a. the Koltsevaya Line, or, the Brown Line) is the most well-known circle route that connects different subway lines in central Moscow.

It is the most crucial to the transfer patterns of passengers since its completion in 1954. I have heard about this legend too many times when I was in Moscow – Joseph Stalin himself suggested the circle line when he placed a coffee cup on the original development map and then lifted it, leaving a circular coffee stain around the center of the city and said: “it’s your main fault, it should be built”. It is thought to be the reason why the line is brown on the maps.

Although the subway stations don’t have many English signs (there are new signs added on the floor), the system is still easy to navigate when you have a metro map in your hands. Use the numbers and colors because sometimes it could be confusing to the Russian alphabet to the names of the stations.

So, exactly, HOW to design your own Moscow subway tour? Well, most of the tourists usually stay within (or along) the Coffee Ring. You will need a metro map to plan your tour:

First, select the one on the Coffee Ring that’s closest to you, and it should be your starting point. Go along the Brown Line for the next stop and visit those stations that are outside of the Ring when you reach an intersection. Save those stations that are closer (or within the Ring) to the last as they would be easier to get to, and the stations are less busy at night.

Best times to take the Moscow subway art tour

The best time to take the tour, obviously, is the off-peak hours. The wonderful thing about the Moscow subway is that it operates from 5:30 a.m. until almost 1 a.m.

If you are staying in the city for a few days, explore some other key attractions during the day, and visit a few subway stations in the afternoon or the evening (after dinner). The subway is generally safe and you can enjoy a smaller crowd on the platform and take as many photos as you want.

Moscow is a populous city and you will find it’s almost impossible to just stand still in the passages or platform at most times of the day. Having said that, it is not a must to visit all stations in one go, incorporate some viewing spots and you will get to see many of these stations as you move.

Moscow subway tickets

Since most of the must-sees and art decorations are on the station’s platform, you will technically need only one ticket for your subway tour. However, there are sometimes when the artworks are in the concourse, or you need to get out of the station for any reason. Either way, a single journey ticket is fairly cheap and you can simply buy 2 to 3 tickets for the tour.

Ticket Prices (Fares from January 2020)

Single Journey Ticket:
Starts from 55 rubles (with zones A and B, and can be used one time within 5 days after purchase)

The ticket vending machine only accepts cash and now passenger can also tap their phone at the ticket gate using NFC technology with Apple Pay, or Samsung Pay. If you are staying in the city for a longer period of time, consider getting a Troika card. It’s easier to travel around without purchasing a single ticket at every stop, and it could be a good souvenir for your journey :).

Most of the must-see subway stations lie in the north of central Moscow. Some of them look more like cathedrals, ballrooms, and art galleries than transportation hubs. The stations still feature décor of Lenin or communist icons that remind us of the time of Stalin. So without further ado, here are some of the best stations in the Moscow subway system that you shouldn’t miss:

How to use this map

So, I have created a map to point out all the station highlights, and I have also included the major attractions and “must-see” places in Moscow so you have an idea of what to see near any station.

I have already mentioned a couple of times that you should incorporate your daily trips with these stations. You don’t have to visit all stations in a day, instead, split them into 3 or 4 days, you can mark your route for each day on this map to make the most of your visit to Moscow, and your travel pass.

In fact, check out How to Spend 4 Days Discovering Moscow’s Best with the City Pass.
Here we go, grab your map and camera, and let’s start the tour!

The Red Line (1) / Circle Line (5): Komsomolskaya

Highlight: The yellow ceiling

Komsomolskaya is probably the most featured and recognizable station on the network. The station is the intersection of the Red Line and the Circle Line and is one of the very first stations of the subway system. As it’s located under three railway stations, it is also one of the busiest hubs.

The station was built in 1952, and the platform is a perfect example of an apotheosis of Stalinist Style – limestone and marble pillars, grey granite floor, enormous chandeliers, mural mosaic, and Baroque style ceiling decorated with precious stones, they are telling the story about the Russian fight for independence and glorious victories throughout history.

By the way, the station is an award-winning station in the World Expo that was held in Brussels in 1958.

Drak Green Line (2): Mayakovskaya

Highlight: Soviet poet and a ballroom

Another unforgettable moment on the Moscow subway journey. This is the most important and well-known subway station of all.

The station is named after the Soviet poet, Vladimir Mayakovsky, who is a prominent figure in the Russian Futurist movement.

The architectural style is completely different from the other stations, while most of the others are built as a pylon station (which makes the platform narrow), the station is built as a deep column station. Hence, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see how his spirit is reflected in the design of the platform – It looks like a warmly lit modern ballroom!

Apart from the wide arches, huge domes, and lamps, check out the 34 mosaics on the ceiling that represent “24 Hours in the Land of the Soviets”, they depict a Soviet future envisioned by the poet.

Dark Blue Line (3): Ploshchad Revolyutsii

Highlight: 76 giant sculptures

Most tourists would probably go to this station because this is the station closest to the Red Square and the Kremlin. This is, in fact,  one of my favorite stations and it is unforgettable as well because of the 76 magnificent giant sculptures of Soviet people embedded on every corner of the platform.

Called the Revolution Square, it is for the people – the sculptures feature families and children, athletes, farmers, industrial workers, hunters, to soldiers. I love this station because of the boldness of these sculptures and its theme is taken from all walks of life.

Dark Blue Line (3): Arbatskaya

Highlight: The second-longest platform in Moscow

The station was built in 1953, replacing the old station that was destroyed by the Germans during the war in 1941. The station served as a bunker with a deep and long design, 41 feet below ground.

The platform here is the second-longest in Moscow (250 feet), The platform is an oval shape with a low base on red marble, decorated with chandeliers and bas-beliefs of flower baskets.

Circle Line (5): Taganskaya

Highlight: Panels of light blue and white

Back to the Circle Line.

Taganskaya’s magnificent panels, on both sides of the platform, though inspired by Russian folklore, are about war.

The light blue and white decorations feature the bas-relief profile of ships, sailors, airmen, and other military figures of the Red Army and Navy – which, to the Russians, are important in their history and victory.

The rather subdue color tone makes a strong impact on the stories these artworks have to tell.

Circle Line (5): Novoslobodskaya

Highlight: Stained glass and “Peace Throughout the World”

The 32 beautiful stained glass panels, adorned by a brass border, in Novoslobodskaya are what the station is known for.

Illuminated from within, the panels feature floral patterns and a range of characters from sailors, artists, architects, and engineers. The stained glass panels are adorned with gold embellishments and frames. The colorful presentation is different from many of the other stations.

At the end of the platform is a mosaic “Peace Throughout the World”, created by Pavel Korin.

Circle Line (5): Belorusskaya

Highlight: Statue “Belarusian Partisans”

The station is connected to the Belorussky Rail Terminal.

The station features an elaborately patterned plaster ceiling, light fixtures supported by ornate scroll-shaped brackets, and a variety of decorations based on Belarusian themes.

The statue, “Belarusian Partisans”, installed on the passage was another showstopper of the Belorusskaya, the statue is rather special to the country as it commemorates the 100,000 partisan fighters from Belarus. The fine detail of the statue is impactful.

Circle Line (5): Krasnopresnenskaya

Highlight: Bas-Reliefs

It is another intersection station of the Brown Line and Purple Line.

The station was built in 1954 – compared to the other subway stations, Krasnopresnenskaya has a rather subtle theme, decorated with red granite pylons with white marble cornices.

So what are we looking at? Check out the 14 bas-reliefs on display that vividly depict the various events of the Russian Revolution of 1905 and the Russian Revolution of 1917.

Circle Line (5): Prospekt Mira

Highlight: Golden Mosaic

The station is rather romantic with floral elements and a softer color tone.

In the center are medallion bas-beliefs featuring the different aspects of the development of agriculture in the Soviet Union.

The eye-catcher here is the hysterical golden mosaic at the end of the passage. The bright and white ceiling is a wonderful backdrop for the gold mosaic, together with the classical chandeliers. Take a walk along the platform and the hall, it looks like waking through a Russian Palace or an art museum.

Purple Line (7): Barrikadnaya

Highlight: The electric red line

The station is connected with Kransnopresnenskaya, and it was built in 1972. The location was once a military camp during the revolution in 1905. It has a modern, functional, and simple design, giving it a different look to the audience. The signature of this station is an electric, curvy red line at the ceiling that passes through the tunnels and passages of the entire station.

Grey Line (9): Chekhovskaya

Highlight: Anton Chekhov’s marble patining

The station is relatively new, and it was constructed in 1987. It features a simplistic design and the highlight of the station are the colorful marble frescos that depict pavilions, a garden, a strolling man, and a woman wearing a bonnet with an umbrella. They are the portrait of the work of Anton Chekhov, showing the subtle deep connections of human lives.

Lime Line (10): Dostoevskaya

Highlight: Fyodor Dostoevsky’s images

The station is dedicated to famously gloomy Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky, with a black and grey tone as the main theme. Be prepared for the brutal scene of his work that involves murder, and suicide, which stirred up some controversy when the station was opened – worrying the images will depress those who are having negative thoughts. All in all, this is to honor a renowned writer of his time.