A guide to public transport in Moscow (prices and how to use it)

Moscow's public transport network is one of the most modern and efficient in the world. Here is everything you need to get around the Russian capital with ease.

Types of transport and opening hours

Moscow Metro: open from 05:30 to 01:00. Trains are very punctual and come every few seconds at rush hour.

Surface transport (buses, trams, electric buses): runs from about 05:30 to 00:30.

Night buses: missed the metro? Don't worry! Night buses marked with the letter "Н" (such as H1, H2) leave from the city centre (Kitay-gorod metro station) and cover most of Moscow all night, from 01:00 to 05:30.

The Troika card — your best choice

A rechargeable smart card for all types of transport that saves you a lot of money.

Where to get it: from ticket machines or the ticket office at any metro station.

Card price: 150 roubles — a refundable deposit you can get back at the ticket office when you leave, as long as the card is in good condition.

Fares

• Single ride with Troika (e-wallet): 75 roubles
• 90-minute fare: if you change between metro and buses within 90 minutes, you pay 120 roubles in total instead of two separate fares
• Paying directly with a Russian bank card: 83 roubles per ride (tap the card on the gate)

Unlimited passes (if you travel a lot)

You can load one of these passes onto your Troika card for unlimited rides during the period:

• 1 day (24 hours) — 415 roubles
• 3 days — 800 roubles
• 1 month (30 days) — 3,460 roubles
• 90 days — 8,450 roubles
• 1 year (365 days) — 24,900 roubles

Useful tips

Apps: download Yandex Maps or Yandex Metro. They are available in English and show routes, bus numbers and arrival times accurately.

Children: travel is free for children under 7 on all public transport in Moscow.

Face Pay (biometric payment)

The Moscow Metro offers payment by face recognition, available to residents and tourists alike — you link your photo to your bank card in the official app.

Price: 71 roubles per ride, which makes it an economical choice compared with paying by bank card.