Moscow is home to one of the most unique and beautiful metro networks in the world. Stations are designed like palaces, many in traditional socialist realist architecture. The Moscow metro is one of the symbols of the city and if you’re staying in the Russian capital for any period of time you won’t be able to miss it. With over 13 million busy lives all in need of getting around, it bodes well that the metro service is quick and comprehensive. Taking a tour of the Moscow Metro may well be one of the main activities to do in Moscow, so hopefully this small Moscow Metro dictionary will come in handy!
1. Автомат (Avtomat – Ticket Machine)
The machines are located in the ticket hall of each metro. Use them to buy your tickets or top up your travel card. Most machines can be changed into a variety of languages… so even if it’s your first day, there’s no excuse to be late for work!
2. Касса (Kassa – Ticket Booth)
If you’d rather speak to a real person (and if you’re brave enough) you can buy your tickets from a ticket booth. Also located in the ticket hall above the escalators. Remember to leave enough time to queue and buy your tickets. The cashiers never understand that everyone is in a rush. Also the metro stations are famously very deep, so allow a few minutes for getting down to platform level.
3. Жетон (Zheton – Token)
Single journeys on the Moscow Metro come in the form of tokens. So don’t be alarmed when it looks like you’re being handed a 10 rouble coin, that’s your ticket!
4. Тройка (Troyka – Travel Card)
Your travel card will soon be your best friend, with great discounts to be had when your buy multiple trips… (that said if you’ve used the tube in London, no trip is that expensive). The word тройка comes from an earlier form of transport in Imperial times – a cart drawn by three horses. Now a picture of a тройка is on the travel card and gives it its name.
5. Час пик (Chas pik – Peak Time)
Moscow is an incredibly busy city, so expect a lot of people during the morning and evening commute! The metro can get very crowded, so travelling in peak time is only for the brave. That said, the roads are even busier so sometimes you may be safer underground.
6. Кондуктор (Konduktor – Conductor)
Similar to in English, a кондуктор is a ticket-collector. You won’t often see them on the metro, they tend to spend more time on over-ground trains, but in the event that you do, make sure you’ve bought a ticket to avoid a big fine. They’re only 35 roubles with a travel card!
7. Мрамор (Mramor – Marble)
The Moscow Metro was not conceived merely as a method of getting form A to B. The Soviets looked to design the stations as ‘palaces for the workers’. The marble interior of Mayakovskaya uses the same materials that the Czars would have used for their stately homes. The impressive nature of the stations was designed to motivate workers during their commute.
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