Moscow offers a variety of travel passes designed to make getting around the city easier, more convenient, and often more affordable. These passes allow visitors to enjoy unlimited travel on public transport like the Moscow Metro, buses, trams, and trolleybuses for a set period. Choosing the right pass depends on how long you’ll be in the city, how often you’ll use public transport, and whether you want to access additional tourist attractions. Here’s a guide to the different Moscow travel passes and which one might be the best fit for you.
1. Troika Card
The Troika card is one of the most popular and versatile travel passes in Moscow. It’s a contactless smart card that allows you to pay for metro, bus, tram, and trolleybus rides. The Troika card is perfect for short-term stays and frequent travelers, as it provides discounted fares and the convenience of reloading for continued use.
Key Features:
- Cost: The Troika card itself costs 50 rubles. You can load it with any amount between 100 rubles and 3,000 rubles.
- Pay-as-you-go: Pay for each trip as you go, with discounted fares compared to buying individual tickets. The cost for a metro ride is around 36-40 rubles.
- Free Transfers: Transfers between different modes of transport (metro to bus, for example) are free within 90 minutes of your first tap-in.
- Multi-purpose: It works not only for metro but also for buses, trams, and trolleybuses.
Why Choose the Troika Card?
- Ideal for tourists who will be using public transport regularly during their stay.
- No need to buy single tickets every time you travel—simply tap the card at the turnstile.
- Offers discounts on fares compared to purchasing individual tickets.
- Reloadable and easy to manage.
Best for: Tourists who will be in Moscow for several days and plan to use the metro and buses/trams frequently.
2. Unlimited Travel Passes
If you’re planning to use public transport extensively during your stay in Moscow, an unlimited travel pass might be the best option. These passes offer unlimited rides within a specific time frame, allowing you to travel as much as you want on the metro, buses, trams, and trolleybuses.
Available Options:
- 3-Day Unlimited Travel Pass
- Cost: Around 650 rubles for unlimited travel on all modes of public transport within a 72-hour period.
- Best for: Tourists who will stay for 3 days and plan to use the metro and other transport multiple times each day.
- 7-Day Unlimited Travel Pass
- Cost: Around 1,100 rubles for unlimited travel within 7 days.
- Best for: Tourists staying for 7 days who plan to explore the city extensively, making this option more affordable than buying single tickets or loading a Troika card for each trip.
Why Choose an Unlimited Travel Pass?
- Cost-effective for those who plan to travel multiple times per day.
- Convenient: No need to worry about topping up your Troika card or calculating individual fares.
- Great for sightseeing: If you want to visit many places in Moscow, this pass makes transportation easy and affordable.
Best for: Tourists staying for a few days who will be using public transport frequently throughout their visit.
3. Moscow City Pass
The Moscow City Pass is an all-in-one tourist pass that provides unlimited access to the metro, buses, trams, trolleybuses, and Moscow’s top attractions. It is ideal for tourists who want to visit popular sites while using public transport.
Key Features:
- Cost: The pass starts at around 1,700 rubles for 24 hours of unlimited travel, with options for 48 hours or 72 hours.
- Includes attractions: In addition to unlimited travel on public transport, the pass provides free entry or discounts to popular tourist attractions, such as:
- The Kremlin and Armoury,
- Moscow Museum of Modern Art,
- St. Basil’s Cathedral,
- Tretyakov Gallery.
- Mobile App: The pass includes a mobile app that helps you plan your trips and navigate the city easily.
Why Choose the Moscow City Pass?
- All-in-one: Great for tourists who want to explore Moscow’s top attractions while using public transport.
- Convenient: Includes public transport and entry fees to popular museums and landmarks in one pass.
- Free entry to many sights: Saves you money on admissions, especially if you’re visiting several attractions.
Best for: Tourists who want to visit multiple attractions in Moscow while also using public transport during their stay.
4. Aeroexpress Ticket
If you’re traveling to or from Moscow’s airports (Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, or Vnukovo), the Aeroexpress train is an efficient and comfortable way to get to the city center. You can purchase a separate Aeroexpress ticket, or it can be included in certain tourist passes.
Key Features:
- Cost: A single ticket for the Aeroexpress train is typically 500-600 rubles one-way, depending on the airport.
- Fast and direct: The trains offer a direct and fast link between the airport and the city center (around 40 minutes from Sheremetyevo).
- Available online: Tickets can be purchased in advance through the Aeroexpress website or mobile app, or bought directly at the airport.
Why Choose the Aeroexpress Ticket?
- Convenience: Ideal for tourists who need a quick connection to and from the airport.
- Reliable: The Aeroexpress runs frequently and is often the fastest and most comfortable way to travel between Moscow’s airports and central locations.
Best for: Tourists flying into or out of Moscow who want a quick and comfortable ride to or from the airport.
5. Single-Ride Tickets
For tourists who plan to use the metro only once or twice, single-ride tickets are available for 55 rubles. This option is the simplest for short trips but is less cost-effective than using the Troika card or an unlimited pass.
How to Purchase:
- Ticket Machines: Available in all metro stations, these machines allow you to purchase a single-ride ticket.
- Ticket Counters: You can also buy a single ride ticket at the ticket counters in most metro stations.
Why Choose Single-Ride Tickets?
- Ideal for short visits: If you plan to use public transport only once or twice, single-ride tickets are the most straightforward option.
- No need for a card: You don’t need a Troika card or mobile app to purchase single-ride tickets.
Best for: Tourists who will use public transport only once or twice during their stay.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Moscow travel pass depends on your travel style, the duration of your stay, and how often you plan to use public transport. Here’s a summary of the best options:
- Troika Card: Best for short stays or frequent trips, offering discounted fares on all forms of public transport.
- Unlimited Travel Pass: Ideal for tourists who will be using public transport extensively during their visit, offering great value for money.
- Moscow City Pass: Perfect for tourists who want unlimited travel combined with free entry or discounts to Moscow’s top attractions.
- Aeroexpress Ticket: The best option for travelers arriving at or departing from Moscow’s airports.
- Single-Ride Tickets: Best for tourists who only need one or two trips on public transport.
By choosing the right pass, you can make the most of your time in Moscow, save money, and enjoy a seamless experience traveling around the city.
