Gostiny Dvor Metro Station opened on 3 November 1967 on Line 3 and takes its name from the Great Gostiny Dvor, the old shopping arcade on Nevsky Prospekt that houses its main vestibule. It lies in the Tsentralny District, at the crossing of Nevsky Prospekt and Sadovaya Street, and it is linked to Nevsky Prospekt on Line 2 by escalators and a pedestrian tunnel.
For visitors it is the most central stop on the green line. Above the escalators in the vestibule is a stained-glass window about an event of July 1917, and below, the platform is hidden behind sliding doors in the closed-type design. A second exit on the Griboedov Canal embankment is shared with Nevsky Prospekt and leads towards Kazan Square.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Гостиный двор |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 1967 |
| Architect(s) | S. G. Mayofis, E. S. Belyat and V. E. Shevelenko (hall); A. K. Andreyev and Yu. E. Moskalenko with engineer S. P. Shchukin (vestibule) |
| Address | Санкт-Петербург, Невский проспект, 35 OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Tsentralny District |
| Interchanges | Gostiny Dvor (Line 3, the vestibule inside the Gostiny Dvor shopping arcade on Nevsky Prospekt, or the second exit on the Griboedov Canal embankment) Nevsky Prospekt (Line 2, interchange by passage and escalators) Vasileostrovskaya (Line 3, previous stop towards Begovaya) Mayakovskaya (Line 3, next stop towards Rybatskoye) |
| Opening hours | The metro runs daily from early morning until shortly after midnight, and the station follows the network schedule; hours can change with works on the line (as of October 2026 – check the official site of the Saint Petersburg Metro). |
| Best time to visit | The station is indoors, so it works in any season and in any weather. It is crowded most of the day, so early morning or late evening is calmer. The arcade and the canal exit are best seen in daylight. |
| Last updated | October 16, 2026 |
Why Visit Gostiny Dvor Metro Station, Saint Petersburg?
Gostiny Dvor is a practical stop first, and a small museum second. You come up inside one of the city’s oldest shopping arcades, and the vestibule has a stained-glass window that is also a favourite meeting place for locals.
It is also a clear example of the closed-type station, with a white marble hall and a dark grey granite floor. Because it connects to Nevsky Prospekt and the canal exit, it puts you in the middle of the historic centre. You pay only for a metro ride, and 10 to 20 minutes is enough to see the vestibule and the hall.
Highlights of Gostiny Dvor Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
The vestibule inside the Gostiny Dvor arcade
The ground vestibule is built into the shopping arcade that gives the station its name. It was designed by A. K. Andreyev and Yu. E. Moskalenko with the engineer S. P. Shchukin, faced in light marble and finished with a pleated ceiling.
It faces the crossing of Nevsky Prospekt and Sadovaya Street.
Tip: Look for the metro entrance inside the arcade on the Nevsky Prospekt side.
The stained-glass window above the escalators
Above the escalators is a stained-glass window by the artist A. L. Korolev, depicting the shooting of a demonstration in July 1917 at this very crossing of Sadovaya Street and Nevsky Prospekt. The area in front of it is a popular meeting place for locals, nicknamed On the Bird.
It is the main artwork of the station.
Tip: Look up from the top of the escalators and from the floor in front of the window.
A closed-type station
Gostiny Dvor is one of about ten closed-type stations in the city, sometimes called a horizontal lift. The central hall is separated from the tracks by a wall with sliding doors that line up with the train doors.
The hall was designed by S. G. Mayofis, E. S. Belyat and V. E. Shevelenko, and the walls are faced with white marble over a dark grey granite floor.
Tip: Wait at a door and watch the train doors align with the wall doors.
The second exit in Engelhardt House
On 30 April 1968, a second exit opened on the Griboedov Canal embankment, shared with Nevsky Prospekt. Its vestibule is built into Engelhardt House, which also contains the Small Hall of the Philharmonia, and the house was partly demolished and restored during construction.
Locals know this meeting place by the nickname Microclimate.
Tip: Use this exit for Kazan Square and the canal.
The transfer to Nevsky Prospekt
The interchange with Nevsky Prospekt on Line 2 runs by escalators or through a pedestrian tunnel. Together the two stations form the main metro hub of the centre, and Gostiny Dvor is among the busiest on its line.
The station was closed for repair of the vestibule and the escalator tunnel from August 2008 to August 2009, when Nevsky Prospekt took its passengers.
Tip: Allow extra time for the transfer in the morning and evening rush.
The underpass with souvenir stalls
From the exit on the Nevsky Prospekt side, a long underground passage leads to the other side of the avenue. It is lined with many souvenir stalls and gives a quick way to cross the avenue.
It is a useful route if you want to avoid the surface crossing.
Tip: Check prices in the stalls against the shops on the avenue before buying.
Atmosphere
The vestibule is bright and ceremonial, with light marble, a pleated ceiling and the stained-glass window over the escalators. People wait in front of it for friends, and the place has the feel of a city meeting point rather than just a metro entrance.
Below, the white marble hall and the dark floor feel cool and quiet, with the sliding doors keeping the trains out of sight. Gostiny Dvor is busy most of the day, especially in the rush hours and on weekends, when shoppers fill the arcade and the escalators.
History of Gostiny Dvor Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Gostiny Dvor opened on 3 November 1967 as part of the first section of Line 3, the Nevsko-Vasileostrovskaya line, between Vasileostrovskaya and Ploshchad Alexandra Nevskogo. It takes its name from the department store and shopping arcade that houses its ground vestibule, one of the oldest shopping complexes in the city.
The vestibule was designed by A. K. Andreyev and Yu. E. Moskalenko, with the engineer S. P. Shchukin. It faces the crossing of Nevsky Prospekt and Sadovaya Street, is faced with light marble and has a pleated ceiling. Above the escalators is a stained-glass window by A. L. Korolev depicting the shooting of a demonstration in July 1917 at this very crossing.
The underground hall was designed by S. G. Mayofis, E. S. Belyat and V. E. Shevelenko, with an engineer. It is a deep station, about 56 metres below the surface, and belongs to the closed type: the central hall is separated from the tracks by a wall with sliding doors, like a lift. The walls of the hall are faced with white marble, and the floor is dark grey granite.
On 30 April 1968, a second exit opened on the Griboedov Canal embankment. It is shared with Nevsky Prospekt, whose own second exit opened the same day, and its vestibule is built into Engelhardt House, which also houses the Small Hall of the Philharmonia. The house was partly demolished during construction and later restored.
The station is linked to Nevsky Prospekt on Line 2 by escalators and a pedestrian tunnel. The two stations form the main interchange of the centre and are among the busiest on the network.
From August 2008 to August 2009, Gostiny Dvor was closed for repair of the vestibule and the escalator tunnel, and Nevsky Prospekt served its passengers during that time. It is the longest station on Line 3.
Today Gostiny Dvor remains a busy through station between Vasileostrovskaya and Mayakovskaya. It is used by commuters, shoppers and visitors alike, and its two vestibules serve the middle of Nevsky Prospekt and the canal embankment.
Tickets and Booking for Gostiny Dvor Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Gostiny Dvor needs no ticket of its own: you pay for a ride on the Saint Petersburg Metro and can look around the hall while you wait for a train. The fare is a flat one regardless of distance (₽).
- Contactless bank card: accepted at turnstiles marked for bank-card payment, but whether a card issued outside Russia works varies, and the sanctions rules of your own country may restrict the use of Russian payment services, so check this yourself before you travel.
- Podorozhnik card: a reusable transport card sold at metro ticket offices, and usually the simplest option for visitors who plan several rides.
Rates for Russian citizens and concession categories differ from the standard fare. This is one of the busiest stations on the network, especially in the weekday morning and evening rush and on weekends. The official website of the Saint Petersburg Metro lists current fares, payment methods and categories.
Plan and Book
How to Get to Gostiny Dvor Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
By metro: take Line 3 (the green Nevsko-Vasileostrovskaya line) and get off at Gostiny Dvor, between Vasileostrovskaya and Mayakovskaya. From Line 2, change at Nevsky Prospekt by escalators or the tunnel.
On arrival: the main vestibule is inside the Gostiny Dvor arcade on Nevsky Prospekt, at the crossing with Sadovaya Street. The second exit opens on the Griboedov Canal embankment, in Engelhardt House.
By taxi or bus: ask for Nevsky Prospekt, 35 (Невский проспект, 35), or for the metro station Gostiny Dvor. Many bus and trolleybus routes run along the avenue.
Accessibility
Gostiny Dvor is a deep station reached by escalators, with a transfer to Nevsky Prospekt and an underground passage across the avenue. Whether a lift or other step-free route is available was not verified for this article, so check the accessibility information on the official website of the Saint Petersburg Metro and consider asking staff before you travel.
Food Nearby
There are no verified cafes inside the station. The Gostiny Dvor arcade, Nevsky Prospekt, Sadovaya Street and the Griboedov Canal embankment have many cafes and restaurants within a short walk.
What to Bring
A payment card or a Podorozhnik card, and a map or phone with offline directions, as the exits are in different places. Comfortable shoes help with the long escalators and the passage.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Gostiny Dvor Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Top of the escalators, facing the stained glass
The stained-glass window above the escalators, seen from the vestibule floor with the light marble around it.
Best time: Off-peak, when the meeting area is less crowded.
Mid-hall, looking along the white marble
The white marble walls and dark granite floor stretch away, with the sliding doors along the wall.
Best time: Early morning or late evening.
The vestibule ceiling
The pleated ceiling and the light marble make a clean, symmetrical frame.
Best time: Any time the vestibule is clear.
Griboedov Canal embankment, outside Engelhardt House
The canal exit opens onto the embankment, with the old facade of the house behind you.
Best time: Daylight, ideally in clear weather.
Photography Rules
Casual photography on the platform is generally tolerated, but tripods and professional filming typically need permission from the metro. Do not block the escalators, the sliding doors or passengers, and avoid photographing staff or other people.
Family Suitability
Possible for families, but it is one of the busiest stations on the network, so choose off-peak hours. The long escalators, the transfer and the crowded arcade need care with small children, and strollers should be folded or carried. A visit takes only a few minutes.
Russia Vibes Tips
- Choose the exit by destination: the arcade for Nevsky Prospekt and the shops, the canal exit for Kazan Square and the Philharmonia.
- Look up above the escalators for the stained-glass window; locals meet in front of it.
- Avoid the weekday rush and busy weekend afternoons if you want a clear view of the hall.
- If you are changing to Line 2, follow the signs for Nevsky Prospekt and allow extra time at peak hours.
- Use the underpass across the avenue to save a surface crossing, but watch your belongings in the crowd.
- Combine the stop with Nevsky Prospekt station to compare two 1960s halls, one metallic and one marble.
Explore Nearby Gostiny Dvor Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Sights near Gostiny Dvor Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Nevsky Prospekt, Saint Petersburg · typical visit: 2–4 hours for the main stretch; a full day with stopsMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Kazan Cathedral, Saint Petersburg · typical visit: 30–60 minutesMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, Saint Petersburg · typical visit: 1 hour inside, plus time to walk around the outsideMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Russian Ethnographic Museum, Saint Petersburgabout 600 m away (~10 min walk) · typical visit: 2–3 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Saint Michael's Castle, Saint Petersburgabout 700 m away (~12 min walk) · typical visit: 1.5–2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Metro stations near Gostiny Dvor Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Nevsky Prospekt Metro Station, Saint Petersburgabout 300 m away (~5 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Dostoevskaya Metro Station, Saint Petersburgabout 950 m away (~15 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Vladimirskaya Metro Station, Saint Petersburgabout 1.1 km away (~17 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Train stations and river piers near Gostiny Dvor Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Vitebsky Railway Station, Saint Petersburgabout 1.5 km away (~25 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moskovsky Railway Station, Saint Petersburgabout 1.6 km away (~26 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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FAQ: Gostiny Dvor Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Do I need a ticket to see Gostiny Dvor station?
You need to pay for a metro ride to enter the platform area. There is no separate sightseeing ticket. See the fares section for payment options.
Why is it called Gostiny Dvor?
It is named after the Gostiny Dvor shopping arcade, which houses its main vestibule on Nevsky Prospekt. The name means merchant yard.
Can I change to Line 2 here?
Yes, the station is linked to Nevsky Prospekt by escalators and a pedestrian tunnel, so you can change between the green and blue lines.
What is the stained-glass window?
It is a work by A. L. Korolev above the escalators depicting the shooting of a demonstration in July 1917 at the crossing of Sadovaya Street and Nevsky Prospekt.
Why are there doors on the platform?
It is a closed-type station, sometimes called a horizontal lift, with a wall of sliding doors that align with the train doors.
How deep is the station?
It is reported at about 56 metres below the surface, so you reach the platform by escalator.
Which exit is best for Kazan Cathedral?
The second exit on the Griboedov Canal embankment leads towards Kazan Square, which is the shorter way to the cathedral.
Is it worth a special trip?
Not on its own, but you will probably use it, so take a minute to see the stained-glass window and the hall.
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Last updated: October 16, 2026. Found an error or something out of date? Report it and we will check and fix it.
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