Moskovsky Railway Station stands on Vosstaniya Square, where Nevsky Prospekt meets Ligovsky Prospekt, and it is the station for the high-speed Sapsan trains to Moscow. Konstantin Thon designed it, and its first train left in 1851. Most visitors arrive from Moscow here, and many leave from it for Veliky Novgorod and other cities.
Moskovsky Railway Station is the best-connected terminus in Saint Petersburg: an exit of the Ploshchad Vosstaniya metro station opens straight into the building, and Mayakovskaya is linked by an underground corridor. The pink-and-cream facade with its clock tower is a landmark in itself, and Nevsky Prospekt starts at the doorstep. This page explains the trains, the connections and what to watch for.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Московский вокзал |
|---|---|
| Type | Railway station |
| Built / opened | 1851 |
| Architect(s) | Konstantin Thon |
| Address | Санкт-Петербург, Невский проспект, 85 (площадь Восстания) OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Tsentralny District |
| Metro | Ploshchad Vosstaniya (Line 1, an exit opens directly into the station building) Mayakovskaya (Line 3, linked to Ploshchad Vosstaniya and the station by an underground corridor) |
| Opening hours | The station building works around the clock for passengers with tickets, but ticket offices, left luggage and the lounge keep their own hours, and train times set the practical rhythm. Check your train and the services you need before an early or late journey (as of October 2026 – check the official site of Russian Railways). |
| Admission | Free to enter the public halls; you pay only for your train ticket and any extras such as left luggage. |
| Best time to visit | The station works in every season, but the roads outside are slow in the weekday rush hours, and winter snow can delay trains. For the calmest atmosphere in the hall, travel in the middle of the day. The Sapsan trains fill up on Fridays and Sundays and before public holidays, so book ahead for those days. |
| Recommended duration | 30 minutes to 1 hour, plus your train |
| Website | rzd.ru |
| Last updated | October 16, 2026 |
How to Get to and from Moskovsky Railway Station, Saint Petersburg
| Option | Duration | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro from inside the station | A few minutes to the centre | ₽ | Recommended. Ploshchad Vosstaniya on Line 1 and Mayakovskaya on Line 3 are inside or directly linked to the building. Line 1 runs towards Pushkinskaya, Vladimirskaya and the south-west, and Line 3 runs to Gostiny Dvor and Alexander Nevsky Square. |
| Walk along Nevsky Prospekt | About 30 to 40 minutes to the Hermitage area | Free | Best with light luggage and good weather. Nevsky Prospekt starts at the station square and leads past shops, canals and bridges towards the centre. |
| Tram, bus or minibus | Varies | ₽ | Several city routes stop on Vosstaniya Square and along Ligovsky Prospekt. Check a map for the line that suits your hotel. |
| Official taxi or taxi app | 10 to 25 minutes to most central hotels | ₽₽ | Best with heavy luggage or at night. Order through an official service or app, and avoid drivers who approach you in the hall. |
| Other railway stations by metro | 15 to 30 minutes | ₽ | Ladozhsky, Vitebsky, Baltiysky and Finlyandsky stations are all reached by metro. Check which station your train uses before you leave. |
₽ budget · ₽₽ moderate · ₽₽₽ upscale · ₽₽₽₽ splurge. Price levels are estimates compared with typical prices for visitors.
Why Visit Moskovsky Railway Station, Saint Petersburg?
For most travellers this is simply the place where the Moscow train begins or ends, but it is also one of the best-preserved railway buildings of its age in the city. The facade is a twin of the Leningradsky station in Moscow, both designed by Thon, and the hall inside still has the scale of a nineteenth-century terminus.
It is also the easiest station to leave: the metro is inside the building, the Nevsky Prospekt sights start outside, and the Alexander Nevsky Lavra is one direct ride away on Line 3. Knowing the layout and the ticket rules in advance saves time on arrival and avoids the usual mistakes with taxis and luggage.
Highlights of Moskovsky Railway Station, Saint Petersburg
Thon's facade on Vosstaniya Square
The main front faces Vosstaniya Square, with a clock tower over the central entrance. Konstantin Thon designed it in the late 1840s, and the station opened in 1851 as the terminus of the railway from Moscow, then named Nikolaevsky after Emperor Nicholas I.
The station was extended in 1869 to 1879 and again in 1912, but the facade is largely as Thon left it.
Tip: Look at the front from the middle of Vosstaniya Square, not from the doors; the tower and the line of arches read best from across the street.
The twin in Moscow
The station is a close twin of the Leningradsky station in Moscow, which Thon designed for the other end of the same railway. The two buildings are so alike that visitors who have seen one recognise the other at once.
That symmetry is deliberate: the railway was Nicholas I's project, and its termini were meant to match.
Tip: If you travel the whole route, compare the two facades; the Saint Petersburg building has a taller clock tower.
Peter the Great in the main hall
A bust of Peter the Great stands in the main vestibule. It was unveiled in 1993 and replaced a bust of Lenin that stood there in Soviet times.
The hall is the traditional meeting point inside the building, and it is where you will find the main information boards and ticket offices.
Tip: Use the bust as your meeting point; every taxi driver and local knows it.
A metro exit inside the station
An exit of Ploshchad Vosstaniya, opened in 1960, leads straight into the station building, so you can change from the metro to the train without going outside. Mayakovskaya on Line 3 is linked to it by a transfer corridor and escalators.
Both lines carry you quickly to Nevsky Prospekt and beyond.
Tip: Allow a few extra minutes at rush hour; the corridors and escalators between the stations are long.
Sapsan and the other trains
The high-speed Sapsan trains to Moscow leave from here, with a journey time of about four hours and a few short stops such as Tver. The Lastochka services run to Veliky Novgorod, and long-distance trains leave for the Urals, the south and the Volga region.
The station has several platforms, and the departure boards show the platform shortly before the train leaves.
Tip: Check your platform on the boards, not on the ticket, and have your passport ready for the boarding check.
Where Nevsky Prospekt begins
Vosstaniya Square is also the point where Nevsky Prospekt runs on towards the Hermitage, and a short walk the other way leads to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. In front of the station, a monument to Leningrad as a Hero City stands in the square.
The square is wide, busy and a useful orientation point for first-time visitors.
Tip: Walk a few hundred metres along Nevsky Prospekt to find cafes and shops, which are more varied than inside the station.
Atmosphere
The main hall is high and echoing, with the constant noise of announcements, suitcase wheels on stone and the clatter of departure boards. Travellers cluster under the boards, around the ticket offices and by the bust of Peter the Great, and the air smells of coffee and the cold from the doors.
It is busiest in the early morning and the evening, when Sapsan trains come and go, and calmer in the middle of the day. Outside, Vosstaniya Square is loud with trams, buses and taxis, and Nevsky Prospekt stretches away towards the centre.
History of Moskovsky Railway Station, Saint Petersburg
The railway between Moscow and Saint Petersburg was the personal project of Emperor Nicholas I. Construction began in the 1840s, and Konstantin Thon designed both termini, which were named Nikolaevsky and built to matching plans. The Saint Petersburg station opened with the line, and the first passenger train left on 1 November 1851.
The building was extended in 1869 to 1879 and again in 1912, but Thon’s facade survived the changes. After the Revolution, in 1923, the railway and the station were renamed Oktyabrsky, and in 1930 the station took its present name, Moskovsky, which it has kept ever since.
The metro arrived in the area in 1955 with Ploshchad Vosstaniya, and in 1960 an exit opened that led directly into the station building. Mayakovskaya, on the green line, joined the network in 1967 and is linked to the older station by a corridor.
In the Soviet period a bust of Lenin stood in the main hall. In 1993 it was replaced by a bust of Peter the Great, which stands there today.
In 2009 the high-speed Sapsan trains began to run between Moscow and Saint Petersburg, cutting the journey to about four hours, and the station became one of the busiest in Russia. A new high-speed railway between the two cities has been under construction, and the station is expected to remain the terminus on the Saint Petersburg side.
Today the station is the third largest in Russia by passenger traffic, with trains to Moscow, Veliky Novgorod and many other cities.
Tickets and Payment at Moskovsky Railway Station, Saint Petersburg
Train tickets are sold by Russian Railways. Buy them online on the official site or in the mobile app, or at the ticket offices in the station. Long-distance tickets are tied to a passenger’s identity document, so use your passport details exactly as written in your passport.
- Online: the official Russian Railways site and app sell tickets for Sapsan and most other trains; availability opens well in advance, and popular departures sell out.
- At the station: ticket offices and machines work for same-day travel, but queues can be long in the morning and evening.
- Payment: whether a foreign bank card 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.
- Taxis: use an official service or app, and ignore drivers who approach you in the hall; unofficial drivers have a record of overcharging foreign visitors.
Rates for Russian citizens and concession categories differ. The official ticket page is on rzd.ru.
Flights, Transfers and Planning
Search flightsOpen in Yandex Maps
Advertisement: these are partner links. If you book or buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
How to Get to Moskovsky Railway Station, Saint Petersburg
By metro: take Line 1 to Ploshchad Vosstaniya, between Chernyshevskaya and Vladimirskaya, or Line 3 to Mayakovskaya, between Gostiny Dvor and Alexander Nevsky Square. An exit of Ploshchad Vosstaniya opens straight into the station building, and Mayakovskaya is linked by a corridor.
On foot: from the Hermitage and Palace Square it is a walk of about 40 minutes along Nevsky Prospekt. The station building is on the south side of Vosstaniya Square, at Nevsky Prospekt 85.
By road: taxis can drop you at the station forecourt; allow extra time in rush hours, when Ligovsky Prospekt and Nevsky Prospekt are congested.
Accessibility
A large terminus such as Moskovsky is expected to have ramps, lifts and assistance services for passengers with reduced mobility, but specific details were not confirmed for this article. Request assistance from Russian Railways before your journey, and ask the station staff on arrival. The metro links include long escalators and corridors, so a taxi may be easier with a wheelchair.
Food Nearby
The station has cafes, bakeries and kiosks, but the names and tenants change, so look at the signs on the day. Outside, Nevsky Prospekt and Ligovsky Prospekt have many cafes, bakeries and restaurants within a few minutes' walk, and the streets towards Vladimirskaya have more choice at moderate prices.
What to Bring
Your passport and ticket, a payment option for taxis and food, and a warm layer in winter. Security checks apply at the entrance, so keep bags easy to open.
Photography Rules
Photography is generally tolerated in the public halls and outside, but filming security staff, police and technical areas is not allowed. Drones are not permitted near the station, and tripods and professional equipment usually need permission from the railway.
Family Suitability
Workable for families. The halls are large and easy to navigate, and the metro is inside the building. Strollers need to be handled on the escalators unless a lift is available, which was not confirmed. Keep children close in the crowds, especially in rush hours, and allow extra time for boarding checks.
Russia Vibes Tips
- Meet people at the Peter the Great bust; it is the only meeting point everyone understands.
- Check your platform on the boards shortly before departure, not only on the ticket.
- Use the metro exit inside the building for the fastest start to a day of sightseeing.
- Walk a few hundred metres along Nevsky Prospekt for better food than inside the station.
- Leave luggage in the left-luggage office if you have a few hours before a late train; check the hours on the day.
- Do not mix up the stations: Moskovsky is for Moscow and Veliky Novgorod, while Ladozhsky, Vitebsky, Baltiysky and Finlyandsky serve other routes.
Explore Nearby Moskovsky Railway Station, Saint Petersburg
Metro stations near Moskovsky Railway Station, Saint Petersburg
Ploshchad Vosstaniya Metro Station, Saint Petersburgabout 200 m away (~3 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Mayakovskaya Metro Station, Saint Petersburgabout 400 m away (~7 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Vladimirskaya Metro Station, Saint Petersburgabout 850 m away (~14 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Sights near Moskovsky Railway 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.
Alexander Nevsky Lavra, Saint Petersburgabout 1.6 km away (~26 min walk) · typical visit: 1.5–3 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Saint Michael's Castle, Saint Petersburgabout 1.8 km away (~29 min walk) · typical visit: 1.5–2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Russian Ethnographic Museum, Saint Petersburgabout 1.9 km away (~31 min walk) · typical visit: 2–3 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Train stations and river piers near Moskovsky Railway Station, Saint Petersburg
Pulkovo International Airport, Saint Petersburgabout 15.5 km awayMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Ladozhsky Railway Station, Saint Petersburgabout 4.4 km awayMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Saint Petersburg Central Bus Stationabout 1.9 km away (~30 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Related guides
Anichkov Bridge Pier, Saint Petersburg: Fontanka Boat TripsMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Saint Petersburg River Cruise Terminal: Where Cruise Ships DepartMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Finlyandsky Railway Station, Saint Petersburg: Lenin Square TerminusMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Vitebsky Railway Station, Saint Petersburg: Art Nouveau TerminusMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Palace Pier, Saint Petersburg: Boat Trips on the NevaMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Browse more: More in Tsentralny District · All Airports & Transport · All Airports & Transport in Saint Petersburg · All Railway Stations · All Saint Petersburg
FAQ: Moskovsky Railway Station, Saint Petersburg
Which trains leave from Moskovsky Railway Station?
The Sapsan high-speed trains to Moscow, Lastochka trains to Veliky Novgorod and many long-distance trains to the Urals, the south and the Volga region. Check the boards for your platform on the day.
How long does the Sapsan take to Moscow?
About four hours, with a few short stops such as Tver. Slower trains take longer, and the night trains take most of the night.
Is the station connected to the metro?
Yes. An exit of Ploshchad Vosstaniya on Line 1 opens straight into the building, and Mayakovskaya on Line 3 is linked by a corridor. See the options section for onward routes.
Why is it called Moskovsky?
Because it serves the trains to Moscow. It was named Nikolaevsky when it opened in 1851, Oktyabrsky from 1923 and Moskovsky since 1930.
Is the station building old?
Yes. Konstantin Thon designed it in the 1840s, and it opened in 1851. It is a twin of the Leningradsky station in Moscow, and it was extended in 1869 to 1879 and in 1912.
Where do I buy tickets?
Online on the official Russian Railways site or app, or at the ticket offices in the station. Tickets for long-distance trains are tied to your passport, so use the exact details from the document.
Can I walk to the centre from here?
Yes. Nevsky Prospekt starts at the station square and leads to the centre in about 40 minutes on foot, though the metro is faster.
Is there left luggage?
Yes, the station has a left-luggage office. Check the opening hours and the rules for bags on the day.
Russia Vibes is a one-person project. A coffee keeps it going
Last updated: October 16, 2026. Found an error or something out of date? Report it and we will check and fix it.
How we research and update our guides
About this guide: AI assistance and accuracy
This guide is created with the help of AI and is based on official sources where available. Mistakes can still happen. Opening hours, prices, rules and other details are given to the best of our knowledge as of the date shown and can change without notice. It offers general recommendations only, not professional, legal or travel advice. Please confirm important details with the official source before you travel; you are responsible for your own plans and decisions.
International sanctions affect payments between Russia and many other countries. In practice, cards issued in the EU, the UK, the US and several other countries often do not work in Russia, Russian cards usually do not work abroad, and some booking platforms, airlines and payment providers limit or suspend their services for Russia. The situation changes frequently. We do not give legal or financial advice, and this site does not encourage anyone to break or circumvent sanctions. Whatever you plan, you are responsible for following the laws and regulations that apply to you, including those of your country of residence and citizenship. Many travelers still organise their stay lawfully. It is worth asking your bank or payment provider what is currently permitted, contacting hotels, tour operators and carriers directly about the payment methods they accept, and checking which services are open to customers from your country. Clarify payment, cancellation and refund terms before you commit to a booking, and keep your plans flexible. Partner links on this site may not be available in every country, and prices, availability and rules in our guides can differ from what you see when you book.Paying for your trip: please read
Take this guide with you
Get a free PDF of this guide to print or read offline: key facts, tips and a map link on a few clean pages.