Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo Metro Station is really a pair of stations under Alexander Nevsky Square in Tsentralny District: Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo I on Line 3, opened on 3 November 1967, and Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo II on Line 4, opened on 30 December 1985. A pedestrian tunnel with stairs and escalators joins them, and together they count as one interchange.
The square is named after Alexander Nevsky and the Lavra founded in his memory, which stands across the road at the eastern end of Nevsky Prospekt. The Line 3 hall is a closed-type station, a so-called horizontal elevator, and its vestibule is built into the Hotel Moskva. This is the standard stop for the Lavra and for the end of the city’s main avenue.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Площадь Александра Невского |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 1967 |
| Architect(s) | Line 3 station: A. S. Getskin and V. P. Shuvalova (pavilion); L. P. Lavrov, T. V. Shishkova, V. G. Shishkov and engineer O. V. Greitz (underground hall) – attribution to confirm |
| Address | Санкт-Петербург, площадь Александра Невского, 2 (гостиница «Москва») OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Tsentralny District |
| Interchanges | Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo I (Line 3, the vestibule in the Hotel Moskva building on Alexander Nevsky Square) Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo II (Line 4, transfer by a pedestrian tunnel, stairs and escalators) Mayakovskaya (Line 3, previous stop towards Begovaya) Yelizarovskaya (Line 3, next stop towards Rybatskoye) Ligovsky Prospekt (Line 4, previous stop towards Gorny Institut) Novocherkasskaya (Line 4, next stop towards Ulitsa Dybenko) |
| Opening hours | The stations run with the metro network, daily from early morning until shortly after midnight. Hours can change with works on the lines, so check before an early or late journey (as of October 2026 – check the official site of the Saint Petersburg Metro). |
| Best time to visit | The stations are underground, so they work in any season and in any weather. For a calm look at the halls, choose midday or a weekend morning. The weekday morning and evening rush fills the transfer tunnel, and the Lavra is best visited in the morning, outside church service times. |
| Last updated | October 16, 2026 |
Why Visit Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo Metro Station, Saint Petersburg?
This is the metro stop for Alexander Nevsky Lavra, the oldest monastery complex in the city, and for the monument to Alexander Nevsky on the square in front of it. A ride on the green line from the centre brings you almost to the gate.
The two halls are also worth a look in their own right: the Line 3 station is a closed-type hall with walls that lean inwards, and the Line 4 station lies deeper and was built nearly two decades later. You pay only for a metro ride, and 15 to 30 minutes covers the halls and the transfer between them.
How Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo Metro Station, Saint Petersburg Is Laid Out
The interchange has two halls on two lines, joined by a tunnel. Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo I is on Line 3, the green line, about 54 metres down, and its vestibule is in the Hotel Moskva building, which faces the square. Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo II is on Line 4, the orange line, about 60 metres down.
The pedestrian tunnel between them has stairs and escalators, and an artistic composition dedicated to Alexander Nevsky stands along the way. Since 2008, a passage also leads from the vestibule to the Moskva shopping centre.
To orient yourself, decide first which line you need and follow the colour signs: green for Line 3, orange for Line 4. If you are only visiting the Lavra, use the Line 3 vestibule and cross the square.
Highlights of Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
The Line 3 hall with leaning walls
Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo I is a closed-type station, popularly called a horizontal elevator. Sliding doors in a wall between the platform and the tracks open only when a train has stopped. It is one of about ten stations of this kind in the city.
The hall is given some originality by walls that lean inwards, designed by L. P. Lavrov, T. V. Shishkova, V. G. Shishkov and engineer O. V. Greitz.
Tip: Stand beside the sliding doors as a train arrives; the opening of the wall is the best way to understand the design.
A vestibule inside Hotel Moskva
The vestibule now appears built into the Hotel Moskva, but when the station was built the hotel did not exist. The original pavilion, by A. S. Getskin and V. P. Shuvalova, was a squat round building with a dome and glazed entrances.
In 2008 a passage was opened from the vestibule to the Moskva shopping centre.
Tip: Look for the hotel building on the square; the metro entrance is part of it.
The tunnel to Line 4
A pedestrian tunnel with stairs and escalators leads from the Line 3 station to Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo II on Line 4. Along the way stands an artistic composition called Alexander Nevsky, by a team of sculptors.
The walk is short, but it can be crowded at rush hours.
Tip: Follow the orange signs for Line 4, and allow a few extra minutes at peak times.
The deeper hall of Line 4
Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo II opened on 30 December 1985, as part of the first section of Line 4. The hall lies about 60 metres below the surface, so the escalator ride is long.
Line 4 was built later than the rest of the central network, and its stations have a more modern design.
Tip: Check the destination board; trains on Line 4 run west to Gorny Institut and east to Ulitsa Dybenko.
The monument on the square
A bronze equestrian statue of Alexander Nevsky was unveiled on the square on 9 May 2002, during celebrations for the 300th anniversary of Saint Petersburg. Alexander Nevsky was the medieval prince of Novgorod remembered for the Battle of the Neva in 1240.
The statue stands in front of the Lavra's side of the square and is a clear landmark when you come up.
Tip: Walk around the statue to see the monument against the Lavra's buildings.
The gate of Alexander Nevsky Lavra
The Lavra stands across the road from the vestibule. Founded by Peter the Great in the early eighteenth century, it is a working monastery with several churches and old cemeteries. It has its own article on this site.
Parts of the complex have their own tickets and opening hours, so check the Lavra's official information before you go.
Tip: Cross the square by the underground passage or the crossing, and enter by the main gate.
Atmosphere
The Line 3 hall is cool and quiet, with the hiss of sliding doors and the sound of trains arriving behind the wall. The leaning walls give the space a slightly closed, modern look that is typical of the late 1960s. The Line 4 hall is deeper and plainer.
Passengers are mostly residents of the east of the city, pilgrims and visitors heading for the Lavra, and travellers changing lines. The square above is wide and open, with the monument, the hotel, the avenue ending at the river and the monastery walls across the road.
History of Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Alexander Nevsky Square lies at the eastern end of Nevsky Prospekt, where the avenue reaches the Neva. The Lavra was founded by Peter the Great in the early eighteenth century, on the spot he believed to be the site of the Battle of the Neva in 1240, and its two oldest churches date from 1712 and 1724. In the mid-nineteenth century the square was known as Alexander Nevsky Lavra Square, and on 15 December 1952 it was renamed Alexander Nevsky Square.
The metro reached the square in 1967, when Line 3 opened on 3 November from Vasileostrovskaya to Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo, over a length of 6.5 kilometres. The station was named after the square and the Lavra. The original pavilion, by A. S. Getskin and V. P. Shuvalova, was a squat round building with a dome and glazed entrances.
The underground hall was designed by L. P. Lavrov, T. V. Shishkova and V. G. Shishkov, with engineer O. V. Greitz. It is a closed-type station, one of about ten in the city, and its walls lean inwards. The hall lies about 54 metres below the surface.
The Line 3 station was extended on in 1970 to Lomonosovskaya, and the square became a transport hub with the Neva bridge, the Hotel Moskva and the metro. The hotel was built later, and the metro vestibule was eventually built into it.
On 30 December 1985, a second station, Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo II, opened on the new Line 4, about 60 metres below the surface. A pedestrian tunnel with stairs and escalators linked it to the older station, and an artistic composition about Alexander Nevsky was placed along the way. Line 4 was extended to Sadovaya in 1991 and to Spasskaya in 2009.
On 9 May 2002, as part of the 300th anniversary of Saint Petersburg, a bronze equestrian statue of Alexander Nevsky was unveiled on the square. In 2008 a passage opened from the Line 3 vestibule to the Moskva shopping centre.
Today the two halls work as a single interchange, serving the east of the city and the pilgrims and visitors who come for the Lavra.
Tickets and Booking for Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
The stations have no entrance fee of their own: you pay for a ride on the Saint Petersburg Metro, at a flat level of ₽ for a single journey regardless of distance. The transfer between Line 3 and Line 4 is made inside the system, so you do not pay again.
- Contactless bank card: accepted at turnstiles with a card reader, 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 choice for a visitor who plans several rides.
- Mobile Podorozhnik app: works by NFC on Android phones and by QR code on iPhones, subject to the same checks.
Rates for Russian citizens and concession categories differ. Rush hours fall on weekday mornings and evenings, when the transfer tunnel is at its most crowded. The official site metro.spb.ru lists current fares, payment methods and categories.
Plan and Book
How to Get to Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
By metro: take Line 3 (the green Nevsko-Vasileostrovskaya line) and get off at Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo, between Mayakovskaya and Yelizarovskaya. From Line 4, get off at Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo, between Ligovsky Prospekt and Novocherkasskaya, and follow the signs through the tunnel.
Exit: the Line 3 vestibule is in the Hotel Moskva building on Alexander Nevsky Square. The Lavra is across the road.
On foot and by road: Nevsky Prospekt ends at this square, so you can also walk or take a bus or tram along the avenue from the centre, a longer journey than the metro.
Accessibility
Both halls are deep stations reached by long escalators, and the transfer between them includes a tunnel with stairs. Whether a lift or other step-free route is available was not confirmed for this article. Check the accessibility information on metro.spb.ru and ask staff before you travel, especially with luggage, a stroller or a wheelchair.
Food Nearby
The Moskva shopping centre, reached from the Line 3 vestibule, has cafes and fast-food places. Around the square you will also find small cafes and bakeries; the Lavra's own shop sells bread and baked goods. There is no verified cafe inside the stations.
What to Bring
A payment card or a Podorozhnik card, comfortable shoes for the Lavra and a scarf or head covering for visiting the churches. Security checks apply at the entrance, so keep bags easy to open.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
The Line 3 platform
The closed-type hall with its inward-leaning walls and the sliding doors in the wall along the platform.
Best time: Midday or a weekend morning, when the platform is clear.
The transfer tunnel
The pedestrian tunnel with the artistic composition about Alexander Nevsky along the way.
Best time: Outside the rush hours, when the tunnel is empty.
The equestrian statue
The bronze monument to Alexander Nevsky on the square, with the Lavra's buildings behind it.
Best time: Morning or late afternoon, in clear weather.
The Lavra gate
The main gate and the monastery walls across the road from the vestibule.
Best time: Early morning, before groups arrive.
Photography Rules
Casual photography is generally tolerated, but tripods, professional filming and flash usually need permission from the metro. Keep escalators and platforms clear, and avoid photographing staff or other passengers.
Family Suitability
Workable for families. The halls are easy to read and the transfer is short, but the escalators are long and the tunnel includes stairs. Strollers need to be handled on the escalators unless a lift is available, which was not confirmed. The square and the Lavra's grounds are easy for children.
Russia Vibes Tips
- Use the Line 3 vestibule for the Lavra; it opens directly on the square, across the road from the gate.
- Follow the colour signs in the tunnel: green for Line 3 and orange for Line 4.
- Look at the equestrian statue on the square before you cross to the Lavra; it is the best landmark for orientation.
- Check the destination board on Line 4; trains run west to Gorny Institut and east to Ulitsa Dybenko.
- Dress modestly for the Lavra's churches, and check its official information for the opening times of the cemeteries.
- Do not confuse the two halls: station I is on Line 3, station II on Line 4, and each has its own platform.
Explore Nearby Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Sights near Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Alexander Nevsky Lavra, Saint Petersburgabout 200 m away (~3 min walk) · typical visit: 1.5–3 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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.
Metro stations near Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Mayakovskaya Metro Station, Saint Petersburgabout 1.9 km away (~30 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Ploshchad Vosstaniya Metro 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.
Train stations and river piers near Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Moskovsky Railway Station, Saint Petersburgabout 1.4 km away (~23 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Saint Petersburg Central Bus Stationabout 1.9 km away (~32 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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FAQ: Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Are there two stations or one?
Two halls, Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo I on Line 3 and Ploshchad Aleksandra Nevskogo II on Line 4, joined by a pedestrian tunnel. Together they count as one interchange.
When did the stations open?
Line 3 opened on 3 November 1967, and Line 4 on 30 December 1985.
How deep are they?
About 54 metres for the Line 3 hall and about 60 metres for the Line 4 hall, so the escalator rides are long.
Which exit is closest to Alexander Nevsky Lavra?
The Line 3 vestibule, in the Hotel Moskva building on Alexander Nevsky Square. The Lavra is across the road.
What is a closed-type station?
A hall where a wall with sliding doors separates the platform from the tracks. The Line 3 station is one of about ten of this kind in the city.
What is the monument on the square?
A bronze equestrian statue of Alexander Nevsky, unveiled on 9 May 2002 during the city's 300th anniversary celebrations.
Is the Lavra included in the metro fare?
No. The metro fare covers only the ride. Parts of the Lavra have their own tickets and hours, which are covered in the Lavra article and its official information.
Is it worth a special trip?
Yes, if you are visiting the Lavra or want to see a closed-type hall. Otherwise it is a quick stop on Line 3 or Line 4.
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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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