Moscow Metro and Transport Hours

When do Moscow Metro stations open and close?

First trains across the network start between 05:28 and 06:00. The last trains depart their terminal stations between 00:00 and 01:00. The rule of thumb: if you are on the platform before 01:00, you will reach your destination. After 01:00, you need a night bus.

Station-specific opening and closing times

No two stations open at the same second. The variation depends on:

• Location on the line, stations near the depot open first.
• Entrance type, some entrances close 10 to 15 minutes before the last train.
• Line direction, trains going out of the city start earlier than those coming in.

What to do: Check the yellow information board at your station entrance. It shows the exact opening and closing times for that specific vestibule. The Moscow Metro app (official) also lists per-station times.

How do I get around Moscow after the Metro closes?

When the Metro shuts, 13 night bus routes (marked Н) take over. They run along major Metro corridors:

Fare is the same as daytime buses. Use your Troika card or bank card.

Ground transport: buses, trolleybuses, trams

Most surface routes run 05:30 to 01:00, matching Metro hours. Some suburban routes stop earlier, around 22:00 to 23:00. A few high-demand routes start at 05:00.

Key difference from Metro: Trams and trolleybuses often have the last departure 30 to 60 min before the Metro closes. If you transfer from Metro to a tram after 00:30, check the schedule.

Commuter trains (электрички): first and last departures

Commuter trains operate on a separate schedule from the Metro:

• First train from Moscow: typically 04:00 to 05:00, depending on the direction.
• Last train to Moscow: typically 00:00 to 01:00, but some lines stop earlier.

Example times (2026): - Leningradsky terminal → Tver: first 04:45, last 23:50 - Kazansky terminal → Ryazan: first 04:30, last 00:30 - Yaroslavsky terminal → Mytishchi: first 04:15, last 01:10

Check the RZD app or the terminal board for exact times. Suburban trains do not run all night.

Can I take a train to Moscow airports overnight?

Aeroexpress services to Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Vnukovo operate roughly 05:30 to 00:30. Trains run every 30 to 60 min depending on the time of day.

Between 00:30 and 05:30, use night bus route Н1 (Sheremetyevo) or a taxi. Aeroexpress does not run overnight.

Peak hours: 08:00 to 10:00 and 17:00 to 20:00

The Metro is most crowded in two windows:

• Morning peak: 08:00 to 10:00. The busiest points are central transfer hubs.
• Evening peak: 17:00 to 20:00. Lines from the center outward are packed until roughly 19:30.

What to skip if you can: Travel before 07:30 or after 10:00 in the morning. In the evening, wait until 20:00. The difference in crowd density is extreme: a 15-minute wait can save you a 30-minute sardine experience.

How transport hours change on holidays

Public holidays in 2026 include:

• 1 to 8 January (New Year holidays): Metro opens at 05:30 but may have reduced frequency on some lines. Night buses run normally.
• 23 February (Defender of the Fatherland Day): Sunday schedule.
• 8 March (International Women's Day): Sunday schedule.
• 1 May (Spring and Labor Day): Sunday schedule.
• 9 May (Victory Day): Metro may open earlier (05:00) and close later (02:00) for fireworks. Expect crowds and possible closures near Red Square.
• 12 June (Russia Day): Sunday schedule.
• 4 November (Unity Day): Sunday schedule.

On New Year's Eve (31 December to 1 January), the Metro typically runs until 02:00 to 03:00, and night buses operate with increased frequency.

Quick reference: Moscow transport hours (2026)

Last-train rule: If you are on the platform before 01:00, you will make it. After 01:00, take a night bus or taxi.