St. Petersburg Metro

Using the Metro

Using the metro in St. Petersburg is mainly like any other metro system in the world. You need to buy tokens or a monthly pass (called kartochka or proyezchoy) from the special counters or booths positioned at every station. It is also possible to purchase a pass which allows the use of all forms of public transport (called yediny or yedinaya kartochka).

Currently two types of entry gate exist at the station for each payment type, although these older types are being replaced by gates that accept both tokens and monthly / 10 journey passes.

When using a token, use your right hand to place teh token in the entry gate, wait for it to drop and then walk through the gate. If you use the monthly / 10 journey plastic pass, insert it into the slot at the gate. Once it has been ejected, walk through the gate. If you experience any problems, take the pass to a member of staff, who can usually be found in a glass booth near the gate.

History of the Metro

Construction of the metro system began before the war in 1941 and was completed in 1955. The stations were built in many architectural styles, and althogh not as majestic as those of Moscow, they are more impressive than other metro systems of the world. The St. petersburg metro system is also the deepest in the world.

The St. Petersburg metro is the most relaible form of public transport in the city, even though it has suffered funding problems in recent years. Trains usually run every 2 to 3 mnutes during the peak periods, but you have to wait slightly longer early in the morning and late at night. Mosts stations open at 05:45 and close between midnight and 00:30.