Arbatskaya Metro Station is two stations sharing one name, near the Kremlin: the deep Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya Line station of 1953 and the original Filyovskaya Line station of 1935. Arbatskaya Metro Station transfer passages link the Line 3 hall with Borovitskaya, Biblioteka imeni Lenina and Alexandrovsky Sad.
The deep hall is described as one of the largest stations of the Metro, and the 1935 station has a five-tiered pentagonal vestibule. This guide explains how the stations connect, which one is which, how to reach the Kremlin and how the fares work.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Арбатская |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 1953 |
| Architect(s) | Leonid Polyakov, Valentin Pelevin and Yury Zenkevich (Line 3 station) |
| Address | Arbatskaya Square, Moscow, Russia OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Arbat |
| Interchanges | Arbatskaya (Line 3 (Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya, dark blue), the deep station of 1953, linked to the other stations of the hub) Arbatskaya (Line 4 (Filyovskaya, light blue), the original station of 1935 with the pentagonal vestibule) Alexandrovsky Sad (Line 4 (Filyovskaya, light blue), transfer from the Line 3 station; the last stop of the Filyovskaya Line) Borovitskaya (Line 9 (Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya, gray), transfer from the Line 3 station) Biblioteka imeni Lenina (Line 1 (Sokolnicheskaya, red), transfer from the Line 3 station; shares an exit to Mokhovaya Street) |
| Opening hours | The Moscow Metro normally runs from early morning until around 1:00 at night, and the Arbatskaya stations are open to passengers during those hours.
Exact first and last train times were not confirmed, so check the Metro's official information (as of October 2026 – check the official site, mosmetro.ru). |
| Best time to visit | Mid-morning and early afternoon on weekdays are calmer, and late evening is quiet. The morning and evening rush hours are the busiest, when the transfer passages are crowded.
The stations work in every season, so the hub is a good stop on a cold or wet day. |
| Last updated | October 6, 2026 |
Why Visit Arbatskaya Metro Station?
Arbatskaya is the key to the center. The deep Line 3 station links directly with Borovitskaya, Biblioteka imeni Lenina and Alexandrovsky Sad, so one hub gives access to the Kremlin, Alexander Garden and the Arbat district.
The Line 3 station, opened on 5 April 1953, is a deep pylon three-span station and one of the largest in the Metro. It was built deeper than the older section it replaced, so that large stations could also serve as shelters.
The Line 4 station, opened in 1935, is one of the original Metro stations, with a five-tiered pentagonal vestibule that has the word Metro on every side. A short walk leads to Arbat Street and Gogol Boulevard.
How Arbatskaya Metro Station Is Laid Out
Arbatskaya is a hub of two stations and several transfer passages near Arbatskaya Square and the Kremlin.
The Line 3 station (Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya, dark blue) is a deep pylon station, with long transfer passages to Borovitskaya (Line 9), Biblioteka imeni Lenina (Line 1) and Alexandrovsky Sad (Line 4). The Line 4 station (Filyovskaya, light blue) of 1935 is a separate station on the Filyovskaya Line, with its own pentagonal vestibule.
Biblioteka imeni Lenina and Arbatskaya have a combined exit onto Mokhovaya Street. Follow the line colors and the station names on the signs, and allow extra time for the long passages.
Highlights of Arbatskaya Metro Station
The deep Line 3 station
The Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya station opened on 5 April 1953. It is a deep pylon three-span station, one of the largest in the Metro, designed by Leonid Polyakov, Valentin Pelevin and Yury Zenkevich.
It was built deeper than the section it replaced, so large stations could serve as shelters.
Tip: Stand in the middle of the hall to take in its length and the rows of pylons.
A station built to replace an older line
Arbatskaya, Smolenskaya and Kiyevskaya were built in 1953 to replace an older, parallel shallow section, which later became part of the Filyovskaya Line.
The older section was meant to close for good but reopened in 1958.
Tip: Look at the line map to see how the two parallel routes run side by side.
The 1935 Filyovskaya station
The Filyovskaya Line station opened on 15 May 1935 and is one of the original stations of the Metro.
Its neighbors are Smolenskaya and Alexandrovsky Sad, the terminus of the line, a short ride from the Kremlin.
Tip: Use this station if you are coming from the west on Line 4.
The pentagonal vestibule
The vestibule of the Filyovskaya station is a five-tiered, pentagonal structure with the word Metro written on all sides.
It is a recognizable landmark on the square above.
Tip: Look at the vestibule from the street before you go down.
The hub linking four stations
From the Line 3 station, passages lead to Borovitskaya on Line 9, Biblioteka imeni Lenina on Line 1 and Alexandrovsky Sad on Line 4.
Biblioteka imeni Lenina and Arbatskaya also share an exit on Mokhovaya Street.
Tip: Allow 5 to 10 minutes for a transfer, since the passages are long.
Access to the Kremlin area
The hub opens toward the Kremlin, Alexander Garden and the Mokhovaya Street area, a short walk from Red Square.
It is one of the most useful stops for a first visit to the center.
Tip: Use Alexandrovsky Sad or Borovitskaya for the Kremlin entrances, which are signed in the passages.
Atmosphere
The deep hall is long and echoing, with a constant stream of passengers walking between trains and the long transfer passages. The sound is footsteps, escalators and announcements, and trains arrive every minute or two.
It is a working hub rather than a gallery, and most people pass through quickly, heading for the Kremlin area or the Arbat. Visitors with maps stop at the signs for the transfers.
At rush hours the passages are crowded, and in the middle of the day and late in the evening it is much calmer. Above ground, the pentagonal vestibule stands on the square.
History of Arbatskaya Metro Station
The Filyovskaya Line station of Arbatskaya opened on 15 May 1935, as one of the original stations of the first Moscow Metro line. Its vestibule is a five-tiered, pentagonal structure with the word Metro written on all sides.
In the 1940s it was decided to build a deeper radius of the line that could also serve as a shelter. On 5 April 1953 a new, deep Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya Line radius was opened, with new stations of Arbatskaya, Smolenskaya and Kiyevskaya.
The new Arbatskaya was designed by the architects Leonid Polyakov, Valentin Pelevin and Yury Zenkevich, with A. Rogachev and M. Engelke named for the underground part. It is a deep pylon three-span station and one of the largest in the Metro.
The older parallel section was meant to be closed for good when the new one opened, but it reopened a few years later, in 1958, as part of the Filyovskaya Line. So Arbatskaya today has two separate stations, on two lines, close to each other.
The Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya station has transfers to Biblioteka imeni Lenina on the Sokolnicheskaya Line, Alexandrovsky Sad on the Filyovskaya Line and Borovitskaya on the Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya Line, and the four stations together form a large hub near the Kremlin.
Biblioteka imeni Lenina and Arbatskaya share a combined exit to Mokhovaya Street. In the 1960s additional access to the subways under the crossroads and a second transfer corridor to Biblioteka imeni Lenina were added.
Today the stations carry passengers to the Kremlin, Alexander Garden and the Arbat district.
Tickets and Booking for Arbatskaya Metro Station
There is no ticket for the stations themselves; entering needs a Metro fare. Reports on 2026 fares differ: a budget-level fare (₽) for a single ride with a Troika card, a slightly higher budget-level fare (₽) by contactless bank card and a higher budget-level fare (₽) for a 90-minute ticket, while some sources still give lower prices. Check the current fare on the official Moscow Metro site, mosmetro.ru.
- Troika card: a reusable card sold at ticket windows and top-up machines in station halls and through the official Metro app; the deposit is reported as a small amount (₽), so check the price.
- Foreign cards: reports conflict on whether foreign Visa or Mastercard cards and phone payments work at the turnstiles, so carry rubles in cash and buy a ticket or card at a ticket window.
- Rush hours: the hub is busiest in the morning and evening on weekdays, especially in the transfer passages.
Rates for Russian citizens and concessions differ. All fares and payment methods are listed on the official site, mosmetro.ru.
Plan and Book
How to Get to Arbatskaya Metro Station
Arbatskaya is in the center of Moscow, a few minutes’ walk west of the Kremlin, on Arbatskaya Square.
- Line 3: Arbatskaya (Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya, dark blue), between Smolenskaya and Ploshchad Revolyutsii.
- Line 4: Arbatskaya (Filyovskaya, light blue), between Smolenskaya and Alexandrovsky Sad, the terminus.
- Transfers from Line 3: Borovitskaya (Line 9, gray), Biblioteka imeni Lenina (Line 1, red) and Alexandrovsky Sad (Line 4, light blue).
For the Kremlin, use Alexandrovsky Sad or Borovitskaya. A taxi can drop you near Arbatskaya Square, though traffic in the center is heavy.
Accessibility
Accessibility details were not confirmed. The stations are deep and are reached by escalators and long passages, and lift availability and step-free access were not verified. With luggage and crowds, allow extra time. Contact the Metro or check mosmetro.ru before traveling if you need step-free access or assistance.
Food Nearby
Arbatskaya Square, Gogol Boulevard and Arbat Street have many cafes and restaurants. Specific venues were not verified, so check opening hours before you go.
What to Bring
Bring a map or a navigation app for the transfer passages, and some rubles in cash for a ticket or a Troika card.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Arbatskaya Metro Station
Line 3 hall from the middle of the platform
The length of the deep hall with its rows of pylons, a view of the scale of the station.
Best time: Late evening or mid-morning, when the hall is quieter
Pentagonal vestibule above ground
The five-tiered vestibule with the word Metro on every side, on the square above the Filyovskaya station.
Best time: Daylight
Transfer passage
The long passages between the Line 3 hall and the neighboring stations, with passengers in motion.
Best time: Rush hour, from a safe side
Photography Rules
Photography rules in the stations were not confirmed. Taking photographs on the platform is common, but tripods and flash can be restricted, and the hub is busy, so stand clear of the platform edge and the crowds. Drone rules in Moscow are strict and change.
Family Suitability
The hub is a short stop that suits families on the way to the Kremlin area. It is very busy at rush hours, with long passages and crowds, so keep children close. Strollers need the escalator or a lift, and lift access was not confirmed.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Check the line color before you go down; the two Arbatskaya stations are on different lines.
- For the Kremlin, use the transfer to Alexandrovsky Sad or Borovitskaya rather than walking from the Arbatskaya vestibule.
- Allow extra time for the transfer passages, since they are long, especially at rush hour.
- Look at the pentagonal vestibule of the Line 4 station on the square, which is easy to miss from the Line 3 side.
- Use the combined exit of Biblioteka imeni Lenina and Arbatskaya for Mokhovaya Street.
- Go late in the evening if you want the deep hall almost to yourself.
Explore Nearby Arbatskaya Metro Station
Sights near Arbatskaya Metro Station
Alexander Garden Moscowabout 450 m away (~7 min walk) · typical visit: 30–60 minutesMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow Kremlin – about 700 m away (~12 min walk) · typical visit: 3–5 hours for Cathedral Square plus the Armoury ChamberMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts Moscowabout 550 m away (~9 min walk) · typical visit: 2–3 hours per buildingMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Cathedral of Christ the Saviour Moscow – about 850 m away (~14 min walk) · typical visit: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours; about 1 hour 20 minutes for the full guided tourMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow Metro · typical visit: 1.5–3 hours for a tour of showcase stationsMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Metro stations near Arbatskaya Metro Station
Borovitskaya Metro Stationabout 150 m away (~2 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Alexandrovsky Sad Metro Stationabout 150 m away (~3 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Aleksandrovsky Sad Metro Stationabout 150 m away (~3 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Restaurants and cafes near Arbatskaya Metro Station
Elevenabout 250 m away (~4 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
WA Gardenabout 250 m away (~4 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Krasotaabout 250 m away (~4 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Gvidonabout 400 m away (~6 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Arbatskaya Metro Station
Russo-Balt Hotel Moscowabout 450 m away (~7 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Stella Di Mosca Hotelabout 450 m away (~7 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Bokstel Hostelabout 450 m away (~7 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Events and traditions near Arbatskaya Metro Station
Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscowabout 500 m away (~8 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Tatiana Day (Students' Day) in Moscowabout 550 m away (~9 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Related guides
Arbat: Old Arbat Street, Tsoi Wall and Pushkin’s ApartmentMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Cheers Arbat Mini-Hotel: Capsules and Rooms Near Arbatskaya MetroMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Arbat House Hotel: Quiet Hotel Near Old Arbat and Arbatskaya MetroMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Nabat Palace Arbat: Four-Star City Hotel on Old Arbat StreetMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotel Belgrad Moscow: Now AZIMUT Hotel Smolenskaya by the ArbatMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Browse more: More in Arbat · All Metro Stations
FAQ: Arbatskaya Metro Station
Why are there two Arbatskaya stations?
The Line 4 station opened in 1935, and a new, deep Line 3 station opened in 1953 and took the same name.
When did the deep station open?
On 5 April 1953, with new stations at Smolenskaya and Kiyevskaya.
Who designed it?
The architects Leonid Polyakov, Valentin Pelevin and Yury Zenkevich.
Which stations connect to it?
From the Line 3 station, transfers lead to Biblioteka imeni Lenina, Alexandrovsky Sad and Borovitskaya.
Is it near the Kremlin?
Yes, a few minutes' walk to the west, and the transfers lead to the Kremlin area. See the getting there section.
Do I need a ticket to see it?
Yes, a Metro fare is needed to enter. See the fares and payment section.
Why is the deep station so deep?
It was built deeper than the older section so that large stations could also serve as shelters.
How long do I need?
About 10 to 15 minutes to see the hall, and longer for transfers.
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Last updated: October 6, 2026.
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