Avtozavodskaya Metro Station opened on 1 January 1943, in the middle of the Battle of Stalingrad, on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line, as Zavod imeni Stalina, named after the factory on the site. Avtozavodskaya Metro Station was designed by Alexey Dushkin and is decorated with eight mosaics on the theme of the Great Patriotic War.
Its columns are slimmer than in other stations of the same type, which gives the hall an airy feel. This guide explains what to look for, how the station relates to the Moscow Central Circle and how the fares work.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Автозаводская |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 1943 |
| Architect(s) | Alexey Dushkin |
| Address | Avtozavodskaya Street 11, Danilovsky District, Moscow, Russia OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Danilovsky |
| Interchanges | Avtozavodskaya (Line 2 (Zamoskvoretskaya, green), the station itself, between Paveletskaya and Tekhnopark) Avtozavodskaya (Moscow Central Circle (MCC), an out-of-station transfer) |
| Opening hours | The Moscow Metro normally runs from early morning until around 1:00 at night, and the station is 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, which is the best time to look at the mosaics. The morning and evening rush hours are the busiest, when the platform is crowded.
The station works in every season, so it is a good stop on a cold or wet day. |
| Last updated | October 6, 2026 |
Why Visit Avtozavodskaya Metro Station?
Avtozavodskaya is one of the few stations that were built and opened during the Second World War. It opened on 1 January 1943, extending Line 2 to the factory district in the south, and was the southern end of the line until 1969.
Its architect was Alexey Dushkin, the designer of Kropotkinskaya. The columns are narrower than in earlier and later stations of this type, so the hall feels light, and eight mosaics show events of the Great Patriotic War.
The station was first called Zavod imeni Stalina, after the factory beside it, and today it links with the Moscow Central Circle at a station of the same name. It is a listed landmark.
Highlights of Avtozavodskaya Metro Station
A wartime opening
Avtozavodskaya opened on 1 January 1943, in the middle of the Battle of Stalingrad, extending the line from Teatralnaya to the factory district.
It was the southern terminus of Line 2 until 1969.
Tip: Keep the date in mind when you look at the decoration; it was built in wartime.
Eight wartime mosaics
The station is decorated with eight mosaics that depict events of the Great Patriotic War.
The subject suits a station that opened during the war and served a major factory.
Tip: Look at the mosaics one by one along the hall.
Slim columns and an airy hall
The columns of Avtozavodskaya are narrower than in earlier and later examples of this type of station, which gives it an airy feel.
The station is shallow, about 11 meters deep.
Tip: Look along the rows of columns to see how slim they are.
Drafts by Pavel Korin
According to the biography of the architect, glass panes were produced in Latvia to drafts by the artist Pavel Korin.
Which elements of this station they belong to was not verified.
Tip: Look for glass elements among the mosaics and lamps.
Named Zavod imeni Stalina
When it opened, the station was called Zavod imeni Stalina, after the factory on the site, later known as an auto plant.
The present name, Avtozavodskaya, means auto factory.
Tip: Look for the old name in guidebooks and older maps.
The link to the Moscow Central Circle
An out-of-station transfer leads to Avtozavodskaya on the Moscow Central Circle, between Dubrovka and ZIL.
The two stations are separate and linked outside the Metro.
Tip: Check the MCC fares separately and follow the transfer signs.
Atmosphere
The hall is light and open, with slim columns, warm lamps and the dark gleam of the mosaics. The sound is trains, announcements and the footsteps of commuters.
Residents of the south of the city and workers heading for the former factory district use the station, and the mood is that of a working station of the 1940s with a quiet seriousness in its decoration.
It is busiest at rush hours, and calm in the middle of the day on weekdays and late in the evening.
History of Avtozavodskaya Metro Station
The Moscow Metro grew through the 1930s, and its second stage opened in 1938. The extension south to the factory district was started in the war, and Avtozavodskaya opened on 1 January 1943, in the middle of the Battle of Stalingrad, extending the Zamoskvoretskaya Line from Teatralnaya.
The station was designed by Alexey Dushkin and was first called Zavod imeni Stalina, after the factory on the site. It stayed the southern terminus of the line until 1969, when the line was extended to Kakhovskaya.
Its design differs from the stations of the earlier stages: the columns are narrower than in earlier and later examples of the type, which gives the hall an airy feel. The station is decorated with eight mosaics that depict events of the Great Patriotic War.
The station was renamed Avtozavodskaya, meaning auto factory, in the 1950s. It is a shallow station, about 11 meters deep, in the Danilovsky District, between Paveletskaya and Tekhnopark.
In 2000 the station was listed as an architectural landmark by the Moscow government. Today it is a working stop on Line 2, with an out-of-station transfer to the Moscow Central Circle.
Tickets and Booking for Avtozavodskaya Metro Station
There is no ticket for the station itself; 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 fare, while some sources still give lower fares. 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.
- MCC: the fares for the Moscow Central Circle were not verified separately.
- Rush hours: the station is busiest in the morning and evening on weekdays.
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 Avtozavodskaya Metro Station
Avtozavodskaya is in the Danilovsky District, in the south of Moscow, on Avtozavodskaya Street.
- Metro: Avtozavodskaya (Line 2, Zamoskvoretskaya, green), between Paveletskaya and Tekhnopark.
- MCC: Avtozavodskaya (Moscow Central Circle), an out-of-station transfer.
The exit details and the walking times to the MCC station and to the sights of the district were not verified. A taxi can drop you on Avtozavodskaya Street.
Accessibility
Accessibility details were not confirmed. The station is shallow, about 11 meters deep, but the availability of lifts and step-free access was not verified. Contact the Metro or check mosmetro.ru before traveling if you need step-free access or assistance.
Food Nearby
Avtozavodskaya Street and the streets of the Danilovsky District have cafes, restaurants and shops. Specific venues were not verified, so check opening hours before you go.
What to Bring
Bring a camera for the mosaics and some rubles in cash for a ticket or a Troika card.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Avtozavodskaya Metro Station
Along the slim columns
The rows of slim columns receding along the hall, with the lamps and the mosaics beyond.
Best time: Late evening or mid-morning, when the platform is quieter
A wartime mosaic
One of the eight mosaics on the theme of the Great Patriotic War, seen close up.
Best time: Between trains, with the platform clear
Photography Rules
Photography rules in the station were not confirmed. Taking photographs of the hall and the mosaics is common, but tripods and flash can be restricted, and the platform is busy at rush hours, so stand clear of the platform edge. Drone rules in Moscow are strict and change.
Family Suitability
The station is a short stop that suits families who are interested in history. It is busy at rush hours, so keep children close and away from the platform edge. Strollers need the escalator or a lift, and lift access was not confirmed.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Look at the slim columns first; they are what makes this hall different from the other stations of its type.
- Go through the eight mosaics one at a time rather than glancing at them from the middle of the platform.
- Look for the old name, Zavod imeni Stalina, in older maps and guidebooks.
- Check which Avtozavodskaya you need: the Metro station and the MCC station are separate.
- Ride one stop to Paveletskaya to compare two stations of the 1943 extension.
- Visit between rush hours so you can look at the mosaics in peace.
Explore Nearby Avtozavodskaya Metro Station
Sights near Avtozavodskaya Metro Station
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 Avtozavodskaya Metro Station
Paveletskaya Metro Stationabout 3.1 km awayMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
ZIL MCC Stationabout 1.2 km away (~19 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Related guides
Paveletskaya: Paveletsky Station, Aeroexpress and Metro Hub GuideMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
How to use the Moscow Central Circle (MCC): Fares, Hours and TransfersMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Tekhnopark Metro Station: Surface Station Linked to Dream IslandMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Dubrovka Metro Station: 62 m Deep, Tsereteli Mosaic and MCC LinkMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Ruki Vverh! Bar – Avtozavodskaya: 90s Disco-Karaoke Bar in DanilovskyMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Browse more: More in Danilovsky · All Metro Stations
FAQ: Avtozavodskaya Metro Station
When did Avtozavodskaya open?
On 1 January 1943, in the middle of the Battle of Stalingrad, as Zavod imeni Stalina.
Who designed the station?
The architect was Alexey Dushkin.
Which line is it on?
Line 2, the Zamoskvoretskaya Line, in green, between Paveletskaya and Tekhnopark.
What is special about the hall?
Slim columns that make it feel airy, and eight mosaics on the theme of the Great Patriotic War.
Can I change to the Moscow Central Circle?
Yes, by an out-of-station transfer to Avtozavodskaya on the MCC.
Do I need a ticket to see it?
Yes, a Metro fare is needed to enter. See the fares and payment section.
Was it once the end of the line?
Yes, it was the southern terminus until 1969.
How long do I need?
About 10 minutes to see the hall and the mosaics.
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Last updated: October 6, 2026.
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