Kazansky Railway Terminal is one of the three railway stations on Komsomolskaya Square, northeast of the center, and the Moscow starting point for trains heading east and south-east. Long-distance trains run toward Kazan, Yekaterinburg and beyond, along one of the routes of the Trans-Siberian, and toward Ryazan, with suburban trains on the same two lines.
The building, designed by Alexey Shchusev and built in stages between 1913 and 1940, is the main sight, with a tall tower and a long decorated facade. Komsomolskaya Metro station is directly beside it. Timetables, destinations and ticket rules change, so check the official sources before you travel.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Казанский вокзал |
|---|---|
| Type | Railway station |
| Built / opened | 1862 |
| Architect(s) | Alexey Shchusev (the present building, built in stages from 1913 to 1940) |
| Address | Komsomolskaya Square 2, Moscow (Комсомольская площадь, 2) OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Krasnoselsky |
| Metro | Komsomolskaya (Sokolnicheskaya Line (Line 1, red), The southern vestibule of this station is built into the Kazansky terminal; exits and walking times were not verified, but the walk is short) Komsomolskaya (Koltsevaya Line (Line 5, brown), The Circle Line station of the same name is under the square and linked to the red-line station; exits and walking times were not verified) |
| Opening hours | Trains run daily, and the ticket offices and services inside have their own hours. Check the timetable for your train (as of October 2026 – check the official site). |
| Admission | Entering the station is free. Tickets are needed for long-distance and suburban trains. |
| Best time to visit | The terminal is busiest at the morning and evening rush hours and on weekends and holidays. For a calm look at the building, go mid-morning or early afternoon on a weekday. Crowd patterns were not verified. |
| Recommended duration | 20 to 30 minutes to see the building and the square; longer if you are changing to a train or between stations. |
| Website | rzd.ru |
| Last updated | October 7, 2026 |
How to Get to and from Kazansky Railway Terminal
| Option | Duration | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro, Sokolnicheskaya Line (red, Line 1) from Komsomolskaya | About 10 to 15 minutes to central stations such as Okhotny Ryad; times not verified | Standard Metro fare; see the How to buy a Moscow Metro ticket guide | Best for central Moscow. The southern vestibule is built into the terminal. Trains run from early morning to after midnight. |
| Metro, Koltsevaya Line (brown, Line 5) from Komsomolskaya | Varies by destination | Standard Metro fare | Best for reaching other railway stations along the Circle Line, such as Paveletskaya, Kievskaya and Belorusskaya. The Circle Line station is linked to the red-line station. |
| Walk across the square to Leningradsky or Yaroslavsky stations | A few minutes on foot; not timed | Free | Best for trains to Saint Petersburg (Leningradsky) or eastward and Trans-Siberian trains (Yaroslavsky). See the How to get from Moscow to Saint Petersburg by train guide. |
| Suburban trains on the Kazansky and Ryazan lines | Varies by destination | Check the official fare | Trains leave from the suburban hall and are best for towns east and south-east of Moscow. |
| Taxi | Depends on traffic | Check the app for the fare | Use a taxi app and the official pick-up point rather than offers from touts in the hall. See the How to use taxi apps in Moscow guide. |
Why Visit Kazansky Railway Terminal?
Most visitors come here for a train, but the terminal is also one of Moscow’s more striking station buildings, with a tower that recalls the old architecture of Kazan and a long, richly detailed front on the square. It sits beside two other major stations, so the whole square shows the three main gateways of Moscow at once.
It is also an easy place to combine with the Komsomolskaya Metro stations, which are among the best-known on the Circle Line, and with the Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya skyscraper opposite. Be ready for crowds, and be sure you are at the right station: three terminals with similar names share the square.
Highlights of Kazansky Railway Terminal
The tower and facade
The present station building was designed by Alexey Shchusev and built in stages from 1913 to 1940, in an eclectic style that draws on old Russian architecture, with a tall tower at one end that echoes a famous tower in Kazan, the city the station is named for, and long wings with decorative arches and tiers. The facade looks over Komsomolskaya Square. It is best seen from the square's center.
Tip: Step back to the middle of the square to see the whole building and the tower together.
The interior decoration
The station's halls carry decorative paintings and details designed with Shchusev, and artists such as Yevgeny Lansere and Alexandre Benois are credited with work on them. The main halls are busy with passengers, so the decoration is seen on the move. Access to some interior rooms may be limited, so check on the day.
Tip: Look up at the ceilings of the main hall while you wait.
The Metro vestibule built into the building
The southern vestibule of the red-line Komsomolskaya Metro station is built into the Kazansky terminal, so you can go from the platform to the station concourse without crossing the square. The Circle Line Komsomolskaya station is nearby and was designed by Alexey Shchusev as well. See the How to see the most beautiful Moscow Metro stations in one route guide on this site.
Tip: Use the vestibule in bad weather to reach the station without going outside.
Komsomolskaya Square and its three stations
Kazansky faces Leningradsky Station, for trains toward Saint Petersburg, and Yaroslavsky Station, for trains east and the Trans-Siberian Railway, with the Neo-Russian Yaroslavsky designed by Fyodor Shekhtel. The three terminals make the square one of the busiest transport hubs in Moscow. The Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya, one of the Seven Sisters, stands beside them.
Tip: Check the station name on your ticket, since all three stations are within sight of each other.
Trains to Kazan, Yekaterinburg and Ryazan
Long-distance trains from Kazansky run east to Kazan, Yekaterinburg and points beyond, and south-east to Ryazan, with suburban trains serving the same two directions. Destinations change by season and by year, so the official timetable is the only reliable list. See the How to buy train tickets at Moscow railway stations guide on this site.
Tip: Find the platform number on the departures board as soon as you enter the hall.
The suburban platforms
Suburban trains on the Kazansky and Ryazan lines leave from the same terminal, and the suburban hall is separate from the long-distance hall. They are used by commuters from the eastern and south-eastern suburbs and are the way to some day-trip destinations. The ticket machines and the gates for suburban trains are close to the Metro.
Tip: Use the suburban ticket machines or the app for short trips.
Atmosphere
The halls echo with announcements and the rattle of wheeled cases, and the air smells of coffee and rail dust. Long-distance travelers with big bags cross paths with commuters from the eastern suburbs, and the departures boards draw a steady crowd.
On the square outside, the three stations compete for attention, with trams, buses and taxis circling and the tower of Kazansky rising above the roofline. The terminal is busiest at the morning and evening rush hours and at weekends, and calmer in the middle of the day. Late in the evening the lit facade is the most striking view.
History of Kazansky Railway Terminal
The forerunner of Kazansky Station was built in 1862 with the opening of the railway line from Moscow to Ryazan, and the station was long known as the Ryazan Station. It lay on Kalanchevskaya Field, outside the Garden Ring, where the railways of the 19th century were brought to the edge of the city.
The present building is the work of Alexey Shchusev. Construction began in 1913, and it was built in stages, with the main work completed in the 1920s and 1930s and the final parts finished in 1940. The tower and the decoration of the halls drew on old Russian architecture, and several artists took part in the decoration, among them Yevgeny Lansere, Alexandre Benois and Boris Kustodiev.
The station was renamed Kazansky in the 20th century, because trains from here run to Kazan, and it became one of the main eastern gateways of Moscow, with trains toward the Volga region, the Urals and Siberia and the Trans-Siberian route to the east.
The Komsomolskaya Metro stations were built beside the terminal in the 1930s and 1950s, and the southern vestibule of the red-line station was built into the Kazansky building. The Circle Line station, designed by Alexey Shchusev, completed the interchange on the square. Komsomolskaya Square, with the Leningradsky and Yaroslavsky stations opposite, is one of the busiest transport hubs in Moscow.
Today Kazansky serves long-distance trains toward Kazan, Yekaterinburg and Ryazan and suburban trains on the Kazansky and Ryazan lines. The destinations change with the timetable, so the official schedule of the railway operator should be checked.
Tickets and Payment at Kazansky Railway Terminal
Tickets for long-distance and suburban trains are sold by the railway operator, on its official website and app and at the station ticket offices. Sales usually open weeks to a few months before departure, and if your date is not yet on sale, the timetable has not been released. Show your ID at boarding for long-distance trains, and check the official sources for any rules that depend on nationality.
- Metro: pay the city fare at the turnstiles; see the guide on buying a Metro ticket.
- Payment: foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are reported not to work in Russia, so check the payment options on the official sites, and the sanctions rules of your own country may restrict some Russian payment services, so check this yourself.
- Taxis: avoid unofficial drivers who approach you in the hall and use a taxi app.
Rates for Russian citizens and concessions differ, so check the official site, rzd.ru, for all ticket categories.
Flights, Transfers and Planning
Search flightsOpen in Yandex Maps
Advertisement: these are partner links. If you book or buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
How to Get to Kazansky Railway Terminal
The terminal is at Komsomolskaya Square 2, beside Komsomolskaya Metro station: the red Sokolnicheskaya Line (Line 1) and the brown Koltsevaya Line (Line 5) both have a station of that name. Use the red-line station for Kazansky, whose southern vestibule is built into the terminal building. Exits and walking times were not verified.
- Tram and bus: several tram, bus and trolleybus lines stop on the square.
- Taxi: use a taxi app and the official pick-up point.
Accessibility
No official accessibility details were found. The terminal has a Metro link and several entrances, but step-free routes and lifts were not verified, so contact the railway operator for assistance before you travel.
Food Nearby
The station has kiosks and cafes inside, and the area around Komsomolskaya Square has more cafes and fast-food outlets. No individual venue was verified for this guide, so check opening hours on site.
What to Bring
Your ticket on your phone or a printout, your ID or passport for long-distance trains, a charged phone, and cash in rubles for small purchases, since foreign cards are reported not to work.
Photography Rules
Photography is generally allowed in the public halls and on the square, but security staff may ask you not to photograph checkpoints, officials or equipment. Follow the signs, and avoid drones near railway property.
Family Suitability
The terminal is workable for families, but it is crowded at rush hours, and strollers and luggage need to be planned for on the platforms and in the Metro. Allow extra time to find the right station on the square and the right platform.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Check the station name on your ticket: Kazansky, Leningradsky and Yaroslavsky are all on Komsomolskaya Square, within sight of each other.
- There is no Aeroexpress from Kazansky; the airport trains leave from other stations, such as the Belorussky Railway Terminal for Sheremetyevo.
- Use the red-line Komsomolskaya vestibule for Kazansky, since the Circle Line exits lead to the square at a different point.
- Look at the tower from the middle of the square before you go in.
- If you have a long wait, use the how-to guide on storing luggage and see the nearby sights.
- See the How to buy train tickets at Moscow railway stations guide on this site for the ticket offices and machines.
Explore Nearby Kazansky Railway Terminal
Metro stations near Kazansky Railway Terminal
Komsomolskaya Metro Stationabout 200 m away (~3 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Krasnye Vorota Metro Stationabout 700 m away (~11 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Krasnoselskaya Metro Stationabout 1.0 km away (~17 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Sights near Kazansky Railway Terminal
Moscow Transport Museumabout 700 m away (~11 min walk) · typical visit: About 2 to 3 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Bauman Garden Moscowabout 700 m away (~12 min walk) · typical visit: About 1 to 1.5 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Apothecary Garden Moscowabout 1.5 km away (~25 min walk) · typical visit: About 1.5 to 2.5 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moscow Cathedral Mosqueabout 1.9 km away (~31 min walk) · typical visit: About 30 minutes to 1 hourMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Train stations and river piers near Kazansky Railway Terminal
Leningradsky Railway Terminalabout 300 m away (~5 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Yaroslavsky Railway Terminalabout 400 m away (~6 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Kursky Railway Terminalabout 1.8 km away (~30 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Restaurants and cafes near Kazansky Railway Terminal
+39 Trattoria & Pizzeriaabout 550 m away (~9 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Kazansky Railway Terminal
Hilton Moscow Leningradskayaabout 300 m away (~5 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Imperial Plaza Moscowabout 500 m away (~8 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Jackpot Energy Hotelabout 900 m away (~15 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Related guides
Basmanny: Chistye Prudy, Old Churches and the German QuarterMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Chistye Prudy: Clean Pond, Boulevard and Menshikov TowerMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Sokolniki: Moscow’s Falcon Park, Kitchen Debate Site and Ice RinkMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
How to buy train tickets at Moscow railway stations: Cash and PassportMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
How to store luggage in Moscow: Stations, Airports, Lockers and PricesMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Browse more: More in Krasnoselsky · All Airports & Transport · All Railway Stations
FAQ: Kazansky Railway Terminal
Where do trains to Kazan leave from?
From Kazansky Railway Terminal.
Which Metro station is it?
Komsomolskaya, on the red Line 1 and the brown Circle Line 5.
Is there a train to the airport from here?
No Aeroexpress leaves from Kazansky; see the airport guides.
Are the three stations on the square connected?
They are across the square from each other, a short walk apart.
Who designed the building?
Alexey Shchusev, in stages from 1913 to 1940.
Where do trains to Saint Petersburg leave from?
From Leningradsky Station, opposite.
Is there left luggage?
Check the station services; see the How to store luggage in Moscow guide.
Can I pay with a foreign card?
Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are reported not to work in Russia, and your country's sanctions rules may restrict some services, so check this yourself.
Discover More of Moscow with Our Travel Tips
Get practical Moscow travel tips, new destination guides and useful updates on attractions, opening hours and prices. Plan your visit with clear, helpful information delivered to your inbox.
Moscow Vibes is a one-person project. A coffee keeps it going
Last updated: October 7, 2026.
How we research and update our guides
About this guide: AI assistance and accuracy
This guide is created with the help of AI and is based on official sources where available. Mistakes can still happen. Opening hours, prices, rules and other details are given to the best of our knowledge as of the date shown and can change without notice. It offers general recommendations only, not professional, legal or travel advice. Please confirm important details with the official source before you travel; you are responsible for your own plans and decisions.
International sanctions affect payments between Russia and many other countries. In practice, cards issued in the EU, the UK, the US and several other countries often do not work in Russia, Russian cards usually do not work abroad, and some booking platforms, airlines and payment providers limit or suspend their services for Russia. The situation changes frequently. We do not give legal or financial advice, and this site does not encourage anyone to break or circumvent sanctions. Whatever you plan, you are responsible for following the laws and regulations that apply to you, including those of your country of residence and citizenship. Many travelers still organise their stay lawfully. It is worth asking your bank or payment provider what is currently permitted, contacting hotels, tour operators and carriers directly about the payment methods they accept, and checking which services are open to customers from your country. Clarify payment, cancellation and refund terms before you commit to a booking, and keep your plans flexible. Partner links on this site may not be available in every country, and prices, availability and rules in our guides can differ from what you see when you book.Paying for your trip: please read
* Affiliate link: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Report an issue on this page
Take this guide with you
Get a free PDF of this guide to print or read offline: key facts, tips and a map link on a few clean pages.