Kievsky Railway Terminal is a station in the Dorogomilovo district, on the bank of the Moskva River south-west of the center, and the departure point of the Aeroexpress to Vnukovo Airport. Built between 1914 and 1918 as the Bryansk Station, it has a Byzantine-style facade with a tall clock tower and a famous glazed roof over the platforms.
Today the terminal handles suburban trains toward Kaluga and other towns in the south-west, long-distance trains toward southern Russia and the Vnukovo airport train. Three Kievskaya Metro stations lie beside it. Timetables, destinations and ticket rules change, so check the official sources before you travel.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Киевский вокзал |
|---|---|
| Type | Railway station |
| Built / opened | 1918 |
| Architect(s) | Ivan Rerberg and Vyacheslav Oltarzhevsky, with the engineer Vladimir Shukhov (platform roof) |
| Address | Kievskogo Vokzala Square 1, Moscow (площадь Киевского Вокзала, 1) OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Dorogomilovo |
| Metro | Kievskaya (Koltsevaya Line (Line 5, brown), The entrance shared by the three Kievskaya stations is built into the terminal; exact exits and walking times were not verified, but the walk is short) Kievskaya (Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya Line (Line 3, dark blue), A separate station of the same name beside the terminal; exits and walking times were not verified) Kievskaya (Filyovskaya Line (Line 4, light blue), A third station of the same name, an open-air one beside the terminal; 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 trains, suburban trains and the Aeroexpress to Vnukovo Airport. |
| 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 and the roof, 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 the Aeroexpress. |
| Website | kievsky.dzvr.ru |
| Last updated | October 7, 2026 |
How to Get to and from Kievsky Railway Terminal
| Option | Duration | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro, Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya Line (dark blue, Line 3) from Kievskaya | About 10 to 15 minutes to central stations such as Arbatskaya and Ploshchad Revolyutsii; times not verified | Standard Metro fare; see the How to buy a Moscow Metro ticket guide | Best for central Moscow and the Arbat. Trains run from early morning to after midnight. |
| Metro, Filyovskaya Line (light blue, Line 4) from Kievskaya | About 10 minutes to Aleksandrovsky Sad; times not verified | Standard Metro fare | Best for the Kremlin and Red Square. The light-blue station is beside the terminal. |
| Metro, Koltsevaya Line (brown, Line 5) from Kievskaya | Varies by destination | Standard Metro fare | Best for reaching other railway stations along the Circle Line, such as Paveletskaya, Belorusskaya and Komsomolskaya. |
| Aeroexpress to Vnukovo Airport | About half an hour; check the official timetable | Check the official Aeroexpress site for the current fare | A dedicated airport train that leaves from this terminal at regular intervals; best for Vnukovo. |
| 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 Kievsky Railway Terminal?
The terminal is the only Moscow railway station with a frontage on the Moskva River, and it is one of the better-looking ones, with a clock tower, a decorated facade and a roof over the platforms designed by the engineer Vladimir Shukhov that was advanced for its time. It stands on Europe Square, with a view across the river to the Radisson Collection Hotel Moscow, one of the Seven Sisters.
Most visitors pass through for the airport express or the Metro, but a few minutes spent looking at the building and the Kievskaya Circle Line station next door is worthwhile. Note the ticket name for trains from this station, which is abbreviated, and be ready for crowds at rush hours.
Highlights of Kievsky Railway Terminal
The clock tower and facade
The station was built between 1914 and 1918 in the Byzantine Revival style, designed by Ivan Rerberg and Vyacheslav Oltarzhevsky. The clock tower, reported to be about 51 meters high, is the focus of the facade facing Europe Square, with arched windows and decorative stonework. The building was first called the Bryansk Station.
Tip: Look at the tower from the middle of the square to see the whole front.
Shukhov's glass roof
The transparent roof over the platforms was engineered by Vladimir Shukhov, the engineer known for lightweight steel and glass structures, and was advanced for its era. Seen from the platforms, the roof is a large light curve of steel and glass. It is the best-known engineering feature of the station.
Tip: Walk toward the platforms and look up at the roof when you have a few minutes.
The riverside frontage
Kievsky is the only railway station in Moscow with a frontage on the Moskva River. Behind the terminal the river and the Bagration pedestrian bridge lead toward the Moscow City towers. It is a good place to see the Radisson Collection Hotel Moscow, the former Hotel Ukraina, across the water.
Tip: Walk to the embankment for the view of the hotel across the river.
Europe Square and the fountain
The terminal looks onto Europe Square, laid out in front of the station with a fountain and a view of the river, and it is a busy interchange of Metro, trams and buses. The square is a good place to orient yourself before heading to the center or the river. See the Dorogomilovo guide on this site.
Tip: Cross the square toward the river to see the whole facade.
Kievskaya Circle Line station
The Circle Line station Kievskaya, whose design was chosen in an open competition in Ukraine, has white marble pylons topped by large mosaics, and its entrance is built into the terminal. It is shared with the other two Kievskaya stations. See the How to see the most beautiful Moscow Metro stations in one route guide on this site.
Tip: Look up at the mosaics above the pylons on the platform.
The Aeroexpress to Vnukovo
The Aeroexpress to Vnukovo Airport leaves from this terminal, with its own ticket points and boarding area. The trip takes roughly half an hour. Check the official Aeroexpress site for the timetable and the current fare.
Tip: Find the Aeroexpress boarding area before the day of your flight if you can.
Atmosphere
Under the great glass roof the platforms are bright by day and echo with announcements and the rattle of trolleys. Commuters from the south-western suburbs pour through the gates at rush hour, while travelers with big bags look for the Aeroexpress and the Metro.
Outside, the clock tower rises over Europe Square, and trams, buses and taxis circle in front of the facade. By the river the traffic noise fades. After dark the facade is lit and the square is quieter, apart from the stream of people heading for the late trains.
History of Kievsky Railway Terminal
Kievsky Railway Terminal was built between 1914 and 1918 as the Bryansk Station, for the line to the south-west, and opened on 18 February 1918. It was designed by Ivan Rerberg and Vyacheslav Oltarzhevsky in the Byzantine Revival style, with a clock tower about 51 meters high, and the platform roof was designed by the engineer Vladimir Shukhov, whose lightweight steel and glass roof was advanced for its time.
The station took its present name on 3 October 1934, when it was renamed after Kyiv, to which the trains from here ran. For much of the Soviet and later periods it served long-distance trains toward Ukraine and south-eastern Europe, services that were reduced and then cancelled over the years, with some moved to other stations.
The Kievskaya Metro stations were built beside the terminal in the 20th century: the Circle Line station, whose design was chosen in an open competition in Ukraine, has white marble pylons and mosaics, and its entrance is built into the terminal building. Two further Kievskaya stations, on the dark blue and light blue lines, completed the interchange.
In 2005 an Aeroexpress service was launched between the station and Vnukovo Airport, and the Aeroexpress to Vnukovo continues to leave from this terminal. The station also serves suburban trains toward Kaluga and the south-west, such as Aprelevka and Nara, and long-distance trains to southern Russia.
The building has so far escaped the heavy modernization of some other Moscow stations. Long-distance destinations change with the timetable, so check the official schedule of the railway operator before you travel.
Tickets and Payment at Kievsky 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. Tickets for trains from this station show the station as Moskva Kiv, an abbreviation of the Russian name. 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.
- Aeroexpress: buy the ticket on the official Aeroexpress website or at its ticket points in the station.
- 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
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How to Get to Kievsky Railway Terminal
The terminal is at Kievskogo Vokzala Square 1, beside three Kievskaya Metro stations: the brown Koltsevaya Line (Line 5), the dark-blue Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya Line (Line 3) and the light-blue Filyovskaya Line (Line 4). The entrance shared with the Circle Line station is built into the terminal. Exits and walking times were not verified.
- Tram and bus: several tram, bus and trolleybus lines stop on Europe Square.
- Taxi: use a taxi app and the official pick-up point.
Accessibility
No official accessibility details were found. The terminal has Metro links and an airport train with its own boarding area, but step-free routes and lifts were not verified, so contact the railway operator or Aeroexpress for assistance before you travel.
Food Nearby
The station has kiosks and cafes inside, and Europe Square and Bolshaya Dorogomilovskaya Street have more cafes and shops. 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, on the platforms 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 for the transfer from the Metro to the Aeroexpress or the suburban trains.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Look for the abbreviated station name on your ticket, which reads Moskva Kiv for this terminal.
- The Aeroexpress from here goes to Vnukovo; the airport trains to Sheremetyevo leave from the Belorussky Railway Terminal and those to Domodedovo from another station.
- There are three Kievskaya Metro stations: check the line color before you enter the turnstiles.
- Walk to the river side of the terminal for the view of the Radisson Collection Hotel Moscow across the water.
- Allow time to find the Aeroexpress boarding area on the day of your flight.
- See the How to buy train tickets at Moscow railway stations guide on this site for the ticket offices and machines.
Explore Nearby Kievsky Railway Terminal
Metro stations near Kievsky Railway Terminal
Kiyevskaya Metro Stationabout 100 m away (~1 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Smolenskaya Metro Stationabout 1.1 km away (~17 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Sights near Kievsky Railway Terminal
Pushkin Memorial Apartment on Arbat Moscowabout 1.2 km away (~20 min walk) · typical visit: About 1 hourMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Krasnaya Presnya Park Moscowabout 1.4 km away (~22 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.
Melnikov House Moscowabout 1.5 km away (~24 min walk) · typical visit: About 1.5 to 2 hours (guided tour)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Leo Tolstoy Estate Museum Moscowabout 1.6 km away (~26 min walk) · typical visit: About 1.5 to 2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Vakhtangov Theatre Moscowabout 1.7 km away (~27 min walk) · typical visit: About 3 hours for a performanceMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Train stations and river piers near Kievsky Railway Terminal
Kievsky River Pierabout 1.1 km away (~18 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Restaurants and cafes near Kievsky Railway Terminal
Sakhalinabout 850 m away (~14 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Chef's Tableabout 1000 m away (~16 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Kievsky Railway Terminal
Radisson Collection Hotel Moscowabout 950 m away (~15 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Golden Ring Hotel Moscowabout 850 m away (~14 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotel Belgrad Moscowabout 850 m away (~14 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Related guides
Dorogomilovo: Kutuzovsky Prospekt, Borodino Panorama and UkrainaMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Arbat: Old Arbat Street, Tsoi Wall and Pushkin’s ApartmentMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Krasnaya Presnya: 1905 Barricades, Moscow Zoo and Metro ArtMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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Browse more: More in Dorogomilovo · All Airports & Transport · All Railway Stations
FAQ: Kievsky Railway Terminal
Where does the Aeroexpress to Vnukovo leave from?
From Kievsky Railway Terminal.
Which Metro station is it?
Kievskaya, with three stations on Lines 3, 4 and 5.
Is it by the river?
Yes, it is the only Moscow station with a river frontage.
Who designed the building?
Ivan Rerberg and Vyacheslav Oltarzhevsky; the roof was by Vladimir Shukhov.
When was it built?
Between 1914 and 1918.
What does Moskva Kiv on a ticket mean?
It is the abbreviated name of this station.
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.
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Last updated: October 7, 2026. Found an error or something out of date? Report it and we will check and fix it.
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