Leningradsky Railway Terminal is the station for trains to the north-west, on Komsomolskaya Square in the Krasnoselsky district, and the oldest railway terminal in Moscow. Its building, completed in 1849 to a design by Konstantin Thon, was first called the Nikolaevsky Station, and it is the Moscow end of the line to Saint Petersburg.
Today the terminal handles the Sapsan high-speed trains and other long-distance services to Saint Petersburg, trains to Tver and other cities along the line, and suburban trains toward Tver. The Komsomolskaya Metro stations lie beside it. It is easy to confuse with the other two stations on the same square, so check the name on your ticket and the timetable on the official site.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Ленинградский вокзал |
|---|---|
| Type | Railway station |
| Built / opened | 1849 |
| Architect(s) | Konstantin Thon (Ton) |
| Address | Komsomolskaya Square 3, Moscow (Комсомольская площадь, 3) OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Krasnoselsky |
| Metro | Komsomolskaya (Sokolnicheskaya Line (Line 1, red), The northern vestibule lies between the Leningradsky and Yaroslavsky terminals; exact 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. |
| Website | rzd.ru |
| Last updated | October 7, 2026 |
How to Get to and from Leningradsky 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, Red Square and the Kremlin. The northern vestibule is next to 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 Kievskaya, Paveletskaya and Belorusskaya. The Circle Line station is linked to the red-line station. |
| Walk across the square to Yaroslavsky or Kazansky stations | A few minutes on foot; not timed | Free | Best for trains east, the Trans-Siberian route or the Volga region. Check the station name on your ticket first. |
| Suburban trains toward Tver | Varies by destination | Check the official fare | Trains leave from the suburban hall and are best for towns north-west 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 Leningradsky Railway Terminal?
Most visitors come for the Sapsan or another train to Saint Petersburg, but the building is worth a few minutes: it is the first Moscow terminal and has a twin in Saint Petersburg, both designed by Konstantin Thon, the architect of the original Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Grand Kremlin Palace and the Armoury.
It also stands on Three Station Square, with the Yaroslavsky and Kazansky terminals opposite, so a short walk shows the three main gateways of Moscow at once. Be aware that the station is run by a different regional railway than most Moscow terminals, and that the name on the ticket can differ. It is crowded at rush hours.
Highlights of Leningradsky Railway Terminal
Konstantin Thon's building
The station was designed by Konstantin Thon as the terminus of the Moscow to Saint Petersburg Railway, a project close to Emperor Nicholas I, and the building was completed in 1849. Its facade, centered on a clock tower between two wings, was restored in the same form during the renovation of 2008 to 2013. The design closely mirrors Moskovsky Station in Saint Petersburg, its twin.
Tip: Step back to the middle of the square to see the whole facade with its clock tower.
The Sapsan platforms
The Sapsan high-speed trains to Saint Petersburg leave from this terminal and arrive at Moskovsky Station there, with the journey taking a little under four hours, as reported. The platforms are covered, and the station layout was reconfigured to support a future high-speed line. Check the timetable and the ticket category for the service.
Tip: Find the departures board and your platform before you look for the ticket office.
Other long-distance trains
Besides Saint Petersburg, long-distance trains from here serve destinations along the line, including Tver and Veliky Novgorod, with some going further north. The Lastochka trains between Moscow and Tver also use the station. Destinations change with the timetable, so the official schedule is the only reliable list. See the How to get from Moscow to Saint Petersburg by train guide on this site.
Tip: Check the train number and the station name on the ticket, since the name is different from the one on the building.
Komsomolskaya Metro under the square
The red-line Komsomolskaya station, opened in 1935, lies under the square, with its northern vestibule between the Leningradsky and Yaroslavsky terminals and its southern vestibule built into Kazansky. The Circle Line station, designed by Alexey Shchusev, is richly decorated with Baroque-style ornaments and chandeliers. See the How to see the most beautiful Moscow Metro stations in one route guide on this site.
Tip: Follow the signs for the northern vestibule if you are coming from the Metro to Leningradsky.
Three Station Square
Komsomolskaya Square is informally called Three Station Square for the Leningradsky, Yaroslavsky and Kazansky terminals around it, which connect Moscow with Saint Petersburg, the Volga region and Siberia. The Yaroslavsky Station facing the Leningradsky was built in 1902 to 1904 by Fyodor Shekhtel in a Neo-Russian style. The Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya skyscraper stands beside the square.
Tip: Check which of the three stations your ticket names before you cross the square.
The suburban trains toward Tver
Suburban trains of the Leningradsky direction leave from the same terminal and serve towns toward Tver. They use a separate hall from the long-distance trains and are used by commuters from the north-western suburbs. See the How to buy train tickets at Moscow railway stations guide on this site.
Tip: Use the suburban ticket machines or the app for short trips.
Atmosphere
The hall is loud with announcements and the rattle of wheeled cases, and the air smells of coffee and rail dust. Business travelers with small bags and families with big ones queue at the gates for the Saint Petersburg trains, and commuters from the north-western suburbs stream through the suburban hall.
Outside, the clock tower rises over Komsomolskaya Square, with trams, buses and taxis circling and the Yaroslavsky and Kazansky terminals opposite. The terminal is busiest at the morning and evening rush hours and at weekends, and calmer in the middle of the day. At night the facade is lit and the square is quieter.
History of Leningradsky Railway Terminal
The railway between Moscow and Saint Petersburg was a project of Emperor Nicholas I, who signed the decree to build it in February 1842. The architect Konstantin Thon was commissioned to design the stations at both ends of the line. Two other sites for the Moscow station were first considered, near the Tverskaya Zastava and near Trubnaya Square, before Komsomolskaya Square, then Kalanchyovskoye Field outside the Garden Ring, was chosen.
The Moscow building was completed in 1849, and the first train from Saint Petersburg arrived on 3 August 1851, according to one account. The station was named the Nikolaevsky Station, after the emperor, and it was the first railway station in Moscow. When it opened, the journey to Saint Petersburg took about 22 hours.
After the Revolution the station was renamed the Oktyabrsky Station in 1923, and in 1937 it became the Leningradsky Station, a name that remains even though Leningrad has long been Saint Petersburg again. It is the only major Moscow terminal run by the October Railway rather than the Moscow Railway, and tickets for trains from here show the station as Moscow Oktyabrskaya.
The building was modernized more than once, including in 1977, and between 2008 and 2013 it was renovated, with Thon’s facade restored and preserved in the same form. The layout was reconfigured to support a future high-speed railway to Saint Petersburg. The Komsomolskaya Metro station opened in 1935, and the Circle Line station, designed by Alexey Shchusev, was added beside it.
Today the terminal serves the Sapsan high-speed trains to Saint Petersburg, other long-distance trains toward the north-west, including to Tver and Veliky Novgorod, and suburban trains toward Tver. The destinations change with the timetable, so the official schedule of the railway operator should be checked.
Tickets and Payment at Leningradsky 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 Moscow Oktyabrskaya, because it is run by a different regional railway. 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
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How to Get to Leningradsky Railway Terminal
The terminal is at Komsomolskaya Square 3, beside Komsomolskaya Metro station: the red Sokolnicheskaya Line (Line 1) and the brown Koltsevaya Line (Line 5) both have a station of that name. The northern vestibule of the red-line station lies between the Leningradsky and Yaroslavsky terminals. 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 was renovated between 2008 and 2013, 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, cafes and shops inside, and Komsomolskaya Square and the streets around it have 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
- Look for Moscow Oktyabrskaya on your ticket, which is the name this station is given there.
- Check the station name on your ticket: three terminals share the square and are within sight of each other.
- For the Sapsan, find the departures board and platform before you queue at the ticket office.
- Use the northern vestibule of the red Komsomolskaya station for Leningradsky, since the southern one leads to Kazansky.
- Step back to the middle of the square to see Thon's facade and clock tower together.
- See the How to get from Moscow to Saint Petersburg by train guide on this site for the trains and tickets.
Explore Nearby Leningradsky Railway Terminal
Metro stations near Leningradsky Railway Terminal
Komsomolskaya Metro Stationabout 100 m away (~2 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Krasnoselskaya Metro Stationabout 900 m away (~14 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Krasnye Vorota Metro Stationabout 950 m away (~15 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Sights near Leningradsky Railway Terminal
Moscow Transport Museumabout 850 m away (~14 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 1.0 km away (~17 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 1.4 km away (~23 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 1.8 km away (~29 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 Leningradsky Railway Terminal
Yaroslavsky Railway Terminalabout 150 m away (~2 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Kazansky Railway Terminalabout 300 m away (~5 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Restaurants and cafes near Leningradsky Railway Terminal
+39 Trattoria & Pizzeriaabout 850 m away (~14 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Leningradsky Railway Terminal
Hilton Moscow Leningradskayaabout 350 m away (~6 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Imperial Plaza Moscowabout 400 m away (~6 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Jackpot Energy Hotelabout 750 m away (~12 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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FAQ: Leningradsky Railway Terminal
Where do the Sapsan trains to Saint Petersburg leave from?
From Leningradsky Railway Terminal.
Which Metro station is it?
Komsomolskaya, on the red Line 1 and the brown Circle Line 5.
Why is it called Leningradsky?
The name dates from 1937; the city is Saint Petersburg again.
Who designed the building?
Konstantin Thon, who also designed its twin in Saint Petersburg.
Is it the oldest Moscow station?
Yes, it is the first railway terminal in Moscow.
What does Moscow Oktyabrskaya on a ticket mean?
It is the name of this station on tickets.
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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