Paveletsky Railway Terminal is the station for trains going south, on Paveletskaya Square in the Zamoskvorechye district, just outside the Garden Ring. It opened in 1900 as the Saratovsky Station and is known today as the departure point of the Aeroexpress to Domodedovo Airport.
Long-distance trains from here run toward cities such as Voronezh, Volgograd, Saratov and Astrakhan, and suburban trains serve the towns south of Moscow. Two Paveletskaya Metro stations lie beside the terminal, and the square in front was redesigned in 2021 as a park. Timetables, destinations and ticket rules change, so check the official sources before you travel.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Павелецкий вокзал |
|---|---|
| Type | Railway station |
| Built / opened | 1900 |
| Architect(s) | Alexander Krasovsky (original station); rebuilt and reopened in 1987 |
| Address | Paveletskaya Square 1, Moscow (Павелецкая площадь, 1) OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Zamoskvorechye |
| Metro | Paveletskaya (Zamoskvoretskaya Line (Line 2, green), A Metro station of this name lies beside the terminal; the exact exit and the walking time were not verified, but the walk is short) Paveletskaya (Koltsevaya Line (Line 5, brown), The Circle Line station of the same name is nearby and linked to the green-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 and for the Aeroexpress to Domodedovo Airport. |
| Best time to visit | The terminal is busiest at the morning and evening rush hours and on weekends and holidays. For a calm visit to the building and the square, 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 redesigned square; longer if you are changing to a train or the Aeroexpress. |
| Website | rzd.ru |
| Last updated | October 7, 2026 |
How to Get to and from Paveletsky Railway Terminal
| Option | Duration | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro, Zamoskvoretskaya Line (green, Line 2) from Paveletskaya | About 10 minutes to Teatralnaya; times not verified | Standard Metro fare; see the How to buy a Moscow Metro ticket guide | Best for central Moscow, the Bolshoi Theatre and Red Square. Trains run from early morning to after midnight. |
| Metro, Koltsevaya Line (brown, Line 5) from Paveletskaya | Varies by destination | Standard Metro fare | Best for reaching other railway stations along the Circle Line, such as Kievskaya, Belorusskaya and Komsomolskaya. |
| Aeroexpress to Domodedovo Airport | Roughly 45 minutes; check the official timetable | Check the official Aeroexpress site for the current fare | A dedicated airport train that leaves from this station at regular intervals and stops at Verkhnie Kotly; best for Domodedovo. |
| Suburban trains of the Paveletsky direction | Varies by destination | Check the official fare | Trains leave from the suburban hall and are best for Domodedovo town and other places south 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 Paveletsky Railway Terminal?
For most travelers Paveletsky is a way to the airport or a southbound train, and it is the quickest of the Moscow stations for Domodedovo. The Aeroexpress leaves from a dedicated terminal, and the Metro stations are next to the building, so transfers are short.
The square in front of the station was transformed in 2021 into a public space with a landscaped park, a fountain and benches, a pleasant place to wait before a train. The station has also a long history as the terminal of the Ryazan-Ural Railway, and it was rebuilt and reopened in 1987. Be ready for crowds at rush hours.
Highlights of Paveletsky Railway Terminal
The station building
The first station was opened in 1900 to a design by Alexander Krasovsky and was called the Saratovsky Station, after the Ryazan-Ural Railway, which it served and whose headquarters were in Saratov. The building was reconstructed and reopened under the name Paveletsky on 3 November 1987. It faces Paveletskaya Square and forms part of the square's ensemble.
Tip: Look at the front from the square to see the old facade with the modern concourse behind it.
The redesigned square
The square in front of the station, called Leninskaya Square in the Soviet period and Paveletskaya since 1992, was redesigned in 2021 as a modern public space, with a landscaped park, a fountain, swings, benches and an underground shopping center. It is a good place to wait before a train, away from the hall. See the Paveletskaya guide on this site.
Tip: Use the park benches while waiting for your platform number to appear.
The Aeroexpress to Domodedovo
The Aeroexpress to Domodedovo Airport leaves from this station, with its own terminal and ticket points, and stops at Verkhnie Kotly, where passengers can change to the Moscow Central Circle. It is the main reason many international visitors come here. Check the official Aeroexpress site for the timetable and the current fare.
Tip: Find the Aeroexpress ticket points and boarding area before the day of your flight if you can.
Long-distance trains to the south
Long-distance trains from Paveletsky run toward cities such as Voronezh, Volgograd, Saratov and Astrakhan, and farther south toward the Caucasus. The destinations change with the timetable, so the official schedule is the only reliable list. See the How to buy train tickets at Moscow railway stations guide on this site.
Tip: Check the train number and the platform on the departures board as soon as you enter.
Suburban trains to Domodedovo and beyond
Suburban trains of the Paveletsky direction serve towns south of Moscow, including Domodedovo, Stupino, Kashira and others. They leave from a separate hall from the long-distance trains and are used by commuters. The Aeroexpress and suburban trains use the same line, so check which one you are boarding.
Tip: Use the suburban ticket machines or the app for the shorter trips.
The Paveletskaya Metro stations
Two Metro stations named Paveletskaya lie beside the terminal: one on the green Zamoskvoretskaya Line and one on the brown Circle Line. The green line runs north to Teatralnaya and the center. See the How to see the most beautiful Moscow Metro stations in one route guide on this site.
Tip: Check the line color before you enter the turnstiles.
Atmosphere
The hall echoes with announcements and the rattle of wheeled cases, and the air smells of coffee and rail dust. Travelers with big bags head for the Aeroexpress, long-distance passengers study the departures boards, and commuters from the southern suburbs cut across the concourse.
Outside, the redesigned square is a calmer place, with a fountain, benches and trees, and the traffic of Paveletskaya Square circling around it. The terminal is busiest at the morning and evening rush hours and at weekends, and calmer in the middle of the day. After dark the facade is lit and the square is quieter.
History of Paveletsky Railway Terminal
The railway between Moscow and Pavelets, the line of the Ryazan-Ural Railway, was built in the late 1890s, and the station that served it was opened in 1900. It was named the Saratovsky Station, because the Ryazan-Ural Railway had its headquarters in Saratov, and it was designed by Alexander Krasovsky. Before the station was finished, trains had been rerouted to the Kursky Station for several months.
The station stayed the Saratovsky Station until the 1940s, when it was renamed after the small settlement of Pavelets in the Ryazan region, from which the line had been laid, even though the trains serve much larger cities in the south. The square in front was called Leninskaya Square for a time and has been Paveletskaya Square since 1992.
The station was reconstructed in the 1980s, and the renewed Paveletsky Station was reopened on 3 November 1987. The suburban line from Moscow toward Domodedovo and beyond was electrified in 1953, and the Aeroexpress service to Domodedovo Airport now leaves from the station, with a stop at Verkhnie Kotly, which was opened in 2018 as an interchange to the Moscow Central Circle.
In 2021 the square in front of the station was radically updated and turned into a modern public space, with a landscaped park, a fountain, swings and benches, and an underground shopping center. The station serves long-distance trains toward the south, such as Voronezh, Volgograd, Saratov and Astrakhan, and suburban trains toward Domodedovo and the south of the Moscow region.
Destinations change with the timetable and the situation over the years, so the official schedule of the railway operator should be checked before you travel.
Tickets and Payment at Paveletsky 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.
- Aeroexpress: buy the ticket on the official Aeroexpress website or at its ticket points in the station, and board at the dedicated platform.
- 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 Paveletsky Railway Terminal
The terminal is at Paveletskaya Square 1, beside two Paveletskaya Metro stations: the green Zamoskvoretskaya Line (Line 2) and the brown Koltsevaya Line (Line 5). The walk from the platform to the station is short. Exits and walking times were not verified.
- Tram and bus: several tram and bus 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 was reconstructed in 1987 and has Metro links nearby, 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 the underground shopping center under the square and the streets around Paveletskaya Square 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, and the redesigned square with its park and swings is a pleasant place to wait with children. It is crowded at rush hours, and strollers and luggage need to be planned for on the platforms and in the Metro.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Wait in the park on the square rather than in the hall, if the weather is fine, until your platform is announced.
- The Aeroexpress here goes to Domodedovo; the airport trains for Sheremetyevo leave from the Belorussky Railway Terminal.
- Check the line color of the Paveletskaya Metro station before you enter the turnstiles: there are two.
- Allow time to find the Aeroexpress boarding area on the day of your flight.
- The Aeroexpress and suburban trains use the same line, so check which one you are boarding.
- See the How to buy train tickets at Moscow railway stations guide on this site for the ticket offices and machines.
Explore Nearby Paveletsky Railway Terminal
Metro stations near Paveletsky Railway Terminal
Paveletskaya Metro Stationabout 250 m away (~4 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Serpukhovskaya Metro Stationabout 950 m away (~16 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Dobryninskaya 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 Paveletsky Railway Terminal
Sergey Yesenin Museum Moscowabout 650 m away (~11 min walk) · typical visit: About 1 to 1.5 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Novospassky Monastery Moscowabout 900 m away (~15 min walk) · typical visit: 1–1.5 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Krutitskoye Podvorye Moscowabout 1.2 km away (~19 min walk) · typical visit: 45–60 minutesMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Marfo-Mariinsky Convent Moscowabout 1.3 km away (~21 min walk) · typical visit: About 1 to 1.5 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Bunker-42 Moscowabout 1.5 km away (~25 min walk) · typical visit: 1.5–2.5 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Train stations and river piers near Paveletsky Railway Terminal
Novospassky River Pierabout 850 m away (~14 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Restaurants and cafes near Paveletsky Railway Terminal
El Gauchoabout 350 m away (~6 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Oblomovabout 750 m away (~12 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Paveletsky Railway Terminal
Swissotel Krasnye Holmy Moscowabout 500 m away (~8 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Ibis Moscow Centre Bakhrushinaabout 700 m away (~12 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.
Zamoskvorechye: Pyatnitskaya Street, Ordynka and Old ChurchesMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Taganka: Taganskaya Square, the Theatre and Moscow’s Old SlobodaMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Yakimanka: Gorky Park, Muzeon and the Tretyakov GalleriesMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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Browse more: More in Zamoskvorechye · All Airports & Transport · All Railway Stations
FAQ: Paveletsky Railway Terminal
Where does the Aeroexpress to Domodedovo leave from?
From Paveletsky Railway Terminal.
Which Metro station is it?
Paveletskaya, on the green Line 2 and the brown Circle Line 5.
When did the station open?
In 1900, as the Saratovsky Station.
Which cities do trains serve?
Southern cities such as Voronezh, Volgograd and Saratov; check the timetable.
Is there a park in front?
Yes, the square was redesigned in 2021 with a park and a fountain.
Is it the station for Sheremetyevo?
No, that is the Belorussky Railway Terminal.
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.
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