The Rechnoy Vokzal Metro Station is on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line, Line 2, in the Levoberezhny district of north Moscow, and it opened on 31 December 1964. Its name means River Terminal, after the Northern River Station nearby, and it was the northern terminus of the line until 2017.
The station is a shallow column hall at a depth of about 6 meters, designed by N. I. Demchinsky and Yu. A. Kolesnikova, with two glazed vestibules on Festivalnaya Street. This guide explains what the hall looks like, how to walk from the south vestibule through Druzhba Park to the Northern River Station, how fares and payment work for tourists, when the station is busy, and which neighboring stations lie on this part of the green line.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Речной вокзал |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 1964 |
| Architect(s) | N. I. Demchinsky and Yu. A. Kolesnikova |
| Address | Festivalnaya Street, Levoberezhny district, Moscow OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Levoberezhny |
| Interchanges | Rechnoy Vokzal (Line 2, green, the station itself, with two glazed vestibules on either side of Festivalnaya Street) Belomorskaya (Line 2, green, the next station toward Khovrino) Vodny Stadion (Line 2, green, the previous station toward the center) |
| Opening hours | The Metro runs daily from early morning until about 01:00, with exact first and last train times differing by station and line, so check the operator's site for this station (as of October 2026 – check the official site, mosmetro.ru). |
| Best time to visit | Mid-morning, early afternoon and the evening after the rush are the calmest, while weekday rush hours are busy. The walk to the river terminal is best in late spring to early autumn, and the station itself can be used in any season. |
| Last updated | October 9, 2026 |
Why Visit Rechnoy Vokzal Metro Station?
The station is the practical starting point for the Northern River Station and the Khimki Reservoir, with a path from the south vestibule through Druzhba Park to the river terminal. It was the northernmost station of the whole Metro until 1975, and the end of the green line until 2017.
The hall follows the standard column tri-span design of the 1960s, with two rows of square columns faced with brown-gray marble-like limestone from the Georgian Moliti deposit, track walls with white and green tiles that were renewed in 2021 and 2022, and a floor of gray granite. The escalator slopes are faced with white marble. It is a clean, calm example of the era, free to see with a fare.
How Rechnoy Vokzal Metro Station Is Laid Out
The station is a shallow column hall with two rows of square columns and two tracks, at about 6 meters below ground, with two glazed ground-level vestibules on either side of Festivalnaya Street.
From the south vestibule, a path through Druzhba Park leads to the Northern River Station. The adjacent stations on the green line are Belomorskaya toward Khovrino to the north and Vodny Stadion toward the center. Follow the exit signs to the vestibule you need, and check the operator’s map for the street layout.
Highlights of Rechnoy Vokzal Metro Station
The marble-faced columns
Two rows of square columns are faced with brown-gray marble-like limestone from the Georgian Moliti deposit, giving the hall its warm color. Look along the rows from the platform. Check the light, which brings out the stone's pattern.
Tip: Stand in the middle of the platform to see the rhythm of the columns.
The white and green wall tiles
The track walls are faced with white and green ceramic tiles, which were replaced in 2021 and 2022 during renovation. Look at the tiles across the tracks. Check the contrast with the brown columns.
Tip: View the walls from the platform edge, behind the yellow line.
The glazed vestibules
The station has two glazed ground-level vestibules, one on each side of Festivalnaya Street. Look at the glass entrance halls from the street. Check which vestibule is nearest to your destination.
Tip: Use the south vestibule for the park route.
The route to the Northern River Station
From the south vestibule, a path through Druzhba Park leads to the Northern River Station, the river terminal that gives the station its name. See the Northern River Station guide. Check the walking time on a map.
Tip: Walk through the park rather than along the road.
The former terminus
Rechnoy Vokzal was the northernmost station of the Metro until 1975 and the end of the green line until Khovrino opened on 31 December 2017, with Belomorskaya following. Check the operator's map for the current line.
Tip: Note that trains continue north to Khovrino.
A station of the 1964 extension
The station opened on 31 December 1964 together with Vodny Stadion and Voykovskaya, built to a standard design from prefabricated reinforced concrete elements. Check the Metro's history pages for the extension.
Tip: Compare it with a 1930s station on the Metro tour itinerary.
Atmosphere
The hall is bright and even, with rows of warm brown columns, pale and green tiled walls and a steady flow of passengers between the platform and the glazed vestibules. The sounds are trains, announcements and footsteps.
Residents of the northern districts and visitors to the park and river terminal use the station, and it is busiest at the weekday rush hours, calmer mid-morning and in the evening. Above ground, Festivalnaya Street runs between the two glass entrance halls, with parkland close by.
History of Rechnoy Vokzal Metro Station
The Rechnoy Vokzal station opened on 31 December 1964 as part of the extension of the Zamoskvoretskaya Line from Sokol, together with Voykovskaya and Vodny Stadion, following Leningrad Highway and the Moscow Canal toward the Northern River Port. It was designed by N. I. Demchinsky and Yu. A. Kolesnikova and built to a standard design from prefabricated reinforced concrete, at a depth of about 6 meters.
The station is named after the Northern River Station, the river terminal nearby, and it was the northernmost station of the Moscow Metro until 1975 and the end of the line until 2017. The line was extended to Khovrino on 31 December 2017, and Belomorskaya, the station that sits between them, opened later in 2018.
The track walls were re-faced between 2021 and 2022. Dates and details should be checked against the Metro operator’s official sources, and this history is shorter than requested because few facts could be verified; sources give the opening as 30 or 31 December 1964.
Tickets and Booking for Rechnoy Vokzal Metro Station
Fares. The fare is the same for any length of ride and any number of transfers within the central zone, and sources give the price of one trip at a budget price level (₽) depending on the payment method, with a prepaid Troika card cheaper than a single ticket; because prices change, check the current tariff on the operator’s site mosmetro.ru. Troika cards and tickets can be bought at ticket offices and ticket machines in Metro vestibules, and one guide notes that the machines may take only cash.
Payment. Contactless bank cards and smartphone payment are accepted at turnstiles, but some foreign cards may not work, and your country’s sanctions rules may restrict some payment services, so check this yourself; a Troika card topped up with rubles is the most reliable option. Rush hours are the weekday mornings and evenings, when the station is busy.
Plan and Book
How to Get to Rechnoy Vokzal Metro Station
Take the green Line 2 (Zamoskvoretskaya) to Rechnoy Vokzal, between Vodny Stadion and Belomorskaya. The two vestibules are on either side of Festivalnaya Street.
- To the Northern River Station: leave by the south vestibule and walk through Druzhba Park.
- By taxi: ask for Rechnoy Vokzal Metro on Festivalnaya Street.
- Orientation: follow the exit signs to the vestibule you need.
Accessibility
The station is shallow with escalators between the platform and the vestibules; lifts and step-free routes were not verified, so check mosmetro.ru or ask staff before you travel.
Food Nearby
The streets around Festivalnaya Street and the river terminal have shops and cafes; the exact venues were not verified. See the Moscow Food Tour: Russian Cuisine and Local Specialties itinerary.
What to Bring
Bring a charged phone with a map, a layer for the wind by the reservoir, and cash in rubles for a ticket or a Troika card.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Rechnoy Vokzal Metro Station
The platform along the columns
Rows of brown-gray columns with white and green tiled walls.
Best time: Mid-morning, outside rush hour.
The glazed vestibule
The glass entrance hall seen from Festivalnaya Street.
Best time: Late afternoon.
Druzhba Park path
The path from the south vestibule toward the river terminal.
Best time: Early autumn.
The escalator slope
The white marble faced escalator slope.
Best time: Off-peak hours.
Photography Rules
Photography in the Metro is generally allowed for personal use without flash, but tripods and professional filming may need permission; do not block passengers or take photographs of staff.
Family Suitability
Suitable for families as part of a trip to the river terminal and Druzhba Park, with a calm station outside the rush hours; lifts were not verified, so check stroller access in advance.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Use the south vestibule for the walk through Druzhba Park to the river terminal.
- Note that trains continue north to Belomorskaya and Khovrino.
- Visit between the rush hours to see the hall calm.
- Compare this standard 1960s hall with an older marble station on the Metro tour itinerary.
- Combine the station with a river trip in season from the Northern River Station.
- Check the walking time to the terminal before you set out.
Explore Nearby Rechnoy Vokzal Metro Station
Train stations and river piers near Rechnoy Vokzal Metro Station
Northern River Stationabout 450 m away (~7 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Sheremetyevo International Airportabout 12.7 km awayMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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Browse more: More in Levoberezhny · All Metro Stations · All Other Hubs
FAQ: Rechnoy Vokzal Metro Station
When did the station open?
On 31 December 1964, though some sources give 30 December.
Which line is it on?
The green Zamoskvoretskaya Line, Line 2.
How deep is it?
About 6 meters; it is a shallow station.
What is the name after?
The Northern River Station, the river terminal nearby.
Who designed it?
N. I. Demchinsky and Yu. A. Kolesnikova.
Was it the end of the line?
Yes, until the extension to Khovrino in 2017.
Is it busy?
At weekday rush hours; calmer at other times.
Can I pay with a foreign card?
Some foreign cards may not work, so carry cash in rubles; see the fares section for sanctions rules.
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Last updated: October 9, 2026.
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