Sokol Metro Station opened in 1938 on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line and was the north-western end of the line until 1964. Sokol Metro Station has a single row of pillars that flare upward into an arched ceiling with circular coffers, and walls of white and gray Koyelga marble, onyx and granite.
It is named after the Sokol cooperative settlement, built in the 1920s and 1930s, near the station on Leningradsky Prospekt. This guide explains what to look for, how the station is laid out and how the fares work.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Сокол |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 1938 |
| Architect(s) | K. N. Yakovlev, V. G. Polikarpova and V. M. Andreev |
| Address | Leningradsky Prospekt 74, Sokol District, Moscow, Russia OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Sokol |
| Interchanges | Sokol (Line 2 (Zamoskvoretskaya, green), the station itself, between Voykovskaya and Aeroport, with entrances on both sides of Leningradsky Prospekt) |
| Opening hours | The Moscow Metro normally runs from early morning until around 1:00 at night, and the station is open to passengers during those hours.
Exact first and last train times were not confirmed, so check the Metro's official information (as of October 2026 – check the official site, mosmetro.ru). |
| Best time to visit | Mid-morning and early afternoon on weekdays are calmer, and late evening is quiet, which is the best time to look at the vault. The morning and evening rush hours are the busiest, when the platform is crowded.
The station works in every season, so it is a good stop on a cold or wet day. |
| Last updated | October 6, 2026 |
Why Visit Sokol Metro Station?
Sokol is a good example of the Metro of the 1930s at its lightest. It is a shallow station, about 9.6 meters deep, with a single row of pillars that flare upward into an arched ceiling decorated with circular coffers.
The finishes are rich for a station that was only a terminus: white and gray Koyelga marble, onyx, granite and white ceramic tile. It is formally a two-span station with a central platform, so there is no central hall, and the two track platforms are divided by the columns.
The station is also the way to the Sokol cooperative settlement, the first in the country, whose houses were designed by Vesnin and Markovnikov.
Highlights of Sokol Metro Station
Pillars that flare into the vault
A single row of pillars rises from the platform and flares upward into the arched ceiling, where the flares meet circular coffers.
The effect is of a series of tree-like columns holding up the roof.
Tip: Stand at the end of the platform and look along the row of pillars.
Coffers in the ceiling
Circular coffers separate the flared tops of the pillars and decorate the arched ceiling.
They give the hall a regular rhythm that is easy to see from the platform.
Tip: Look up and count the coffers between the pillars.
Marble, onyx and granite
The station is finished in white and gray Koyelga marble, onyx, granite and white ceramic tile.
The materials are typical of the stations of the 1938 stage.
Tip: Look at the stone close to the platform edge, where the veining is clearest.
A station with two spans
Formally Sokol is a two-span station with a central platform. It has no central hall, and the two track platforms are divided by the columns.
This is not typical of the Moscow Metro of the time.
Tip: Notice that the columns stand between the two tracks, not beside the platform.
The Sokol cooperative settlement
The station is named after the Sokol settlement, built in the 1920s and 1930s as the first cooperative village in the country, by scientists, painters and writers.
The houses were designed by V. Vesnin and N. Markovnikov.
Tip: Check a map for the settlement, which lies near the station, since the walking time was not verified.
Entrances on both sides of the avenue
Two entrances are on both sides of Leningradsky Prospekt, and a further entrance opened in 2003 from the Metro Market shopping center.
The station is a heritage site, and a depot of the line stands near it.
Tip: Check the exit signs for the side of the avenue you need before you go up.
Atmosphere
The hall is light, with white marble and a vault held by a row of flared pillars, and the coffers catch the light from the lamps. The sound is trains, announcements and the footsteps of commuters.
Residents of the north-west of the city use the station every day, and visitors are few. It feels more modest than the stations of the center, but the stone and the proportions are carefully made.
It is busiest at rush hours, and calm in the middle of the day on weekdays and late in the evening.
History of Sokol Metro Station
In the 1920s and 1930s the Sokol cooperative settlement was built near Leningradsky Prospekt, the first in the country, established by well-known scientists, painters and writers. The houses were designed by the architects V. Vesnin and N. Markovnikov, and the settlement gave its name to the district.
Sokol opened on 11 September 1938, as part of the second stage of the Moscow Metro, on the Zamoskvoretskaya Line. The architects were K. N. Yakovlev, V. G. Polikarpova and V. M. Andreev. It was the north-western terminus of the line, and kept that role until 1964, when three northern stations were opened.
The station is not typical of the Metro. It is formally a two-span station with a central platform, with a single row of pillars that flare upward into an arched ceiling with circular coffers. It is finished in white and gray Koyelga marble, onyx, granite and white ceramic tile.
A depot of the line stands near the station. In 2003 a further entrance was cut from the nearby Metro Market shopping center. The station has two entrances on both sides of Leningradsky Prospekt.
Today Sokol is a working station on Line 2, in the north-west of the city, and a heritage site of the Metro.
Tickets and Booking for Sokol Metro Station
There is no ticket for the station itself; entering needs a Metro fare. Reports on 2026 fares differ: budget-level (₽) for a single ride with a Troika card, slightly higher with a contactless bank card and higher for a 90-minute fare, while some sources still give lower fares. Check the current fare on the official Moscow Metro site, mosmetro.ru.
- Troika card: a reusable card sold at ticket windows and top-up machines in station halls and through the official Metro app; the deposit is reported as a small amount (₽), so check the price.
- Foreign cards: reports conflict on whether foreign Visa or Mastercard cards and phone payments work at the turnstiles, so carry rubles in cash and buy a ticket or card at a ticket window.
- Rush hours: the station is busiest in the morning and evening on weekdays.
Rates for Russian citizens and concessions differ. All fares and payment methods are listed on the official site, mosmetro.ru.
Plan and Book
How to Get to Sokol Metro Station
Sokol is in the Sokol and Aeroport districts, in the north-west of Moscow, on Leningradsky Prospekt.
- Metro: Sokol (Line 2, Zamoskvoretskaya, green), between Voykovskaya and Aeroport.
- Entrances: two on both sides of Leningradsky Prospekt, and one from the Metro Market shopping center.
The walking times to the Sokol settlement and other sights were not verified. A taxi can drop you on Leningradsky Prospekt, though traffic on the avenue is heavy.
Accessibility
Accessibility details were not confirmed. The station is shallow, about 9.6 meters deep, but the availability of lifts and step-free access was not verified. Contact the Metro or check mosmetro.ru before traveling if you need step-free access or assistance.
Food Nearby
Leningradsky Prospekt, the Metro Market shopping center and the streets of the Sokol district have cafes, restaurants and shops. Specific venues were not verified, so check opening hours before you go.
What to Bring
Bring a camera for the vault and some rubles in cash for a ticket or a Troika card.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Sokol Metro Station
Along the row of pillars
The row of flared pillars receding along the platform, with the coffered ceiling above.
Best time: Late evening or mid-morning, when the platform is quieter
A coffer and pillar top
A close view of the point where a pillar flares into the ceiling and meets the circular coffers.
Best time: Between trains, with the platform clear
Photography Rules
Photography rules in the station were not confirmed. Taking photographs of the hall is common, but tripods and flash can be restricted, and the platform is busy at rush hours, so stand clear of the platform edge. Drone rules in Moscow are strict and change.
Family Suitability
The station is a short stop that suits families who like architecture, and children enjoy the tree-like pillars. It is busy at rush hours, so keep children close and away from the platform edge. Strollers need the escalator or a lift, and lift access was not confirmed.
Moscow Vibes Tips
- Look at the tops of the pillars, where they flare into the coffered ceiling; that is the best detail.
- Notice that the columns stand between the tracks, which is not the usual layout of the Metro.
- Check the exit signs before you go up, since the entrances are on both sides of the avenue.
- Look for the stone details: the Koyelga marble, onyx and granite.
- Ride one stop to Aeroport to compare the vaults of two stations of the same stage.
- Visit between rush hours so you can look at the hall in peace.
Explore Nearby Sokol Metro Station
Sights near Sokol Metro Station
Moscow Metro · typical visit: 1.5–3 hours for a tour of showcase stationsMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Metro stations near Sokol Metro Station
Aeroport Metro Stationabout 1.2 km away (~20 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Hotels near Sokol Metro Station
Triumph Palace Boutique Hotelabout 850 m away (~13 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Browse more: More in Sokol · All Metro Stations
FAQ: Sokol Metro Station
When did Sokol open?
On 11 September 1938, as part of the second stage of the Metro.
Who designed the station?
K. N. Yakovlev, V. G. Polikarpova and V. M. Andreev.
Which line is it on?
Line 2, the Zamoskvoretskaya Line, in green, between Voykovskaya and Aeroport.
What is special about the hall?
A single row of pillars that flare into an arched ceiling with circular coffers, in marble, onyx and granite.
Why is it called Sokol?
After the Sokol cooperative settlement, built in the 1920s and 1930s near the station.
Do I need a ticket to see it?
Yes, a Metro fare is needed to enter. See the fares and payment section.
Was it once the end of the line?
Yes, it was the north-western terminus until 1964.
How long do I need?
About 10 minutes to see the hall.
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 6, 2026. Found an error or something out of date? Report it and we will check and fix it.
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
Report an issue on this page
* Affiliate link: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Ask Masha