Metro Stations

Tulskaya Metro Station: Line 9 Transit Hub in Southern Moscow

By Moscow Vibes · Updated

Tulskaya Metro Station: Line 9 Transit Hub in Southern Moscow
Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.

Tulskaya Metro Station is a working metro station on Line 9 (Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya Line) serving the Danilovsky district in southern Moscow. Opened in 1983 as part of the line’s initial phase, the station sits at a shallow depth of 9.5 metres beneath Bolshaya Tulskaya Street.

The station is named after Bolshaya Tulskaya Street and the city of Tula, historically famous for its arms manufacturing and craftsmanship. Tulskaya serves as a transit point connecting passengers between the southern and northern sections of Moscow.

Lines and interchanges: Line 9 (Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya). Interchange: Tulskaya (Line 9 (Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya)).

Quick Facts

Russian name Тульская
Built / opened 1983
Architect(s) Iraida Petukhova, Nikolay Shumakov
Address Bolshaya Tulskaya Street, Moscow, Russia
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District Danilovsky
Interchanges Tulskaya (Line 9 (Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya), Northern entrance on Bolshaya Tulskaya Street; southern entrance on Dukhovskoy Lane)
Opening hours Open 24 hours
Best time to visit Metro stations operate around the clock with full service. Tulskaya is generally quieter during off-peak hours: late morning (10 am–4 pm) and midday on weekends. Avoid weekday rush hours (7–9 am and 5–8 pm) if you dislike crowds. Winter weather does not affect underground stations.

Why Visit Tulskaya Metro Station?

Tulskaya is primarily a practical transit hub rather than a sightseeing destination, but it serves as an important interchange on the Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya Line for reaching nearby neighborhoods and attractions. The station’s interior features warm-toned marble walls and distinctive triangular concrete ornamentation, making it visually interesting to those familiar with Moscow Metro design.

The station provides access to the Danilovsky district, home to local markets and traditional Moscow neighborhoods. For metro enthusiasts and architecture lovers, the station represents 1980s Soviet metro design with its single-vault shallow construction.

Highlights of Tulskaya Metro Station

Station Hall Decoration

The platform hall features warm, sunny-toned marble cladding with geometric triangular patterns cut into the concrete, a design motif celebrating the craftsmen of Tula. The standard single-vault design typical of shallow-level stations creates an open, airy atmosphere despite the underground location.

Tip: Look for the marble panels on the walls and the triangular relief patterns in the concrete ceiling as you enter—they reflect the decorative approach of early 1980s Soviet design.

Adjacent Serpukhovskaya Station

One station away on the same line, Serpukhovskaya offers a transfer to the Ring Line (Koltsevaya Line). This provides access to central Moscow destinations and demonstrates the integration of Moscow's expanding metro network.

Tip: If you're exploring the metro's architectural styles, compare Tulskaya's shallow vault design with Serpukhovskaya's deeper triple-vault column construction.

Northern and Southern Entrances

The station has two separate underground vestibules: one on Bolshaya Tulskaya Street (north) and one on Dukhovskoy Lane near Serpukhovskaya Square (south). This dual entrance design is typical of busy metro stations serving a large catchment area.

Tip: Choose your exit based on your destination in the neighborhood—the northern exit leads to Bolshaya Tulskaya Street and commercial areas, while the southern exit accesses Dukhovskoy Lane and Serpukhovskaya Square.

Atmosphere

Tulskaya is a functional working station that reflects the scale and efficiency of 1980s Soviet metro construction. The platform level is relatively busy during rush hours (weekday mornings 7–9 am and evenings 5–8 pm) as commuters use it to move between the southern residential districts and central Moscow. The wider main concourse, typical of its era’s design, feels open without being cramped.

The aesthetic is purposefully sober: geometric patterns on the walls, warm marble, recessed lighting. Unlike the ornamental 1930s–1950s stations of central Moscow with their chandeliers and mosaics, Tulskaya represents a cleaner, more austere post-Soviet design philosophy.

History of Tulskaya Metro Station

Tulskaya Metro Station was opened on 8 November 1983 as part of the first phase of the Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya Line. This line represented Moscow’s metro expansion southward, serving rapidly growing residential districts beyond the traditional central areas.

The station was designed by architects Iraida Petukhova and Nikolay Shumakov, who had already collaborated on other Moscow Metro stations. The architectural team employed a standard shallow-level single-vault design using reinforced concrete, chosen for its economy and speed of construction while maintaining adequate headroom for the platform level.

The station’s decorative scheme was conceived as a tribute to Tula, the historic Russian city about 180 km south of Moscow, renowned since the 16th century for its metalwork and arms manufacture. The ornamental triangular patterns in the concrete and the use of warm-toned marble were intended to evoke the craftsmanship tradition of Tula’s artisans.

The station opened alongside Serpukhovskaya, the adjacent deeper station on the same line, marking a major expansion of Moscow’s public transport infrastructure into the Danilovsky district. Since its opening, Tulskaya has served as a stable part of the Moscow Metro network, facilitating commuter movement between southern Moscow and the city center.

Tickets and Booking for Tulskaya Metro Station

Tulskaya Metro Station is free to enter. Visitors pay only when using the metro system. As of October 2026, international visitors can purchase metro fares in several ways:

  • Single ride tickets: Available at kiosks in the station vestibule; one ticket covers one journey on any line without transfers. Prices are moderate.
  • Metro cards (Troika): Rechargeable smart cards sold at station kiosks and many convenience stores. You load credit onto the card and tap it at entry gates. Cards are practical for multiple journeys over days or weeks.
  • Mobile payment: The Moscow Metro app (Moskovskiy Transport) allows app-based contactless payment for single journeys using smartphones with NFC capability.
  • Multi-day passes: 1-day, 3-day and 7-day unlimited travel passes available at station kiosks; economical for intensive sightseeing.

Rush hours (weekdays 7–9 am and 5–8 pm) see heavy crowding. Foreign visitors may use all fare options equally; no special visas or passes are required for metro use. For complete current fares, pass options and payment details, check the official Moscow Metro website at mosmetro.ru.

How to Get to Tulskaya Metro Station

By metro: Tulskaya is on Line 9 (Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya Line). If arriving from central Moscow, take the line southbound from Mendeleyevskaya, Tsvetnoy Bulvar or other northern stations toward Bulvar Dmitriya Donskogo. From the airport or southwestern Moscow, head northbound toward Altufyevo.

  • Northern entrance: Exit onto Bolshaya Tulskaya Street; follow signs for street level.
  • Southern entrance: Exit near Dukhovskoy Lane and Serpukhovskaya Square.

Above ground: The station is located in the southern Danilovsky district, approximately 7 km south of Red Square. Taxi or ride-share services can be hailed from above-ground exits. Local buses including routes 9, 86, 90, 95 and night route 16 serve the area around the station.

Accessibility

The station has two underground vestibules accessible by escalators and lifts (elevators) to reach ground level. Escalators connect the platform to the ticket hall, and lifts are available for travelers with reduced mobility. Exact accessibility details and adapted facilities should be confirmed at the station or via the official Moscow Metro website.

Food Nearby

The station serves a residential and commercial district with shops and cafes on street level above both exits. Bolshaya Tulskaya Street has convenience stores, small restaurants and street food options typical of Moscow's outer-ring neighborhoods. Danilovskiy Market, located a short walk from the southern exit, is a historic produce and food market open most days. For dining, the surrounding district offers local canteens and cafes rather than major chains.

What to Bring

Bring a valid form of payment (cash in Russian rubles, credit card or smartphone for app-based payment) for your metro fare. In winter (November–March), wear warm clothing as the walk from the station to street level and surface areas can be cold. Comfortable walking shoes are advisable.

Best Views and Photo Spots of Tulskaya Metro Station

Platform hall center

Symmetrical view of the single-vault ceiling with geometric triangular relief patterns, warm marble walls, and recessed lighting. The open central section shows the station's 1980s minimalist design.

Best time: Mid-morning or midday when stations are quieter and lighting is even. Weekdays outside rush hours provide clearer sightlines.

Northern vestibule entrance

The transition from underground to street level showing the escalators and the decorative wall surfaces typical of Soviet-era station design.

Best time: Any time; lighting is consistent. Early morning (before 7 am) offers fewer people in frame if photographing the architectural details.

Photography Rules

Photography without flash is permitted in the station hall and on the platform for personal use. Tripods, professional photography equipment and drones are not allowed. Do not photograph other passengers without consent.

Family Suitability

Tulskaya is a fully accessible, family-friendly transit station. The station is clean and well-lit with clear signage. Prams and strollers move easily through the wide vestibules and corridors. The ride itself is smooth and safe. However, the station is a transit hub, not a destination; families typically pass through rather than linger. Older children and adults may find the architecture interesting, but very young children may find a long metro journey tedious.

Moscow Vibes Tips

  • Remember that Tulskaya is primarily a commuter station, not a tourist attraction. Visit during off-peak hours if you wish to photograph the station's design details without rush-hour crowds obscuring sightlines.
  • The station has two separate exits on different streets. Plan which exit you need based on where you are going in the Danilovsky district to avoid unnecessary detours.
  • If transferring to the Ring Line (Koltsevaya Line), Serpukhovskaya is the next station south. The transfer is straightforward but requires walking through the concourse.
  • The station lies on a direct line to central Moscow destinations (northbound toward Tsvetnoy Bulvar, Mendeleyevskaya) and to southern residential areas (southbound toward Nagatinskaya). Use this orientation when planning your route.
  • During winter, the underground portions are warm but the walk from station to street-level exits involves stairs or lifts. Allow a few extra minutes if mobility is limited.

Explore Nearby Tulskaya Metro Station

Sights near Tulskaya Metro Station

  • Danilovsky Market Moscow: Food Hall, Hours and What to Eat
    Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
    Danilovsky Market Moscow – about 400 m away (~6 min walk) · typical visit: About 1 to 2 hours6 min on foot from Tulskaya metro, Open daily 08:00–21:00
  • Kuzminki Park Moscow: Golitsyn Estate, Ponds and How to Get There
    Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
    Kuzminki Park Moscow – about 10.7 km away · typical visit: About 2 to 3 hoursOpen 24 hours
  • Danilov Monastery Moscow: Bells, Hours and Visitor Rules
    Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
    Danilov Monastery Moscow – about 400 m away (~7 min walk) · typical visit: About 1 to 1.5 hours7 min on foot from Tulskaya metro
  • Donskoy Monastery Moscow: Fortified Walls, Necropolis and Visit Tips
    Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
    Donskoy Monastery Moscow – about 1.3 km away (~22 min walk) · typical visit: 1–1.5 hours5 min on foot from Shabolovskaya metro, Open daily 07:30–19:00

Related guides

Browse more: More in Danilovsky · All Metro Stations

FAQ: Tulskaya Metro Station

Is Tulskaya a transfer station to other metro lines?

No, Tulskaya itself is only on Line 9 (Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya Line). However, Serpukhovskaya, one station away, offers a direct transfer to the Koltsevaya Line (Circle Line) at Dobryninskaya, allowing connections to central Moscow destinations.

What is Tulskaya named after?

The station is named after Bolshaya Tulskaya Street and the city of Tula, located about 180 km south of Moscow. Tula is historically famous for metalwork and arms manufacturing, a heritage reflected in the station's decorative design.

How deep underground is Tulskaya?

Tulskaya is a shallow-level station at 9.5 metres (approximately 31 feet) below street level. This shallow construction allows efficient access via escalators and is typical of many outer-ring Moscow stations.

What metro line is Tulskaya on?

Tulskaya is on Line 9, officially called the Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya Line. This line runs from Altufyevo in the north to Bulvar Dmitriya Donskogo in the south, passing through central Moscow.

How often do trains run through Tulskaya?

During peak hours, trains run every 2–3 minutes. Off-peak frequency is typically every 4–5 minutes. The station operates 24 hours daily as part of the Moscow Metro system.

Is Tulskaya accessible for travelers with reduced mobility?

Yes. The station has lifts (elevators) in addition to escalators, connecting the platform to the ticket hall and street level. Contact the station or check mosmetro.ru for specific accessibility features.

Can I use a contactless card or phone to pay for the metro at Tulskaya?

Yes. You can use the Troika reloadable metro card (purchased at kiosks), or pay via the Moscow Metro mobile app on a smartphone with NFC capability. Cash-only single tickets are also available at kiosks.

When was Tulskaya Metro Station opened?

Tulskaya opened on 8 November 1983 as part of the first phase of the Serpukhovsko-Timiryazevskaya Line. It was designed by architects Iraida Petukhova and Nikolay Shumakov.

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