Planning to explore Moscow and wondering how much getting around will cost you? Here are the real prices, and the real payment reality, for 2026.
Taxi Prices
Base fares typically start around 50–100 rubles, with each additional kilometre costing about 15–25 rubles; prices rise during peak hours and late at night. Airport-to-centre rides usually run 1,000–1,500 rubles. Always confirm the estimated fare in the app before the ride starts, and avoid unmetered street taxis.
Public Transport Fares
A single metro, bus or tram ride costs 60 rubles, whether paid at the station or with a Troika card. The Troika card itself costs a small refundable deposit and gives a modest discount over single tickets — well worth it if you’re making more than a couple of trips. Day, weekly and monthly travel passes are also available for frequent use.
Ride-Hailing Apps
Uber does not operate in Moscow and hasn’t since 2022. Yandex Go is the app most people use instead, with Citymobil and Maxim as alternatives. All of them require a Russian phone number to register, and none accept foreign-issued cards — pay in cash, or with a Mir card if you have one. Surge pricing applies during rush hour and bad weather, same as anywhere else.
Choosing Between Taxi and Public Transport
Public transport is by far the cheaper option for daily use — a monthly pass costs a fraction of what a week of taxi rides would. Taxis make sense for heavy luggage, late-night trips, or destinations far from a metro station; the metro wins on speed during rush hour, since it avoids the traffic that slows buses, trams and taxis alike.
Money-Saving Tips
A Troika card is the single best money-saver for anyone staying more than a day or two. Travel outside the 7–10am and 5–8pm rush hours for lower fares and less crowding, and remember that every option above requires cash or a Mir card, not a foreign bank card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there Uber in Moscow, Russia?
No. Uber has not operated in Moscow since 2022. Yandex Go is the main ride-hailing alternative, and it requires a Russian phone number and cash or Mir-card payment.
Is the Moscow Metro expensive?
No — a single ride costs 60 rubles, with a Troika card offering a further discount. It’s excellent value against taxis or other transport.
Anastasia is a Moscow-based travel blog writer who brings a local’s insight to one of the world’s most fascinating and misunderstood cities. Born and raised in Moscow, Russia, Anastasia shares an authentic, on-the-ground perspective on what it’s really like to explore the city beyond the postcards.
Her writing focuses on tourism in Moscow, practical guides for first-time visitors, and hidden corners that most travelers miss. In addition, Anastasia writes extensively about expat life in Moscow, covering everyday realities such as housing, transportation, cultural differences, and settling into life in the Russian capital.
As a solo traveler in her own city, she also documents Moscow through the lens of independence and curiosity — from navigating the metro alone at night to discovering cafés, museums, and neighborhoods that feel welcoming for solo visitors. Her work blends local knowledge with honest personal experience, helping travelers and expats alike feel more confident, informed, and inspired when discovering Moscow on their own terms.