joie allura travel cot mattress

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Joie Allura Travel Cot with Bassinet 558/8699

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About this product

Meet allura. A convenient tag-along designed and engineered for secure sleep and play. Everything you need for effortless travel including a compact fold and convenient carry bag.

Travel cot features:

• Hand travel mate – ready to travel in an instant with all the essential baby needs for sleep and play.
• Its an easy carry along as its quick and easy to pop up and down in seconds.
• Built to last – with 100% premium, highest quality materials.
• Mattress dimensions: L97, W65cm.
• Bassinet included, removes and attaches easily. Extra secure double safety latch system. Mattress included. For the safety of your child, do not add an additional travel cot mattress to this product.
• Features a bassinette level for younger babies.
• Removable mattress included.
• Carry bag included for easy of transportation.

General information:

• Size H81.6, L106.6, W76.5cm.
• Folds for storage - folded size L79, W25, D25cm.
• Weight 10.13kg.
• Suitable from birth.
• Manufacturer's 1 year guarantee.
• EAN: 5056080613383.

Reviews Rating 4.805039787798409 out of 5 4.8 | Recommended by 98 % of customers

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*Prices correct as displayed but are subject to change.

The customer and brand answers you’ll see above are submitted independently. As we don’t review these answers, we can’t take responsibility for anything they may say. The responses from Argos colleagues are accurate at the time of publishing. For the latest info, you should check the product page.

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Mattress to fit Joie Allura Travel Cot - 97 x 65cm

Joie Allura TC

Description

*Please note sizes are a guide and models can change, please be sure to check the size meets your requirements before ordering*

This is our traditional, made to order, safety mattress for travel cots. This particular item is designed to fit the Joie Allura travel cot and will arrive sized 97 x 65cm, however should you need an alternative size just leave a note in the special instructions box.

 You can rest easy at night knowing your little one is sleeping on a mattress manufactured without the use of any antimony, phosphorous, arsenic, barium, lead or other nasty fire-retardant chemicals. Making this mattress a great choice for overnight sleeping or occasional use. 

Custom made for your baby and manufactured in the UK

• Choose from breathable or waterproof mattress coverings

All mattress covers are easily removed for washing by means of a zip. Each covering is therefore removable & either wipe-down or machine washable, none of the covers are tumble dry. To see in depth details regarding the different coverings we offer, click on the '?' next to the relevant drop down box above. The standard covering will be Corovin if choosing a foam mattress inner, or Deluxe Quilted Polyester if choosing any other mattress inner. 

• Choose from non-allergenic CMHR 25 density foam or natural fibre inner core

Each mattress inner core offers a safe, supportive and comfortable sleeping environment for your baby. Each mattress core is breathe-through. Whilst optional ventilation holes are available when selecting an entirely foam mattress type. Ventilation holes aid the circulation & air around your baby's head and also allow for drainage of any fluids/liquids (sick), particularly where newborn babies are concerned. To see in depth details regarding mattress types please click the '?' next to the Mattress Inner Type drop down box above.

• Custom made in any size or shape

As with all of our mattresses, this item is custom made to meet your requirements. Simply leave details of the size & shape required in the special instructions box above or contact us for advice. This product is available in any size from 94 x 46cm up to a maximum of 120 x 60cm. Please contact us should you need anything larger or smaller

• Manufactured using nursery grade materials

All of our mattresses are manufactured in the UK and comply with the rigorous requirements of BS 1877 Part 10 for safety and performance and BS 7177 for flammability.

Easy for travelling or for storing

• Available as a split folding mattress 

Folding mattresses include a zipped dust cover - keeping travel and storage simple. 

Waterproof protection available

• Optional waterproof barrier/sleeve which helps to protect the mattress core.

The PVC sleeve is manufactured to 1/3 the length of your mattress so as to allow air circulation throughout the mattress. Please note that the PVC sleeve is not applicable if selecting a full PVC cover for the mattress.

Maximum mattress depth is available up to 7cm depth as stated by British Standards.

N.B. 7 cm. depth Please be aware this product when in split folding will come in 2 seperate pieces with one section in the cover and the 2nd section to be inserted manually (Self assembly) 

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• TRAVEL >
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• Allura Travel Cot

Joie Allura Travel Cot

4.13 /5 13 reviews --> -->

• Best offers

Description

• Value for money

« Good quality »

Little girl settles well

« Compact Travel cot with bag »

Comes with a bag, easy to put up

Lots of movement in canopy can’t put a sheet properly on canopy

« Great value and a quality item »

Sturdy and easy to assemble

A little bit noisy

« Holiday cot »

Mesh panels, light, comfortable mattress

« Great travel cot »

Easy to put up

Mattress quite thin

« You get what you pay for »

Cheap and easy to put up

Struggle to get mattress to sit flat

« Fab travel cot! »

Basinette option is great

Mattress could be comfier for baby

Bassinet is great. Looks smart. Roomy.

Quite pricey.

« Easy to set up »

Easy to set up, light to carry

Mattress isn’t that thick feels uncomfortable

Bassenet option. Easy to assemble & put away.

A little heavy when carrying whilst collapsed

« Traveling cot »

Very sturdy

Only fits one child

« Does the job »

« travel cot ».

Includes bassinet cheep

Mattress tilts

Write a review

Looking for a simple and effective solution to travelling with your baby, suitable from birth? The  Joie Allura Travel cot has a lightweight and compact design and comes with its own carry bag. The Allura travel cot is a breeze to fold and unfold, and for extra security has a double locking mechanism. With 6 strong feet and ventilated mesh sides it is robust and well ventilated. Suitable to 15kg.

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Take a look at

• Joie Manuals
• Baby & Toddler Furniture
• Allura travel cot
• Instruction manual

Joie Allura travel cot Instruction Manual

• page of 27 Go / 27

Table of Contents

• Care and Maintenance
• Fold Travel Cot
• Cuidado E Manutenção
• Cuidado y Mantenimiento
• Liste des Pièces
• Entretien Et Réparations
• Pflege und Wartung
• Verzorging en Onderhoud
• Elenco Parti
• Montaggio Lettino da Viaggio
• Montaggio del Cesto
• Cura E Manutenzione
• Piegatura del Lettino da Viaggio
• Copertura del Lettino DI Manutenzione
• Bakim Ve Onarim
• Gondozás És Karbantartás
• Seznam Dílů
• Péče a Údržba
• Zoznam Dielov
• Starostlivosť a Údržba

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Available languages

• ENGLISH, page 1
• FRANÇAIS, page 10
• ESPAÑOL, página 8
• DEUTSCH, seite 12
• ITALIANO, pagina 16
• DUTCH, pagina 14
• PORTUGUÊS, página 6
• ČEŠTINA, strana 22
• MAGYAR, oldal 20
• SLOVENČINA, strana 24
• TÜRKÇE, sayfa 18

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Summary of Contents for Joie Allura travel cot

• Page 1 birth to 15kg allura gemm ™ ™ travel cot 0+ (0–13kg) Instruction Manual Manual de Instruções Manual de instrucciones Manuel d’utilisateur Bedienungsanleitung Handleiding Manuale di istruzioni Kullanma klavuzu Használati utasítás Návod k obsluze Návod na použitie IMPORTANT, RETAIN FOR FUTURE REFERENCE: READ CAREFULLY...
• Page 2 Parts List Set Up Travel Cot...
• Page 3 Set Up Bassinet Cover Travel Cot Fold Travel Cot...

Page 4: Parts List

Page 5: care and maintenance.

• Page 6 Bem-vindo a Joie ™ ADVERTÊNCIAS Parabéns para sua integração na família de Joie! Estamos felizes por fazer parte de sua vida e É necessário o montagem por um adulto. de sua criança. Usando Joie allura sua criança desfruta de um berço de viagem de alta quali- Não use mais o berço de viagem se a criança chegue a 15 kg (quase 86 cm de altura) ou se isto pode escalar.

Page 7: Cuidado E Manutenção

• Page 8 Bienvenidos a Joie ™ ADVERTENCIAS Felicidades por hacer parte de la familia Joie! Somos muy contentos por hacer parte de su vida y El ensamblaje tiene que ser realizado por un adulto. de la de su niño. Usando Joie allura su niño disfruta de una cuna de viaje de calidad, completa-...

Page 9: Cuidado Y Mantenimiento

Page 10: liste des pièces, page 11: entretien et réparations.

• Page 12 Wilkommen bei Joie ™ ACHTUNG: Herzlichen Glückwunsch, dass Sie ein Teil der Joie Familie geworden sind! Wir freuen uns sehr, Es muss von einem Erwachsenen zusammengebaut werden. Teil Ihren Leben und Ihres Kindes Leben zu sein. Durch Verwendung Joie allura freut sich Verwenden Sie das Kinderbett nicht mehr, wenn das Kind 15 kg erreicht (etwa 86 cm Größe) oder er klettern...

Page 13: Pflege Und Wartung

• Page 14 WelkombijJoie ™ AANWIJZINGEN Gefeliciteerd voor de integratie met de familie Joie!Wezijn erg blij om deel te nemenaanuwleven Hetisnoodzakelijk dat eenvolwassene de montageverwezenlijkt.. en de leveen van uwkind.Indien uJoieallura gebruikt, genietuwkind van eenkinderbedvoor- Stop methetgebruikvan kinderbedjealshetkindheeftbereikt 15 kg (ongeveer 86 cm hoog) of in staatis om reizen, van hoge kwliteit, vollediggecertificeerd en goedgekeurdvolgens de Europeseveiligheids- eruit te klimmen.

Page 15: Verzorging En Onderhoud

Page 16: elenco parti, page 17: montaggio del cesto.

• Page 18 ™ UYARILAR Montaji yetiskinler tarafindan yapilir. Joie ailesine girdiginize icin tebrik ederiz! Sizin hayatina bir parcea oldugumuz icin cok mutluyuz. Joie allura kulandiginiz icin sizin cocugunuza kaliteli bir seyahat icin bir yatagin seviniyor, Cocugun 15 Kg ( yaklasi 86 cm) veya cocugun tirmaniyarsa seyahat icin yatagi kullanmayin.

Page 19: Bakim Ve Onarim

• Page 20 FIGYELMEZTETÉSEK Az összeszerelést felnőtt személynek kell elvégeznie. Gratulálunk, hogy Ön is a Joie család tagja lett! Nagyon örülünk, hogy részesei lehetünk a kisgyereke életútjának. Amikor a Joie allura™ terméket használja, Ön egy kitűnő minőségű, teljes Ha a gyermek eléri a 15 kg súlyt (kb. 86 cm magasságot), vagy ki tud mászni a gyerekágyból, akkor ne mértékben jóváhagyott utazó...

Page 21: Gondozás És Karbantartás

Page 22: seznam dílů, page 23: péče a údržba, page 24: zoznam dielov, page 25: starostlivosť a údržba.

• Page 26 gemm ™ Allison Baby UK Ltd, Venture Point, Towers Business Park Rugeley, Staffordshire, WS15 1UZ 0+ (0–13kg) NUNA International B.V. Van der Valk Bourmanweg 178 C, 2352 JD Leiderdorp, The Netherlands Share the joy at joiebaby.com IM-000838A...

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• Standard 120 x 60cm
• Standard 140 x 70cm
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Joie Kubbie Sleep Travel Cot Review

Read our Joie Kubbie Sleep review to see why this is the best travel cot you could buy

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‘Incredible value. You’re getting a playpen, a co-sleeper and a travel cot and all for less than £100.’

Good value for money

Easy to assemble

Multi-functional use

On the heavy side

Why you can trust GoodtoKnow. Our experienced Consumer Editor & parent reviewers spend hours testing products to help you make the best choice. Find out how we test and review products.

The Joie Kubbie Sleep Travel Cot gets our vote as the best travel cot of all those we tested.

Charlotte Clarke and her 20-month-old daughter Adelaide tested out the Joie Kubbie Sleep Travel Cot to see if it deserves its place in our buying guide.

Read on for our Joie Kubbie Sleep Travel Cot review to see if this is the best travel cot for you and your baby.

The Joie Kubbie Sleep Travel Cot has been cleverly designed so that it’s also a playpen and co-sleeper with a newborn insert. It weighs just under 9kg so it's not the lightest cot to carry, although it does fit in the boot of a modest-sized car. ‘It wouldn’t be my first choice for a long-haul trip abroad but for an excursion to Grandma’s, this is the perfect travel cot,' said our tester Charlotte.

It’s sturdy and stylish, coming in a light grey colour, and, most importantly, it’s easy to assemble. ‘Anyone familiar with a classic travel cot will easily be able to put this up in 20 seconds flat,’ adds Charlotte. It offers a comfortable night’s sleep with a surprisingly soft and squashy mattress. ‘My daughter settled down and slept with no interruptions.’

• VIEW NOW AT VERY | £99.99

Weight: 8.79kg | Age range: From birth until your child weighs 15kg

The Joie Kubbie Sleep is a standard travel cot when it comes to assembly, with a central foot that pushes the corners of the cot out. ‘Putting this up was super easy with buttons telling you where to press,’ says our tester Charlotte. ‘The only bit I was initially confused about was the poles that sit underneath the mattress.’ These need to be slipped into the pouches and then locked together. ‘It’s not the lightest cot I’ve seen but it is very sturdy and you’d feel confident putting your baby in there, whatever their age,’ said Charlotte.

The mattress can be used at two heights - lower down, which is suitable for older babies (to prevent them from climbing out) or when you are using it as a playpen, and with the newborn insert attached, which sits higher up on the frame. ‘The insert would have been brilliant for my daughter (and my back!) when she was younger, as it’s really simple to attach with a zip and saves you from bending to the floor to reach your child.’

Comfort and features

The Joie Kubbie Travel Cot has all manner of clever innovations built-in. ‘My current travel cot is eight years old and testing out the Kubbie Sleep made me realise that technology has really moved on in that time,’ says Charlotte. 

As well as a newborn insert, it has a clever co-sleeping mode, whereby one side of the cot drops down a few centimetres and the cot can be attached to a bed with straps that are included. ‘We didn't test the co-sleeping element as I have a toddler but she slept well in this cot on a weekend away,’ adds Charlotte. ‘The mattress felt really spongy and soft – much more comfortable than the hard mattresses I’m used to with travel cots.’

Adelaide also made use of the playpen which has a zipped opening. ‘I liked that it doubles up as a playpen too, as it saves on space and means you can make use of it at home as well as when you are away. My only little criticism is that I think the zip should go right down to the base – there’s a panel of fabric that doesn’t zip down and I was worried she might trip or fall over this,’ said Charlotte.

Value for money

The Joie Kubbie Sleep comes with a price tag of just under £100, making it an affordable, mid-range travel cot. ‘I think this offers amazing value for money,’ says Charlotte. ‘Not only are you getting three products for the price of one, but the Kubbie Sleep feels really well made and has clearly been carefully thought out in terms of design and functionality.

It's ideal for parents who co-sleep with their babies at home and who want to continue doing so on holiday or away from home overnight.

Our Consumer Editor, Heidi Scrimgeour, says: 'Based on our parent reviews of all the travel cots on our shortlist, we named the Joie Kubbie Sleep our best travel cot overall because it's so affordable yet the multifunctional design means you get lots of extra value from it. We also rate the quality of the fabric and materials used. And the overall design and multi-functionality as a co-sleeper and playpen mean this bit of kit gives more expensive premium travel cots a serious run for their money.'

If you're preparing for a new arrival or shopping for baby essentials for a family holiday, you might also like to read the rest of our  baby product reviews .

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Charlotte Duck is an award-winning lifestyle and parenting journalist who writes who regularly writes for Tatler, the Evening Standard, Yahoo, and Hello Magazine about everything from royal hairstyles to fixed-rate mortgages. She was previously Kidswear Editor at M&S and worked in-house at Boden but, while she loves writing about beautiful children's clothes, she has three children who refuse to wear them. 

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Joie Kubbie Sleep review

A versatile travel cot which is cocoon-like in the way it nurtures and grows with your baby, the Joie Kubbie Sleep is a brilliant choice for new parents or anyone who wants to keep their child near as they sleep.

By Mumsnet HQ | Last updated Jan 18, 2024

Verdict in 10 seconds

An adaptable bedside travel cot that feels like a co-sleeper, which means easier access to your baby during the night

It isn’t the cheapest cot on the market but includes features such as a dropped side

Reasons to buy

It has straps that can be used to tether the cot to the side of the bed so it can be used like a co-sleeper

The side rolls down giving you easy access to your baby

Great for parents who want to keep their baby next to them, particularly during night feeds

It’s versatile and can be used from birth up until your child is three years old

Bassinet included that zips securely inside the top of the cot

Reasons to avoid

The price tag could put parents off

Too small to be used as a playpen

The only thing that can be washed in the machine is the carry bag it comes in

What are the key features?

Comes with a full-size bassinet that attaches and detaches easily

Lift and lower side panel means easy access to baby for changing and feeding, and peace of mind for parents

It comes in two colours – Foggy Gray and Satellite

Strap and clip attachment locks the cot tightly to the bed and to keep baby secure

Compact frame – easy to pack down into a travel bag

Mesh-lined ventilation on all four sides plus a zip-open side for easy entry

Removable mattress for playtime or naptime

What are the specs?

Suitable from: Birth up to three years (15kg)

Dimensions: W 59.5 x L 99 x H 80.5 cm

Folded dimensions: W 25 x L 27 x H 80.5 cm

Weight: 8.79kg

Testing certification: BS EN716-1/2:2017

Mattress and carry bag included

"The Joie is really easy to put up and collapse."

How safe is the Joie Kubbie Sleep?

The designers of the Joie Kubbie have gone all out to make sure baby remains safe and secure whether you have the crib tethered to the bed or you’re using it as a standalone travel cot.

Everything is well made and well finished, down to the smallest detail, including hiding zips behind hook and loop coverings so small fingers can’t get to them.

The frame is strong and sturdy with a locking system that can only be released on each side by pushing a button and breathable mesh sides not only allow airflow through the cot but also let you to see your baby more easily.

The wheels, which make the cot easier to transport when folded, tuck into the plastic feet when upright. This means that they are off the ground at all times so the cot can't roll away.

A lovely padded mattress, which is kept straight by inserting metal poles into the underside, fits both the bassinet and the main cot snugly, making it a comfortable place for your baby to sleep.

If you’re worried the cot could topple over, fear not – our tester, Ruth's, Joie Kubbie was jumped on, run into and fallen onto, and withstood being battered from all angles.

How easy is it to assemble?

The Joie comes with a standard instruction manual, but there is also a handy card attached to the travel cot which meant that Ruth could assemble it without having to look at the manual – a nice touch that simplified assembly even further, especially as the instructions were already well thought out and easy to follow.

But, if you were to lose the manual or travel without it, the booklet can also be downloaded as a PDF from the Joie website. There is also a helpful online video that explains how to assemble and collapse the cot.

The cot comes in four separate parts – the main cot, a bassinet, mattress and straps to tether it to the bed.

Putting the cot up is quick and easy and takes no longer than a couple of minutes. If you’re using the bassinet attachment and it is already zipped in then the only thing you have to do is place the mattress inside.

The bassinet can be unzipped and removed easily if you don’t need to use it.

Wheels at the base of the travel cot make transportation easy, and the Joie Kubbie passed the durability test with flying colours after being assembled and collapsed repeatedly.

Pressing the buttons on each side of the frame unlocks it and a handle in the centre of the base allows you to pull it up to fold. The instructions state that the base must be pulled up in the centre slightly before the frame is unlocked.

How does it look?

A lot of the travel cots we tested came in different shades of muted grey which fitted nicely in Ruth's home.

The Joie Kubbie is no different and comes in two shades, Foggy Gray and Satellite, and there isn’t much between them. If you are looking for something more colourful or bright, like the Littlelife Arc 2 , then the Joie Kubbie unfortunately won’t give you that option.

However, it is made out of a high quality fabric, with ventilated mesh sides and will make a stylish addition to your bedroom without looking bulky or out of place.

What’s it like using it day-to-day?

The Joie Kubbie Sleep is not your standard travel cot. It allows you to keep your baby close throughout the night while providing a safe and snug environment for daytime naps.

When you’re using the travel cot without the bassinet there is a handy panel which can be unzipped which makes it easier to take your baby in and out, saving bad backs all round.

The cot is compact so will fit neatly next to the bed if you’re using it with the bassinet in co-sleeping mode, or you could place it in the corner of the room.

It’s also not too heavy at just over 8kg, sitting in the mid-weight range compared to other travel cots on the market. This means that you could pick it up and move it around, although we’d recommend collapsing the Joie Kubbie to get it through the door so that you don't cause any accidental damage to the cot or door frame.

While it is a little too narrow to be used as a playpen, if you needed to place your child somewhere safe while you hung out the washing or answered the front door then the Joie Kubbie is ideal.

It’s also sturdy enough for long- or short-term use so could be used in place of a traditional cot if needed, although we would recommend buying one separately.

Ruth used the travel cot at home in her bedroom and also took it to the grandparents', where it fit snugly into a box room used as an office. Her 18-month-old settled into the travel cot well in both locations and particularly liked the co-sleeping element of it. It was also used without the bassinet when he was napping without a parent in the bed next to him.

The cot comes with a handy carry bag so you can pack it down and stow it in the boot of your car if you plan to use it for holidays or overnight stays. When not in use, Ruth stored the travel cot in a cupboard, but it would just as easily fit under the stairs.

How easy is it to clean?

The Kubbie Sleep doesn’t come with a cot sheet and the only thing that is machine-washable is the travel cot’s carry bag, which makes keeping it clean fairly tricky. A mattress protector and cot sheet could save it from milk and dribble stains though.

As the crib is fairly light in colour, it easily attracts dirt, but it can be spot cleaned which Ruth found fairly easy to do – however stubborn stains required a bit more elbow grease. The parts of the frame which weren't covered by material were also very easy to wipe down with a cloth.

What about value for money?

While the Kubbie isn't the cheapest travel cot on the market, it's certainly not the most expensive either.

If you’re looking for a cot that offers good longevity, versatility and peace of mind, then we think it's well worth the price tag.

Final verdict?

Overall, we think the Joie Kubbie Sleep is a real steal and the co-sleeping element a huge plus for first-time parents.

Whether you’re going on holiday, staying with friends or using it at a relative’s house, the Joie has got all angles covered, which is why it’s been crowned Mumsnet Best Travel Cot.

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About mumsnet reviews.

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing – this includes recommendations from the Mumsnet Talk boards . We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.

All prices correct at time of publication

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Jun 06 2018.

Spend some time in one of Moscow’s finest museums.

Subterranean commuting might not be anyone’s idea of a good time, but even in a city packing the war-games treasures and priceless bejeweled eggs of the Kremlin Armoury and the colossal Soviet pavilions of the VDNKh , the Metro holds up as one of Moscow’s finest museums. Just avoid rush hour.

The Metro is stunning and provides an unrivaled insight into the city’s psyche, past and present, but it also happens to be the best way to get around. Moscow has Uber, and the Russian version called Yandex Taxi , but also some nasty traffic. Metro trains come around every 90 seconds or so, at a more than 99 percent on-time rate. It’s also reasonably priced, with a single ride at 55 cents (and cheaper in bulk). From history to tickets to rules — official and not — here’s what you need to know to get started.

A Brief Introduction Buying Tickets Know Before You Go (Down) Rules An Easy Tour

A Brief Introduction

Moscow’s Metro was a long time coming. Plans for rapid transit to relieve the city’s beleaguered tram system date back to the Imperial era, but a couple of wars and a revolution held up its development. Stalin revived it as part of his grand plan to modernize the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 30s. The first lines and tunnels were constructed with help from engineers from the London Underground, although Stalin’s secret police decided that they had learned too much about Moscow’s layout and had them arrested on espionage charges and deported.

The beauty of its stations (if not its trains) is well-documented, and certainly no accident. In its illustrious first phases and particularly after the Second World War, the greatest architects of Soviet era were recruited to create gleaming temples celebrating the Revolution, the USSR, and the war triumph. No two stations are exactly alike, and each of the classic showpieces has a theme. There are world-famous shrines to Futurist architecture, a celebration of electricity, tributes to individuals and regions of the former Soviet Union. Each marble slab, mosaic tile, or light fixture was placed with intent, all in service to a station’s aesthetic; each element, f rom the smallest brass ear of corn to a large blood-spattered sword on a World War II mural, is an essential part of the whole.

The Metro is a monument to the Soviet propaganda project it was intended to be when it opened in 1935 with the slogan “Building a Palace for the People”. It brought the grand interiors of Imperial Russia to ordinary Muscovites, celebrated the Soviet Union’s past achievements while promising its citizens a bright Soviet future, and of course, it was a show-piece for the world to witness the might and sophistication of life in the Soviet Union.

It may be a museum, but it’s no relic. U p to nine million people use it daily, more than the London Underground and New York Subway combined. (Along with, at one time, about 20 stray dogs that learned to commute on the Metro.)

In its 80+ year history, the Metro has expanded in phases and fits and starts, in step with the fortunes of Moscow and Russia. Now, partly in preparation for the World Cup 2018, it’s also modernizing. New trains allow passengers to walk the entire length of the train without having to change carriages. The system is becoming more visitor-friendly. (There are helpful stickers on the floor marking out the best selfie spots .) But there’s a price to modernity: it’s phasing out one of its beloved institutions, the escalator attendants. Often they are middle-aged or elderly women—“ escalator grandmas ” in news accounts—who have held the post for decades, sitting in their tiny kiosks, scolding commuters for bad escalator etiquette or even bad posture, or telling jokes . They are slated to be replaced, when at all, by members of the escalator maintenance staff.

For all its achievements, the Metro lags behind Moscow’s above-ground growth, as Russia’s capital sprawls ever outwards, generating some of the world’s worst traffic jams . But since 2011, the Metro has been in the middle of an ambitious and long-overdue enlargement; 60 new stations are opening by 2020. If all goes to plan, the 2011-2020 period will have brought 125 miles of new tracks and over 100 new stations — a 40 percent increase — the fastest and largest expansion phase in any period in the Metro’s history.

Facts: 14 lines Opening hours: 5 a.m-1 a.m. Rush hour(s): 8-10 a.m, 4-8 p.m. Single ride: 55₽ (about 85 cents) Wi-Fi network-wide

Buying Tickets

• Ticket machines have a button to switch to English.
• You can buy specific numbers of rides: 1, 2, 5, 11, 20, or 60. Hold up fingers to show how many rides you want to buy.
• There is also a 90-minute ticket , which gets you 1 trip on the metro plus an unlimited number of transfers on other transport (bus, tram, etc) within 90 minutes.
• Or, you can buy day tickets with unlimited rides: one day (218₽/ US$4), three days (415₽/US$7) or seven days (830₽/US$15). Check the rates here to stay up-to-date.
• If you’re going to be using the Metro regularly over a few days, it’s worth getting a Troika card , a contactless, refillable card you can use on all public transport. Using the Metro is cheaper with one of these: a single ride is 36₽, not 55₽. Buy them and refill them in the Metro stations, and they’re valid for 5 years, so you can keep it for next time. Or, if you have a lot of cash left on it when you leave, you can get it refunded at the Metro Service Centers at Ulitsa 1905 Goda, 25 or at Staraya Basmannaya 20, Building 1.
• You can also buy silicone bracelets and keychains with built-in transport chips that you can use as a Troika card. (A Moscow Metro Fitbit!) So far, you can only get these at the Pushkinskaya metro station Live Helpdesk and souvenir shops in the Mayakovskaya and Trubnaya metro stations. The fare is the same as for the Troika card.
• You can also use Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.

Rules, spoken and unspoken

No smoking, no drinking, no filming, no littering. Photography is allowed, although it used to be banned.

Stand to the right on the escalator. Break this rule and you risk the wrath of the legendary escalator attendants. (No shenanigans on the escalators in general.)

Get out of the way. Find an empty corner to hide in when you get off a train and need to stare at your phone. Watch out getting out of the train in general; when your train doors open, people tend to appear from nowhere or from behind ornate marble columns, walking full-speed.

Always offer your seat to elderly ladies (what are you, a monster?).

An Easy Tour

This is no Metro Marathon ( 199 stations in 20 hours ). It’s an easy tour, taking in most—though not all—of the notable stations, the bulk of it going clockwise along the Circle line, with a couple of short detours. These stations are within minutes of one another, and the whole tour should take about 1-2 hours.

Start at Mayakovskaya Metro station , at the corner of Tverskaya and Garden Ring,  Triumfalnaya Square, Moskva, Russia, 125047.

1. Mayakovskaya.  Named for Russian Futurist Movement poet Vladimir Mayakovsky and an attempt to bring to life the future he imagined in his poems. (The Futurist Movement, natch, was all about a rejecting the past and celebrating all things speed, industry, modern machines, youth, modernity.) The result: an Art Deco masterpiece that won the National Grand Prix for architecture at the New York World’s Fair in 1939. It’s all smooth, rounded shine and light, and gentle arches supported by columns of dark pink marble and stainless aircraft steel. Each of its 34 ceiling niches has a mosaic. During World War II, the station was used as an air-raid shelter and, at one point, a bunker for Stalin. He gave a subdued but rousing speech here in Nov. 6, 1941 as the Nazis bombed the city above.

Take the 3/Green line one station to:

2. Belorusskaya. Opened in 1952, named after the connected Belarussky Rail Terminal, which runs trains between Moscow and Belarus. This is a light marble affair with a white, cake-like ceiling, lined with Belorussian patterns and 12 Florentine ceiling mosaics depicting life in Belarussia when it was built.

Transfer onto the 1/Brown line. Then, one stop (clockwise) t o:

3. Novoslobodskaya.  This station was designed around the stained-glass panels, which were made in Latvia, because Alexey Dushkin, the Soviet starchitect who dreamed it up (and also designed Mayakovskaya station) couldn’t find the glass and craft locally. The stained glass is the same used for Riga’s Cathedral, and the panels feature plants, flowers, members of the Soviet intelligentsia (musician, artist, architect) and geometric shapes.

Go two stops east on the 1/Circle line to:

4. Komsomolskaya. Named after the Komsomol, or the Young Communist League, this might just be peak Stalin Metro style. Underneath the hub for three regional railways, it was intended to be a grand gateway to Moscow and is today its busiest station. It has chandeliers; a yellow ceiling with Baroque embellishments; and in the main hall, a colossal red star overlaid on golden, shimmering tiles. Designer Alexey Shchusev designed it as an homage to the speech Stalin gave at Red Square on Nov. 7, 1941, in which he invoked Russia’s illustrious military leaders as a pep talk to Soviet soldiers through the first catastrophic year of the war.   The station’s eight large mosaics are of the leaders referenced in the speech, such as Alexander Nevsky, a 13th-century prince and military commander who bested German and Swedish invading armies.

One more stop clockwise to Kurskaya station,  and change onto the 3/Blue  line, and go one stop to:

5. Baumanskaya.   Opened in 1944. Named for the Bolshevik Revolutionary Nikolai Bauman , whose monument and namesake district are aboveground here. Though he seemed like a nasty piece of work (he apparently once publicly mocked a woman he had impregnated, who later hung herself), he became a Revolutionary martyr when he was killed in 1905 in a skirmish with a monarchist, who hit him on the head with part of a steel pipe. The station is in Art Deco style with atmospherically dim lighting, and a series of bronze sculptures of soldiers and homefront heroes during the War. At one end, there is a large mosaic portrait of Lenin.

Stay on that train direction one more east to:

6. Elektrozavodskaya. As you may have guessed from the name, this station is the Metro’s tribute to all thing electrical, built in 1944 and named after a nearby lightbulb factory. It has marble bas-relief sculptures of important figures in electrical engineering, and others illustrating the Soviet Union’s war-time struggles at home. The ceiling’s recurring rows of circular lamps give the station’s main tunnel a comforting glow, and a pleasing visual effect.

Double back two stops to Kurskaya station , and change back to the 1/Circle line. Sit tight for six stations to:

7. Kiyevskaya. This was the last station on the Circle line to be built, in 1954, completed under Nikita Khrushchev’ s guidance, as a tribute to his homeland, Ukraine. Its three large station halls feature images celebrating Ukraine’s contributions to the Soviet Union and Russo-Ukrainian unity, depicting musicians, textile-working, soldiers, farmers. (One hall has frescoes, one mosaics, and the third murals.) Shortly after it was completed, Khrushchev condemned the architectural excesses and unnecessary luxury of the Stalin era, which ushered in an epoch of more austere Metro stations. According to the legend at least, he timed the policy in part to ensure no Metro station built after could outshine Kiyevskaya.

Change to the 3/Blue line and go one stop west.

8. Park Pobedy. This is the deepest station on the Metro, with one of the world’s longest escalators, at 413 feet. If you stand still, the escalator ride to the surface takes about three minutes .) Opened in 2003 at Victory Park, the station celebrates two of Russia’s great military victories. Each end has a mural by Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli, who also designed the “ Good Defeats Evil ” statue at the UN headquarters in New York. One mural depicts the Russian generals’ victory over the French in 1812 and the other, the German surrender of 1945. The latter is particularly striking; equal parts dramatic, triumphant, and gruesome. To the side, Red Army soldiers trample Nazi flags, and if you look closely there’s some blood spatter among the detail. Still, the biggest impressions here are the marble shine of the chessboard floor pattern and the pleasingly geometric effect if you view from one end to the other.

Keep going one more stop west to:

9. Slavyansky Bulvar.  One of the Metro’s youngest stations, it opened in 2008. With far higher ceilings than many other stations—which tend to have covered central tunnels on the platforms—it has an “open-air” feel (or as close to it as you can get, one hundred feet under). It’s an homage to French architect Hector Guimard, he of the Art Nouveau entrances for the Paris M é tro, and that’s precisely what this looks like: A Moscow homage to the Paris M é tro, with an additional forest theme. A Cyrillic twist on Guimard’s Metro-style lettering over the benches, furnished with t rees and branch motifs, including creeping vines as towering lamp-posts.

Stay on the 3/Blue line and double back four stations to:

10. Arbatskaya. Its first iteration, Arbatskaya-Smolenskaya station, was damaged by German bombs in 1941. It was rebuilt in 1953, and designed to double as a bomb shelter in the event of nuclear war, although unusually for stations built in the post-war phase, this one doesn’t have a war theme. It may also be one of the system’s most elegant: Baroque, but toned down a little, with red marble floors and white ceilings with gilded bronze c handeliers.

Jump back on the 3/Blue line  in the same direction and take it one more stop:

11. Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square). Opened in 1938, and serving Red Square and the Kremlin . Its renowned central hall has marble columns flanked by 76 bronze statues of Soviet heroes: soldiers, students, farmers, athletes, writers, parents. Some of these statues’ appendages have a yellow sheen from decades of Moscow’s commuters rubbing them for good luck. Among the most popular for a superstitious walk-by rub: the snout of a frontier guard’s dog, a soldier’s gun (where the touch of millions of human hands have tapered the gun barrel into a fine, pointy blade), a baby’s foot, and a woman’s knee. (A brass rooster also sports the telltale gold sheen, though I am told that rubbing the rooster is thought to bring bad luck. )

Now take the escalator up, and get some fresh air.

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21 Things to Know Before You Go to Moscow

Featured city guides.

Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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