journey 2013 size tire

Dodge Journey Tire Sizes

What Size Tire Does A Dodge Journey Have?

Dodge Journey tires come in various sizes, including 225/70R16, 225/65R17 and 225/55R19. Their specific tire size will depend on the vehicle’s year model and trim level.

How To Find The Correct Tire Size For Dodge Journey?

Step 1: Scroll down to Dodge Journey tire size by model year below, determining your tire size (Rim & Tire Diameter)

• As a rule, you should replace your Dodge Journey tire with the size recommended by the manufacturer. Sometimes there will be more than 1 recommended tire size. The bigger tires and wheels are better for increasing your traction, but the price will be higher.
• In case you want to replace a different tire size. As for the Rim diameter,  you will need to be sure that your tires and rims are an exact match, e.g. a 225/70R16 tire will only fit on a 16″ diameter rim . The Overall Tire Diameter will be slightly more flexible equivalent to  ±3% .

• You Can check our  tire size chart ,  tire size calculator tool or Tire Size Comparison Tool to find your size.

Dodge Journey Tire Size By Year Model

2020 dodge journey tire size, 2019 dodge journey tire size, 2018 dodge journey tire size, 2017 dodge journey tire size, 2016 dodge journey tire size, 2015 dodge journey tire size, 2014 dodge journey tire size, 2013 dodge journey tire size, 2012 dodge journey tire size, 2011 dodge journey tire size, 2010 dodge journey tire size, 2009 dodge journey tire size.

* Disclaimer: The information provided on the tire size is for general informational purposes only. We recommend that you consult a certified tire specialist or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sets specific guidelines for tires used on vehicles .

Sullivan Kane

Tire Technician at TireSizesCalculator

Sullivan is a Tire Technician specializing in tire repair at TireSizesCalculator. With over 6 years of experience in the industry, Sullivan has become an expert in tire repair, maintenance & installation.

Leave a Comment

2013 Dodge Journey tire and wheel sizes

Find out what wheels and tires fit the 2013 dodge journey.

Check the tables below to get all tire sizes, wheel sizes, bolt patterns (PCD), rims offset, and tire pressure.

The 2013 Dodge Journey tire sizes are 225/65R17, 225/60R18, 235/60R18, 225/55R19, 235/55R19, 245/50R19, 245/45R20.

The 2013 Dodge Journey bolt pattern is 5x127 . For more info check the size tables below.

Vehicle generations

Dodge journey jc49 2008 - 2020, 2013 dodge journey 2.4i.

Generation: JC49 2008 - 2020

USA Market model

Power: 173 hp

Engine: 2.4L, I4 , Petrol

Center Bore (DIA): 71.6 mm

Thread Size: M12 x 1.5

2013 Dodge Journey 3.6i

Power: 283 hp

Engine: 3.6L, V6 , Petrol

China Market model

Power: 168 hp

Engine: I4 , Petrol

Power: 276 hp

Other Dodge Journey production years

Additional info:.

Cars with 5x127 bolt pattern

Recent Articles

Everything you need to know about tire tread depth

Tire tread depth is an important factor in ensuring the safety of your vehicle...

How to read a tire size

Reading tire sidewall is easy! Find out what that tire size numbers mean

Best Supercapacitor Jump Starter review

We've tested 7 best supercapacitor jump starter options for you.

Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 tire review

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 tire review

Continental SportContact 7 tire review

Michelin CrossClimate 2 tire review

Riken Raptor HR tire review

Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 SUV tire review

General Grabber X3 tire review

Pirelli Ice Zero FR tire review

Continental VikingContact 7 tire review

Vredestein Wintrac Pro tire review

2013 Dodge Journey

2013 dodge journey tire size.

Your Dodge was manufactured with different tire sizes.  To determine the best tire size for your specific 2013 Dodge Journey, we first need to determine your rim size.  Please review the information below.

How to Determine Rim Size

Check your existing tires.  Your Dodge Journey's rim size is the number to the right of the R.  In the example pictured here, the tire size fits 16-inch rims.

Rim Size Selection

Now that you know your rim size, make a selection below to filter your results.

17-Inch Rims

The original tire size for your 2013 Dodge Journey is listed below. Tap on the box to view a color-coded explanation of your Dodge Journey's' tire size.

Trim Options:

P 225 / 65 R 17 100 H

Simplified size:  225-65-17.

Simplified size is useful for shopping and buying tires.

The original tire size for your 2013 Dodge Journey is P225/65R17 100H .  A color-coded explanation of the 2013 Dodge Journey's tire size is shown below.

This number indicates that your tire has a width of 225 millimeters.

The tire size was designed to fit rims or wheels that are 17 inches in diameter.

This tire has a load index of 100, which means it's capable of carrying a load of 1760 pounds (800 kg) or less.  A higher number means the tire can carry more weight.  A lower number means the opposite.

This number means that your tire has an aspect ratio of 65%.  In other words, your tire's sidewall height (from the edge of the rim to the tire's tread) is 65% of the width.  In this case, the sidewall height works out to be 146 millimeters.

This letter denotes how your tire was constructed.  Radial is the standard construction method for about 99% of all tires sold today.

This tire has a speed rating of H, which means 130 mph (210 km/h) is the maximum speed that can be sustained for 10 minutes.  A higher speed becomes dangerous.

19-Inch Rims

Crew r/t sxt, 225 / 55 r 19 99 h, simplified size:  225-55-19.

The original tire size for your 2013 Dodge Journey is 225/55R19 99H .  A color-coded explanation of the 2013 Dodge Journey's tire size is shown below.

Search Form for vehicle model, tire size or rims Choose a tab below to get fitment data for your vehicle or to find vehicles matching your criteria.

• By vehicle what wheels will fit your car
• By tire size what vehicles use this tire size
• By rim size what vehicles use this rim size

Specify make, year and model to find matching wheels:

Specify values for fields below to find matching vehicles:, 2013 dodge journey wheel fitment guide find out what wheels and tires fit 2013 dodge journey.

Dodge Journey JC49 [2008 .. 2020]

2013 Dodge Journey JC49 [2008 .. 2020] - Modifications

Dodge journey jc49 [2008 .. 2020] 2.4i.

• Generation : JC49 [2008 .. 2020]
• Production : [2012 .. 2020]
• Sales regions : USA+ , Canada , Mexico , Central & South America
• Power : 173 hp | 129 kW | 175 PS
• Engine : 2.4 L, , Petrol
• Trim Levels : SE, Crossroad
• Center Bore / Hub Bore :
• Bolt Pattern (PCD) : ( )
• Wheel Fasteners : Lug nuts
• Thread Size:
• Wheel Tightening Torque :
• Production : [2013 .. 2020]
• Sales regions : China
• Power : 168 hp | 125 kW | 170 PS
• Engine : , Petrol

Dodge Journey JC49 [2008 .. 2020] 3.6i

• Production : [2011 .. 2020]
• Sales regions : Russia+ , China
• Power : 276 hp | 206 kW | 280 PS
• Engine : 3.6 L, , Petrol
• Production : [2012 .. 2019]
• Power : 283 hp | 211 kW | 287 PS
• Trim Levels : SE, Crossroad, GT

See Dodge Journey wheel fitment information for other model years:

The size of the hole in the center of a wheel is known as the center bore or centerbore.

Offset is the distance in millimetres from the centre line of the wheel to the wheel’s mounting face. Given that the mounting face can be either in front of or behind the centreline, the offset can be either neutral, positive or negative.

The Pitch Circle Diameter (PCD) is the diameter of the circle which passes through the centre of all the studs, wheel bolts or wheel rim holes

hp - Mechanical horsepower kW - Kilowatts PS - Metric horsepower

Wheel backspace is the distance from a wheel's mounting surface to the back edge of the wheel.

Tire pressure is a vehicle's recommended cold tire inflation pressure. It is measured in bars or PSI (pounds per square inch).

A sales region is a global automotive region in which a vehicle was officially sold or is still being sold.

Ex.: 7J x 15 Rim width (inches) x rim diameter (inches)

ISO standard Ex.: M12 x 1.25 Nominal diameter (mm) x pitch (mm)

UN-series Ex.: 9/16" - 18 UNF Thread size (in) - thread pitch UNF - Unified National Fine Thread

Example: 215/55 R16 91 T

215 is the tire width in mm 55 is the ratio of profile height to width or simply 'profile'. With the same width, the larger this indicator, the higher the tire will be and vice versa 16 - diameter of the wheel (disk) in inches. (It is the diameter, not the radius!). This is the inner size of the tire or the outer size of the rim 91 - load index. This is the level of maximum permissible load on one wheel T - tire speed index

The method of attaching a wheel to a hub: wheel nuts or wheel bolts

The torque value specified by the manufacturer for wheel bolts or wheel nuts, which is to be set when tightening on the torque tool (torque setting). A rotational force given in Newton metres (Nm) or foot-pounds (ft-lbs), wheel torque measures lug nut / bolts tightness

The tires included with a new vehicle when it is purchased. OE tires are specifically chosen by the vehicle manufacturer to make the most of the vehicle's performance characteristics.

Share your knowledge!

VCdb Integration

We are currently working on improving the quality of the data for the North America region related to matching trim levels from Vehicle Configuration Database (VCdb) with our database.

Wheel-size.com to launch Wheel Fitment API Demo Portal

Check out how you can use our fitment data on your websites and apps. See the latest updates and learn more about the Wheel Fitment API !

Wheel-Size.com to launch Wheel Size App for iOS and Android platform

Our Wheel Size app is now available in App Store and Play Store! Wheel Fitment for any car, your search history, latest news about professional tire tests — all in one app for: iOS and Android

Add Wheel Size Widget to your Website

Use our database with daily updates on your website. The widget is easy to use, it has a user-friendly interface and powerful Widget API! Please take a look at the Demo to see it in action.

Best Wheel Calculator in the web

Try our new Rim & Tire Size Calculator! Install our widget on your website!

Daily updates!

Find lots of new vehicles and models years on the website updated on a daily basis!

Widgets Widgets for your Website

Api wheel fitment api, tire rankings latest tire professional tests, latest articles tire professional tests and reviews.

Stability and Style: The Role of Wheel Spacers

Decoding Bolt Pattern / PCD (Pitch Circle Diameter)

Wheel Offset and Backspacing: Enhancing Performance and Style

Steel, Alloy, Forged, and More: Navigating Through Wheel Types

Page navigation, website settings user interface and lang settings, system of units:, user interface:.

Info The information for the selected market will be open by default. Everything else will be visible but collapsed.

Website language version

• Simplified Chinese
• Traditional Chinese

Special financing available with Goodyear Credit Card .

Buy Now. Pay Later with Zip

Get up to $200 Back on Select Sets of 4 Tires.

Find Goodyear Tires by Vehicle

2013 Dodge Journey Tire

Tell us about your vehicle..

Find Tires by Vehicle

2013 dodge journey tires.

2013 Dodge Journey tires are an important component of the 2013 Dodge Journey vehicle, as they provide the necessary grip and traction needed for peak performance. When choosing tires for a 2013 Dodge Journey, it is important to consider the type of driving that the vehicle will be used for, as well as the specific needs and requirements of the driver. For example, if the 2013 Dodge Journey will be primarily used for city driving, tires with a softer tread compound and a more comfortable ride may be more suitable. On the other hand, if the 2013 Dodge Journey will be used for more performance-oriented driving, tires with a harder tread compound and a more aggressive tread pattern may be more appropriate. It is also important to consider the size and type of tire that is compatible with the 2013 Dodge Journey, as using the wrong size or type of tire can negatively impact the vehicle's performance and safety.

featured faqs

How long should tires last on a 2013 dodge journey.

The longer a tire is in service, the more opportunities there are for it to be exposed to adverse environmental or service conditions. While most tires will be replaced sooner, Goodyear recommends that any tire in service 6 years or more be replaced even if it has not reached the legal treadwear limit. For details around the Penny Test to check your tread depth, visit https://www.goodyear.com/en-US/learn/tire-basics/how-long-do-tires-last

How much do 2013 Dodge Journey tires cost?

When it comes to buying tires online, the price can depend on your vehicle, tire size and number of tires you need. Plus, when you shop at Goodyear.com, there are no hidden fees. You’ll see all your charges before you buy when you use The Goodyear Credit Card, most major credit cards or PayPal. So, when it comes time for your scheduled install, you’re already paid in full.

What is the tire size of a 2013 Dodge Journey?

It depends on your vehicle’s make and model. But the fastest way to check is on the driver’s side door jamb or on your current tire’s sidewall. For more information on how to locate this information, visit: https://www.goodyear.com/en-US/learn/tire-basics/how-to-find-tire-size

Can I purchase tires online for my 2013 Dodge Journey, directly from Goodyear?

Yes. We can help you find the right tire for your vehicle, schedule an installation and order your tires online so they arrive for your tire install. To get started, visit: https://www.goodyear.com/en-US/learn/choosing-your-tires/buy-tires-online

Not sure what trim options are for your 2013 Dodge Journey?

• Version/Option Tire Size
• AVP 225/65R17
• Crew 225/55R19
• R/T 225/55R19
• SE 225/65R17
• SXT 225/55R19
• SXT 225/65R17

Find your version/ option

You can usually find your vehicle’s version/ option in one of the following places:

Passenger Tire Sidewall

High Flotation Tire Sidewall

Inside Your Door Jamb

Find an Installer

Your session has timed out and hence logged out from site. Please click below to login again.

Dodge Journey Tire Sizes

Here is a list of Dodge Journey tire sizes, including the correct sizes for each year and model.

2009 Dodge Journey Tire Sizes

2010 dodge journey tire sizes, 2011 dodge journey tire sizes, 2012 dodge journey tire sizes, 2013 dodge journey tire sizes, 2014 dodge journey tire sizes, 2015 dodge journey tire sizes, 2016 dodge journey tire sizes, 2017 dodge journey tire sizes, 2018 dodge journey tire sizes, 2019 dodge journey tire sizes, 2020 dodge journey tire sizes, other dodge tire sizes.

• Dodge Magnum
• Dodge Ramcharger
• Dodge Spirit
• Dodge Nitro
• Dodge Dynasty
• Dodge Aries
• Dodge Ram-Van
• Dodge Avenger

Free shipping  

24/7 roadside assistance  

Easy returns  

.css-uewl2b{margin-bottom:20px;} .css-zu6e58{position:relative;height:20px;width:180px;} .css-149kmoj{object-fit:contain;object-position:left;opacity:initial;} 2013 Dodge Journey Tires

Debuting in 2009, the Dodge Journey is a competitively priced SUV that offers drivers a comfortable highway ride and oodles of cabin space. Available in AVP, Crew, R/T, SE, and SXT trim levels, 2013 Dodge Journey tires could be 225/55R19 or 225/65R17, and a brand new Journey likely rolled out of the factory with a set of Kumho Solus KH16 tires attached.

Finding a set of tires that performs year-round is a must for most drivers, as dry, wet, and light winter weather conditions provide different challenges for drivers and their tires. Fortunately, all-season tires are built with these drivers in mind, so take a look at the Falken Ziex CT60 A/S , Yokohama Geolandar CV G058, and Vercelli Strada I if you need a set of tires for your 2013 Dodge Journey.

Maybe you live in an area that gets heavy ice, slush, and snow. While all-season tires are engineered to perform year-round, they might struggle in severe weather. Fortunately, winter tires are engineered to perform in these conditions, and tires like the Nexen Winguard Ice SUV, Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV, and GT Radial IcePro SUV 3 offer excellent traction and performance in the toughest winter weather conditions.

Whether you drive an AVP, Crew, R/T, SE, or SXT, SimpleTire has a set of 2013 Dodge Journey tires that meets your needs at a great price! If you don't know what tires your 2013 Dodge Journey needs, just put your vehicle information into our search bar, and we'll show you all the possibilities.

.css-1xhj18k{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;} Most popular 2013 Dodge Journey tires

Don’t hold off for too long. Inventory and pricing changes daily.

Employee Pick!

SimpleScore™

.css-g7q1b3{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;width:100%;}.css-g7q1b3::after{content:"";height:100%;left:0;position:absolute;top:0;width:100%;}.css-g7q1b3 >span>div{-webkit-align-items:unset;-webkit-box-align:unset;-ms-flex-align:unset;align-items:unset;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;} .css-hnk7au{display:inline-block;margin-right:1px;max-width:100%;overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap;} LX-Twenty 103V

Wildpeak A/T4W 106T

Wildpeak A/T3W 102T

Geolandar M/T G003 107Q

Tru-Trac HT 102H

LH-Five 103V

Hiscend-H HT01 99V

Dynapro AT2 (RF11) 107S

Best rated 2013 dodge journey tires.

Efficient Grip 99V

MS932 Sport 99V

LX-Twenty 103V

Grabber APT 102H

Perfectus FSR602 102H

Browse 2013 dodge journey tires by trim and size..

Good budget tire

Good budget tire. Road noise is louder than it should be. Tread wear is not good. Tires only lasted 20,000 miles.

• Miles driven on tires 5k - 9k

Alternative year models

Did you find what you were looking for.

• Schedule an Appointment

Compare 2013 Dodge Journey Tires

Get started.

• Find A Store

Buy New Dodge Journey Tires

Turn to the tire experts. Buy Dodge Journey tires online for our lowest prices. Discounts and deals are automatically applied.

2013 Dodge Journey Tires Sizes, Speed Ratings, and Inflation

Not sure about your Dodge Journey tire size? Use the following chart to find information on tire size, speed rating, and inflation.

* Note: these models have different tire sizes depending on vehicle options.

Recommended Tires for Your 2013 Dodge Journey

What tires are best for a 2013 Dodge Journey? The following tire brands and types are a great fit for your Dodge Journey.

• Platinum Pact Limited Warranty
• Light Truck Tires

• No warranty

• Passenger Tires

• Gold Pledge Limited Warranty

• Performance

Affordable 2013 Dodge Journey Tires

Buying new tires  can be easy and quick, especially when you're equipped with quality information from the tire experts that know! That's one reason it's a good idea to visit us when you're ready to buy new  2013 Dodge Journey tires. Firestone Complete Auto Care is the place to go for Dodge tires in all sizes, for all seasons. Whether you want tire that's made to take tight corners, handle diverse terrain, or improve fuel-efficiency, you'll find the right tires for your vehicle and budget.

View Dodge-recommended tires for your 2013 Journey, plus helpful information about Dodge Journey tire size, speed rating, and tire pressure. Your vehicle can't drive correctly without the correct tires. As one of our tire technicians, Brianna, explains, "You want to find the correct size for your tire. It matters in alignments and keeping your vehicle driving the way it’s supposed to.”

Beyond the correct tire size, there are a couple of other factors to consider when buying Dodge Journey tires like which tire brands you like most and where you drive. If you live in Florida, you probably won't want to buy studdable snow tires. Washington state or Montana is a different story, though. If you live in a state with some extreme seasonal shifts, you might want to switch between winter tires and all-season tires for the best performance.

When evaluating your driving conditions, think about where you live (countryside vs. city vs. mountains) and the kind of unexpected weather you're likely to experience. Many drivers who live in states that experience all four seasons choose to purchase two sets of tires: one for summer and one for winter. It's one of the best ways to maximize their Dodge Journey's safety and performance from January to December. Other drivers prefer to purchase one all-season set to limit trips to the tire shop and make sure their vehicle is prepared in the rain, sleet, snow, or sun!

Your personal driving style is the next factor to consider. Do you enjoy challenging the limits of your Dodge Journey? Going where no vehicle has gone before? If you're an avid off-roader who yearns to pioneer new paths, you have very different tire needs than a highway commuter who doesn't hit the hills very often. You'll want strong tires that can take on gravel, sand, stone, and dirt. You might want to look at bigger tires with stiffer sidewalls and wider tread patterns to help protect against punctures and maintain balance on bumpy roads. But if you're comfortable in the city and suburbs, a Dodge Journey tire that offers a smooth, quiet ride might be exactly what you need. Visit your local Firestone Complete Auto Care for help selecting the tire that's right for you, or get started by browsing tires that fit your vehicle. You can buy 2013 Dodge Journey tires online now!

Dodge Journey Tire Brands

You have so many options when it comes to tire brands that work for Dodge Journeys. Two of them are Firestone and Bridgestone. Dodge Journey Firestone tires are tires you can count on. Harvey Firestone started the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in 1900 in Akron, OH. He was a passionate inventor from the get-go. Firestone recognized the overwhelming potential for automobile tires, so he started making and testing passenger, truck, and farm tires. The company can be credited for introducing the first all-rubber, non-skid tire in 1908! Firestone Tires has been dedicated to staying one step ahead of the competition since day one, all thanks to Harvey Firestone. Firestone now makes about 8,000 different tires for all kinds of vehicles — including tires for 2013 Dodge Journeys.

Bridgestone is another top choice for Dodge Journey tires. Shojiro Ishibashi founded The Bridgestone Tire Company Ltd. in Japan in 1931. His company merged with The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in 1990. Today, Bridgestone Tires has more than 55,000 employees and 50 production facilities throughout the Americas. The company remains an international leader in tire and rubber technology, providing world-class service, tires, and more to communities worldwide. As Shojiro Ishibashi said, Bridgestone is dedicated worldwide to "serve society with superior quality." What are you waiting for? If you want to drive with peace of mind, buy Bridgestone tires for a 2013 Dodge Journey today!

Dodge Journey Tire Rotation, Repair & More

We sell tires, but we also service them and care for all the around-the-wheel components. We're your one-stop shop for tire installation, rotation, and ongoing maintenance! Shop 2013 Dodge Journey tires online and schedule an installation appointment. Many stores are on weekends and into the evening to fit your schedule.

2013 Dodge Journey Tire Questions

Inspecting and caring for your tires is one of the best ways to help them last. Get answers to common Dodge Journey tire questions and learn how to care for new tires.

• Is Dodge tire inflation important? Even a tiny decrease in tire pressure could impact your safety and fuel economy. Maintaining proper tire pressure can help increase fuel economy, improve braking time, and boost tire lifespan.
• What do the numbers on my Dodge Journey tires mean? The numbers on your tire sidewall give you information about tire speed rating, traction, treadwear, tire size, and load carrying capacity. Chat with a tire technician to learn how to read the numbers on your Dodge tires!
• Can I check the tread depth on my Dodge tires at home? Stay on top of your tire tread depth to help avoid a dangerous drive. You can check tread depth with a penny. Hold the penny so that Abraham Lincoln is facing you, then place your penny into a tread groove upside down. If you can see the top of Abe’s head, your tread is shallow and it might be time for new Dodge Journey tires.

2013 Dodge Journey Crew Tires

Upsizing Wheels or Tires?

• BFGoodrich (2)
• Bridgestone (6)
• Continental (5)
• Firestone (2)
• General (4)
• Goodyear (5)
• Hankook (5)
• Michelin (10)
• Milestar (1)
• Pirelli (3)
• Sumitomo (2)
• Uniroyal (1)
• Yokohama (4)
• All Season (31)
• All Terrain (1)
• Truck/SUV All Season (23)
• Truck/SUV Summer (1)
• Truck/SUV Winter (3)
• Grand Touring (20)
• High Performance (2)
• Highway (2)
• Passenger (3)
• Performance (4)
• Studdable (1)
• Studless (3)
• Supreme Performance (1)
• Touring (27)
• Ultra High Performance (3)
• 20K Miles (2)
• 40K Miles (1)
• 45K Miles (1)
• 50K Miles (3)
• 55K Miles (3)
• 60K Miles (12)
• 65K Miles (16)
• 70K Miles (10)
• 75K Miles (2)
• 80K Miles (2)
• 85K Miles (1)
• Under $50 (1)
• $100-$150 (3)
• $150-$200 (7)
• $200-$250 (43)
• $250-$300 (12)
• Above $300 (2)

2018 Primetime Emmy & James Beard Award Winner

In Transit: Notes from the Underground

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.

R&K Insider

Join our newsletter to get exclusives on where our correspondents travel, what they eat, where they stay. Free to sign up.

21 Things to Know Before You Go to Moscow

Featured city guides.

AVSIM Library System Version 2.00 -- 2004-May-01 © 2001-2024 AVSIM Online All Rights Reserved