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How to buy and top up a Troika card in Moscow

Where to buy Troika, how to top up by cash or online, why remote top-up must be written to the card, and where to download the Moscow Metro app.

Open official guideStarts with: Troika official page

Fast path

Do this in order

Start here if you only need the order. Detailed notes are lower on this page.

  1. Step 1

    Buy the card

    Buy it at Moscow Metro and MCC ticket windows, suburban train stations, or Mosgortrans ticket machines. No passport required.

    Tip: Do not buy cards from random people; use official windows or machines.

  2. Step 2

    Top up the balance

    The simplest way is a metro ticket window or machine. Online top-up is available at transport.mos.ru/en/pay and in the Moscow Metro app.

    Tip: Ticket-window and machine top-ups are usually written immediately.

  3. Step 3

    Write the remote top-up

    After online top-up, tap the card on a yellow metro terminal, turnstile, ticket machine, or ground transport validator and wait for confirmation.

    Tip: If you do not write the top-up, payment may be made but the card will not be ready for travel.

This guide is informational, not an official service. Requirements and app availability can change. Use the official links when you are ready to act.

Prepare

What you need

  • Money for the card and first rides

    Start with enough balance for several trips. Check current fares on Moscow Transport.

  • Card number for online top-up

    Remote top-up requires the Troika card number.

Checklist

Mark it off

Before you start

  • Card bought from an official window or machineRequired
  • Balance topped upRequired

After you are done

  • Remote top-up written to the cardRequired
  • Card worked at a turnstile or validatorRequired

Details

Detailed notes

Use these notes when the fast path is not enough. Each step shows what to do, how to check it, and what to avoid.

  1. Step 1

    Payment

    Buy the card

    1Check amount
    2Use allowed method
    3Save receipt

    Step 1

    Buy the card

    Buy it at Moscow Metro and MCC ticket windows, suburban train stations, or Mosgortrans ticket machines. No passport required.

    Do

    Use an allowed payment method and check the amount before confirming.

    Check

    Save the receipt or confirmation screen until the service is complete.

    Avoid

    Avoid payments to personal cards or unofficial intermediaries unless the official source clearly allows it.

    Tip

    Do not buy cards from random people; use official windows or machines.

  2. Step 2

    Payment

    Top up the balance

    1Check amount
    2Use allowed method
    3Save receipt

    Step 2

    Top up the balance

    The simplest way is a metro ticket window or machine. Online top-up is available at transport.mos.ru/en/pay and in the Moscow Metro app.

    Do

    Use an allowed payment method and check the amount before confirming.

    Check

    Save the receipt or confirmation screen until the service is complete.

    Avoid

    Avoid payments to personal cards or unofficial intermediaries unless the official source clearly allows it.

    Tip

    Ticket-window and machine top-ups are usually written immediately.

  3. Step 3

    Check

    Write the remote top-up

    1Compare source
    2Confirm status
    3Continue

    Step 3

    Write the remote top-up

    After online top-up, tap the card on a yellow metro terminal, turnstile, ticket machine, or ground transport validator and wait for confirmation.

    Do

    Compare the result with the official source or provider page before you rely on it.

    Check

    Make sure the name, status, date, provider, or app developer matches the expected result.

    Avoid

    Avoid continuing if the result looks different from the source-backed guide.

    Tip

    If you do not write the top-up, payment may be made but the card will not be ready for travel.

Open when needed

Useful links

Open these when a step points you to an official page, provider page, or child guide.

Where to check Troika and top-up

Official linkTroika official pageMoscow Transport information about the card and how to use it.Service state checked May 19, 2026transport.mos.ruOfficial linkMoscow transport payment and top-upOfficial page about payment and top-up options.Service state checked May 19, 2026transport.mos.ruOfficial linkMoscow Metro app in RuStoreOfficial app for metro map, tickets, and Troika top-up.Service state checked May 19, 2026www.rustore.ru

Avoid

Common traps

Topping up online and going straight to a bus

First write the remote top-up to the card using a terminal, turnstile, or validator.

Relying on old fares

Fares change. Check current prices on transport.mos.ru before publishing or traveling.

Questions

Quick answers

Sources and report outdated information3 sources. Open this when you want to verify the guide or send a correction.

Report outdated information

Tell us what looks wrong or needs checking. We review reports before changing guides.

Do not include passport details, phone numbers, bank card data, migration documents, biometrics, or other sensitive personal data.

Next

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