Kharkiv Metro Information
The metro service in the city of Kharkiv, the second largest city in Ukraine, was the second of its kind in the country after the Kiev metro. Opened in 1975, it was the sixth such service in the former USSR. There are three lines in operation, with thirty-eight kilometres of track and twenty-nine stations.
The metro is the easiest and fastest way to get around Kharkiv. As the most convenient means of public transport in this Ukrainian city, it regularly carries nearly one million commuters. There are three lines, the Red, Green and Blue.
The routes of the Kharkiv Metro are designed in such a way that when you enter the station you can decide which route you want to take to reach your destination. If in doubt, you can always ask the police officer or a fellow passenger for guidance. Travelling by metro in Kharkiv is safe, even late at night, but it is advisable to keep an eye on your personal belongings when travelling in a crowded carriage.
The Kharkiv Metro in Ukraine serves approximately 1,000,000 passengers daily. It does not operate between 5.30am and 21.30pm.
The Kharkiv Metro has no air conditioning and passengers cannot walk between platforms. It does not have driverless trains and there are no screen doors on the platforms.
The fare for a trip on the metro is 8 UAH.
Kharkiv Metro Map
Map of Kharkiv Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Kharkiv Metro map in PDF format.
Lines and Stations
The Kharkiv metro consists of three active lines, which have been significantly extended. The entire system was designed to be underground, so all of its 30 stations are underground. Six of these stations are deep underground, while the remaining 24 are at shallower depths. The metro is connected by one line running vertically through the city and two lines running horizontally. The lines of the Kharkiv Metro include:
Line 1: Kholodnohirsko–Zavodska
Line 1, the inaugural line of the system, was opened on August 23, 1975. Initially, it operated on a 9.8-kilometer track with eight stations. The line expanded over time, reaching its current size after an expansion in 1978.
Stations:
- Kholodna Hora
- Vokzalna
- Tsentralnyi rynok
- Maidan Konstytutsii
- Prospekt Haharina
- Sportyvna
- Zavod im. Malysheva
- Turboatom
- Palats Sportu
- Armiiska
- Im. O.S. Maselskoho
- Traktornyi zavod
- Industrialna
Line 2: Saltivska
Identified by its green color, Line 2 was the second to be inaugurated in the Kharkiv Metro, opening in 1984. In its initial stage, it had five stations and a 6.7-kilometer track. It was designed to expand transportation to the new Saltivska neighborhood. The only expansion of the Saltivska line occurred in 1986, bringing the line to its current length of 10.2 kilometers with eight stations. This makes it the smallest line of the Kharkiv Metro.
Stations:
- Istorychnyi muzei
- Universytet
- Yaroslava Mudroho
- Kyivska
- Akademika Barabashova
- Akademika Pavlova
- Studentska
- Heroiv pratsi
Line 3: Oleksiivska
Line 3, also known as Oleksiivska, is the newest line in the system, opened in 1995. It is the only line opened after Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union. Initially, the line consisted of five stations and 5.2 kilometres of track. However, two new stations were added in 2004 and further extensions were made in 2010 and 2016. With these extensions, the line now has a total of eight stations and 11.1 kilometres of track, making it the second longest line in the metro. The terminal stations are Peremoha and Metrobudivnykiv. To transfer between this line and Line 1, passengers can use Metrobudivnykiv station. To change to Line 2, passengers should get off at Derzhprom. The Oleksiivska line is shown in green.
Stations:
- Metrobudivnykiv
- Zakhysnykiv Ukrainy
- Arkhitektora Beketova
- Derzhprom
- Naukova
- Botanichnyi sad
- 23 Serpnia
- Oleksiivska
- Peremoha
Connections with Other Systems
In the current Ukrainian context, Kharkoiv is renowned for its extensive internal and external transport systems, particularly in terms of rail services. In terms of urban transport, the Kharkiv Metro has been the primary urban transport system since the last century, setting the standard for other transport methods.
The metro is complemented by various systems such as the tramway, which is the oldest transport system in the city, having been established in 1882. Initially powered by animals, the tram was converted to electricity in 1906. There are currently 13 tram lines in Kharkiv, covering a total distance of 217.6 kilometres, making it the largest system in the city, with numerous connections to the metro.
The city also has a trolleybus system. Inaugurated in 1939, this system consists of four partially separate sections and offers a total of 23 routes. The total length of the system is 259.9 kilometres. There are several connections to the metro, such as Palats Sportu station (lines 1 and 25), Moskovskyi Prospekt station (lines 20 and 31), Akademika Barabashova station (line 24) and Armiiska station (line 36).
Kharkiv also has an extensive bus service. In operation since 1925, the buses are managed by various companies, offering services such as express service, taxi line service and social service. There are about a thousand buses in Kharkiv, including 150 minibuses and 150 larger buses. The city also has a small railway in the south and an aerial tramway that runs between Sumskaya Street and the Pavlovo Field district. Kharkiv has a railway station, rebuilt in 1989, which offers services operated by Ukrainian Railways to distant destinations such as Astana and Moscow.
Connection to the Airport
Ukraine’s second largest city has its own airport. Kharkiv International Airport, located 12 kilometres south-east of the city, is the largest airport in eastern Ukraine. Built during the Stalinist era, the airport has recently been expanded with the inauguration of a new pier in 2010 for the 2012 UEFA European Championship. Following the Donbass war, the US Federal Aviation Administration imposed a blockade on the airport, which was lifted in 2018 after it was confirmed that the airport was sufficiently distant from the battlefield.
While the Kharkiv Metro doesn’t have a direct connection to the airport, there are several alternatives to reach it. Trolleybus line 5 connects the airport with Prospekt Haharina station from line 1. Other connections are provided by bus lines: Line 115 also connects the airport with Prospekt Haharina Station; Line 119 connects the airport with Maidan Konstytutsii Station (Line 1), Derzhprom Station (Line 3) and Botanichnyi Sad Station (Line 3). Bus lines 152 and 255 connect the airport with Akademika Barabashova station (line 2).
Schedule and Train Frequency
The operating hours of the Kharkiv Metro vary depending on the season and the line. The metro usually operates between 5.30am and midnight. During rush hours, trains generally arrive every two to three minutes, but this interval increases to four to six minutes during off-peak hours. At night, the frequency of the trains changes. Around 5.30pm, the frequency of trains is about every 10 minutes. Between 10pm and midnight, trains run every 13 to 18 minutes.
As mentioned above, the operating hours of the Kharkiv Metro vary according to the season. In summer there are 24 trains per hour on lines 1 and 2. The shortest waiting time between trains is between 7:00 and 9:00, when trains arrive approximately every 1.5 to 2.2 minutes. In winter, the frequency changes to 26 trains per hour, also on lines 1 and 2. The shortest interval in winter is between 1.5 and 3 minutes, but this varies at peak times between 7:00 and 10:30. In autumn the frequency is the same as in winter, the only difference being the shortest interval, which is about two minutes.
On line 3, the average frequency is relatively stable throughout the year, with about 12 trains per hour. However, the frequency of trains on all lines of the Kharkiv Metro decreases significantly between 11 pm and midnight, with intervals between 15 and 20 minutes.
Fares, Tickets, and Cards
Payment for the Kharkiv metro is facilitated by a simple structure. For many years, from its inception until 2015, the metro used a payment system with plastic tokens, following the traditional method in the Soviet Union. This system has been replaced by a ticket-based system, which allows for a single journey and can be used throughout the system, regardless of the distance travelled. Users also have the option of purchasing a reloadable contactless card.
Currently, the cost of a standard ticket is 5 hryvnia (USD 0.18), a price that was set on 29 March 2018. This price has increased significantly in recent years, from 2 hryvnias in 2011 and 3 hryvnias in 2013. The price increase in 2018 was the most dramatic to date, largely due to the devaluation of the Ukrainian currency.
Starting from 24.05.2022 and until the relevant order of the Kharkiv City Mayor, travel in the Kharkiv metro is free of charge.
System Rules
Every transport system in the world enforces certain rules to maintain order and ensure efficient operation. Kharkiv Metro is no exception. The Kharkiv Metro Company has established a number of rules that users are obliged to follow. Some of them are
- All passengers must have a valid ticket to enter the system. It is the user’s responsibility to obtain and validate their tickets.
If a user is entitled to preferential tickets, they must carry the necessary documentation to validate their eligibility. - Users must purchase an additional ticket for each piece of baggage exceeding 120 cm and 200 cm in size. Payment is also required for cylindrical objects measuring between 10×100 cm and 15×150 cm, long objects measuring between 150 cm and 220 cm and normal bags, rucksacks and suitcases measuring between 120 cm and 200 cm. Bicycles must also fit within these dimensions. Any object exceeding these dimensions is not permitted on the Metro.
- Certain items such as skis, sledges, bicycles, roller skates, seedlings, gardening tools, firearms, fishing rods, etc. must be properly packed to avoid contact with other passengers.
- Animals are allowed on the Kharkiv Metro only if they are in special cages or containers with dimensions up to 120 cm.
- It is forbidden to enter stations with ice cream or any other food or drink.
Future Expansions
In recent years, the Kharkiv metro has undergone a number of small improvements after a long period without significant changes. Two major projects are currently planned for the metro, focusing on its extension and the construction of Line 3. This line will be extended from Metrobudivnykiv to Odeska with three stations and is expected to be completed in 2022. Two additional stations will then be added to this extension, allowing the metro to reach the airport and connect it to the entire system.
Extension of Line 1 in both directions is also planned. From Kholodna Hora, the line could be extended with two additional stations to reach Nova Bavaria. From Industrialna, a three-station extension is proposed to reach Pivdenna. Similar future plans exist for Line 2, with three additional stations proposed from Istorychnyi Muzei to reach Novozhanovo. A new branch could also be built from Akademika Barabashova to Skhidna Saltivka.
Tips
If you’re planning to travel on the Kharkiv Metro as a visitor, there are a few tips that can make your journey through the system more enjoyable and comfortable. Some of these are
- After the separation of Ukraine from Russia, all signs were changed from Russian to Ukrainian. It’s a good idea to learn a few basic words and familiarise yourself with the Cyrillic alphabet if you haven’t already.
- It’s the responsibility of every passenger to have a valid ticket. Remember that metro tickets are not valid on other forms of public transport in the city.
- The metro is the fastest form of transport in the city, but it can also be quite noisy, especially if you’re on an older train. Consider bringing earplugs or headphones to protect your hearing.
- If you are planning to bring luggage, make sure it is not too large, as you may have to pay an extra charge.
Fun Facts
- The system was the fifth to be opened in the Soviet Union and the second in Ukraine.
- The Kharkiv Metro has a museum where you can learn about its history, construction and composition, making it a tourist attraction.
- This metro was the first in the Commonwealth of Independent States to introduce an escalator speed control system.
- The system of buying tokens at the station has been completely replaced by a contactless card system.
- The metro has been awarded several prizes, including the International Golden Prize in the Transport Sector in 2007.
- In 2009, the metro was transferred from federal to municipal management.
- The aesthetics of the stations retain the Soviet style of the metro. Each station has a unique design with different tile patterns, colours and styles.
- Many of the station names have been changed to remove any names or references associated with the Soviet period.
Sightseeing from the Kharkiv Metro
Despite being an industrial city and part of the Soviet Union, Kharkiv has changed drastically over the years. With Ukraine’s independence and the modernisation of Kharkiv’s urban space, the city has become a welcoming destination for visitors who appreciate a peaceful city with everyday life and significant landmarks. Some of the places you can visit using the Kharkiv Metro are
Annunciation Cathedral: One of the city’s main religious centres and the largest Orthodox church in Kharkiv. The Byzantine style cathedral was built between 1899 and 1901. There are two metro stations nearby. If you use Maidan Konstytutsii station, you will have to walk west. If you decide to use Pivdennyi Vokzal station, you will have to walk east. Both stations are on line 1.
Kharkiv Zoo: Recently renovated and reopened, this zoo is an attraction for many tourists. It is one of the oldest zoos in the country and the best way to experience it is to observe the animals in their habitats and learn about its history. To get there, get off at Universytet station on line 2 and walk to the left.
Kharkiv Art Museum: This is one of the most important museums in Kharkiv and Ukraine. Founded in 1905, it focuses on fine arts and is a state museum. The museum has 25 rooms with Russian and Ukrainian works from the revolutionary period, as well as works from Eastern Europe from the 16th to 20th centuries. You can get to this important museum by getting off at Arkhitektora Beketova station on line 3 and walking down one block.