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The 8 Best Dog Car Seats and Restraints, Tested With Real Dogs

Get ready to buckle up with your pup

In This Article

• Our Top Picks

How We Tested

What to look for in dog car seats.

• Why Trust The Spruce Pets

The Spruce Pets / Lecia Landis

From road trips to running errands, your dog needs well-fitting protection to stay safe when you hit the road. While unsettling to think about, pets can be injured or ejected from a vehicle during a traffic accident. But even a turn that's too sharp or a sudden stop can result in injury for an unsecured dog.

According to Dr. Jamie Richardson of Small Door Veterinary, keeping your dog “secure and as immobile as possible” is essential for keeping it safe in a car. While harnesses, carriers, and crates often make safety claims, there is no official standard or test requirements in place to verify protection for dogs in car collisions. For our real-world testing of car seats, we consulted with Lindsey Wolko, founder of the nonprofit Center for Pet Safety (CPS), which conducts independent crash tests on travel products designed for dogs.

Five of the nine dog car seats and restraints that we recommend were independently evaluated and certified by the CPS, and three have all been crash tested in a lab setting, either by the Automotive Safety Engineering, an Australian testing and engineering company recognized in the United States and Europe, or by their manufacturer to adhere to standards set for child restraints (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213 or United Nations ECE R129).

We tested a selection of dog car seats, harnesses, and carriers, sending each to a volunteer tester to try out with their dog over several weeks and in variable driving conditions. Following a testing methodology written in advance, our testers evaluated each safety product for its ease of use, ease of cleaning, security, size, and overall value.

Our overall favorite is the Away Pet Carrier , which is easily secured using a seatbelt. It's designed to keep your dog fully enclosed, but there's a zippered mesh panel on top for a quick check-in with your furry friend. It works best for smaller dogs, so one of the other crash-tested and certified products we recommend may work even better for your dog.

Best Overall

Away the pet carrier.

• Quality 5 /5
• Comfort 5 /5
• Portability 5 /5
• Design 5 /5

Exterior latches for attachment to seatbelt

Crash tested and certified by the Center for Pet Safety

Meets Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements

Water-resistant lining and exterior

Zippered top and side openings for easy access to your pet

Not suitable for dogs over 18 pounds

The Spruce Pets / Sarah Naftzger

The Spruce Pets / Alessandra Amodio

The Pet Carrier from Away received a 5 star rating from the Center for Pet Safety , and our tester's 6-pound dog hopped right in the moment the carrier was introduced. "She felt safe in this carrier and slept in it almost the entire car ride," remarked our tester, who took the carrier on a 12-hour road trip.

For proper use in a car, there are three essential connection points. Latches on the front position a seatbelt securely around the carrier, the shoulder strap is wrapped around a car seat's headrest, and an interior clip is attached to a harness or collar to keep a dog safely inside. A zippered top and side opening—both made of mesh—allow you and your dog to keep tabs on each other with the ability to easily unzip for a quick scratch behind the ears. There are also retractable privacy screens, which can help to minimize potential distractions.

The Away Pet Carrier also has useful storage features, including a full-length side zip pocket with a key holder. There's also a side zip pocket with a waterproof lining and drainage holes where you can keep your dog's collapsible travel water bowl. There's even an included name tag slot for displaying easily visible emergency contact information.

One of our tester dog's favorite features was the plush sherpa bedding. "It must be comfortable because my dog loves to go in and sleep in it at home," our human tester said. While the bedding can be hand-washed and dried, it is not machine-washable.

The Away Pet Carrier bag also meets Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements for bringing a pet inside the cabin of a commercial flight, but you should always confirm size restrictions with your flight provider before flying with a pet. Of course, FAA size restrictions do have a downside: the Away Pet Carrier is likely to be too small for dogs over 18 pounds.

The Away Pet Carrier comes in black or "Coast" blue.

Certification: Center for Pet Safety | Dimensions: 18.7 x 10.8 x 10.75 inches | Size Recommendation: Dogs up to 18 pounds | Colors: Black, blue | Materials: Nylon, leather

Best for Overnights

Sleepypod mobile pet bed.

Functions as pet carrier, bed, and car seat

Great for dogs that like to curl up to sleep

Removable and machine-washable liner included

Removable mesh dome

Hook and loop latches for proper seatbelt positioning

Our tester found that the bulky design made it difficult to use as a carrier

If your dog likes to curl up while sleeping, then the distinct round shape of the Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed car seat should be very inviting.

After watching an instructional video on proper car seat use , our tester found it easy to use the hook and loop positioning points on the carrier to secure a seatbelt in place. The bed is recommended for dogs up to 15 pounds. The top is made of mesh to facilitate airflow and can also be unzipped and removed for use as a bed outside of the car. It's available in a variety of colors and comes with a removable pad that can be cleaned in a washing machine.

The one downside our testers noted is that the bulky design—which makes it nice and roomy for your dog—made the Sleepypod unwieldy as a carrier, even with the use of the included shoulder strap.

All Sleepypod pet carriers have been tested and certified by the Center for Pet Safety .

Certification: Center for Pet Safety | Dimensions: 17 x 13.5 inches | Size Recommendation: Dogs up to 15 pounds | Colors: Arctic white, glacier silver, robin egg blue, blossom pink, strawberry red, dark chocolate, jet black, first blush, olive | Materials: Nylon, mesh, foam

The Spruce Pets / Sarah Elder

Best Harness

Ezydog drive dog car harness.

• Ease of Use 4.5 /5
• Security 5 /5
• Ease of Cleaning 4.5 /5
• Value 3.5 /5

Crash tested and certified by Automotive Safety Engineering in Australia (recognized in the U.S. and Europe)

Functions as a walking harness with D-ring attachments

Hand wash, air dry

"Mag-Lok" magnetic clasp closure

Very stiff at first which can make it difficult to put on

A harness can provide a more minimal way of securing your dog while on car rides. The EzyDog Drive Dog Car Harness enables you to secure your dog with a standard car seatbelt.

"Although my dog didn't like having the harness on and being restrained, having her securely attached to a seatbelt gave me peace of mind," our tester said.

The EzyDog Drive Dog Car Harness is available in three sizes (small, medium, and large) and has four adjustable points to fit most dogs. Size selection should be based on your dog's girth measurement. Our tester found the initial setup of the harness to be intricate, with a few rounds of trial and error required, to find the proper fit for their 35-pound Blue Heeler. "My dog's chest measurement was a lot bigger than her neck size, so I had to find the correct fit for her chest first, and then adjust the neck accordingly," she commented.

Once the harness is properly fitted, each webbing strap can be locked into place, so you only need to adjust the harness again if your dog's weight changes. A magnetic clasp makes it easy to put on and take off, and a seatbelt is easily threaded through handles on the harness.

The EzyDog harness was independently crash-tested and certified by Automotive Safety Engineering in Australia . It also surpasses the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards that the U.S. Department of Transportation established for child restraint systems.

Certification: Automotive Safety Engineering in Australia (recognized in the U.S. and Europe) | Dimensions: 19.29 x 9.45 x 0.24 inches (large) | Size Recommendation: 11- to 25-inch girth (small), 15- to 34-inch girth (medium), 19- to 42-inch girth (large) | Colors: Black | Materials: Nylon, synthetic fabric

The Spruce Pets / Lu Han

Best Budget Harness

Kurgo enhanced strength dog car harness.

Crash-tested in lab setting to meet guidelines for child restraints set by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213

Five adjustment points for a custom fit

Compatible with any vehicle seatbelt system

Available in fives sizes and five colors

Harness can be difficult to put on

The Kurgo Tru-Fit Enhanced Strength Dog Harness comes in five sizes to fit dogs up to 75 pounds with a maximum chest size of 44 inches. The harness has five adjustment points so you can get a customized fit for your dog's unique shape. Plus, the Tru-fit Enhanced Strength Dog Harness has been crash-tested by Kurgo in a lab facility using benchmarks and guidelines from the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213 , which is used for child restraints systems.

This Kurgo harness is also equipped with a no-pull D ring on the front, a D ring on the back, and a padded chest plate, to help keep your dog protected and comfortable while in the car and on a walk. The machine-washable harness is compatible with any vehicle seat belt system, and it includes a carabiner to attach the harness properly along with detailed instructions for crash protection.

Certification: N/A | Dimensions: 0.25 x 5 x 6 inches (medium) | Size Recommendation: 12- to 18-inch chest (extra small), 16- to 22-inch chest (small), 18- to 28-inch chest (medium), 24- to 36-inch chest (large), 28- to 44-inch chest (extra large) | Colors: Black, charcoal, deep violet, ink blue, red | Materials: Nylon

Best for Very Small Dogs

Sleepypod atom.

• Ease of Use 5 /5
• Ease of Cleaning 5 /5

Large pockets on front and back for pet travel essentials

Fits beneath a wide range of airline seats

Folds flat for easy storage

The durable nylon isn't as well-ventilated as some carriers

This carseat and carrier for very small dogs is easy to secure in a car by placing a seatbelt through the built-in buckles located on each side. And like the Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed, the Sleepypod Atom Carrier is tested and certified by the Center for Pet Safety .

Our tester enjoyed the ease of use and peace of mind this carrier provided and found themselves taking their petite dog with them everywhere. A padded, adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry, and the zippered mesh panel at the top offers convenient access to your furry friend. The bag is designed for dogs (and cats!) up to 12 pounds. It's easy to wipe clean and can be used in the main cabin on most commercial flights.

Certification: Center for Pet Safety | Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.5 x 17 inches | Size Recommendation: Dogs up to 12 pounds | Colors: Robin egg blue, blossom pink, strawberry red, dark chocolate, jet black, first blush, olive, charcoal | Materials: Nylon, polyester

The Spruce Pets / Jenna Fortino

Best for Nervous Travelers

Diggs travel carrier.

• Comfort 4 /5
• Portability 2.5 /5
• Design 4 /5

Seat belt clips and a buckle strap keep your pet secure

Easy to wipe clean

Space for dog to lay and sit

Functions as pet carrier and car seat

Bulky design might not work for daily carrier use

Seat belt clips and a buckle strap strongly contributed to this pet carrier's five-star rating from the Center for Pet Safety . "The bag is structured and sturdy, which makes it feel safe," remarked our tester. Their 14-pound dog was comfortable, with space to sit and lay down while tethered to the bag via the interior clip and enclosed during a long car ride.

The carrier is equipped with three pockets, a detachable cross-body strap, and a highly convenient side panel that makes it easy to insert a 20.8 by 11.6-inch pee pad without disrupting your pet inside. Mesh side panels and a zippered mesh panel on top make it easy for you and your pet to quickly check in on each other as needed. The design of the bag is also suitable for airline travel, but it may feel too bulky for daily carrier use.

Certification: Center for Pet Safety | Dimensions: 20 x 10.8 x 11.5 inches | Size Recommendation: Dogs up to 18 pounds | Colors: Blush, navy, charcoal, slate | Materials: Nylon, polyester

The Spruce Pets / Jenny Ryan

Best for Large Dogs

Rock creek crates stationary dog crate.

• Ease of Use 4 /5
• Security 4 /5

Crash-tested and certified by the Center for Pet Safety

No assembly required

Soft, removable pad included

Appropriate for daily crate use

10-year guarantee from manufacturer

Very heavy, and most humans will require an extra set of hands to move

Does not fit in all cars

If you have a large doggo, this CPS-certified crate made from aircraft-grade aluminum can be used to transport your precious canine cargo.

"I love all of the colors this comes in, and it's clear they're thinking about what dog owners want and made a very secure crate," expressed our tester. "This fits my extremely tall dog, and he seems super comfortable in it."

The Aluminum Dog Crate from Rock Creek Crates is made in the U.S. and comes in three sizes. The manufacturer recommends measuring your dog's height and length to find the right size for your dog. Our tester used the crate for daily use in their home as well as for safety in their SUV. The size of the crate is too large for some vehicles (e.g., smaller SUVs, hatchbacks), so double-check the measurements for your car before purchasing.

The crate arrives fully assembled with a removable pad inside and padded handles on the outside. It's easy to wipe clean and has non-slip feet. To ensure that your dog stays safely inside the crate at all times, the front door has a lock and key, making it escape-proof. Our tester's dog tried and wore itself out. It's expensive, but it does come with a 10-year guarantee from the manufacturer.

Certification: Center for Pet Safety | Dimensions: 30 x 20 x 22 inches (medium) | Size Recommendation: Under 22 inches in height (medium), under 27 inches in height (large), under 32 inches in height (extra-large) | Colors: Gray slate, midnight black, white snowfall, sand dune, blue skyline, plum field, navy river | Materials: Aluminum

The Spruce / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm

The Spruce Pets / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm

Tavo Pets Maeve Car Seat

Lab tested benchmarks align with child restraint standard by United Nations ECE (R129)

Canopy fabric is UPF 50+

Made with naturally flame resistant fabric

Easily secures in place and can be used as pet stroller with frame (sold separately)

Has not been crash-tested and certified by the Center for Pet Safety

The Maeve Pet Car Seat from Tavo Pets has two components, the pet carrier and the vehicle base, that work together to keep a dog secure in the backseat of a car. The carrier is offered in three sizes for dogs up to 30 pounds, provides protection from sunlight, and has been lab tested to meet the safety benchmarks for children's restraints in accordance with United Nations ECE (R129) .

The pet carrier has a sturdy frame and is covered in naturally flame resistant fabric. The moveable canopy provides UPF 50+ protection on top along with zippered mesh windows throughout for visibility and airflow. Once inside your dog will rest on one of two provided memory foam mattress pads. The Maeve also comes with two liners, two leash tethers, and a pouch to keep everything organized.

The vehicle base is 12.5 pounds, but once installed you shouldn't need to move it for proper use of the Maeve as a car seat. The pet carrier piece on its own is easy to install and remove from the vehicle base, and it can be used as a pet stroller when paired with the Roscoe Stroller Frame from Tavo Pets.

Tavo Pets is a small pet focused brand from Nuna, the makers of strollers and carriers for human babies and toddlers. The Maeve Pet Car Seat can be purchased on its own, or you can can get the 3-in-1 pet protection system which pairs the pet carrier, the stroller frame, and the vehicle base all together.

Certification: N/A | Dimensions:  31.7 x 16 x 22 inches (medium) | Size Recommendation: Up 20 pounds (small; up to 25 pounds (medium); up to 30 pounds (large)| Colors: Onyx, merle, fawn, brindle, or sable | Materials: Aluminum, vegan leather, memory foam

Final Verdict

A properly fitting car seat or restraint is essential for protecting your dog every time they ride in your car. Our overall favorite is the Pet Carrier from Away , which received a five-star rating from the Center for Pet Safety , but it's only recommended for dogs up to 18 pounds. If you have a larger dog, the EzyDog Drive Dog Car Harness can be adjusted to find the right fit and attached to a seatbelt via handles. This harness has been independently crash tested by Automotive Safety Engineering (ASE) in Australia , which is recognized in the U.S. and Europe.

We researched independently crash-tested and certified safe dog carriers, crates, and harnesses from the Center for Pet Safety in the U.S. and Automotive Engineering Safety in Australia, and then selected 13 products for real-world testing in a car with a dog.

Each testing duo received a car seat or restraint designed for their dog's size. For three weeks, our canine test subjects were buckled up and taken for rides both long and short. All the while, each human counterpart observed and provided feedback within the following categories: ease of use, ease of cleaning, security, size, and overall value.

At the end of our trial period, we gathered and analyzed the data and information provided by our testing teams. We then ranked and categorized our top picks to simplify your search for the right car seat or restraint to keep your dog safe.

Independent Testing

Many harness and car seat makers claim that their products have been crash-tested, but there are no industry standards for car pet restraints. That’s why it’s a good idea to look for crash testing that’s been conducted by independent third-party groups.

For example, the Center for Pet Safety performed crash tests by using a dog crash test dummy, allowing it to create safety standards and requirements to evaluate pet travel items. So far, only a few products have received the center’s crash test certification, but others are working to be certified.

The safest products are typically more expensive than other car restraints, but they are well worth it, according to Center for Pet Safety founder Lindsey Wolko, who has seen the results of the crash tests and heard so many accident stories.

“We recommend that they look at this as an investment. These are going to be more expensive, because there's more due diligence conducted on the products,” Wolko said. “Something is better than nothing to prevent distraction, which can prevent a crash in the first place. However, if you are in a crash, and your pets are in the wrong products, there can be serious consequences.”

Always pay attention to the size and weight guidelines to make sure that a seat or harness will fit your pet correctly. If a restraint doesn’t fit right, your pet might be able to escape, which could cause a distraction or be dangerous if you were to have an accident.

Wipe down your harness or car seat regularly. Most can be kept clean with a damp cloth, but some have linings that can be machine washed—like the dog car seat cover —or can be hosed down. Always check the manufacturer’s directions.

“Never, ever, never ever,” says Wolko. That’s because airbags can deploy and hurt them, and also because dogs can become a major distraction while you’re driving. Then you’re paying attention to your pet instead of the road.

Most states don’t have laws that require dogs to be restrained, but some do so it’s always a good idea to check. Rhode Island, for example, requires pets to be secured with a harness or crate, or in some other way. In other states, drivers may be charged under existing distracted-driver laws if a loose pet is the reason they get into an accident. Securing your pup with a sturdy dog seat belt is just a good preventive measure.

“Those are consistent across the country,” says Wolko. “If you've got a dog that's climbing over your shoulder while you're driving, and you get pulled over, the police officer will ticket you for distracted driving, no matter where you are.”

Why Trust The Spruce Pets?

After real-world testing, this roundup was updated by Anna Mejorada, a writer for The Spruce Pets, who shares her home with a happy Pomeranian named Gidget. Before researching and writing about pet products for a living, Mejorada embarked on a self-mandated, ongoing quest to find the optimal items for her dog. She is now delightfully devoted to helping humans discover and select the most favorable products for their pets.

A previous version was written by Mary Jo DiLonardo , who has been writing about pets and animals for several decades. She has a rescue dog and has fostered more than three dozen dogs and puppies. Pet health and safety are very important to DiLonardo, and she’s always researching the latest products to keep the dogs in her care healthy and safe.

For this story, we consulted with respected safety expert Lindsey Wolko of the Center for Pet Safety. We also interviewed Dr. Jamie Richardson of Small Door Veterinary for background on the dog car seats Richardson likes, what to look for in a car seat for your dog, and why dog car seats are important to own.

Does Your State Require Dogs Be Harnessed in the Car? . Orvis News.

More from The Spruce Pets

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• The 6 Best Airline-Approved Pet Carriers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
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• The 11 Best Cat Carriers Tested With Real Cats In Tow
• The 10 Best Dog Harnesses of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
• The 8 Best Dog Backpack Carriers Tested With Real Dogs
• The 11 Best Dog Carriers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
• The 7 Best Dog Strollers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
• The 10 Best Dog Crates of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
• The 7 Best Dog Bike Baskets for Your Small-Breed Passenger
• The 13 Best Dog Leashes, Tested With Real Dogs
• The 9 Best Dog Harnesses for Hiking, Tested On Real Trails With Wagging Tails
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• Responsible Ownership

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The Best Dog Crates for Puppies: How to Start Crate Training Your Dog

Behaviour and Training

The short version:

Best Dog Crate: Different crates suit different dogs. Depending if you’re using it at home or or travel, big or small dogs, the design may vary. The best dog crate across categories are:

• Best value: Kmart’s folding metal pet crate
• Best design: Fido Studio dog crate
• Best crate for very big dogs: K9Pro’s range of large sizes

Best range of every other kind of crate: Vebo Pet Supplies

So you’ve decided to crate train your dog, great! There are a lot of advantages to creating a special safe space for your pet. But now you need to learn all about the best dog crates for puppies. Before you start, it’s essential to work out what exactly you want the crate for. Hint: check out our article on the subject. When deciding what the best dog crate is for you, consider purpose, material, size, and ease of transport.

First, Work Out What You Are Using the Dog Crate For?

• Crate training: If you’re just doing regular, straight forward crate training at home, a metal crate is the best bet. They’re durable, well ventilated, and can easily be covered with a sheet or blanket to make them feel more like a den.
• Car transport: If you mainly need a crate to house your dog while in the care, it’s better to go for something lighter. Plastic or fabric crates are often easier to fit into vehicles. 
• Plane transport: Unless your dog is a platinum frequent flyer, it’s honestly not worth buying a special crate for the one flight they’ll probably ever catch. Instead, just hire one from the airline or a transport company such as Jet Pets . That way you know it will meet the requirements needed.

Best Dog Crate Material

As you can see, different types of crates are good for different purposes. But there are a few rules to keep in mind when deciding what’s the best dog crate for you.

• Fabric crates: These are light, easy to transport, and often cheaper. But they’re not suitable for ongoing use or to leave your dog unattended. They are too easy to destroy or escape from. 
• Plastic crates: plastic crates are great because they’re light, but more durable than fabric. Being a bit more sturdy, they’re often more pleasant for the dog as they can feel like a snug den. Like fabric, they’re good for transporting your pet around, but be careful carrying them by the handle. They’re tougher than fabric, but can easily break when holding your dog’s full weight. Unlike metal crates, they’re not adjustable, so this isn’t an great option if you want to use the same crate when they’re a puppy and grown. 
• Metal crates: If your pet is using the crate daily, or you want it to last a lifetime, then metal is really the way to go. Metal crates are robust, durable, and often adjustable. But they’re also generally more expensive. Also, if you’re a design nut, they’re often not that attractive.

Choosing the Right Sized Dog Crate

It is vital to choose the right sized dog crate. Too small and your pup will be cramped and not want to use the space. Too big and there will be enough room for them to wee in one end and sleep in the other, making them less motivated to toilet train. 

Your pooch needs to be able to stand up, turn around and lay down to be comfortable in a crate. A small dog can have the same size crate from puppy to adult. Large dogs will either need two different crates or one that is adjustable.

Extra Features to Look Out For

• Collapsable: Crates are great, but they’re also often bulky and take up space. If you’re travelling, you’ll want something that folds down. But it’s nice to have the option for home too, in case you decide to put it in storage in the future.
• Adjustable: Yes, we’ve mentioned this a few times, but it can make a big difference. As we juts pointed out, dogs need different sized crates at different periods of their life. It’s often more cost effective to get an adjustable crate than have to replace it in a year.
• Replaceable parts: dog crates face a lot of wear and tear, so options like replaceable trays and the choice to switch between plastic and metal parts can come in handy.

Off the Leash’s Pick for the Best Dog Crates for Puppies

Best value: At $32 Kmart’s folding metal pet crate is an affordable basic option for smaller pets. Unfortunately it only comes in one size and isn’t adjustable so wouldn’t be suiter for larger dogs. 

Buy it here

Best design: A lot of the time a dog crate will live in a common area of the house, so it’s worth making sure it has some visual appeal. Omlet have done a great job giving the classic dog crate an aesthetic update, as well as adding the option to customise it for extra storage.

Best for bigger dogs: K9Pro has a range of crates that will fit even the most XXL dog. 

Best range: for everything else, check out Vebo Pet. They have crates for pretty much every purpose and pet you could think of.

Our 2022 Favourite

We have a new favourite here at the Off The Leash dog park. A clever Brisbane team have launched The Paws Room – a beautiful and seemingly far more sustainable small range of dog crates.

They’re flat packed and ship easily around the country, starting at $695 for a small and up to $1,275 for a large. They also have a pretty neat doggy couch to go with it. It’s easily our favourite dog crate design.

For more on training, check out:

What You Need to Know about Crate Training Your Dog

What You Need to Know about Bringing a Dog Home for the First Time

How To Tell Your Dog You Love Them

While you’re here, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram , Facebook , and Twitter .

Written by Doug Spiegelhauer on January 28, 2019 for Off The Leash

Article last updated on October 3, 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

What is crate training.

It’s the process of getting a dog familiar with an enclosure (or “crate”) where they may sleep or spend time when travelling, anxious, or home alone (if it’s large enough). Rather than focusing on locking them up, it can actually be a comfort for animals who love routine and security.

What is the best dog crate?

Different crates suit different breeds, sizes, and situations. Such as:

What size dog crate do I need?

It depends on the size of your dog and what they will use it for. Make sure to measure them before purchasing, and check to ensure they can stand up and turn around.

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Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

Check out our new Moscow Indie Travel Guide , book a flight to Moscow and read 10 Bars with Views Worth Blowing the Budget For

Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission

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