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SwissGear TSA-Approved Travel Sentry Luggage Locks - Set of 2 Mini Locks with 2 Keys, Black, One Size

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About this item.

• TSA-approved locks can be opened and re-locked by TSA screeners.
• Easy-to-use key locks mean you don't have any combinations to remember.
• Keep your luggage secure when it's out of your sight.
• Ensure suitcases don't become unzipped during rough travel.
• Set includes 2 luggage locks and 2 keys.

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Product description.

Keep the contents of your suitcases safer and TSA happier. Luggage locks have always been an easy way to add peace of mind when traveling. They are great for keeping prying hands out of your suitcases or simply keeping zippers closed during the bumps and bangs of transit. But use the wrong lock, and all that peace of mind could disappear when your bag goes through the TSA screening process. If TSA needs to search your bag and you aren't using TSA-approved luggage locks, they will cut off your lock to get in the bag. Goodbye, lock. And goodbye, peace of mind. TSA locks provide security from departure to arrival. Our TSA-approved luggage locks let screeners open your bag without destroying the lock. Once the search is complete, the locks are reattached, leaving your bag secure and ready to meet you at your destination with both its contents and your peace of mind intact. About SwissGear From the maker of the genuine Swiss Army Knife, SwissGear represents the best in travel accessories for people on the move. Our products make it easier and more comfortable to take what you need with you everywhere you go. So, no matter where life's adventures take you, always go with SwissGear.

From the manufacturer

SwissGear Accessories

Make sure your personal belongings and items are accounted for during travel with the help of SwissGear's convenient accessories. You can be reassured that you have everything you need with our essential luggage tags, luggage locks, laptop sleeves, and dopp kits. Check all the boxes before your journey by staying on top of the personalization, security, and protection of your gear.

Luggage Tags

Luggage tags include your written personal information and they are secured on your luggage, backpacks, and other gear. This accessory informs others of how to return your belongings if they get lost in transit; it's crucial to have tags on all of your travel gear to have peace of mind if they do end up out of sight.

Luggage locks are attached to the zippers of your luggage to prevent anyone from being able to open your gear. This added safety element will protect your luggage from thieves and provide a more secure travel experience.

Laptop Sleeves

Laptop sleeves are made with padded material and include a zippered exterior pocket, a perfect place for your laptop to live. This protective case is perfect for travel and will defend your device from harmful movement and external threats.

Dopp kits are a great way to keep all of your toiletries organized and compact for traveling. This versatile accessory can be brought to any destination to ensure an on-the-go hub for your everyday, morning to night essentials.

What's in the box

• 2 locks, 2 Keys

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Customer reviews.

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the ease of use, performance, quality, safety, and value of the lock. They mention that it's easy to lock and open, works great, and is durable. Some appreciate the value for money.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the lock easy to use. They say it's a great little lock, with two keys. Some say that the lock works well and does not have issues.

"Work great, gives me peace of mind while traveling ." Read more

" easy to use " Read more

"...TSA breaking through them, which means they’ve been able to unlock them with no problems , as after every flight I was finding a notice that my tool..." Read more

" Nice locks . They look smaller then the picture though." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the performance of the lock. They mention that it works great, has no issues with use, and is simple to use. Some say that it gives them peace of mind while traveling and that it's perfect as advertised.

" Work great , gives me peace of mind while traveling." Read more

" Works as advertised !!" Read more

"This is exactly what I needed for my suitcase when I travel. Works very well ." Read more

" No issues with use ." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the lock. They mention that it's durable, excellent, and solid. Some say that the lock is easy to break into.

" Easy to break into but you know what does the job temporary" Read more

"Too expensive but they are really solid travel locks ." Read more

" Sturdy and did the job. I can see this lasting for many trips to come as long as it doesn't get cut off by TSA." Read more

"Both locks survived one round-trip so far! No jamming, no breaking , no issues, so far." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the safety of the lock. They mention that it is safe for the TSA and keeps their luggage safe.

"These luggage locks are advertised as safe for the TSA inspections ...." Read more

"Great lock key my luggage locked and safe " Read more

" Safe and easy..." Read more

Customers appreciate the value of the lock.

"...I loved that they were a set of two, the price & they quick delivery!..." Read more

" Excellent value ." Read more

" Expensive but good..." Read more

Customers find the lock extremely light.

"...TSA approved. Lightweight ." Read more

"...I have used this type lock for 10 years with no issues. They are light & do the job...." Read more

"...I was surprised at how light they are, only 19 g (0.65 oz). Perfect for something I'll be carrying over my shoulder all day/night." Read more

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The 7 Best TSA-Approved Locks of 2024

Keep your belongings secure

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

TripSavvy / Chloe Jeong

TSA locks can seem a bit mysterious, but they're the easiest way to add some security to the travel process. There are all kinds of styles, from combination and cable locks to classic key and keyless locks with card access. The best part is that TSA-approved locks are no more expensive than non-approved ones, and they're easy to find.

Like many travel accessories, there are an overwhelming number of TSA-approved locks to choose from. That's where our research comes into play: We dug into the best locks that will keep your personal items where they belong, broken down by type (and you've got plenty of options). Consider how much you are willing to spend, the style that best suits your needs, and any durability claims and reviews.

Final Verdict

• What to Look For

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best for backpacks, master lock luggage lock.

Highly compatible

Sleek design

A few color options

A bit of a learning curve

This steel option from Master Lock has a slighter design than other options, making it a good pick for smaller luggage and backpacks. The cable is covered in tough and flexible vinyl so that the lock can withstand the rough life of a carry-on.

Materials: Vinyl, steel | Type: Combination

Best Budget

Anvil luggage cable locks.

Lifetime guarantee

Lightweight zinc body

Easy to organize

Demands fine motor manipulation

These TSA-approved luggage locks come in sets of two or four, so you can outfit all of your bags for under $25. The combination locks are designed with a thin and durable steel shackle, which is excellent for looping into the toughest zippers. If you’re an organization enthusiast, you might be into the fact that each lock is a different hue—reviewers have applauded the color coding opportunities.

Materials: Chrome, steel, zinc | Type: Combination

Best Splurge

Talonport keyless tsa-approved luggage lock.

Cards come in two different sizes

Easy to operate

Innovative design

Some reviewers question durability

If keys and combinations are not your style and you don’t mind investing a bit more on convenience, consider this option from Talonport. The device is unlocked using a card that can easily be stored in a wallet. This lock comes with a lifetime guarantee and is near-impossible to pick, thanks to a seamless design and lack of combination. Plus, if you lose the card, Talonlock will send you a replacement free of charge.

Materials: Metal | Type: Card

Best for Durability

Lewis n. clark 3-dial combination lock.

Engraved numbers won't rub off

Lightweight

Lock itself could be more robust

The 3-Dial Combination Lock from Lewis N. Clark offers double security in the form of an included 4-foot coated steel cable and durable shackle. The extra-long cord makes it possible to secure bags to each other or secure your belongings to a desk in a hotel room or a seat in an airport terminal. It may not be the most beautiful design, but it’s a heavy-duty option that will give you one less thing to worry about on travel day. Weighing in at less than 2 ounces, it will surprise you with its power.

Materials: Steel, zinc | Type: Combination

Best Tamper Proof

Forge combination lock set.

Several color options

Unconditional lifetime guarantee

Some reviews claim locks can be forced

Forge's combination locks come with special keys that feature a dimpled design, making the locks much harder to pick. If you've ever retrieved your luggage and noticed the lock hanging open or stuffed back into your suitcase, rest assured you won't have to worry about that happening with this lock. It's designed so the TSA agent has to re-lock the suitcase to remove their key.

Materials: Steel, zinc | Type: Key

Best Key Lock

Master lock padlock, keyed tsa-accepted luggage lock.

Straightforward design

High visibility colors

Must use key to lock

Master Lock’s padlock is designed with front access, which makes locking and unlocking easier on the wrists. The steel shackle gives you all the protection you need against those looking to cut the lock off, and both locks in the set can be opened with the same key (you get two keys in the pack). Another bonus: These locks are available in two colors (purple and blue), making them easier to spot in the mess of packing and unpacking .

Materials: Steel | Type: Key

Best Retractable Cable Lock

Lewis n. clark retractable cable lock.

Bright color for quick recognition

Versatile design

If you don’t want to mess with any additional accessories like keys or extra cables, this retractable design from Lewis N. Clark may be just what you’re looking for. A 30-inch steel cable provides plenty of flexibility for securing multiple pieces of luggage or looping your zipper pulls together. An easy-to-use, three-number combination allows the user to open and close the lock. Reviewers say this option is better for carry-on luggage, as steel shackle styles provide more security when your bag is completely out of sight.

Materials: Steel, thermoplastic rubber, ABS | Type: Combination

If you like to travel light and appreciate products from well-established brands, go for the Master Lock Set Your Own Combination Lock . It's light yet durable and works perfectly for carry-ons, backpacks, or small luggage items . We also like the Anvil 3-Digit Cable Lock for its value and lifetime guarantee.

What to Look for When Buying a TSA-Approved Lock

Luggage locks vary quite a bit in price, but you won’t find many over $20. It depends on the level of security you’re looking for: Steel shackle locks can run a bit more expensive, as do keyless options that require a card to unlock. Beware of super-inexpensive options—paying a few dollars more on your luggage lock can make all the difference.

Most TSA-approved locks are made of steel, an ultra-durable material. Steer clear of locks made entirely of rubber or plastic and locks with cables that are anything but steel.

There are a few common styles of TSA-approved locks: combination locks, cable locks, and keyless locks. Consider your personal preferences when choosing: Do you constantly lose your keys? Stay away from locks that require one to open. Need a bit of flexibility to lock up a bag with small zipper holds? Look for a super-strong cable lock with a thinner cable. Anxious about someone cracking your combination code? Opt for a card-access lock. 

Every TSA-approved lock will have a red diamond logo, also known as a Travel Sentry logo. This means it’s compatible with the universal keys that TSA agents have to unlock these approved locks.

Not necessarily. Most cable locks are made with durable steel cables—you’d need a heavy-duty wire cutter to break through. If that still worries you, choose a steel shackled lock instead; just know that they are less flexible in terms of what you can affix them to (larger shackles don’t often work well with smaller zipper pulls).

It’s not illegal to lock your luggage with a non-approved lock, but you are running the risk of a TSA agent cutting your lock off should they need to search your bag. There isn’t often a price difference between TSA-approved and non-approved locks, so you’re always better off going with one that the TSA can access.

Erika Owen is a frequent traveler who doesn’t leave home for a trip without her favorite TSA-approved lock. She also put four hours of research and review analysis into this story and has personally tested several of the brands mentioned in this article including Lewis N. Clark and Master Lock.

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• Trusted Traveler Programs
• How To Apply

How to Apply for SENTRI

Before you apply, make sure you are eligible for SENTRI.

It’s easy. Just follow these steps:

• Create a Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) System account. Regardless of your age, you must have your own TTP account.
• Log in to your TTP account and complete the application. A non-refundable fee is required with each completed application.
• After accepting your completed application and fee, CBP will review your application. If your application is conditionally approved, then your TTP account will instruct you to schedule an interview at a SENTRI Enrollment Center. Each applicant must schedule a separate interview.
• You will need to bring your valid passport(s) and one other form of identification, such as a driver’s license or ID card to the interview. If you are a lawful permanent resident, you must present your permanent resident card. Also, required are vehicle registration and evidence of United States automobile insurance by a company authorized to write automobile insurance in the United States.  

Reasonable Modifications for Applicants with a Disability After you have submitted your application and scheduled an interview at a SENTRI Enrollment Center , if you require assistance for the interview because of a disability, contact the SENTRI Enrollment Center where your interview is scheduled to request a reasonable modification or auxiliary aid or service to complete the interview.  Requests for a modification, aid, or service should be made as soon as possible and prior to the date of an interview to allow sufficient time for making the appropriate arrangements at the interview location.

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How do you unlock a TSA lock if you forgot the combination?

December 12, 2022 // By Lois Alter Mark

By Lois Alter Mark Travel Expert December 12, 2022

Using a TSA lock on your suitcase is a great way to keep your belongings safe while making it easy for TSA officers to do their job. But, because the lock requires a combination, it gives you something else to remember in addition to all those passwords floating around in your head. And that means there’s a chance you’re eventually going to forget it.

Don’t worry. We’ll show you how to open a TSA lock when you forget the combination, so you can get on with your travels even when the code escapes you.

What is a TSA lock, anyway?

A TSA lock is one to which only TSA officials have a key. You set the combination yourself and, if a TSA agent has to look inside your bag because they see something suspicious on the scanner, it can be easily opened with their master key. If you use a lock that’s not TSA-approved, the agent’s only way to get in is to cut the lock or the bag itself, possibly damaging it.

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Many suitcases already come with built-in TSA locks but, if they don’t, you can buy one separately.

How to open your TSA lock and reset the combination

If you forget your TSA lock combination, there are a few methods you’ll want to try to open it. And, yes, you do have to open it before you can reset the combination. Because there’s no standard solution for this, you’ll have to experiment to see which one works for you.

Since different locks require different processes, the most effective first step may be to call the luggage or lock company itself (or check their website) for brand-specific instructions.

Travel Sentry, whose red diamond logo certifies that a lock is TSA-approved, recommends trying every possible combination from 000-999, starting with 000, 001, 002 … and working your work to 999. Although, admittedly, this seems time-consuming, they assure it should take 30 minutes or less, especially if the first number is a 0, 1 or 2 (something to keep in mind when you’re coming up with a new combination).

If the idea of that is overwhelming and your luggage features a built-in TSA lock, you can try this:

• Use a safety pin to locate the metal or plastic cylinder on the right side of the first dial. The flashlight and camera on your phone can help you zoom in on it.
• Turn the dial and, with the safety pin, look for an indentation or gap in the cylinder. Leave the dial at that number.
• Repeat the process for the other two dials.
• If the lock doesn’t open, turn all three dials down one number.
• If the lock still doesn’t open, keep turning all three dials down one number at a time until it does.

Here’s another method that has worked for travelers with TSA padlocks:

• Put pressure on the locking mechanism by pushing the button or pulling on the lock.
• Turn the first dial slowly until you hear an audible click, which signals it’s the correct number.
• Repeat the process for the next two dials.
• When all three numbers are correct, the lock will open.

If you forget your combination while the lock is still open, all you have to do is reset it with a new combination. Again, you may be best off checking the brand’s website for individual instructions, but you can reset most freestanding locks this way:

• Set each dial to 0 so it reads 000.
• Rotate the shackle 90 degrees from the lock position.
• Press the shackle and keep it down while you set your three-digit combination.
• Release the shackle and turn it back to the lock position.

To reset most built-in locks, simply slide the lock button in the direction of the arrow, set your new code and release the button.

Is it really worth using a TSA lock?

Using a TSA lock is totally a matter of personal preference. Many travelers feel safer knowing that their luggage is secure while others don’t want to have to worry about remembering one more thing. The fact is, of the 1.4 million checked bags the TSA screens daily, only about 5% of checked bags are actually opened by agents for further inspection.

Our advice? Use a TSA lock and store your combination safely in your phone for all-around peace of mind.

About Lois Alter Mark

Lois Alter Mark is an award-winning travel and lifestyle writer who also writes regularly for Forbes and Reader's Digest. She writes about everything from luxury cruises and spas to quirky restaurants and street art. A former New Yorker, Lois now lives in San Diego where she's turned into a weather wimp and is still searching for a good slice of pizza. 

Read more about Lois Alter Mark here.

Connect with Lois via: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | LinkedIn

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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

Claudia Looi

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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Russia's hunted A-50 command planes are its eyes over Ukraine. Here's how it compares to the Boeing E-3 Sentry.

• Ukraine's most significant aircraft kills in 2024 are two Russian A-50 command planes.
• The A-50 can track over 150 targets simultaneously and relay them to a dozen fighters jets.
• The E-3 Sentry fills a similar role, and has played an active role in Ukraine from the sidelines.

Ukraine's embattled air defense network started 2024 with a string of successes.

In the first three months of the year, the country claimed to have intercepted at least 1,011 missiles and loitering munitions, and shot down at least 16 jets of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) — 13 of which were downed in just two weeks.

The kills include two modern Su-35 fighters and 12 valuable Su-34 fighter-bombers. But the most significant kills may have been two Beriev A-50 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft — platforms that carry no offensive weapons.

The loss of the two A-50s represents an enormous blow to the VKS and its operations in Ukraine.

Flying since the earliest days of the war, both sides have utilized early warning and control aircraft to enhance their capabilities and defeat each other's planes and missiles. Although Ukraine didn't inherit any A-50s from the Soviet Union, its American-made equivalent, the E-3 Sentry, has quietly played an important role in Ukraine's campaign to defend itself from Russian attacks.

The Mainstay

AEW&C aircraft are aerial radar stations meant to detect and track enemy weapon systems — namely aircraft, missiles, and naval ships. They also function as command-and-control centers from which commanders can distribute information and commands to subordinates in the field.

They originated in the latter half of World War II, when the Western Allies were finding ways to track incoming threats (particularly those aimed at ships) such as bombers, U-boats, V-1 rockets, and kamikaze aircraft.

With the development of nuclear-armed intercontinental bombers and ballistic missiles in the Cold War, AEW&C aircraft became essential. The USSR's first AEW&C aircraft, the Tupolev Tu-126, was designed to patrol Russia's 15,000-mile northern coastline for American nuclear bombers and ICBMs.

But the Tu-126 lacked look-down capability, meaning it couldn't detect or track low-flying objects underneath it. Moreover, by the late 1970s, its electronic suite was outdated.

In 1985, the Tu-126 was replaced by the A-50. Built by the Beriev Design Bureau and first flown in 1978, it is based on the Ilyushin Il-76 airframe and has a flight crew of five. Called the "Mainstay" by NATO, it has a ceiling of 40,000 feet, a range of over 4,000 miles, and a flight endurance of around 6 hours, which can be extended with aerial refueling.

Its central feature is the 32-foot wide, 6-foot-high rotodome mounted on aerodynamic struts on the rear section of the fuselage. Known as the "Mushroom" by the crew, it is operated by ten specialists and is capable of providing 360-degree scanning coverage.

In its most upgraded version, the A-50 is capable of tracking over 150 targets simultaneously at ranges as far as 400 miles, including a limited ability to detect and track certain ground targets as well. The A-50 can also coordinate and send guidance data to up to 12 friendly jets simultaneously. For example, it can relay targeting information on a Ukrainian aircraft or static targets to VKS jets, or alert Russia's ground-based air defenses to an incoming missile.

The USSR reportedly built as many as five A-50s a year, with about 42 being built by 1992, when the breakup of the Soviet Union halted production. It has had limited export success; one A-50 airframe was sold to China, but it was equipped with a Chinese-made radar and redesignated as the KJ-2000. Similarly, three A-50EIs were sold to India in 2004, though they were fitted with Israeli-made radars. In 2016, India ordered two more A-50 airframes.

Despite halting production, the Russians have been upgrading their remaining A-50s. In 2007, the A-50M variant was tested, reportedly featuring an upgraded radar and digital electronic systems. Another upgraded version, the A-50U, was introduced in 2011, and features new computers, satellite communications, a modernized radar, and new engines.

In 1991, Russian A-50s were deployed over the Black Sea during Operation Desert Storm to monitor aircraft in the US-led coalition that were flying bombing missions from Turkey. They have since served over the skies of Chechnya during both Chechen wars, helped coordinate Russian air operations over Georgia in 2008, and have been deployed to Syria as part of Russia's involvement in the Syrian Civil War.

The counterpart to the A-50 is the American-made E-3 Sentry . Also known as the Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), it was created by Boeing and replaced the US Air Force's previous AEW&C aircraft, the EC-121 Warning Star .

First flown in 1976, the E-3 was adopted by the Air Force in 1977, and began flying monitoring missions for North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

Based on a modified civilian Boeing 707 airframe, the Sentry has a flight crew of four, a ceiling of 30,000 feet, and a range of around 5,700 miles. It can fly continuously for about eight hours, but is capable of longer flights thanks to its aerial refueling ability.

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Like the A-50, the centerpiece of the E-3 is its rotodome. Nicknamed the "Oreo," the radome is 30 feet in diameter and 6 feet high. It is capable of providing a complete 360-degree view of everything within a more than 250-mile radius, from the surface of the earth to the stratosphere. This extensive ground search allows it to play much more of a role in air-to-ground targeting than the A-50.

The E-3's crew size is dependent on its exact mission. Capable of carrying up to 39 personnel, a typical mission usually calls for a crew between 17 and 25. In addition to detecting and tracking targets, the Sentry acts as a command-and-control platform, and is capable of delivering combat data and orders directly to friendly assets.

The E-3 has become a silent workhorse since it was adopted. It has been deployed as part of nearly every military operation the US has undertaken since its introduction, conducted radar coverage flights for NORAD, supported anti-drug trafficking missions in Latin America, and has occasionally tagged along with the president as he travels to foreign countries.

E-3s have also been sent to allies and partners as a way to show support and provide assurance during times of crisis. They were deployed to South Korea after President Park Chung-hee was assassinated in 1979 and in Egypt in 1981 after the assassination of President Anwar Sadat. They were also deployed to Saudi Arabia throughout the Iran-Iraq War.

In all, 68 E-3s were built between 1977 and 1992. It performed so well that it has been adopted by multiple countries.

France operates four E-3s acquired between 1991 and 1992, while Saudi Arabia operates five acquired between 1986 and 1987. The UK Royal Air Force operated seven E-3s between 1991 and 2021, three of which were sold to Chile in 2022.

The US Air Force operates 18 E-3s. The second-largest customer and operator is NATO, with 14 Sentries in service with the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force, a specialized multinational unit tasked with monitoring NATO airspace comprised of crew and support personnel from 19 member states.

Ukraine and future

Both the A-50 and the E-3 have played an active role in the war in Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Russian A-50s have been monitoring Ukrainian airspace for Ukrainian Air Force jets and surface-to-air missiles. They have also helped Russian kinetic strike operations by providing live targeting data and coordinates to anti-aircraft missiles, VKS strike aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, and drones.

As an AEW&C aircraft, the A-50 is not supposed to be deployed close to the frontline of active combat zones . Yet on January 14, Ukraine managed to shoot down an A-50 as it was flying over the Sea of Azov. A month later, a second A-50 was claimed , this time over Russia itself.

The shoot downs are as devastating as they are surprising, since Russia is unlikely to have many remaining A-50s able to replace the losses.

Estimates vary, but Russia reportedly started the war with as many as ten active A-50s, with seven reportedly being A-50Us. In addition to the two shot down, a third A-50 was reportedly damaged in Belarus last year .

Russia has said that it will restart production of the A-50, but those efforts are likely to be complicated by Western sanctions on critical electrical components. The sanctions issues have already been blamed for delays in production of the A-50's replacement , the A-100. The Ukrainians have also targeted the factory where A-50s are produced with drone strikes.

The E-3, meanwhile, has also played an active role in the war in Ukraine, although it has done so without crossing into Ukrainian airspace.

Flying over Poland, Romania, and the Black Sea, NATO and Allied E-3s have surveilled Russian activity in Ukraine, detecting the movement of Russian jets, ships, incoming missiles and drones, and sometimes even ground units. Ukraine has been more effective at destroying critical sites like air defenses and command posts well beyond Russia's frontlines, and it's plausible that intelligence gathered by E-3 radars and sensors may contribute to this targeting.

The Russians have made their disapproval of the E-3 operations known. Last November, the Russians threatened to destroy a French Air Force E-3 that was operating over the Black Sea in what a French military spokesman described as "a particularly aggressive radio exchange."

Their importance notwithstanding, the E-3s are in need of replacement.

With an average age of around 44 years, maintaining the E-3s is only getting more difficult — especially since the airframe it is based on was originally designed and built in the late 1950s and hasn't been produced since 1991.

Last year, the US Air Force announced that it had selected the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail as the E-3's intended replacement. The service hopes to acquire 26 of the new planes by 2032, with the first planned to be introduced in 2027.

NATO announced a similar plan last November, with plans to acquire six E-7s, the first of which will enter service by 2031. The UK, which has retired all of its E-3s, is also in the process of acquiring the E-7, which is already in service with the air forces of Australia, South Korea, and Turkey.

Benjamin Brimelow is a freelance journalist covering international military and defense issues. He holds a master's degree in Global Affairs with a concentration in international security from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. His work has appeared in Business Insider and the Modern War Institute at West Point.

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