Category: Russia

Before travelling to Russia, there are important things to know to make your trip smooth and enjoyable. With stunning attractions like the Hermitage, the Kremlin, Kazan Cathedral, St Isaac’s Cathedral, Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood, and St Basil’s Cathedral, it’s no wonder Russia is becoming a tourist destination.

In this guide, I have outlined 18 key things to consider before your trip.

1. Check if you need a visa

Russia does require you to have a visa unless your country is listed in the “visa-free regime” Check more here for details about “visa-free regime” countries or if you are arriving by cruise or ferry.

Cruise or ferry passengers can stay in Russia for 72 hours without a visa if they have booked tours through officially licensed companies. This includes:

• St Petersburg
• Kaliningrad
• Vladivostok
• Sochi
• Vyborg
• Korsakov (Sakhalin Island)
• Novorossiysk
• Arkhangelsk,
• Zarubino (Primorsky Krai)
• Murmansk.

Allow a month minimum to obtain your visa. The recommendation is to apply for your visa before booking flights and accommodation, although you need to list your host company, dates and at least need to know where you are interested in staying. They have recently introduced an e-visa scheme for some countries, to find out more information check out UK visa service centres guide.

2. Register Upon Arrival in Russia

The process of registering on arrival dates back past the Soviet times to ensure you were not occupying valuable Russian soil without authorities’ permission. The registration used to be a little stamp in your passport on a paper attached to your visa and/or on the new migration card (if it was given to you) before 2007 which needed to be registered within 72 working hours.

It has been a little more modernised since 2007 and is now a special piece of paper that confirms your registration has been submitted. It’s not meant to be your obligation and should be done by the accommodating party. However, if it’s not registered within seven working days upon arrival, you could be fined, deported (although deportation is unlikely) and denied entry to Russia for up to 5 years.

Our hostels provided us with the piece of paper we needed for our registration upon arrival. If they don’t provide this, chase your accommodation to provide this!

3. Everything is in Сyrillic Writing unless it is Tourist Related

All the writing is in Cyrillic which can make it interesting for those who are used to the Latin alphabet. I personally cannot read Cyrillic so this made it a little challenging to navigate and read menus at restaurants that didn’t have an English menu.

There are a few signs with English translations but some cities don’t have them at all. This of course, can make it a little frustrating for a tourist.

When I was travelling around google maps offline, a tourist map of the city or a phrase book/notepad which has necessary words like “exit” Выход, “entrance” вход, “restaurant” ресторан, “pharmacy”аптека, “bank” Банка and “metro” метро.

Our first experience of eating out at a restaurant where no one spoke English was a fun experience. We ended up randomly guessing what to eat on the menu. That is a little challenging when you are a vegetarian hoping for a non-meat dish!

The little icons looked like they would be burgers and pizza. My boyfriend thought he was getting a cheeseburger and ended up with plum dumplings. My sister thought she would end up with some kind of burger and got a chicken tuna sandwich. I got exactly what I thought I would, a margarita pizza!

Even though it was much to my amusement the others didn’t get what they wanted, my boyfriend enjoyed his plum dumplings. My sister, less so. She really doesn’t like tuna.

If you not so game at randomly selecting food then most restaurants in the tourist area will have English menus available. Just check the menu before you sit down.

4. English isn’t spoken too often in Russia

English is not as widely spoken in Russia as it is in many other popular tourist destinations in Europe. In Moscow, we found that English was less commonly spoken than in St Petersburg. Here are the best phrases to learn that will help you on your trip to Russia:

Hello Здравствуйте (ZDRAHST-vooy-tyeh)
Thank you Спасибо (spuh-SEE-buh)
Yes Да (dah)
No Нет (nyeht)
Goodbye До свидания (duh svee-DAH-nyah.)
I can’t speak Russian Я не говорю по-русски (хорошо). (yah nee guh-vah-RYOO pah ROO-skee [khah-rah-SHOH])
Do you speak English? Вы говорите по-английски? (vyh guh-vah-REE-tyeh pah ahn-GLEES-kee?)
Good morning Доброе утро (DOH-bruh-yeh OO-truh)
Good evening Добрый вечер (DOH-bryh VYEH-chuhr)
Where is the toilet? Где туалет? (gdyeh too-ah-LYEHT?)
Vodka водка (VOHT-kah)
Water вода/ой (vah-DAH / vah-DOY)

For all the tourist attractions we went to, we found that everyone spoke a little English so it was easy enough to buy tickets. Although, some museums did not translate from Russian to English and we skipped a couple of attractions because of this.

5. Best Currency to Exchanging Money for Roubles

The best currencies to exchange in Russia are US Dollars and Euros. Other currencies do not get a very good rate.

Only change money at banks, hotels and airport exchange bureaux. It is an offence to change money from street traders. Most major banks and currency exchanges will sell you Roubles as well.

6. Debit/Credit Cards are not widely accepted

There are places in Russia that will accept debit/credit cards for purchases and there are some that don’t. Debit/credit cards are becoming more popular and undoubtedly it will soon enough be much more widely accepted.

You can get money out from ATM machines where I was in Moscow and St Petersburg, and you could also get money from major banks.

I recommend you keep some cash on you at all times, particularly if you are going to eat out or accept any goods or services ahead of purchase so that you don’t get caught out not being able to pay.

7. Public Transport is the Best Way to Get Around Cities like Moscow and St Petersburg

Public transport is the best way to get around in most cities, especially the larger ones equipped with a subway system. The Moscow Metro is known as one of the world’s most efficient and cheapest underground transit systems. I would have to say the Moscow Metro is also one of the most beautiful. The stations are tourist attractions in their own right. Read more about how to complete a self-guided tour of the Moscow metro station during your visit.

In Moscow, our accommodation gave us an English version of the metro map, which was handy for navigating the metro. However, where and how to buy tickets won’t be included in the map, so make sure you know how to do this activity.

7. Don’t Drink The Tap Water

It is not uncommon even to open the tap to see some brown water coming out for a little while and not the highest quality of water. If small amounts of tap water are consumed, it won’t hurt you so brushing your teeth with the water will cause harm. It could cause an upset stomach or growing illness in your stomach at most.

When you are in Russia, drink bottled or filtered water. If you are ordering water at a restaurant and don’t want carbonated water, ensure you say that you want water without fizz or gas.

The accommodation we stayed at is Moscow, and St Petersburg installed a filter solution so their water was safe to drink and saved us money. Alternatively, boiling water from the tap can make it safe to drink.

9. Plan an Itinerary

Russia is a big place with lots to see especially if you are only covering Moscow and St Petersburg on your trip. Planning is key to make sure you cover the highlights, allow for museum and attraction closure days and time to cover some of the sheer sizes of the sights.

Creating your own DIY itinerary is the best way to explore Russia. Not only creating does creating your own DIY itinerary allow you to have flexibility but it is cheaper than a tour.

If you are planning to go to Moscow and St Petersburg, here are some ideas:
The Ultimate Guide on How to Spend Four Days in Moscow
St Petersburg 4 Day Itinerary

10. Be mindful of prices

Russia does tend to have tourist and local prices so you will generally be paying more than the locals do. Museum tickets is an area you will generally see the prices difference against Russians. If you claim to be a Russian they will ask to see your passport or proof that you are a Russian resident.

It is still cheaper than other European destinations but the key to being careful with prices in Russia is making sure you understand what the cost should be especially for restaurants, cabs or buying souvenirs.

If you are lucky enough to be a student then using your student ID can save you money at museums and other attractions. Restaurants also have deals called ‘business lunches’, which are great value for dining out.

11. Be Prepared for the Weather

The weather in Russia is hard to predict and is generally very changeable. Places can be known to having 4 seasons in a day or just be extremes of hot and cold. Even the Russian locals do not know what to expect from the weather.

Not being from a cold country myself, I am not sure I could handle the extreme cold of Russia during the winter. If travelling during the winter, it’s more important to protect yourself from the wet, rather than the cold. As bigger cities will be warmer the snow will melt quicker and turn into mush than regional areas. Make sure if you are travelling during winter that you bring the right shoes. Had I gone there in winter I would have taken my snow boots.

When we visited Russia, it was during summer and we were very lucky with the weather! Only 2 days that rained out of the 8 days when we were there. The temperature was similar to a London summer and we just packed light clothes along with a jacket plus some umbrellas and good walking shoes like sneakers.

13. Take Off Your Shoes When You Enter Someone’s Home

Be prepared to take off your shoes when you enter someone’s house in Russia or even your accommodation. Slippers are usually offered to guests when they come to visit. It was a rule at our hostels that we took our shoes off and they offered us disposable slippers to wear around the hostel.
I think it is a mix of comfort and cleanliness due to the weather which can drag dirt through the house via your shoes.

14. You Can’t Buy Alcohol from a Store After 11 PM

Shops will stop selling alcohol after 11pm so make sure you get your last-minute booze beforehand. Alternatively, places like Moscow and St Petersburg will have plenty of bars to party and drink the night away.

15. Dress up for a night on the town

Planning to hit the clubs whilst you are in Russia? It’s key to dress up otherwise you may not make it past the ‘face control’. For ladies it best to wear high heels and short skirts and for men to wear all black.
If you prefer to go to the theatre or a posh restaurant, do like the Russian do and dress up and you will fit in like a charm.

16. Asking for a Mixer with Your Vodka is a Sin

Vodka is a big deal for Russians and breaking the traditions and by not drinking it as a shot is a sin. If shotting vodka is a struggle then have a chaser with the shot like a lemon, a pickle or, perhaps, a separate glass of water. Vodka is drunk in swift shots, not sipped.

17. Be respectful in churches

When travelling we tend to dress for the weather in European countries and don’t always think that what we are wearing will be an issue. For example; if you walked into a church in Russia with shorts and a tank top it would not go down to well.

Ladies, when entering an active church you should cover your head and shoulders. In some monasteries and churches, it’s also required to wear a skirt, however, there are generally wraps are available at the door if you forget. Men have it easier with only needing to take off hats and not to wear shorts.

18. Check the Train Timetable

Long-distance train timetables are written according to Moscow time and can make it difficult when travelling across Russia’s multiple time zones. In most stations, the clocks are set to Moscow time. If you are only travelling between Moscow and St Petersburg there is nothing to worry about as they share the same time zone. Ensure you double check before travelling.

19. Reserve Tickets to the Russian Ballet (remember some close during August)

Book ballet tickets at least one month in advance as the reasonably priced tickets sell out fast and you could be left paying £150 and upwards. I booked us tickets online to the Mikhailosky Theater as they were around £25 – 30. Even though it was cheaper than the Bolshoi and the Mariinsky the performance was still spectacular.

Below are the top ballet theatres in Russia (if you are going to Moscow or St Petersburg in August some of the theatres close so you may not be able to see the ballet during this month). You will be able to see what performances are on, how much they cost and will be able to book your tickets online.
Bolshoi
Mariinsky
Mikhailosky

Moscow is renowned for Red Square, the Kremlin and St Basil’s Cathedral, the list could go on. It’s the capital of Russia, has an astounding 13.5 million people that live there and 9 million people a day catch the metro. Ok, so 13.5 million isn’t a lot when you think about Beijing or Delhi but it’s a lot for Europe.

It’s a vibrant city with a 24-hour vibe and a great mix of ancient and modern. Here is my Ultimate Guide on How to Spend Four Days in Moscow.

Day one

Red square is a must for day one of your Moscow trip and visit the marvellous buildings around like St Basil’s Cathedral, Kremlin and State History Museum. St Basil’s Cathedral must be one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. To think that Stalin wanted to knock down the cathedral so that he could fit tanks through Red Square, thankfully that didn’t happen and we still get to admire the architecture of the cathedral.

Depending on the day, you can go to see Lenin in his Mausoleum in Red Square. Lenin was the founder of Soviet Union and has been there since his death in 1924. It’s open 10am – 1pm, Tuesday-Thursday & Saturday.

Tick off the top things to do in Moscow, go behind the State History Museum and see the inside of the Kremlin. Pass the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and finally arrive at the ticket desk.

The ticket lines are a little confusing, there were two massive queues when we arrived and couldn’t tell what we were lining up for. I knew there were a couple of ticket types you can get so check which queue you want to wait in.
It’s 500 roubles for complex, 700 roubles for the Armoury and complex, Ivan’s Bell tour is 250 roubles.
Note that: Tickets to Armoury and Ivan’s Bell Tower are timed, tickets can be sold 45 minutes before opening times which are 10am, noon, 2.30pm and 4.30pm.

The Bolshoi Theatre is the most prestige ballet in Russia and one of the world’s leading ballet companies. It’s on the pricer end of ballet tickets at £150 per ticket upwards. Not in my budget for this trip, read how to spend four days in St Petersburg for other ballet options.

Day Two

Spend a few hours in the Moscow Metro Stations which are a tourist attraction in their own right. Being in awe of the different styles from statues to stained glass windows and wonder why your commute to work doesn’t look like this! Read my self-guided tour of the Moscow Metro Stations here…

As you are already exploring the Metro station head to Izmaylovsky markets, it’s near Partizanskaya station. It’s like a Disney-like medieval village where you can bargain for your souvenirs and take some wonderful photos. Be careful you don’t get caught out like us with their opening hours which is Wednesday and Friday to Sunday.

Day three

Take a walk-through Gorky Park starting at the main gate, if the sun is shining grab an ice cream from one of the many vendors. People watch, catch a couple of skateboard or rollerblade tricks. Enjoy the endless activities the park offers from cycling, rollerblading, beach volleyball and table tennis.

Close by is the Sparrow Hill Observation Platform. Catch bus 7 from Akademika Petrovskogo St (ул. Академика Петровского) stop to Universitetskaya Square. The platform is one of the highest points in the city and has spectacular views of Moscow. Directly behind the platform is Moscow State University.

Relax at Tramplin na Vorobyevykh (Трамплин на Воробьевых) for drinks and continue enjoying overlooking Moscow city.

Walking back to Vorobyovy Gory station you can head across to Novodevichy Convent.

The convent was founded in 1524, and has been kept intact since the 17th century. Naturally, the Convent became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.

Day Four

Spend the last day wandering around the streets of Moscow. Start at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. There have been two churches of this site, the current cathedral which was built between 1995 – 2000 and the original church, built during the 19th century. Stalin destroyed the original church in 1931. It was intended to be replaced with colossal Palace of the Soviets to house the country’s legislature. Construction was halted in 1941 when Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union during World War II.

Nearby is Old Arbat Street, it’s one of the oldest surviving streets in Moscow and has been around since the 15th century. Old Arbat Street used to be an important trade route and home to craftsmen. Now Arbat is a pedestrian walkway with historic buildings, souvenirs shops and restaurants.

Have you ever been to Moscow? What are you most excited to see? Let me know in the comments!

The Moscow Metro is known as one of the most efficient and cheapest underground transit systems in the world and I would have to say the Moscow Metro is also one of the most beautiful. The stations are tourist attractions in their own right. The idea behind the stations was to make the city’s metro stations “palaces for the people” and has translated into some spectacular stations.

It’s easy to get lost in exploring the different styles of the stations and the magnificent arts of work from statues to stained glass windows.

There are so many stations to choose from! Here are the top ten stations you could visit; Elektrozavodskaya (Электрозаводская), Shosse Entuziastov (Шоссе Энтузиастов), Nakhimovsky Prospekt (Нахимовский Проспект), Park Pobedy (Парк Победы), Prospekt Mira (Проспе́кт Ми́ра), Kievskaya (Ки́евская), Komsomolskaya (Комсомо́льская), Novoslobodskaya (Новослобо́дская) , Mayakovskaya (Маяковская) and Ploschad Revolutsii (Пло́щадь Револю́ции) .

Essentials for the tour

• A map of the metro stations – As the signs in the stations are in Cyrillic, I suggest you highlight the Moscow Metro Stations you wish to see. This will make it easier when you are trying to find your way around the stations.
• A ticket, which you can buy at the ticket booth (“касса”) of every station. I bought a single ride costs 55 rubles for my self-guided tour as you don’t ever step out of any station. Be careful not to head towards the exit which is labelled “ВЫХОД В ГОРОД”/ “Exit to the city”. You can pay for a tour of the stations although the prices are not budget friendly in my opinion and are generally over 1,900 rubles.

Here is a Self Guided Tour of the Moscow Metro Stations

This self-guided tour will take you to 4 stations, starting at Komsomolskaya (Комсомо́льская) and ending at Ploschad Revolutsii (Пло́щадь Револю́ции) which is near Red Square. I would allow at least 1-2 hours minimum as this gives you more time to explore.

Arrive at Komsomolskaya (Комсомо́льская) Metro Station to start the tour. As it’s slightly outside of the city you will be probably be catching the metro here so depending on how you arrive at Komsomolskaya (Комсомо́льская) Metro Station you can arrive on either the red (1) line or brown (5) line. We arrived at the station on the red (1) line, it was underwhelming, was this it? Thankfully the next station required us to make our way to the brown (5) line and you finally experience the grand decor of the station. Words cannot describe how grand and beautiful these stations are, as you can see by these photos…

Now you’ve perfectly set yourself for the next stop at the brown (5) line which will take you to Novoslobodskaya (Новослобо́дская) Metro Station. Getting off you are taken aback by the marvellous stained glass across the station.

Swap at Berlorusskaya to green (2) line and get off at Mayakovskaya (Маяковская). When you first look at the hallways you cannot see the artwork hidden inside the oval shapes and walking under each one provides another mosaic masterpiece.

Last stop on the tour! Follow green (2) line to Teatralnaya and swap to blue (3) line to Ploschad Revolutsii (Пло́щадь Револю́ции) Metro Station. It’s full of statues depicting the people of the Soviet Union, there are a total of 76 sculptures in the station! You can tell the most popular statues as they are more worn like the man and his dog. Tourists and locals touch the dog’s nose for good luck.

We did also venture out to Park Pobedy (Парк Победы). The station is a little less convenient to get to whereas the 4 above are located near/around the centre of Moscow. It is the third deepest station in the world after Arsenalna in Kiev and Admiralteyskaya in St Petersburg. An impressive ride up and down the escalator, a little terrifying if you are scared of heights.

Have you ever ridden the Moscow Metro? Which station is your favourite? Let me know in the comments!

You can see why it’s Russia’s Cultural Capital with buildings like The Hermitage, The General Staff Building and other museums that have gathered true masterpieces of painting, sculpture and jewellery. It’s also home to the Mariinsky and Mikhailovsky Theatres which host Russia’s famous ballets.

Summer is a fantastic time to visit St Petersburg, especially with the White Nights Festival. It’s when it never gets properly dark due to the high latitude. It’s not the only city that has White Nights but it has taken acclaim to this phenomenon with the city coming alive and bustling with people throughout the night as well as the day! The whole city seems to take on a two-month continuous round-the-clock celebration.

Do I need a Russian Visa to Visit St Petersburg?

Russia requires you to have a visa unless you are arriving by boat to St Petersburg or your country is listed in the “visa-free regime”.  Your St Petersburg visa will be free in this case and you are able to stay for 72 hours. Read more about Russian Visa’s in What you need to know before going to Russia. 

How Many Days Should I Spend in St Petersburg?

Three days is a must, as there is so much to do and see. It’s best to gauge your stay on how much time it will take to do all the main sites. A 4 Day itinerary will allow you to complete a day trip to Catherine’s Palace or The Peterhof Grand Palace.

If you are planning to extend your stay and visit Moscow, read more about Moscow here.

Where to Stay in St Petersburg?

Soul Kitchen has to be one of the best hostels I’ve ever stayed at. Before we had even arrived they upgraded us to a private room instead of the 4-bed dorm we previously booked for the same price. When we arrived, they checked us in early and offered us coffee and a slice of apple cake for breakfast. The hostel had a welcoming and comfy feel that made you think you were at home. It’s won several awards for being one of the best hostels.

Book your stay at Soul Kitchen here.

St Petersburg 4 Day Itinerary: Day One

Start the first day with a bit of culture at the State Hermitage Museum and General Staff Building which is open every day except Monday. Tickets are 700 roubles, this gives you access to both buildings. If you are lucky enough to be in St Petersburg the first Thursday of the month then the museums will be free to enter.

The sheer size of the museums means that you can easily spend 3+ hours in each so allow a whole day to complete Hermitage and General Staff Building.

The secret to beating the queues is to get your ticket at the General Staff Building. It’s home to Russian and European decorative art, paintings and sculptures including Impressionist and Postimpressionist paintings for example work by Matisse and Picasso. Most of the impressionist paintings are located on the third floor and it’s also a great height to capture a photo of the Hermitage.

Grab some lunch before tackling the Hermitage. Try Shtolle (Штолле) pie shop or Bushe (Буше) bakery.
Now to tackle the Hermitage and as a bonus, you get to skip the queues! The museum was founded in 1762 when Catherin the Great acquired an extensive collection of painting from Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky.

The museum holds the largest collection of paintings in the world and took us over 3 hours to see roughly 45% that was on display. Being such a large collection, the artwork is spread across 6 buildings; Winter Palace, Small Hermitage, Old Hermitage, New Hermitage, General Staff Building and Hermitage Theatre.

St Petersburg 4 Day Itinerary: Day Two

St Petersburg is home to a significant number of churches and cathedrals. There are three that I recommend seeing in the centre; Kazan Cathedral, St Isaac’s Cathedral and Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood. Do wear respectable clothing when entering working churches or cathedrals.

Kazan Cathedral is a traditional orthodox and is free to go into as it’s a working cathedral.

Continue down Griboyedov channel embankment and you’ll come across the Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood. Emperor Alexander II was fatally wounded in March 1881 at this site and they Alexander III built the church on this site to commemorate his father, hence the name Spilled Blood.

Stop for a cheap and cheerful Russian doughnut at Pyshechnaya (Пышечная). It’s a popular place with locals and tourists, the queues move fast so you won’t be waiting long for your doughnut.

A ten-minute walk away is St Isaac’s Cathedral with its gleaming gold dome which is plated with pure gold and dominates the skyline of St Petersburg. No longer a working cathedral it has been turned into a museum and viewing point. It’s 250 roubles for the museum and 150 roubles for the viewing point. Note: The museum is not open on Wednesday and be aware that the price does change the viewing point based on the time.

Work off those doughnuts by climbing the 262 steps to the top of St Isaacs Cathedral and admire the view of St Petersburg. As the city is low rise you’ll be able to see a lot from the cathedral.

Extend the cultural experience by heading to the ballet. Do book in advance as the more affordable tickets sell out fast. I managed to get tickets to the Mikhailovsky Theatre for £24 per ticket. The cheaper tickets sometimes have a restricted view so if you are purchasing circle tickets then either get the front row or back row so you can stand. Buy tickets to Mikhailovsky Theatre here. 

St Petersburg 4 Day Itinerary: Day Three

Enjoy a lovely walk across the Birzhevoy Bridge towards the Peter and Paul Fortress. Taking in the different views of the Hermitage and St Isaacs gleaming in the distance. The fortress complex is open to walk around. It was the original citadel of St. Petersburg and then in 1720 was turned into a garrison and prison. We didn’t enter any of the museums as we read on trip advisor that the museums were only in Russian.

Continue completing a loop around the fortress and walk across Troitskiy Bridge. Take a break in the Summer Gardens or Mikhailovsky Gardens. During summer, you may come across an ice-cream truck. We stumbled across a guy selling unicorn ice-cream. Which colour would you choose, black or pink?

End the day by enjoying a Russian meal at the Soviet cafe.

St Petersburg 4 Day Itinerary: Day 4

A short distance away from St Petersburg is Catherine’s Palace and Peterhof Grand Palace. Both are stunning Palaces and worth a day trip to at least one.

Catherine Palace is located in the town of Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin). The palace was once the summer residence of the Russian tsars. Now a museum, displaying over 300-years of history and elaborately decorated Rococo-style architecture. The palace is most famous for its baroque style and neoclassical interior that exemplifies Russian wealth and extravagance.

Our choice was Peterhof Grand Palace. The palace was founded by Peter the Great and is often referred to as the “Russian Versailles”. In the palace grounds there are 64 elaborate fountains and more than more than 200 bronze statues, bas-reliefs and other decorations.

People mainly visit the lower park famous for its a range and diversity of fountains, the Grand Cascade being the most decadent running from the Grand Palace to the Marine Canal.

How to get to Peterhof Grand Palace

We caught an Uber to Peterhof Grand Palace as it was only a couple of pounds each and seemed the simpler option at the time and then the Hydrofoil back to the city. This option ended up being around 1,100 roubles each.

However, you can catch the mini-buses (marshrutkas) № К-300, К-424, К-424А from Avtovo metro station which is the most budget-friendly option.

If you are not on a tight budget then the Hydrofoil from the Neva river embankments of the Lower park in Peterhof is super easy. It’s 800 roubles each way and try and get a window seat to catch the sites.

How much does it cost to visit Peterhof Grand Palace?

Depending on the attraction you wish to see at the Peterhof Grand Palace you will be presented with an associated fee. The most popular attractions are listed below

• Lower Park is open 9am to 8pm, extended on Saturdays to 9pm and entrance fee is 750roubles.
• Upper Garden is open 9am to 5.30pm, extended on Saturdays to 9.30pm and entrance is free.
• Grand Palace is open daily except Monday and the last Tuesday of each month. The entrance fee is 700 roubles.

Tickets to the Lower Park can be purchased online on the official website of Peterhof. 

How to Travel to St Petersburg Russia

Below are the various different transport modes you can use to travel to St Petersburg.

Train

There are four mainline railway stations serving inter-city and international trains. Two are historic buildings in the very centre of the city, while the others are a short metro ride from Nevsky Prospekt and the downtown area.

To get between Moscow and St Petersburg or vis versa the easiest way is by train. You can either catch a day train that will take about 4 hours or save some money on accommodation and take an overnight train. Moscow to St Petersburg train cost for the 006А train with the 2nd class ticket was around £60 each. The train was modern and more comfortable than our Vietnam train experience.

Airport

Pulkovo is the airport in St Petersburg and is split into two terminals. Pulkovo-2 is where most of the international traffic arrives at Pulkovo-1 is mostly a domestic airport. Pulkovo doesn’t have a metro station nearby and the bus is the only transport option. You have the option of Aeroport Express, Marshrutka minibus shuttle services or one of the city buses N39 or N13.

Cruise or Ferry

There are two passenger ports you can arrive into, one for sea passengers (Sea Station (Morskoy Vokzal)) and one for river passengers (River Station (Rechnoy Vokzal)) in the far south-east of the city.

Most passengers arrive by cruise ship and won’t have to worry about the port that you arrive at as the cruise companies will organise your onward transport.

Those who aren’t arriving by cruise are advised to plan your onward journey in advance as neither terminal is convenient for the city centre or most hotels.

Sea Station (Morskoy Vokzal)

The Sea Station (Morskoy Vokzal) is the docking point for St. Peter Line ferries from Helsinki, Stockholm and Tallinn. The station has no metro stations located nearby and you will need to catch a bus to get to the city centre.

River Station (Rechnoy Vokzal)

The River Station welcomes river cruises from Moscow and the Russian North, and is located in the far south-east of St. Petersburg on Prospekt Obukhovskoy Oborony. The closest metro station to the River Station is Proletarskaya Metro Station which is about a 10 minute walk away.

Bus

There is an increasing amount of coach options form international destinations to St Petersburg, the most popular bus options from Baltic States or Helsinki. The city does have a Central Bus Station, although many international routes are operated by non-Russian companies which use their own bus stops. These stops are generally close to either railway stations or major hotels. Some bus companies you can use to get to St Petersburg are:

• Lux Express offering bus services from Estonia and Baltic States to St Petersburg.
• Ecolines offering bus services from Latvia to St Petersburg.
• Savonlinja offering bus services from Helsinki to St Petersburg.

Have you experienced White Nights? What were your favourite things about it?