How to travel to st petersburg?

Find out how to travel to St Petersburg Russia by air, rail, bus, and cruise, or ferry with our best recommendations. Save time, money, and have fun!

Saint Petersburg is Russia’s primary tourism destination and one of the top destinations in the world. This is because St. Petersburg is a buzzing city where one can visit world-class museums or party all night long during the famous White Nights festival.

The grand city is well connected with Europe thanks to its proximity and today for most foreign passports is easier to enter the city than before thanks to the introduction of the low-cost electronic visa (e-Visa).

There are several options to reach the cultural capital of Russia, and if you haven't thought yet to come, then you should really think about it. A visit to our beautiful city can be one of the most rewarding travel experiences of your life.

We can't recommend a visit here enough! See why!☺

That being said, you can travel to St Petersburg by car from Finland, Estonia, and Ukraine (slow and uncomfortable, but adventurous); by plane via the Pulkovo International Airport (fast and comfortable); by train from a variety of regions including Central Europe, Finland, the Urals, Central Asia, Belarussia, Moldavia, Ukraine, and Crimea (convenient and fascinating and fast); by bus from Finland and Estonia (cheaper and fascinating, but slow); and by boat via an international cruise or ferry (visa-free and entertaining, but with some travel limitations).

The cost of your trip to St Petersburg Russia depends on how you decide to get here, the season you choose to come, and of course where you will depart. Surely, you can find a way to save some money if you are flexible and you plan your Russian holiday in advance.

However, before booking any flight, bus, train, or ferry make sure you have a valid passport and travel insurance, including your hotel booking confirmation and your Russian visa if you need one of course.  Remember, without these documents, you won't be able to put your foot in the city of Peter the Great.

To help you with the planning of your trip, we have created this page with all the information you need to know to get to Saint Petersburg, Russia. It is all at your fingertips! To get started, just click on the links below and start reading.

Flights to St. Petersburg are a good starting point for discovering Russia's historic window on Europe. Travelling by air is faster and comfortable, and it can be also not so expensive if you start searching your flight a few months before you go. Doesn't matter where you come from, our city is well connected with almost all the main airports in the world, so it won't be difficult for you to find an airline company flying to the city.

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If you don't fancy travelling by air you can always go by train. It won't be as quick as the plane, but surely it will be fascinating, and definitely more convenient than the bus. The Russian rail system is one of the largest in the world, and Russian trains are safe, efficient, and well connected with almost every European Capital, so it won't be difficult for you to find a train going to St. Petersburg.

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In the event trains and planes are not your cup of tea, or you are on a tight budget, then your best option would be taking the bus. Going to St. Petersburg by bus can be cheaper but slower, and not as comfortable as the train. There are a few good bus companies to choose from. Many of them offer travel routes with departures from all the main European Capitals, and those we are recommending are very good.

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Travelling on a ship cruise is a completely different travel experience than going by air, bus, or train. Onboard you can sleep, eat, relax, and enjoy romantic sea views or have fun, but unfortunately, your visiting time in the city will be short and limited. Since 2012 almost everyone can travel to St Petersburg on a ferry or a cruise ship Visa-Free if you comply with the Russian rules.

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Travelling to St. Petersburg by car is something we don't recommend often as it is a long and uncomfortable trip, and sometimes it can also be dangerous if you drive at night. However, despite that some people do it and they like it. If you're one of them, you should love adventure and be ready for any inconvenience. Roads and police in Russia are legendary (for being bad) and this myth is still true up to now, although things have changed for better.

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Time ago the majority of foreigners visiting Russia should have held a Russian visa in order to enter the country. Of course, there were some exceptions for a few countries, but just a few. Today many foreigners still need a visa but the application has been simplified and the cost has been reduced. Here we put together all the information you need to know about Russian visas.

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St. Petersburg is located in the Baltic Sea. The canals of River Nera surround the city. The river stretched towards the Baltic Sea with its admirable scenery. The city center is the busiest place while it extends to the south and north. Peterhof, Pushkin, Pavlovsk, and Gatchina are the suburban areas surrounding the city center.

The months during summer are the months that are ideal for a St. Petersburg trip. The best time for St. Petersburg is between mid-June and September. In this period, the nights are the longest, and the entertainment is at its peak. It is possible to enjoy the bright and shiny sun during the entire day which is 24 hours and also referred to as The White Nights. The White Nights are among the most popular places in St. Petersburg.

Also, the temperature is mild during summer. It is possible to enjoy the summer at around 21 to 25°C. Compared to cold winter days, June, July, August, and September are the best months to plan a holiday in St. Petersburg.

You can take scheduled flights between Istanbul and St. Petersburg by Pegasus Airlines then you can book a flight from Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport (LED) destination. Early booking can give you opportunities in terms of the price of the flight. Another option to visit St. Petersburg is to take a one-stop flight that stops at Moscow. Still, a direct flight is the best option to go to this city.

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There are two options to get from St. Petersburg city center to St. Petersburg Airport and from St. Petersburg Airport to the city center. Your first way of transport to be considered to travel will be public transportation which includes a bus line going from the airport to the city center. Your second way of transportation can be a taxi that travels between the airport and the city center. While a taxi is a more expensive option, it might be a better one if you have a lot to carry. Also, you can rent a car at the airport.

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St. Petersburg and Russia are mostly known for large metro lines. So, the best way to visit the city is to use one of the public transportation methods. The metro can be the best way. There are also other alternatives such as buses, trams, and trolleys. There is also a private transport option which includes private busses, taxis, and minibuses. You can get a travel card to benefit from public transportation. When you are in St. Petersburg, the metro can be the fastest and economical option for transportation.

St. Petersburg is one of the most touristic cities in Russia. The city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and has been on this list since 1990. There are numerous tourist attractions here.

This museum of art and culture is listed and ranked 2nd place in terms of size. The museum’s founder was Catherina the Great and she opened the museum in 1764. It is just 1 minute away from the Winter Palace. There are both permanent and temporary exhibitions there. You might want to plan the entire day for this museum to see almost all the artwork in there.

Peterhof Palace is slightly outside of the St. Petersburg city center. But you can take busses to reach this summer residence near the Baltic Sea. Inspired by the Palace of Versailles, Peter the Great commissioned a huge summer palace with a big building complex and gardens. The main attraction point of the city is located very close to the city center.

If you are interested in opera and ballet, Mariinsky Theatre can be your favourite destination in St. Petersburg. This historical opera and ballet building has witnessed some of the works by the best Russian composers such as Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky.

St. Petersburg offers a wide range of accommodation options for visitors and tourists. You can opt for ultra-luxurious 5-star hotels as well as more modest 4-star hotels or 3-star hotels. If you want to stay in the city center, it is best to book your hotel earlier.

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St. Petersburg is not particularly famous for its cuisine, but there are some delicacies you must try. These are:

When you are in St. Petersburg, you will find tens of different things to buy as souvenirs. First and most essentially, you can go back home with a Fabergé egg. These eggs are the most precious works of art in Russia.

Also, Baltic amber is quite famous in this city. Lomonosov porcelain is another alternative if you are looking for something to remind you of your amazing St. Petersburg trip.

St. Petersburg is known for its entertaining nightlife. You can visit nightclubs or have a nice dinner in high-quality restaurants. There is an entertainment option for everyone in this city. Ostrov, Kandinsky Bar, and JFC Jazz Club are some of the alternatives you can try in the city.

Area Code: 812

Medical Emergency: 103

Police: 102

Most foreign nationals need a visa to travel to St Petersburg in Russia. Citizens of just a few countries can visit Russia without a visa for a limited period. The quickest and most convenient option for travelers is the unified Russian eVisa: the application process is available 100% online.