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Viking Russia River Boat Cruise - Moscow to St. Petersburg

Viking Russia River Boat Cruise - Moscow to St. Petersburg

Old Nov 22nd, 2009, 02:10 PM
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Viking Russia River Boat Cruise - Moscow to St. Petersburg

We (4 of us) are signed up for a Russia River Boat cruise in May from Moscow to St. Petersburg on the Peterhof. We decided to go despite the reviews of so-so food and needing to buy our own wine (sounds as if the comp wine - 2 glasses/dinner - requires a developed taste). Before booking flights, we have a few questions that hopefully we can get some help:
- how far is it from the Domodedovo Airport to the boat -- is there public transportation between the 2 that we can take, take a cab or do we need to buy the $60 (x4) transfer?
- flight options get us into Moscow on Day 1 at 5:30 am or 3:50 pm (British Airways), boat leaves Moscow on Day 4 after lunch ... how many days should we allow ourselves for Moscow? is 3 days enough or do we need to arrive at 5:30 am or the day before?
- we are trying to figure out the 'must' see or things to do in Moscow -- should we be looking into hiring a private guide?
- we will have 3 full days in St.Petersburg - is this sufficient time or should we consider staying another day?
- how far is it from the boat to the airport -- is there public transportation between the 2 that we can take, take a cab or do we need to buy a transfer for $60 (x4)?

Thanks for your help!
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Old Nov 23rd, 2009, 06:36 AM
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I replied to your other post. I know we did not pay $60.00 each. That's high. Guess they went up in price. We just boarded the bus with the others that had arrived. A large group had arrived on the same flight. I don't know how far it was to the boat, I was busy looking out the window and didn't pay attention. I'm sure others on this site can be more helpful.
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Old Nov 23rd, 2009, 09:19 AM
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What airlines did you fly in on?

We also feel that $60/per person is a little on the high side. Hopefully we can find a more economical way to get to the boat.

Do you recall if there is a subway stop close to the boat -- within walking distance?
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Old Nov 23rd, 2009, 10:59 AM
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This is the port address in Moscow:

Moscow port address in English
Northern River Boat Station Leningradsky Prospekt, Khimkinskoye

Moscow port address in Russian (to show taxi driver)
Северный Речной Вокзал Ленинградский Проспект СтанцияМетро – Речной Вокзал

It is 10 miles (beeline) from Moscow's center, so driving time to the center will be one hour or more. The airport Domodedovo is on the opposite side of the city and beeline distance is over 40 miles - at least two hours driving time, easily more.

A taxi will cost around 2,000 rub - $70. This is still inexpensive compared to 4x$60=$240. However, taxi drivers like to cheat, so negotiate a fixed fare before you board the taxi (there are dispatchers in the terminal building). Also inquire about a limo service (sorry, can't help with that).

You can take public transportation, but first you have to take the Aeroexpress train to Paveletsky station, then change to the Metro. Do not get confused: The Airport has no Metro Station. The Metro Station which is named Domodedovskaya is on the street that leads to Domodedovo town and NOT close to the airport.

However, once you have boarded the Metro at Paveletsky station, it runs through to the Northern Port.
The nearest Metro station is РЕЧНОЙ ВОКЗАЛ (Rechnoy Vokzal), which is about half mile from the port (but you should find taxis there).

Total riding time will be around two hours. The fare will be very cheap.

Be aware that it is your responsibility to be on the ship on time, if you do NOT book the cruise company's transfer. Before I go on a cruise, I always stay overnight in case there is a serious flight delay or a heavy traffic congestion or an accident etc.

You might be interested in my trip report which I posted on the European forum:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...cow-russia.cfm
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Old Nov 23rd, 2009, 12:01 PM
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Extremely helpful - great information!!
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Old Nov 23rd, 2009, 03:06 PM
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Good report!!

A couple of questions:
- what is the best way to buy tickets to the Stanislavsky?

We were thinking of being adventerous and heading into Moscow 1 night to see some sights and a performance.

- how close is the port in St. Petersburg to the metro/subway? and is it possible to take a subway to the St. Petersburg airport?
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Old Nov 23rd, 2009, 04:38 PM
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We flew in on Delta to Paris and whatever Delta put us on to St. Pete. We were using ff points. We ended up in Moscow at the end of the trip. Maybe that is why our transfer was less than the 60.00. Viking took us to the circus as part of their program. I'm not a circus person but it was really excellent and the bear was amazing! On a previous trip we did the ballet in St. Pete and loved it too. We were given a box seat and champagn at intermission. It was indeed "living large" I don't know if you are award of it or not but Moscow is now the most expensive city in the world to live in( according to our guide)
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Old Nov 24th, 2009, 06:07 AM
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This is the Stanislavky's website, I am afraid in Russian only:
http://www.stanislavskymusic.ru/

This is the telephone number for ticket purchase:
+7 (495) 629-28-35
(I don't know if they speak English.)

These websites sell online tickets:
http://www.innshopping.ru/en/venues

I am afraid this website is pretty expensive:
http://www.operaandballet.com
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Old Nov 24th, 2009, 06:21 AM
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This is the port address in Sankt Petersburg:

St. Petersburg Port Address in English
Salt Pier
Oktiabrskaya Nab. 29
193079 St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg Port Address in Russian (to show taxi driver)
СОЛЯНОЙ ПРИЧАЛ
Октябрьская набережная дом 29
193079 Санкт-Петербург

The port is about 12 miles from the city center and 2.5 miles from the nearest Metro station. There is a bus stop near the port.
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Old Nov 24th, 2009, 09:01 AM
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Once again thank you for the great information!
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Old Dec 1st, 2009, 08:12 AM
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We went with Viking on the Pakhomav two years ago from Moscow to St. Petersburg. We had transfers on both ends, but I don't remember what they cost. We flew from SFO to Moscow on Lufthansa, via Frankfurt and reverse from St. Petersburg. Moscow airport was pretty chaotic and I was pleased to meet a rep from Viking and join the other passengers for the bus ride to the ship. I guess we could have managed on our own (we're fairly extensive travelers and usually on our own) but it was a long flight and it was easier for us to do what we did.

We went with Viking's tours and felt they were excellent. We had a guide on board during the cruise and a guide in each port. I can't compare with private tours since we didn't take any, but can't imagine they were superior, other than perhaps being a smaller group.
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