Berlin to St Petersburg - Advice Needed
Apr 28th, 2004, 04:16 PM
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Berlin to St Petersburg - Advice Needed
I had great ideas of taking the train but after I found that the journey took 30-40 hours I thought, could it possibly be worth it. Have you taken this trip ? Is there good comfort, scenery, food and wine to pass the time or should I take a flight, maybe even Aeroflot ? Any advice on this difficult one would be very greatly appreciated.
Apr 28th, 2004, 04:55 PM
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I always counsel people against taking a train from Western/Central Europe to Russia; it is far more convenient to fly (and often there is little or no difference in cost). It is a real pain if you don't speak the language to transfer trains in Poland or in Vitebsk (and for travel through Belarus you will need a transit visa which costs (for Americans) $100 plus support fees EACH WAY.
Pulkovo flies direct from Berlin to St. Petersburg (although I haven't flown this route I have flown Pulkovo many times within Russia-they are a Western-standard carrier), LOT flies through Warsaw, Lufthansa flies through Frankfurt or Munich, etc. Aeroflot flies through Moscow (not a great connection as you have to transfer from SVO II to SVO I).
Pulkovo flies direct from Berlin to St. Petersburg (although I haven't flown this route I have flown Pulkovo many times within Russia-they are a Western-standard carrier), LOT flies through Warsaw, Lufthansa flies through Frankfurt or Munich, etc. Aeroflot flies through Moscow (not a great connection as you have to transfer from SVO II to SVO I).
Apr 28th, 2004, 05:31 PM
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My understanding is that the train travels without complex stops through Bylerus and that comfort levels are pretty good. I thank you for your comment on Pulkovo. coming from the other side of the Earth I had never heard of them before. I will check their web site out. There is something very comforting about Lufthansa but the only disadvantage is that there are no direct flights-they only appear to fly back through Munich or Frankfurt and on. Thanks again. I would love to hear from anyone who has taken the train if they had a positive experience of it.
Apr 28th, 2004, 05:39 PM
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Or take Finnair, through Helsinki, or any other European airline through their hub.
Try www.LonelyPlanet.com and "The Thorn Tree" for some train advice--there are some people on the board who love train travel (both for adventure and budget purposes). Make certain, though, that if you do take the train the agent knows what they are doing--people do get turned away at the Belarus border if they don't have the proper visa.
Try www.LonelyPlanet.com and "The Thorn Tree" for some train advice--there are some people on the board who love train travel (both for adventure and budget purposes). Make certain, though, that if you do take the train the agent knows what they are doing--people do get turned away at the Belarus border if they don't have the proper visa.
Apr 28th, 2004, 06:06 PM
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Apr 28th, 2004, 06:35 PM
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Yes I have and unfortunately there is not much info about route or scenery and then you find out after searching the timetable that it is a 34 or 38 hour trip. It makes a flight from Berlin via the wonderful new Munich airport or somewhere else sound rather inviting I guess.
May 21st, 2004, 04:46 PM
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Steve,
11 years ago, my mother, husband and I took the train from Vienna to St. Petersburg and enjoyed it very much not because you travel on the Orient Express but because the experience is a nostalgic one. YOu pass by countries that seem to have not cought up to the rest of Europe and you get to meet the people that come in and out. My husband still tells stories of his experience in the men's toilets in Warsaw. It was comfortable enough, we had a sleeper compartment to ourselves (you just may get stuck with someone who snores-- bring earplugs) I have taken several long train trips in my life and enjoy them very much, especially in Eastern Europe precisely because they do not follow the efficient and sleek style of WEstern European trains. The trip is long but worth the funny memories you will take with you.
11 years ago, my mother, husband and I took the train from Vienna to St. Petersburg and enjoyed it very much not because you travel on the Orient Express but because the experience is a nostalgic one. YOu pass by countries that seem to have not cought up to the rest of Europe and you get to meet the people that come in and out. My husband still tells stories of his experience in the men's toilets in Warsaw. It was comfortable enough, we had a sleeper compartment to ourselves (you just may get stuck with someone who snores-- bring earplugs) I have taken several long train trips in my life and enjoy them very much, especially in Eastern Europe precisely because they do not follow the efficient and sleek style of WEstern European trains. The trip is long but worth the funny memories you will take with you.
May 21st, 2004, 05:10 PM
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Pulkovo Airlines are a good Russian airline based at the Pulkovo Airport(LED) in St.Petersburg, thus the name. The flight from Berlin(BER) to St.Petersburg s just about 2 hours on a TU154. It's a single aisle tri-engine jet that holds about 150 passengers. It's a safe plane. The flight leaves around 9am Berlin time and you will be in St.Petersburg around 1pm local time.
The train trip will most likely involve 1 or 2 major changes. You will be traveling through center of Poland, which is primarly flat, farm fields. As a matter of fact, that's about most of the trip. Not much scenery after first few hours. On the other hand, it does give you a chance to meet with local people and other travelers. So if you have the time and are willing to put up with a very looong train trip this could be an adventure. Just remember, it's not going to be VERY comfortable, and the food will probably not be the best and showers (if available) may/may not work on all the trains, etc.
Your choice, but whatever you choose, have a great trip!
The train trip will most likely involve 1 or 2 major changes. You will be traveling through center of Poland, which is primarly flat, farm fields. As a matter of fact, that's about most of the trip. Not much scenery after first few hours. On the other hand, it does give you a chance to meet with local people and other travelers. So if you have the time and are willing to put up with a very looong train trip this could be an adventure. Just remember, it's not going to be VERY comfortable, and the food will probably not be the best and showers (if available) may/may not work on all the trains, etc.
Your choice, but whatever you choose, have a great trip!
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