How to split 21 days between moscow and saint petersburg
Dec 28th, 2014, 12:40 PM
#1
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How to split 21 days between moscow and saint petersburg
Wife and I will be in Russia for 21 days from the 16th May to 6th June.
We have already booked a hotel in Moscow for 7 days from June 16th to 23rd.
We are slow travellers and, when in Saint Petersburg, we would also like to visit Oranienbaum (Lomonosov), Pushkin, Peterhof, Pavlovsk, Gatchina, Vyborg, and Shlisselburg (Oreshek). We will probably spend one day at each of those attractions.
I am in doubt if we should spend just the seven days in Moscow and the remaining 14 days in S. Petersburg. Or will Moscow demand a longer stay than one week?
We have already booked a hotel in Moscow for 7 days from June 16th to 23rd.
We are slow travellers and, when in Saint Petersburg, we would also like to visit Oranienbaum (Lomonosov), Pushkin, Peterhof, Pavlovsk, Gatchina, Vyborg, and Shlisselburg (Oreshek). We will probably spend one day at each of those attractions.
I am in doubt if we should spend just the seven days in Moscow and the remaining 14 days in S. Petersburg. Or will Moscow demand a longer stay than one week?
Dec 28th, 2014, 01:15 PM
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Novgrod is about half way between the two ciies certainly worth visiting for a few days, very different from both big cities.There is a really great Ethnographic museum on the outskirts as well as a monestry with icons going back to the 10th or 11th century.The whole city is an amazing historic place, read up on it.
Not sure about getting there ,it has been over 10 years since i was there and a small group of us took a private guide with mini bus to the city for the day.
Not sure about getting there ,it has been over 10 years since i was there and a small group of us took a private guide with mini bus to the city for the day.
Dec 28th, 2014, 03:23 PM
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Wow, how wonderful to have that long for these two fascinating cities!
Do consider adding time for Sergiev Posad near Moscow -- it can be seen as a day trip.
I think it makes sense to give each city at least one week, but beyond that, how to divide your time really depends on what you want to see and do. I recommend that you literally mark up a calendar with opening and closing times of the places that interest you. BTW, I didn't make it to Novgorod, but would have liked to, so urge you to take unclegus's suggestion into consideration.
Hope that helps!
Do consider adding time for Sergiev Posad near Moscow -- it can be seen as a day trip.
I think it makes sense to give each city at least one week, but beyond that, how to divide your time really depends on what you want to see and do. I recommend that you literally mark up a calendar with opening and closing times of the places that interest you. BTW, I didn't make it to Novgorod, but would have liked to, so urge you to take unclegus's suggestion into consideration.
Hope that helps!
Dec 29th, 2014, 10:16 AM
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Thanks a lot unclegus and kja.
Asides from the first week previously booked in Moscow, we have now already booked the last ten days of our Russian trip in Saint Petersburg. On the 6th June we will fly out of Russia from SPB.
As it is, now we have only 4 days left without hotel bookings, from the 23rd to the 27th.
I thought of travelling by train from Moscow to Velikyi Novgorod (more than 8 hours), and from Novgorod to SPB, another 4 1/2 hours. Not terribly enthusiastic with this alternative, but...
Alternatively thought of renting a car in SPB and going to Gatchina and then to Novgorod. Not sure yet!
As for kja's suggestion, Sergiev Posad is really beautiful from what I could see from photographs. It will certainly be a must for us to see.
I understand Sergiev Posad is part of the Golden Ring of cities. Would you also recommend Suzda? Any other pretty town nearby Moscow?
Would it be wise to stay overnight in Sergiev Posad? Sorry for all the questions.
Asides from the first week previously booked in Moscow, we have now already booked the last ten days of our Russian trip in Saint Petersburg. On the 6th June we will fly out of Russia from SPB.
As it is, now we have only 4 days left without hotel bookings, from the 23rd to the 27th.
I thought of travelling by train from Moscow to Velikyi Novgorod (more than 8 hours), and from Novgorod to SPB, another 4 1/2 hours. Not terribly enthusiastic with this alternative, but...
Alternatively thought of renting a car in SPB and going to Gatchina and then to Novgorod. Not sure yet!
As for kja's suggestion, Sergiev Posad is really beautiful from what I could see from photographs. It will certainly be a must for us to see.
I understand Sergiev Posad is part of the Golden Ring of cities. Would you also recommend Suzda? Any other pretty town nearby Moscow?
Would it be wise to stay overnight in Sergiev Posad? Sorry for all the questions.
Dec 29th, 2014, 04:16 PM
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Unfortunately, Sergiev Posad was the only one of the Golden Ring cities that I saw. Truly a treasure! I can't speak to the other cities, but I would think they should be covered in any decent guidebook. If they aren't in the ones you are using, try your local library or take a peek at those in your local bookstores. I visited Sergiev Posad as a long day-trip from Moscow, and felt that I had enough time to see what I wanted to see (the monastery and a toy museum) at a reasonable pace. YMMV. Of course, if you prefer overnights to day trips, it would be worth considering. 
Jan 13th, 2015, 03:44 AM
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I belive that 7 days Moscow and 14 days in St. Petersburg/Novgorod is the best plan!
Some tips:
1. From Moscow to Sergiev Posad you can use suburban trains, time in road 1 hour by express train (cost near 3$), 1,5 hour by regular suburban train (cost 2,5 $).
2. You can easy reach Novgorod from St Petersburg by car, travel bus or train.
3. Taking in account that from 14 days in St Petersburg half time you will be in trips (Oranienbaum, Pushkin, Peterhof, Pavlovsk, Gatchina, Vyborg and Shlisselburg) 7 days in St Petersburg is ok (only for the Hermitage museum you need at least two days)+ time to visit Novgorod.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me!
Have a nice trip!
Roman
Some tips:
1. From Moscow to Sergiev Posad you can use suburban trains, time in road 1 hour by express train (cost near 3$), 1,5 hour by regular suburban train (cost 2,5 $).
2. You can easy reach Novgorod from St Petersburg by car, travel bus or train.
3. Taking in account that from 14 days in St Petersburg half time you will be in trips (Oranienbaum, Pushkin, Peterhof, Pavlovsk, Gatchina, Vyborg and Shlisselburg) 7 days in St Petersburg is ok (only for the Hermitage museum you need at least two days)+ time to visit Novgorod.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me!
Have a nice trip!
Roman
Feb 17th, 2015, 12:09 AM
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Summer is a good time to go to Russia (and to travel around the world).
I've found great Moscow guide and I recommend it to you: http://ruscow.com/sights/boating-in-moscow-parks.html
I've found great Moscow guide and I recommend it to you: http://ruscow.com/sights/boating-in-moscow-parks.html
Feb 17th, 2015, 02:50 AM
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I've lived in Russia for over a year and have visited Moscow & St Petersburg more than 20 times, I would not personally rent a car in Russia no matter if you speak/read or write Russian. It's not just the traffic police, it's the other drivers, its the poor road conditions, its the traffic, even in the countryside. And I rent alot of cars in alot of countries. I would and have however, taken a car and driver.
