kleeblatt

Yeah, yeah... and that's coming from somebody who lives in Switzerland.

I'm putting together a group trip (16 people) for St. Petersburg (flying out of Zürich) and have calculated that the price will be over SFr. 1400 (USD 1400) for the flight, three nights at a 3 star hotel and a tour guide. That's almost double what we paid for in Istanbul. Getting a visa will require submitting copy of a passport that is valid at least six months before the expiration date, providing a passport photo (no computer photos) and providing a copy of a health insurance policy that meets the specifications of the visa office.

This will be my 17th trip I'll have organised for my adult English students. We've been all over Europe but Krakow, Northern Scotland, Cyprus and Sicily are still on my list for future destinations. I'm really becoming hesitant in going through with this trip because of the organisation and costs involved. Fodorites, any encouraging (or discouraging) words will be helpful. Thanks.

nytraveler

We also found Russia to be expensive since most of what we wanted was to western europe standard - and so much more than locals would pay for lodging, meals etc. And yes, Turkey is MUCH cheaper than Russia. In fact, all of the places you have listed are in lower budget areas.

We found it to be well worth the money - and the cost wasn;t more than for Stockholm which is where we came from. But I would not go expecting any bargains unless you are living on the local economy (taking subway or local bus, staying in local tourist hotels and eating local restaurants). And a private guide/transit is always going to be more expensive than doing independently - which we did.

Bedar

Hang the expense ! If at all possible, you should also go to Moscow, a vibrant, interesting capital city. We preferred it to Petersburg.

Smeagol

I loved St Petersburg and thought it a really interesting city. We had a brilliant ( not expensive ) guide who made our trip so much fun and informative. It wasn't the cheapest trip on I'd agree with.

Odin

I don't think USD1400 is too bad for a 3 night trip and the experience will be so rewarding, it's hard to put a price on that. It's alot less expensive than it used to be esp with the exchange rate as it is now. There is far more choice of restaurants and hotels in all price ranges than there ever was before. The visa will likely be expensive though. You night be able to reduce the cost by staying at an inn/bed breakfast or hotel a little way from the centre.

danon

I was in SP and Moscow in July ...did not find it more expensive than
big European cities like Paris, Madrid , Rome. Actually 4/5 starr hotels were less.
Yes, the visa is a PITA, but public transit is dirt cheap, the cost of tickets for
various attraction reasonable ( a good seat at Boloshoi ... 75 dollars ),
train from SP to Moscow... about 80 dollars, two day ticket to Hermitage ...
15 dollars, etc.)
I would return to both cities , especially Moscow any time.

kja

St. Petersburg is definitely not inexpensive! I went as low-end as was possible in 1994 -- a hotel a bit out-of-the-center, subways and foot for transit, a sit-down restaurant only once in 5 days.... Even so, I don't think I spent THAT much ANY where else until I visited Switzerland in 2013 -- and with inflation, Switzerland may have been cheaper! BUT for me, the chance to see the Hermitage and St. Petersburg's other gems was well worth it.

Percy

Some places are just worth the price to see like St. Peterburg and Moscow.

Once you come home with great memories you never think.of the cost.

daniiltimin

It's cheaper now to travel to Russia than it was like few years back! The rate (Rouble to $) is very low now! And I'm pretty sure that the prices are will go up higher before the 2018 World Cup.

Gretchen

Expensive for tourists. Different prices if you were Russians buying the same thing.
BUT St. Petersburg over Moscow a thousand times.

bilboburgler

just step over the blood of the people and the politicians, so "things" will be pretty cheap

Odin

It is cheaper to travel to Russia now due to the exchange rate. The two tiered pricing system does not apply to everything, for instance, if you eat in a restaurant, the prices are the same for Russians as for foreigners. Alot posters on here have not been for years, have out of date information and amazingly long memories of what they paid 20-30 years ago whilst those who have been this year seem to be ignored.

traveller1959

Quite amazing that anyone favours Moscow over Sankt Petersburg.

In Sankt Petersburg we hired a guide through the hotel concierge for one day and for the next day we hired the same guide directly for a fraction of the price. Same applies for agencies.

There are many private guides in Sankt Petersburg - students, historians etc. Maybe you should do some internet research to find them and to hire them privately.

julies

I know this will not help the OP since s/he is arranging for a rather large group of people to travel, but I have a question. Are there B & B type places or apartments people where can stay to cut down the costs? These are the types of places, rather than hotels, that we nearly always select when traveling.

danon

"Quite amazing that anyone favours Moscow over Sankt Petersburg."

Not that amazing.

SP. is elegant, touristy, feels Europen ( at least in the centre), Hermitage..etc
One of the most beautiful cities anywhere, but one visit was enough for me.

Moscow is huge, busy, vibrant, Soviet, .
I found it more interesting .

kja

IMO, danon summed it up well. I'm glad I never had to choose which city I preferred -- they are each magnificent, for VERY different reasons. JMO.

Gretchen

I think Danon also summed it up (except for the "moscow more interesting"). St. Petersburg is a little more "approachable" and it IS beautiful.
We have been to both twice--and yes a long time ago now. And DS was the one, when on a semester there, described the two tier price situation.
It is sort of a shame not to do both. They are different and VERY fascinating.