Susielou

I`m travelling to Russia in early November,as I only have 2nights/1full day in Moscow & 3nights/2days in St. Petersburg,do you think a guide would be a good idea?
I`d like my time to be as easy as possible & essentially I`d like to see all the highlights, I`m just not so sure that Russia is easy for a solo traveler to sort of `wander` around.
If guides are the way to go ,any recommendations? I`m reasonably certain that my hotels would have people on their books,but I think i`d rather have some personal recommendation from some of the Fodorites.
Thanks in anticipation.

randipellmar

My husband and I travelled to both cities several years ago. Had relatively little trouble using taxis, buses and trains, even boat trips. But, used guides for select days, eg. Peterhof. Got our guides from the conceirge desk at our hotels, arranged before we left for Russia.
Have a great trip!

usernameistaken

I have been researching a Russia trip and think I guide would be a good way to go. Fodor's member rhkkmk recommends one in particular - I would look up his trip report

althom1122

We went on a river cruise which included guided tours in Moscow and St. Petersburg. I've traveled independently extensively and also used tours on several occasions. I agree with randipellmar that it would be fairly easy to get around on your own but that guides for certain spots would definitely enhance the trip.

djkbooks

Highly recommend a private guide. For one thing, they can get you into various venues without waiting in line behind the tour bus crowds, along with providing tours in English. They are especially useful if you know no Russian and are unfamiliar with the alphabet. While you could get around on your own, they'll save you a lot of time and are worth every penny. We didn't have a lot of free time in Moscow (and the cruise staff took us everywhere we wanted to go), but in St. Petersburg, we hired Olga (who I found recommended here on Fodor's) for two days, and she was magnificent in every way.

http://www.tourservice.sp.ru/

Susielou

Thanks folks I`ll check out these links.