Taxis in St. Petersburg

Take the same precautions when using taxicabs in St. Petersburg as in Moscow. Although taxis roam the city quite frequently, it's far easier—and certainly safer—to order a cab through your hotel. Fares vary according to the driver's whim; you're expected to negotiate. Foreigners are always charged much more than Russians, and oblivious tourists tend to be gouged. Make sure that you agree on a price before getting into the car, and try to have the correct money handy.

If you speak Russian, you can order a cab by dialing one of the numbers listed below. There's sometimes a delay, but usually the cab arrives within 20-30 minutes; the company will phone you back when the driver is nearby. If you order a cab this way, you pay the official state fare, which turns out to be reasonable in dollars, plus a fee for the reservation. No tip is expected beyond rounding up the amount on the meter. If you hail a cab or a private car on the street, expect to pay the ruble equivalent of $5 for most usual trips.

Taxi Companies

Central Taxi (Tsentralnoye Taksi. 812/312-0022). Petersburg Taxi (Peterburgskoye Taxi. 068). Taxi Million (812/700-0000).