A week in St. Petersburg?
 

We're sorta considering going for a week at the start of October. Would a week be too long there? Should we try to squeeze in Moscow as well? Thanks for any comments and opinions!

No, a week is not too long. But yes, try to get to Moscow as well - unless you're likely to be back soon. I took the overnight train, a bit noisy but with a private couchette (2 of us) and a huge samovar of tea - great faded elegance!

How do you book overnight train tickets between Moscow and St. Petersburg? Any idea about the cost one way for a private sleeper compartment for two? With 3 days in Moscow and 4 in St. Pete, how would you spend them? Thanks!

If you do it yourself (not very easy and very time consumming, especially if you don't speak Russian) it's about $50 each way first class (2 to a compartment). Most hotels will do it, probably marking it up 25%-40% (which is worth it for most people).<BR><BR>If people spend a week in Russia they most often divide it four days in St Petersburg and three days in Moscow. Any way you divide it you will only see an overview in that time span, as there is so much to see in both cities, depending on your interests. I would recommend getting a guide in both cities as it is not very costly and will permit you to maximize your time (logistics and the language barrier are very great if you are going at all off the beaten path).

Thanks, Marc. Is it necessary to book the train tickets in advance, if we need to go on a particular day? How much does a guide cost for a day? Thanks!

You can generally book the train when you get there, but I would do it a day or two in advance. <BR><BR>In Moscow you can use Patriashy Dom<BR><BR>http://russiatravel-pdtours.netfirms.com/<BR><BR>They have a wide variety of schedule excursions; for St Petersburg I have used Olga Stepanova<BR><BR>[email protected]<BR><BR> She is quite good, I have recommended her to countless people who are pleased with her work, and will use her later this month on my trip.<BR><BR>Guide prices are (generally) very affordable for westerners. Contact them directly for their rates.

Does anyone know where I can find the rail schedules for St. Petersburg to Moscow? Anyone know how long the trip is? Thanks!

Try http://www.poezda.net/train.htm<BR><BR>Some day trains take just under 5 hours. The night trains leave arund midnight and take 7-8 hours.

I've checked on the rail schedule between St. Petersburg and Moscow and it looks like there are no trains leaving in the morning, only 2 in the afternoon (arriving late) and the rest are all over night. Is that right??<BR><BR>I checked on flights and found that most are with Pulkovo Aviation and cost about 85 euros one way. Has anyone flown this airline before? Any comments would be much appreciated!

Yes you are right about the train schedule. I have flown Pulkovo probably five times in the last three years (and will fly next week Moscow-Spb). TU-154 planes (like a 727). Uneventful flights.<BR><BR>You may be able to book your Moscow-Spb portion of the flight at the same time as your flight to Russia for less cost.

Paige, two highlights of my trip to Russia (just to keep you excited) were:<BR>going to the opera in Moscow - it was supposedly sold out but we bought tickets outside on the steps (from a scalper? sure was cheap!) and heard Puccini in Russian. At intermission everyone ran into these beautifully decorated rooms along the halls and stood in line. We did, too, though we had no idea what the line was for. Minutes later we were handed plates of caviar and glasses of champagne. In St. P I negotiated with street artists to have my portrait drawn - what a blast! I made it very clear that I would only pay the artist I had chosen but at least ten others joined in. They all tried to see me their work at the end and when I firmly told them I would only pay the one I had chosen, they GAVE me the portraits (ok, so then I tipped them). Most not great art, but great fun! See the postings under 'Moscow' for some more sobering comments, and do be careful.

Thanks. Yea, I saw the post about a girl getting mugged in Moscow. That's a bit freaky. Is it so dangerous that you have to be paranoid and can't enjoy it? Can a couple be out walking around after dark? If Moscow is really a pain to visit, we could just go to St. Petersburg. It's not that bad, is it??

I don't think it's that bad. They are big cities, and it's possible no matter where you are. Don't miss Moscow - just stay where there are other people. I think getting a guide sounds like a very good idea, too.

Question: How does one book air tix Moscow to St. Petersburg ... which airline ... website? Thanks.

We just booked the airfare from Moscow to St P on Aeroflot for $87 per.

See the aeroflot website. I went downt to the Aeroflot office here in DC and picked them up. They do not e ticket.

Is Aeroflot still on K Street? Thanks, Leone

They are on I and 17th, right next door to the ADC Map Store in an office building.

When you reach the office onthe 2nd floor they will buzz you in.

Thanks, I know that ADC is right across the park, a block from 15th, near Ct.