Going to St Petersburg later this year, very excited. My only concern is how we will cope not only with not being able to speak the language, but how to cope with the written language as well, as all our guidebooks give the "Roman" translation of the words, addresses etc, but I'm guessing that when we get there it'll all be in the Cyrillic. How do we get by in restaurants, public transport etc if we can't read anything? Or are they geared up for stupid foreign tourists like myself and show signs also in the Roman?

I prefer to travel independantly rather than using tour guides, but will it be necessary this time?

Restaurants (at least the more upscale ones) have menus also in English. For street signs: learn the alphabet. It takes maximum two hours to do that.

It won't be easy. However, many people speak or understand English, a lot of restaurants carry menus in English.
I don't think Russia is still very tourist friendly, comparing to other places. Many museums don't have English translations on the exhibition stands or room names. I actually would recommend hiring a guide -- may be in the beginning until you get a little acquainted with the city and your surroundings.

Learn the alphabet; it's not as difficult as it might appear at first. Once you can sound the words you can compare that with the transliteration you mention. The metro and all public transportation is in Cyrillic only, though, as of mid-August, some of the newer metro maps on some of the trains have some of the stops in English characters. Museums might have information in English. More now have info about prices at the Kacca in English; be prepared to pay more than Russians when visiting museums(still very reasonable). FYI, the metro costs 7 rubles per token at the kacca's and bus/tram/trolley's cost 5 rubles which you pay on board. And some important words said on the Metro speaker system before the doors close that can help you from missing your stop; 'Ostarohzhna, dvyerie zatkraveietsa, sledooshah stantsia... which means 'be careful doors are closing, next station...It will come in helpful in you can understand the station name. Very few people speak English, but you can manage in many situations with gestures and whatever Russian you learn before you go. Don't worry, the Russian people are by far the friendliest I've encountered in my travels with the possible exception of the babushka's in some of the museums! If time is short, learn some basic words; please, thank you, where is... I'd like..., etc. and your trip will be that much more pleasurable. As much as the language be prepared for difficulties/differences in the way alot of things are done. Leave western/american perceptions and expectations at home. Go with the flow and realize that however something may look to you, it makes sense to someone (I hope). One thing that helped me my first trip there was the Lonely Planet city map of St. Petersburg. Have fun and enjoy, it's a wonderful city. I've been twice and planning a return trip soon.

The best thing about learning to sound out the alphabet is many words read nearly the same as in english - resteran, telefon, etc.

If you are American, do you have any advice about getting visas? I heard Russia had made it particularly difficult for Americans recently. I don't really want to give my passport away for weeks at a time for visa nonsense.

I'd recommend the tour company Red October for a wonderfully personalized tour. If all your travel is with them, you don't need to get your own visa.

I don't think there's any way to get a visa without sending your passport to the Russian consulate.

I have been to St Petersburg twice and was on a land tour once and a cruise the second time(3 days in port there). For me I would now probably try some things on my own but I will tell you that the language is difficult for me. My first trip, I wanted to go into the subway because of the decor. The tour guide said "I do not recommend" and she was right. She took us down there and it was good but I would have been lost big time because of the alphabet. If you are gifted in language maybe you could do this. I am an English major and so I think I love language and art but Russian if difficult--two hours for me would not be enough. Also, you might want to go to Catherine Palace which is a good way out and you would need transport for this. St Petersburg is truly one of my favorite places--Hermitage is wonderful--butI want a guide. We were even told to go to the a hotel and have them get a taxi for us when we left the ballet since some of the drivers are apparently not trustworthy and the hotels know who are. Mostly, I thought the Russian people were kind. I noticed a big difference from my first to second trip in their demeanor. Happier the second time for the most part. I think my first trip was about six or seven years ago. I know you will have a good trip.

Viking, in regards to the visa, the best place I've found is to get your visa support from a tour agency or hostel in the city you'll first visit. I used the Russian Youth Hostel in St. Petersburg this time for the invitation. www.ryh.ru they are very helpful and friendly. Once you get the invitation, you must fill out an application and a form 95 (if you're an American male 18-45) and send it, along with 2 passport pictures and your passport to the embassy. You can also use a visa service to do this for you; they can handle any potential problems and alert you much better than the embassy. Visa processing will take no longer than 2 weeks, shorter if you want to pay more. All the information is on their website www.russianembassy.org as are the form 95 and application. The Russians have always had a difficult process and hte fees recently went up a bit, but they play tit for tat with the US, and what we have to go through to get a visa to Russia may seem a pain in the zhopa, it's nothing compared to what the average Russian must deal with to visit America, even before collective idiocy that invaded the State Dept. after 9/11. It sounds alot harder than it actually is, just prepare far enough in advance.

VISA: If you have made hotel reservations, the visa support letter should be provided by the hotel....make sure you check the dates for they make mistakes very often!!! Avoid search engines online for it is usually costly. Learn the alphabet since it is difficult to get around without knowing it...can always start with Rosetta Stone Software for learning russian. Have fun!

Thanks everyone. My hotel is helping with my Visa Support Voucher, and I think it's a little less complicated for me by the sounds of things because I'm not american (I'm English).

Very sensible advise to learn the alphabet. I'm quite good at languages, and I think this would help a lot. I may hire a private guide for the first day to get my bearings, but from then on, we prefer to be independent.

Any suggestions of great places to eat and drink - from traditional cafes to trendy new places greatfully received.

Vagabond, don't worry, I've travelled widely and certainly never expect things to be "just like home". That's why I love travel.

Thanks you all once again. I just know I'm going to LOVE St Petersburg.

We've been to St. Petersburg three times and have never had problems getting around. Learn as much of the cyrillic alphabet as you can, it will come in handy.

The word for exit reminds me of biloxi, that was a useful tip when searching for the way out.

See if you can find a map with both cyrillic and roman spelling or at least a street finder with translation.

I found most restaurants also had English menus. I put a tip out on my Virtual Tourist page on a good cafetria style place not too far from Nevsky Prospect, this link should work

http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/411f2/89c63/2/

It's not a bad idea to hire a guide for a day or two but I wouldn't go with a group tour. Good guides have the ability to cut lines, know what time to be at various places and have good information they can share on life in Russia.

Two of the palaces are a bit outside the city and might be a good idea for your guided day(s). Peterhof is a must see, hopefully you will be there while the fountains are still on. Catherine's Palace is also amazing, the Amber room is something else.

The subway is easy to navigate, the best way to do it is to count the stations, the name of the station is also usually on the wall at the subway station (opposite side from where you exit). It's very cheap at 7 rubles and easy to use.

If you are planning on visiting Peterhof and Catherine Palace, I would highly recommend getting a tour guide. It will be very convenient since you wont need to line up for tickets...lines get very long!!!!! And it will be worth it since you also don't speak their language. I am sure your hotel will be able to arrange it for you.
Have a great time...it is a beautiful city.
I will upload some photos on ofoto and send you the info as soon as I can.

TO Kate:
just wanted to share some photos with you...

http://www.ofoto.com/SendPhotos.jsp?...81_13467294605

let me know if you have trouble viewing them.