Michael

Hi.. I will be in St Petersburg, Russia the first couple of weeks of June. I will be staying at the St Petersburg International Hostel. I have looked at their website etc. and the location, sevices provided etc. look good. I was wondering though if anyone has stayed there (at the hostel) and can relate their experiences and opinion. Anything in particular I should be aware of? Also I would like to hear from anyone who has visited St Pete recently. I have a couple of good guide books and a basic itentiary. I am thinking of taking the overnight train to Moscow for a couple of days as well . Has anyone done this? How easy is it? Is it safe? I do not speak or read Russian. Thanks in advance for your help.

Erin

hi. Although I have not stayed at the hostel you spoke of, I was in St. Petersburg in '97. I enjoyed seeing the Winter Palace and Summer Palace, and the many historical sites there. <BR> <BR>One thing I do remember that was hectic: the Subway. I don't know if it has changed, but the map you receive, and the signs inside are only in Russian. Luckily I had some knowledge of the phonetics so I could read the words and sound them out, and then figure out where I needed to go. <BR>But I might have panicked a few times there, and in Moscow, if I had not had fellow travellers with me. <BR> <BR>It is probably best to find someone at the hostel with whom you can travel on the overnight train with, just so you won't feel alone, you know what I mean? It is very difficult in Russia when you are asking directions and so on, and the person does not speak English. Just a thought.

Charlotte

That hostel generally gets favorable comments. I visited Moscow and St. Pete in the fall of 1997 - took the overnight train between them. The best advice I have to offer is to at least learn the Cyrillic alphabet before you go - simply finding your way around becomes MUCH easier! St. Petersburg is pretty compact when compared to Moscow - so you will do a lot of walking there. If you go to Moscow, you will be riding the metro and being about to read the signs helps tremendously!

Peter

I've been to St.Pete few months ago, and Moscow last year. Both with few ATMs, and cash exchange booths on almost every corner in tourist spots. Unfortunately cash is the way to go, and if you are bringing more than $500 make sure you declare and have the declaration stamped! Both cities are safe for foreigners, which are treated very good, but not knowing russian or at least the alphabet, can be sometimes a problem, even with something as basic as Entrance or Exit, or selecting appropiate bathroom door <BR>I would suggest that you hookup with others in hostel, that do speak at least a little of russian, or hit some chat rooms or IRC and see if you can meet someone from those cities this way. <BR>St.Pete is fairly compact so walking or quick bus/metro ride should be no big deal. Moscow is kind of similar being that most is around Kremlin. Taxies in Moscow are the biggest ripoff most will have no meters or claim it's not working, so negotiate price in rubles, before getting in. You will find that in both there is a good number of young people that do speak some english, so do ask. You also may want to get duplicate maps of both one in russian, the other in English. Talking and pointing with your hands, will get you far, since they will try their best to understand and provide help. I see that you are planing to go durring White Night's (day almost 24hrs, this time of season is very popular, make sure you have confirmed reservations in St.Petersburg. <BR>Enjoy.

DAN

Hi, I stayed at the Hostel (not far from the train station for trains from Moscow) when I visited the city in 1997. The room and bed were fine, but since it was pretty hot I opened the window. At night, I was awaken by hordes of mosquitos. Wrapping the sheets did not help. Fortunately, the Hostel rented out electric coil that burned mosquito repellant. Othwerise, i thoroughly enjoyed my stay in this beautiful city! <BR> <BR>DAN