FAQ
We hope this page will answer most of your questions about travel to and within St Petersburg. For more information, please go to:
http://www.petersburg-russia.com/, http://www.russianembassy.org/ (if in the US)
and http://www.russialink.org.uk/embassy/embassy.htm within the UK.
Tell me about the city
St Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia, with a total area of more than 1400 square kilometres. The population is around five million. Built on 44 islands, at the delta of the River Neva, it is the most northerly of the world's largest cities.
How do I get there?
Aeroflot and British Airways operate up to nine scheduled direct flights a week from London Heathrow and Gatwick to St Petersburg, with a flight time of three hours. Other airlines offer flights from other UK airports.
Though there are no direct flights to St Petersburg out of the USA or Canada, Aeroflot flies out of most major US cities to Moscow, from where you can get a connection to St Petersburg. The nearest western European city is Helsinki, seven hours away by train, but there are direct flights available from Paris (Air France), Amsterdam (KLM), Vienna (Austrian Airlines), Prague (CSA), Stockholm (SAS), Brussels (Sabena) and Helsinki (Finnair).
Do I need a visa?
The following information applies to UK citizens but is broadly the same for all foreign citizens entering the Russian Federation.
To enter the Russian Federation, you must have a current valid visa. This is obtainable from the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Russian Federation, or the Russian Consulate General by submitting one of the following official invitations for the appropriate visa:
Private invitation (Izvesheniye) issued from your friends in Russia by the OVIR. This must be the original document, not a fax or photocopy
Tourist invitation from a registered company consists of official confirmation and a voucher for accommodation bearing the reference number for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This may be faxed from a registered organisation in Russia. If using a local travel agency, the original documents are required. Accommodation vouchers from hotels alone are not acceptable
Business invitation from a registered business or organisation, issued by and bearing the reference number of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Generally the original document is required
Transit visas do not require an invitation, but a copy of the travel tickets and a valid visa (if needed) for the country of entry from Russia is required, together with the completed application form (FORM95), which you can download by clicking here
One passport photograph in the UK (three in some countries)
Consular fee (cash, postal order or money order, no cheques)
Passport (must be valid for a minimum of six months after leaving Russia). Some countries still only require a photocopy of the pages with your signature and photograph on
Prepaid, self-addressed envelope for return of passport and visa
For some European citizens, a Card of Insurance is required. Click here for more information
There may be an additional consular fee if you are not a citizen of the country where you are applying
For more information, we advise you to click here.
Can the hotel provide tour guides?
We are able to provide accompanied tours of the city for up to eight people in the hotel's own vehicle. We can also provide you with city maps and information about all the major tourist sites.
How to I find out what's on in the city?
Click here for an online calendar of festivals, events and exhibitions in the city throughout the year. Click here for information about the best tourist sites.
What will the weather be like?
Click here for information about the seasons in St Petersburg and current temperatures.
What do I need to pack?
Though summers in St Petersburg can be very warm, you will need a waterproof jacket or umbrella as showers can be frequent. You should also pack some anti-mosquito protection cream. In winter, late autumn and early spring, when temperatures can drop and the wind can be fierce, we recommend thermal underwear, a scarf or hat that covers your face, gloves and thick socks. As the ground can become icy, sturdy shoes with non-slip soles are essential.
Appliances with a standard continental 220 volts AC should work, though you will need a two-pin round plug adapter. Visitors from the US will need this plus a transformer.
Most St Petersburg pharmacies stock Western and Russian medicines, but we advise that, if you are taking any prescribed medicine, you bring enough to last throughout your stay.
What do I need to know about Russian money?
The currency of the Russian Federation is the ruble. Coinage is in 5, 10 and 50 kopeks (100 kopeks equals one ruble) and 1, 2 and 5 rubles. Notes come in 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rubles. If you intend to change currency in the country, it is best to arrive with US dollars or Euros. We also advise that you bring traveller's cheques in US dollars, which can be exchanged at banks and in the hotel. You will need to produce your passport.
Though Russia is becoming more credit card friendly, it's not always possible to pay this way everywhere (though we accept all major credit cards at the hotel). We advise you keep a receipt. Cash can easily be obtained at banks using Visa and Eurocard, and MasterCard and other major cards are usually accepted too. There is a growing number of ATM machines around the city, and these accept most major cards including Visa, Eurocard, American Express, MasterCard, Cirrus, Union Card and Plus C. For a list of ATMs that accept Visa, click here. Western Union is able to transfer money in your name to a nominated Russian bank.
What can I bring into and out of the country?
You should declare all foreign currency at customs on arrival, plus any gold jewellery, video cameras, laptop computers or mobile phones, and you will be asked to do the same when you leave. There are many beautiful souvenirs to buy in Russia, but you may not be allowed to take antiques and contemporary works of art or religious icons out of the country. To do this, you may need to apply to the Ministry of Culture. Please ask at the hotel Reception for more details. You can export 250 grams of black caviar and any amount of red.
Can I use a mobile phone in St Petersburg?
Mobile phones can be used in the city, but you will need to list it on your customs declaration.
Do I need vaccinations before travelling?
You are advised to have booster shots for diphtheria, polio and tetanus, but there is no need to be inoculated against typhoid and hepatitis A.
Do I need special insurance?
We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance when visiting St Petersburg, as you would for any foreign travel. High street pharmacies, identifiable by a green cross, are open from 8:00 am until 9:00 pm and carry Western and Russian products. Public hospitals will provide free emergency treatment to foreigners on presentation of a passport, and there is an American Medical Centre open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am until 6:00 pm at Serpukhovskaya ul 10.
Can I rent a car?
St Petersburg is best appreciated on foot, and traffic behaviour can be erratic. However, we can organise guided tours and can arrange car hire for you. You will need to supply your driving licence, an international driving permit (with a Russian language insert), a certificate of insurance from your home insurer and one from a Russian insurance company, your passport and visa.
