Please, be advised, that it is just a begining, that is why information is not enough. So you can ask if you have questions.
First of all – Sankt-Petersburg. The most, the best, the only just words and nothing more. Impressions you cannot describe emotions you cannot forget. Absolutely unusual and European city. No bears only beauty. Now city has difficulties, because money in worth more than history and culture. Ugly modern buildings step by step killing the historical heritage. But you have a chance to enjoy. Nobody knows about next five or three years, will it be the city of Peter The Great any more or not. Now it is a pearl. So, do not wait any more. Enjoy.
Arrival/Departure. First important thing to remember: airport international terminal calls “Pulkovo 2”. How to get to? Bus 13 to/from metro station “Moskovskaya” (trust me I know words “subway or tube”). More about city bus later. Taxi, of course, but read more about taxi.
Domestic terminal calls “Pulkovo 1”. Bus 39 to/from metro station “Moskovskaya”.
So now more about transport.
Metro (U-bahn and so). Actually the best. No traffic jam, no difficulties. Schemes and banners in English.
Troubles: Only Russian speaking, all rules and info also in Russian only. If you want to buy magnetic card or tokens you have to prepare speech or ask somebody to write what to say. Long queue near cashier will be angry in waiting for your slow conversation. Good idea to use machine for tokens (when it works). Insert your 100 roubles, take tokens, change and be happy.
Caution: take care about pockets and hand luggage. Thieves are big headache.
Warning: opened cans and bottles prohibited. Photo and video also, but if you will be careful, nobody cares about. So want to drink? Use bottles with screw cap, need picture? Look around.
Bad side: station sometimes far from you. And maybe you will be in necessity to use another transport.
Tram. Few years ago St.Petersburg was the tram capital of the world. Not now. But in the centre of the city you can use tram as tourist coach (much cheaper).
Troubles: traffic jam, car drivers may use tramway… that is all.
Facts: tram was in operation even in 1942… Some new Russian trams much better than European.
Bus. Worse than tram, but same cheap. In the city slow (traffic jam), outside sometimes dangerous (non-compliance with Rules of the road). Big company use modern and comfortable buses, small private has smelling and hot. Think before ride.
Trolley-bus. Look up. It is same like bus, not so fast, but cheap and friendly for environment.
Taxi. You can always use it near airport, train station etc. But be sure that price will be the highest. If you will call by phone, you will save money.
Taxibus. Calls “marshrutka”. Means: small bus, with fixed route, which may stop according to your wish. Most dangerous and uncomfortable transport in the city. Private ovners, nonqualified drivers, bad technical conditions… this is not all about, but enough.
Advice: do not enter. Use large bus or something else.
To be continued.
First of all – Sankt-Petersburg. The most, the best, the only just words and nothing more. Impressions you cannot describe emotions you cannot forget. Absolutely unusual and European city. No bears only beauty. Now city has difficulties, because money in worth more than history and culture. Ugly modern buildings step by step killing the historical heritage. But you have a chance to enjoy. Nobody knows about next five or three years, will it be the city of Peter The Great any more or not. Now it is a pearl. So, do not wait any more. Enjoy.
Arrival/Departure. First important thing to remember: airport international terminal calls “Pulkovo 2”. How to get to? Bus 13 to/from metro station “Moskovskaya” (trust me I know words “subway or tube”). More about city bus later. Taxi, of course, but read more about taxi.
Domestic terminal calls “Pulkovo 1”. Bus 39 to/from metro station “Moskovskaya”.
So now more about transport.
Metro (U-bahn and so). Actually the best. No traffic jam, no difficulties. Schemes and banners in English.
Troubles: Only Russian speaking, all rules and info also in Russian only. If you want to buy magnetic card or tokens you have to prepare speech or ask somebody to write what to say. Long queue near cashier will be angry in waiting for your slow conversation. Good idea to use machine for tokens (when it works). Insert your 100 roubles, take tokens, change and be happy.
Caution: take care about pockets and hand luggage. Thieves are big headache.
Warning: opened cans and bottles prohibited. Photo and video also, but if you will be careful, nobody cares about. So want to drink? Use bottles with screw cap, need picture? Look around.
Bad side: station sometimes far from you. And maybe you will be in necessity to use another transport.
Tram. Few years ago St.Petersburg was the tram capital of the world. Not now. But in the centre of the city you can use tram as tourist coach (much cheaper).
Troubles: traffic jam, car drivers may use tramway… that is all.
Facts: tram was in operation even in 1942… Some new Russian trams much better than European.
Bus. Worse than tram, but same cheap. In the city slow (traffic jam), outside sometimes dangerous (non-compliance with Rules of the road). Big company use modern and comfortable buses, small private has smelling and hot. Think before ride.
Trolley-bus. Look up. It is same like bus, not so fast, but cheap and friendly for environment.
Taxi. You can always use it near airport, train station etc. But be sure that price will be the highest. If you will call by phone, you will save money.
Taxibus. Calls “marshrutka”. Means: small bus, with fixed route, which may stop according to your wish. Most dangerous and uncomfortable transport in the city. Private ovners, nonqualified drivers, bad technical conditions… this is not all about, but enough.
Advice: do not enter. Use large bus or something else.
To be continued.
