Saint Petersburg Travel Forum

Hello! I just got done browsing through the St. Petersburg Forum. I have some questions that were not answered in the forums.

Where can we catch the fast boat to Peterhof? We will be staying in Birzhevoi Pereulok. How much does it cost for the boat and the entrance fee to the gardens? Shall we plan to spend the whole day for this? We only have three full days.

Thanks.

You can take a boat at one of the two terminals in front of the Hermitage. It is some 10-15 min walk from your place at Birjevoi over the Dvortsovyi (Palace) bridge. Apparently, there are two companies running these boats, so prices may vary, but I would expect at least around 20 euro one-way. Read on one Russian forums some complaints about one of these companies, Russian Cruises, for not following their own schedule when the boat was half-full. Such delays might kill one of the main advantages of these boats - there is no other way to get from the center to Peterhof in 30-40 minutes. On a side note - with your choice of location - make sure you are on the right side of the river when bridges will go up at night :)

This boat is worth on your way to Peterhoff. Besides it's quick you arrive to the embankment as it was planned originaly and get the right view etc. On your way back you can take a "marshrutka" (a shuttle-minivan) It's always full and you won't have to wait.

Thank you, folks, for your input. Alexanderrr, what time does the bridge go up at night? Is there no other way to get back to the hotel once the bridge is up? We have tickets to a ballet performance in Mariinsky at 7:00 p.m. Will we be stuck on the wrong side for the remainder of the night?

The bridges are lifted sometime between 1.30 and 5.30 am, usually with one or two 15 min breaks to get people to the other side. So it is only a problem after serious clubbing, not after theater and dinner. The view of the river with lifted bridges is certainly on of the St.Pete`s trademarks found on numerous postcards,etc. From your location you can have a great view of 4 bridges lifted at the same time from "Strelka" of Vasilievski Island - a square near two Rostral columns opposite to the Hermitage (you will not miss it)

The high speed boats are the fastest and prettiest way to go to Peterhof from the city center. You hae nice views of the scenery and Finland Gulf along the way.
The main terminal is on the Neva River on the north side of the Hermitage. ( to the right of Nevsky Prospekt) Boats are leaving all day long.
About bridges to cross the city by car or foot-- they are all on slightly different schedules, but cross before 1 am is usually safe. They open in the middle of the night for 15 minutes also on varying schedules.
During White Nights of summer it is easy to be walking late. You can also hire a prive boat for an expensive $100 an hour to cross the rivers when the bridges are up.