Saint Petersburg Travel Forum

I am doing some initial research to travel to Russia fall 2009 ...

Have looked at individual land tours, but it is so stressful to cope with the risk of having to cancel, not to mention the expense, that I have determined it is best (and cheaper!) to stay in a nice hotel and work with the concierge.

1. Is it necessary - advisable for a woman alone to have a guide to keep company (I have read all the warnings about police scams and passports)

2. Is a concierge the best way to book the Grand Express into St. Petersburg? [with the price of the tour, even staying at the Royal Meridian will be a bargain). The Grand Express showed a single (entire cabin) Grand Class for around $900 USD ... is this more or less what I can expect to pay via a concierge?

3. As far as airport distance and departure hassles ... is it best to start in Moscow or in St. Petersburg? Do the trains travel overnight in either direction? In other words, what would be the best airport to arrive, and the best to leave - St. Pete or Moscow (I know there are three airports in Moscow!)

4. Would it be a good idea to originate and return to an interim country other than the US (I was thinking about Helsinki as I have not been there).

5. Exactly *what* do you need to carry with you - the *actual* passport or a copy? A copy of the hotel's registration? What else? I would *hate* to hand my passport over to any of those police guys.

Thanks ...

You know... you pay me and my wife a total the half (OK, one-third is also OK) what you pay to a conciege, you got a better deal and get a good laugh.

Really, don't be afraid that much. With the Grand Express I will tell you: "it's unfortunately full", book a 23 Euro ticket in "Aurora" or "Yunost" or ER-2000 bullet train, you will think, it's a $500 ticket because there will be even a nice free meal (no, it's just 23 Euro, but I won't tell you!) and so on.

Remember, many people here have lesser salaries than in the US but we also like to have fun and luxury. If that's the case, than it means:

a) we are doomed and never have fun/luxury
b) fun and luxury cost MUCH less, than you would think, but some tourist companies make the "western" believe, it's expensive.

Make a choice.... ;-)

For instance, a river cruise between Moscow and St. Pete is sold THREE TIMES as expensive in USA than in Budapest or Belgrade or Berlin. Guess, why? And of course, an American citizen is welcome to buy that cruise in whatever country. Just the American provider won't tell that it's THREE TIMES cheaper in certain countries of Europe.

As far a your question #4 is, i.e. "Would it be a good idea to originate and return to an interim country other than the US (I was thinking about Helsinki as I have not been there)."

the answer is obviously "yes". This is because of very assymetric railway tariff: in certain European countries the Russian train tickets cost up to three-four times LESS than in Russia, for regular Russians. Everyone can buy these cheap tickets. The countries in question are Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria.

For convenient connection to/from USA and because Budapest and Belgrade are less tourist traps than Praha, BP and BG are the best (in that order). Keep in mind, a BG-BP ticket is merely 15 Euro, BP-Moscow is ca. 100 Euro r/t. Also - while visiting the castle of Esztergom you can conveniently go to the other side of the Danube river - to Slovakian town of Sturovo and buy the cheapest Russian tickets on Earth at the station.

There are other possibilities, like BG-Romania-Russia CITY-STAR sold at Wasteels office in BG and other things. Same applies to Sofia - but unlike BP and BG it is not as easy/cheap to reach from USA.

For airplane tickets ask 1-(800) 272-5811, http://www.mishatours.com/ - he provides the cheapest tickets since years consistently, but mostly to BP or BG.

Thank you GYUri ... you did move!

yes, we moved barely a week ago. I am now in a hotel in downtown BG, completely overrun by mosquitoes, they don't let me sleep.
I did not visit VT for several month because of the move. BTW: the train safety is really a non-issue. It's like Spanish trains. Go with the daytime train, pay 23 Euro, these are non-stop trains between Moscow and St. Pete. The domestic ticket is very expensive, so expect mostly business people or tourists. Almost no one knows about the 23 Euro bargain price.

5. I think you have to bring a real passport with you.
1. You can travel alone, it's safe. If you want to have a companion in St.Pete - drop me a line and we can meet on weekend or in the evening on work days. I can show you something here.
2. Overnight train - a ticket in a cabin for 4 people costs $100 (total price for the cabin is $400). The day train is cheaper. Many trains a day between Moscow and St.Pete (2-3 trains in one hour in the evening more often). In Russian http://www.tutu.ru/poezda/
3. Cheap air company http://www.skyexpress.ru/ but only in Russian. Prices $200 for the ticket from St.Pete to Moscow and back - impossible to buy one way ticket.
4. Train from Helsinki to St.Pete - the ticket is 50 euros.

Thank you Natalya. I am planning this trip for October 2009 - but I usually start gathering information early.

I am leaning towards the day train - I don't really want to miss the view.

I am looking at a couple of tour companies, but may be also working via one of the hotel concierge's to handle details and obtain a day guide (my Russian is non-existent!) - but it sure would be wonderful to meet one evening and have a mini VT meeting!

Thanks again!

It's absolutely no problem to travel as a female alone in Russia. I did it many times on night and day trains. I wouldn't choose the day train just for a view as the view is rather boring. Actually, I felt much safer in Russia than in many western countries. There were never any policemen hassling me or wanting to see my passport. The only danger I ever encountered were thieves in certain downtown metro stations in St. Petersburg which tried unsuccessfully to rob me and robbed actually a person in front of me. But that can happen anywhere in the world.

You can easily explore the cities by yourself equipped with a decent guide book. And of course arrange VT meets in both cities!

Happy planning!

Thanks Sonja ... just returned from Istanbul by myself so I'm getting a bit braver!