Saint Petersburg Travel Forum

Hello all
Is it possible to hire a car in St Petersburg which can be driven as far as Moscow before leaving it off in Moscow?
Even better, if anyone knows if it is possible to hire a car in Helsinki which could be driven as far as Moscow? (I'll ask in the Helsinki forum too)
Is this a reasonable idea to drive between these cities? Are the roads reasonable for this sort of drive or is there every chance we will get lost? :)

Thanks

DG

Don't know about hire cars but you can get between St Peterberg and Moscow by train, takes 4 hours or 8 hours if you take the cheaper overnight sleeper train.

Wouldn't recommend driving yourself.

Thanks everyone
Why wouldn't you recommend it nhoolb? The chances are there will be 2 of us
DG

Speak and read Russian/Cyrillic? Prepared to be stopped, being asked/give bribes for speeding etc.

yes, agree with the last: there is only Cyrillic signs along the road. besides there is heavy traffic usually on the road between Moscow and St Petersburg. Better the train

I don't know if it's possible to hire a car in Finland and drive to St.Pete (and Moscow).
About roads - in Finland the roads are very good with a clear information about the directions. When you cross the border on the way to St.P. (E18 Scandinavia) - the indicators in latin letter and cyrillic but not enough - I think so because I'm not good in topography :-) Only 1 indicator if you need to turn. There must be 2 ones before turning! But the way to St.P. - straight, straight and straight!

The roads surface after the border in good condition but many big trucks and in the dark the light coming from the opposite direction may blind. Difficult to overtake.

P.S. There is a train from Helsinki to St.Petersburg and Moscow. But if want to get an adventure - hire a car! Usually I drive to Finland by car. See my last trip at http://aland.nxt.ru/

The signs in Cyrrilic is not a problem (if you've got a map), besides on our main roads you can come across Latin signs as well. But strange as it may seem, the road between StP and Moscow is awfull (at some sections). So no pleasure at all. So, I think it's easier to use trains, either overnight or those high-speed (4 hours). Though if you still want to hire a car, we've got representatives of all worls leaders: Hertz, Avis, Europecar< Sixt etc.

Hello DG,
it is easier to hire a car with driver and it is the same price and less problems. You are free this way and drive where ever you want.
You can see our tip about it or try: http://www.mapsofworld.com/cities/russia/saint-petersburg/car-hire.html
www.gemut.com
and already mentioned http://www.sixt-rent.ru/en/rent_a_car.html
I hope it can help you.
Welcome to Russia!

You have probably come and gone by now but for general information I am replying to your questions. There are no rental companies allowing cars to be brought over the border. Only the owner can bring a car in and have proof of title and Russian insurance.
You can rent a car from the major international rental companies for one, between the airport and the airport. But you might find it cheaper to just buy a car than a one-way rental.

Driving is a challenge in Russia. The roads are poor except in close proximity to major cities and drivers are notoriously risky in their aggressive and unpredictable in actions. Most are 2 lane roads so buses, heavy truck and cars pass by driving into the opposite lane even on blind turns, before crests of hills and even avoiding a head-on requires the opposite 18 wheeler or bus to swerve onto a soft shoulder. Even taking a bus is a nerve-shattering experience due to the number of close calls with head-ons that occur every mile.
A train is faster, cheaper, more comfortable and much safer, and does not require reading in Russian. The traffic in Moscow can be unbelievable, a drive from St Petersburg all the way to Moscow will take about the same amount of time as to drive into or across the city of Moscow.