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St. Petersburg   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Getty Images |

Why Go To St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg stands at the geographic and cultural borders of the west and east. While the city's appearance was influenced by the intricate and ordered architecture of Western Europe, it is still infused with a vibrant and persevering Russian spirit. St. Petersburg largely owes its dualistic nature to its founder, Peter the Great, an unabashed lover of all things European. In the early 1700s, Peter commissioned the city's streets and architecture to resemble his favorite western cities.

And the results of the czar's great experiment? A grand European-style city, replete with long boulevards, narrow canals and grand public squares. It's also an epicenter of distinctly Russian culture, as the place where literature and music greats like Dostoyevsky, Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev all found their voice. Moscow might be known for its luxury and decadence, but St. Petersburg offers compromise between the expensive tastes of Russia's capital and the often-overrated (and just plain crowded) cities of Western Europe.

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Best of St. Petersburg

Best hotels in st. petersburg.

• # 1 in Grand Hotel Europe
• # 2 in Hotel Astoria, a Rocco Forte Hotel
• # 3 in SO/ Saint Petersburg

Best Things to Do in St. Petersburg

• # 1 in Hermitage Museum and the Winter Palace
• # 2 in Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
• # 3 in St. Isaac's Cathedral

St. Petersburg Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit St. Petersburg is from mid-June to September. Although it's expensive, St. Petersburg's near 24 hours of sunshine and White Nights celebrations during the summer months are not to be missed. Summers are generally cool but pleasant, with low temperatures dropping to the 50s and highs hovering around 70 degrees, so be sure to pack accordingly. Traveling to St. Petersburg in the winter is rare; days are short, and temperatures will dip well below freezing into the teens.

Weather in St. Petersburg

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

• Bring your Russian dictionary English is widely spoken in major hotels and restaurants, but you'll find very few English speakers outside the tourist districts. You'll hear Russian and see Cyrillic almost exclusively, so it's best to be familiar with the alphabet before your trip.
• Carry change for restrooms While St. Petersburg once had reputation for inadequate, ill-equipped public restrooms, the city has improved its facilities. However, use of restrooms in some public spaces, such as parks and shopping malls, may require a small payment (around 30 rubles or 50 cents).
• Breathe easy Thanks to legislation passed in 2013, bars, restaurants and public transportation are now nonsmoking spaces, making secondhand smoke less of an issue for visitors. However, public sidewalks are another story.

How to Save Money in St. Petersburg

• Invest in a St. Petersburg Card With the St. Petersburg Card , you'll enjoy free admission to more than 80 museums and tours, including the Peter and Paul Fortress , Peterhof and the Russian Museum , among others. Plus, you can use the card to pay your fare on public transportation. St. Petersburg Cards can be purchased in two-, three-, five- or seven-day increments.
• Book early Making your hotel reservations up to a year in advance – especially if you intend to visit during June's White Nights celebration – can save your wallet some pain.
• Protect your pockets As in many large cities, pickpockets are prevalent in St. Petersburg. Keep a close eye on your belongings in crowded areas, such as Nevsky Prospekt and the metro.

Culture & Customs

English is spoken in major hotels and restaurants, but you'll find mostly Russian speakers in the more local areas like the market or small inns. Some helpful Russian greetings include the informal "hello" ( priv-EYET ), the formal "hello" ( ZDRA-stvooy-te ), the informal "goodbye" ( pah-KAH ), and the formal "goodbye" ( Dah svih-DA-nee-ye ). Saying "thank you" ( Spa-SEE-ba) is always nice as well.

The ruble is the official currency of Russia. One U.S. dollar is equivalent to about 64 rubles. Plan to check the current exchange rate before your trip. While you might want cash for some purposes (purchasing metro tokens, for instance), you'll find that most restaurants, stores and hotels accept credit cards. Currency exchanges in airports generally offer less favorable rates than banks. ATMs are common in Russian cities, so your debit card might work (though you should check with your bank before you go regarding fees and exchange rates).

Tipping for service is common practice in Russia, and tips of around 15% are typical.

What to Eat

While it's true that visitors can still find classic Russian culinary staples like borscht, stroganoff, cabbage stew and caviar on menus around the city, travelers will also enjoy more contemporary dishes as well. And fortunately for visitors, food prices are more reasonable in St. Petersburg compared to Moscow .

You'll find hundreds of culinary hot spots in St. Petersburg, especially along Nevsky Prospekt, ranging from luxurious eateries to sprawling, local markets. If you're looking for an affordable snack on the go, try a Russian crepe, or blini. This Russian pancake is usually stuffed with butter, caviar or other fillings and is a treat for the adventurous foodie. You'll find it at street vendors around the city. To acquaint yourself with local produce, meats and cheeses, pay a visit to the Kuznechnyy Rynok (Kuznechny Market) a favorite among tourists for its honey vendors and plentiful souvenirs.

If you're craving a classic Russian meal, consider Literary Café on Nevsky Prospekt, which once played host to the likes of Pushkin and Dostoyevsky. For a more modern take on Russian fare, head to Hamlet + Jacks for dishes like Baltic herring and Siberian venison. And for Georgian cuisine, Phali Hinkali is a top spot thanks to its hearty dishes. If you're celebrating a special occasion, or just want to treat yourself to a memorable meal, critics and travelers suggest making a reservation at Palkin , which is known for its elegant dining room and fusion of Russian and French cuisines. Other well-reviewed eateries include Probka (Italian), Bekitzer (Israeli) and Etnos Café (Georgian).

St. Petersburg has a mixed reputation when it comes to safety, but most agree that it has improved from the chaotic time immediately following the fall of the Soviet Union. Discrimination against ethnic groups, specifically individuals of Asian or African descent, is still reportedly an issue in Russia, as is discrimination against LGBTQ individuals. Government officials warn against traveling alone at night to avoid violent confrontations.

In October 2019, the U.S. State Department issued an advisory urging increased caution in Russia because of possible terrorism and arbitrary enforcement of laws. However, these mainly applied to specific areas (such as the North Caucasus for terrorism and occupied portion of Ukraine for abuses by authorities). With respect to St. Petersburg specifically, the State Department noted possible delays in services for U.S. citizens because of reductions in diplomatic personnel. According to the State Department, you can be detained by Russian police for not having your passport with you (police in Russia do not need to show probable cause to stop, question or detain you). Plan to carry your passport with you at all times. Visit the State Department's website for more information.

When walking around, you'll also want to be very careful when crossing roads, as drivers don't always yield to pedestrians here. Use crosswalks and only cross when vehicles have come to a complete stop. Several travel sources advise tourists not to drink the tap water in St. Petersburg due to the antiquated pipes and high metal levels in the tap water. To avoid illness, only drink filtered or bottled water.

Getting Around St. Petersburg

The best way to get around St. Petersburg is by public transportation; otherwise, you can walk around Nevsky Prospekt, the main thoroughfare. There's an extensive bus and metro system with lines that run throughout the center and into the city's outskirts. The tram or trolley is best for short journeys through downtown. For trips to the suburbs, try the metro system. Rental cars are available at the Pulkovo Airport (LED), but acquiring the proper driving documents can be a hassle. Taxis are also a prevalent (though, at times, unsafe) way to move around.

From the airport, a taxi can cost anywhere from 600 to 1500 rubles (or about $9.50 to $24), depending on your destination. Taxi Pulkovo is the preferred company; you'll see Taxi Pulkovo stands in the arrivals area of the airport. However, several recent travelers have been overcharged for taxi trips between the airport and the city. Many recommended relying on smartphone apps instead to ensure a fair price.

Entry & Exit Requirements

Acquiring a visa to travel in Russia is a bit more complicated and expensive than visiting other countries. Every foreign traveler entering Russia must have a Russian-based sponsor (like a hotel, tour company, university or relative). In addition to a valid U.S. passport, you must also obtain a travel visa from a Russian embassy or consulate prior to arriving in Russia. If you plan to stay in Russia for more than seven days, you have to register your visa and migration card (the white paper document given by the border police on first entry to Russia) with the Federal Migration Service. Tourists visas start at $160 per person. You can apply for a visa up to 90 days before your intended visa start date. For more information on entry and exit requirements, visit the U.S. State Department  website .

St. Petersburg is built around a network of rivers and canals, with many of the city's top attractions located on the banks of the water.

Explore More of St. Petersburg

Things To Do

Best hotels.

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• Oranienbaum (Lomonosov)

Visiting Oranienbaum and Lomonosov

Oranienbaum is perhaps the least visited of St. Petersburg's suburban palaces, despite the rich and unique treasures it has to offer. This can partly be attributed to the decades of neglect that have left most of the buildings in critical condition and allowed the park to be overrun by nature. Thankfully, the estate has now come under the auspices of Peterhof's management, and a massive renovation programme is already underway. For the next several years, however, it will be necessary to check which parts of the park and which buildings are currently open to the public.

Oranienbaum is only 12km along the coast from Peterhof, so it is possible for those with some stamina to combine the two in a single daytrip. A marshrutka minibus (K-348) connects the two estates. From St. Petersburg it is possible to take a minibus (K-300) from Avtovo Metro Station, or suburban trains from Baltiskiy Station. Either way, the journey takes a little under one hour.

Oranienbaum Park

Located on a slight incline, this pretty landscaped park is slowly being restored to its former glories, and contains a number of unusual architectural features.

Grand Menshikov Palace

This superbly elegant baroque palace was originally built for Peter the Great's closest adviser, and was the only suburban palace to survive World War 2 intact.

Chinese Palace

The favorite retreat of Catherine the Great, this small but exquisitely designed neoclassical villa has superbly restored interiors in "Oriental" style.

Palace of Peter III

This modest two-storey building was built for the future Peter III, and was the centre of Petershtadt, his peculiar model fortress of which he styled himself the Commandant.

Built as part of a Summer Palace for Peter III, this simple two-storey block by Antonio Rinaldi was later used as a Lutheran church, and is now an exhibition and concert hall.

We can help you make the right choice from hundreds of St. Petersburg hotels and hostels.

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Navigate St. Petersburg’s dining scene and find restaurants to remember.

Need tickets for the Mariinsky, the Hermitage, a football game or any event? We can help.

Get our help and advice choosing services and options to plan a prefect train journey.

Let our meeting and events experts help you organize a superb event in St. Petersburg.

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Munckhof's history:

• 1927: Munckhof is founded by Hein van den Munckhof.
• 1932: Munckhof offers bus services in Horst, Venray and Helmond.
• 1942: Bus services are terminated under mounting pressure during the war.
• 1945: Munckhof is re-established by Hein van den Munckhof.
• 1953: Munckhof introduces day trips to tourist destinations in the Netherlands and abroad.
• 1964: Munckhof starts collaborating with De Magneet travel agency.
• 1971: Munckhof and twelve other carriers found SATO, which specializes in the transport of troops.
• 1974: Munckhof and seven other companies found Magneet Coach Group. They later take over all transport for Holland International.
• 1992: Munckhof Business Travel Venlo is founded, which specializes in corporate travel.
• 1993: Munckhof Taxi is founded in response to a transport agreement entered into by Munckhof and De Wendel healthcare institute.
• 1995: Munckhof expands after acquiring Taxi Bovee, Taxi Hoba and Van Goch coach company in Deurne.
• 1995: Munckhof joins Hermes Groep.
• 1996: Munckhof acquires EHAD coach company in Helmond.
• 1997: Munckhof founds Munckhof Travel Nijmegen after acquiring Havi Travel in Nijmegen.
• 1997: Munckhof relocates to its new headquarters on Handelstraat in Horst.
• 1998: Munckhof Business Travel Amsterdam is founded.
• 2000: Munckhof leaves Hermes Groep.
• 2000: Van Ham Reizen, Duma Reizen and Pedi Taxi join Munckhof Groep.
• 2001: Munckhof acquires the Rabobank Maashorst travel agency, which is renamed Munckhof Reiswereld.
• 2002: Maasbuurt Taxi joins Munckhof Groep.
• 2003: Munckhof buys shares in Quipment, which supplies data communications to the taxi sector.
• 2003: Munckhof acquires the travel agencies of Rabobank Panningen and Bergen, which become part of Munckhof Reiswereld.
• 2004: Munckhof acquires Travel24.com and renames it Munckhof Business Travel.
• 2004: Munckhof Business Travel Schiphol is founded.
• 2004: Munckhof acquires Taxi van den Tillart in Boekel, which becomes part of Maasbuurt Taxi in Heijen.
• 2004: Munckhof Groups & Incentives (MGI Travel) in Rotterdam is founded.
• 2004: Munckhof Regie, the command centre for group transport, is founded.
• 2006: Munckhof acquires Taxi Peeten in Baarlo.
• 2006: Munckhof Polska (coach transport) is founded in Poznań (Poland).
• 2006: Munckhof Business Travel Venlo acquires Uniglobe Venlo.
• 2006: Munckhof China Beijing is founded.
• 2007: Munckhof acquires Taxi Westermann in Duiven and Taxi Leudal in Beegden. These companies continue as Munckhof Taxi Arnhem and Munckhof Taxi Roermond, respectively.
• 2007: Acquisition and collaboration with VVV Horst aan de Maas in Tourist Information Centre Horst.
• 2008: Munckhof China NetworX is founded in Venlo.
• 2009: Munckhof Business Travel opens its Nijmegen branch and takes over the business activities of VakantieXperts de Planeet.
• 2009: DDMA China Ltd. is founded in Beijing.
• 2009: Munckhof sells its shares in Quipment.
• 2009: Munckhof Taxi Nijmegen is founded.
• 2010: Munckhof takes over the corporate travel activities of DB Travel Consultancy in Den Bosch.
• 2011: Munckhof acquires VakantieXperts Panningen. The two separate travel agencies continue under the name VakantieXperts Munckhof.
• 2013: Munckhof acquires Oad Business Travel. These branches, situated throughout the Netherlands, continue under the name Munckhof Business Travel.
• 2014: Munckhof acquires Verstraaten Personenvervoer BV in Venray.
• 2014: Munckhof Taxi Ridderkerk is founded.
• 2015: Munckhof sells its shares in VakantieXperts Munckhof. The travel agencies continue under the name VakantieXperts Horst/Panningen.
• 2016: Munckhof acquires ETS Taxi & Zorgvervoer in Zaandam.
• 2016: Munckhof acquires corporate travel agency Robers & Partners
• 2017: Munckhof founds Munckhof Taxi Tilburg.
• 2017: Munckhof Business Travel Venlo moves into the Innovatoren (Venlo).
• 2019: Munckhof starts strategic alliance with Reed & Mackay.
• 2022: Munckhof Business Travel Delfzijl moves to Groningen.
• 2022: Munckhof Business Travel Helmond moves to new office near the Automotive Campus.
• 2022: Munckhof Business Travel Schiphol moves to new office near Schiphol Airport.
• 2022: Hansea acquires Munckhof.

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Business travel tips

The dynamics of business travel are unprecedented; to keep up, you can seek support from a Travel Management Company (TMC) . In addition, it is important that you are prepared. After all, forewarned is forearmed. On this page we therefore provide a list of frequently asked questions and business travel tips.

Each tip is clickable, after which you will see additional information.

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