SPB metro and transport and other Saint Petersburg, Russia Transportation Tips

'Mode': AROUND
Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: Public Transportation in St. Petersburg

The network of public transportation in St. Petersburg is quite extensive and is a very reliable and cost-effective way of distance transportation.

Metro - Although not as extensive or extravagant as Moscow's Metro, the St. Petersburg Metro leaves most other metro systems in the dust, and is a very popular form of transport in the Northern Capital. The system's four lines and more than 50 stations are open from about 05.30 to 01.00, and are relatively cheap.

Trams - St. Petersburg has a relatively extensive system of trams, which are relatively inexpensive. Tram stops have a sign with the letter "T" which hangs over the road. Most trams run in the Northern Capital from about 06.00 to 01.00.

Buses - St. Petersburg has a relatively extensive and growing system of buses. Commercial buses, which are somewhat more expensive but nevertheless relatively inexpensive and less-crowded are distinguished by the letter "K." Bus stops have yellow signs with dark lettering which are distinguished by the letter "A".

Trolleybuses - St. Petersburg has a relatively extensive system of trolley buses, which are relatively inexpensive. Most trolley bus stops have yellow signs with dark lettering which are distinguished by a "T". Trolley buses generally run from 06.00 to 01.00.

Taxis - There is an abundance of taxis in the Northern Capital, especially along the major thoroughfares. You can flag a taxi, which is usually distinguished by a checkered bar on the rooftop, but you'll likely have to negotiate a fare. You can order a taxi cheaply (less than a $1) if you speak some Russian by phoning 089.

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Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: St Petersburg Metro map

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Category: Subway/Metro
Getting TO/AROUND: Metro escalators are WAY below the surface in St Petersburg due to the entire area being marshland and the fact almost every line must go UNDER the Neva River.

Months before my trip, one of the metrotubes north of Leninskaya collapsed and many people died. I have to say I was tense momentarily the 1st time I went down what seemed like a 15 minute ride down the escalator. fact is...if anything happened the Metro is so crowded the likelyhood of getting out is quite remote.

One white knuckle moment occurred when the metro came to a full stop UNDER the Neva, no lights...and sat there for 10 minutes. I kept trying NOT to visualise 50ft of water above me and the murky depths between me and escaping.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: I only got caught in what I came to call a "sardine bus" one time and I started taking ONLY uncrowded busses or marshrutkas. While some bus routes have new busses(like #150 for instance) many others have busses that are so old it miraculous they are still in service.

This one sardine occaison it was raining horribly(which it did often in summer) and people kept JAMMING in every stop. I cant complain because few people own a car and some are so poor,,,I am actually the one who should take alternate transport to be politically correct. But I kept hoping whoever was jammed up my backside was at least a femaleLOL

The bus had a leak in the cieling and water was dripping with regularity on one mans head and he actually didnt notice...at least he had a seat I guess LOL.

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Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: Marshrutkas are the saving grace of St Petersburg. They cost marginally more than a bus, cover the same routes as the busses and are much quicker and far more comfortable. They range from vans like in this picture all the way up to huge busses and are privately owned.

Though the metros are quick they only go certain places and by the time you take a 15 minute escalator ride up/down and wait for the next metro, a marshrutka can whisk you where you wish to go more quickly.

Bookstores have books that publish the 1,000s of routes but at that time where in Russian only.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: Monthly metro passes - in the form of recently introduced magnetic-strip cards - can also be purchased from the token booths of metro stations. Thin cardboard half-monthly passes are sold closer to the middle of the month for the second half of the month only. Magnetic-strip monthly and cardboard half-monthly passes can also be purchased for use on all city public transport. All are called kartochka, though the pass for all public transport is distinguishable by the fact that it is the most expensive and has the word written across it.

Note: if you are buying an all-transport monthly pass, make sure you also receive a cardboard pass to show with the magnetic one when using
on-ground transport, or you are in for surprise when a fare inspector finds you.

As of 2004 these passes were about $8USD

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Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: The hydrofoil is very quick and has(like most things in SPB) 2 prices. One for locals and one for tourists.

The ride was quick albeit bumpy.

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Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: It might seem to be obvious but SPB is VERY hard on people walking in respect to cars do NOT give right of way or even slow down...ever.NOt even a tap on the brakes.

I crossed here by the Bronze Horseman and it was not a fun event. Have patience and plan to cross at crosswalks if you can.

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Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: Busses often dont have what number bus stops at what stop. Its best to ask people standing in bus ques. Thats IF you speak Russian because almost surely they wont.

I found a #150 bus even my host had never heard of and it stopped very close to the apartment and went to Nevsky by a cicuitous but visually wonderfull route.No one had ever heard of it.

BY FAR the biggest irksome facit of St Petersburg transport is the signage for the trams. Look for peeple standing around waiting for transport and look up. IF you are LUCKY there will be a cardboard squares wired to the masses of crisscrossed cables overhead. Also if youre lucky you can make out a number IF thats where a tram stops.

Many times the tram will stop at some illogical spot in the middle of a major street.
Dont even bother trying to make any logic out of it, there is none. Often its best to just ride a tram to the end and back just to SEE where the stops are.

I once spent all day searching/missing a #3 tram that kinda circles from the Vyborg side accross Liteny Bridge over to the university accross the bridge near Peter and Paul Fortress. I would have been better of bicycling. Take a mashrutka if you can.

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