Saint Petersburg Transportation Tips by yumyum

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Flying there from Switzerland nonstop can only be done once a week with Pulkovo International airlines. The problem is that they only fly in summer.

Otherwise, there are lots of airlines flying to St. Petersburg including Lufthansa, Austrian, SAS, Finnish, BA , Air Baltic etc.

To get to the airport with lugguage, it's best to order a taxi. I always used Taxi Blues, phone 271 88 88, which were quite reliable. Get someone to call for you in Russian. You need to tell them your exact address and where you want to go and they tell you the price. Also you need to give them your phone number as they call you back around 15 minutes before and tell you the number part of the car license plate (so you know which is your taxi). Then go and find your taxi on the street. At the end of the journey you pay the driver what you were quoted on the phone. If this is too complicated for you, you may want to book a transfer with a tour company.

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'Mode': TO
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: If you don't want to go to Helsinki then there are other options. I used the bus StP to Lappeenranta and back. There are Finnish and Russian buses. I used the Russian ones on both occassions due to the timetable. Russian citizens get cheaper prices. Foreigners pay in 2005 Euro 31 for one way, or if you are a student at least on the Russian bus you only pay 22 euro. Don't expect anyone to speak English on the Russian bus. Travel time is about 5 hours. Going to Finnland there is a toilet possibility in Vyborg at Hotel Drushba and after passport control on the Finnish side. Coming to StP after the passport control on the Russian side. Don't miss it and you won't be told either.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Bicycle
Getting TO/AROUND: With Russian traffic you can call this adventurous indeed. But, nevertheless, there are people cycling around Petersburg. In order to have your hands free, you need to be inventive, so that you can transport your loved ones around (see pic).

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Ship/Boat
Getting TO/AROUND: It's very popular to take a boat ride on the canals in the warm season. The comfort of the boats vary a lot and also the tours. Unfortunately, they charge foreigners more (as usual in Petersburg) although there is no reason for it. Because on tours with commentary, this is sure to be in Russian. Personally, I wasn't too impressed with a boat trip as the canals are quite low, it is actually difficult to take good pictures.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: If you want some romantic travel, then why not hire a horse-drawn carriage. I have no idea about the prices. They can be found in front of the Winter Palace (Hermitage).

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