Way to Russia Talk Lounge

nilhans · Just Starting Joined: 03 Sep 2006 Posts: 7

Hi all,

We have a week off towards the end of October and we are planning to visit both Moscow and St Peterburg? Would 8 days be enough to explore these two cities?

Thanks

surfguy · Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6996

Definitely get a guide...traffic is usually bad so get around eats up a lot of time. The Hermitage can take eight days alone. Ok Definitely a day though. You'll definitely be running around.

nilhans · Just Starting Joined: 03 Sep 2006 Posts: 7

thanks for your answer. and another question if you have time. we are planning to stay in one of the apartments advertised on this web sites both in moscow and st pete. do you think it is a good idea and are they reliable (i mean in reservation and in facilities). Is there any that you can recommend?

Rick · Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 12:27 am Post subject:

8 Days can never be enough to explore 2 cities with 6 and 12 million inhabitants , but you can have an okay time within a week. Don't have yourself pressurized into running across all the sights: it's nonsense. You'll see too much and experience too little.
I myself preferred St. Petersburg over Moscow.

greg222 · VIP Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 522

Yes, I would say Moscow and St Petersburg are 4 or 5 days cities for a tourist that has no deep fascination with the country. The apartments are reliable and a great option - definitely the best value accommodation you can find in either city, and especially in Moscow.

camarks · Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 3:51 pm Post subject:

Eight days is enough to see quite a lot of these cities. As mentioned above, set some priorities and don't try to see too much. I recommend taking the overnight trains between the cities to save some time. On my wife's first trip to Russia (my third), we covered the highlights of these two cities in about five days. We saved a lot of time in the Hermitage by focusing on the rooms with Russian art. Since we live near the Smithsonian Museum and have also been to the Louvre, We didn't feel the need to look at too much European stuff.

Sparks · Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 4:12 am Post subject:

I think eight days is enough for an introductory overview of both cities, as long as you concentrate on the most important sites only, and you don’t reserve any days for breaks.

I would split time like this: 3 days for Moscow, 4 days for Saint Petersburg (of which you need at least a whole day for the Hermitage), and 1 day for Peterhof.

Rick · Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 1:15 pm Post subject:

Adding to Camarcks remark about the overnight trains: There are many night trains bewteen both cities, (with great variations in prices) but the Moscow metro only starts at 6.00 am, so arriving there earlier by train is kind of useless. You'll just end up in a huge crowd at the metro station...

greg222 · VIP Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 522

Yeah, you could wait half an hour trying to get in to Komsomolskaya metro with the crowds there in the mornings. Which is perplexing seeing as it's only a 10 minute walk straight up the street to Krasnoselskaya metro which is always empty... and then you get a seat as well.

nilhans · Just Starting Joined: 03 Sep 2006 Posts: 7

We have sorted out the transport from Moscow to St Petersburg. We have already booked a flight. And about the return flight, all the flights between Istanbul and St Peterburg are flown via Moscow. So no problem about it. I appreciate all your replies. Thank you...

Rick · Posted: Thu Sep 07, 2006 10:40 am Post subject:

norge95 · Lounge Lizard Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 99

camarks · Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:07 am Post subject:

It takes about four to eight hours depending on the train. I have always chosen to take the better overnight trains (lower numbers) and save a night in a hotel. Except for one trip with a drunk, unsociable, and loud snoring kupe-mate, I have always enjoyed the experience

norge95 · Lounge Lizard Joined: 25 Aug 2006 Posts: 99

camarks · Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:33 am Post subject:

I am sure the scenery is interesting, but probably not different enough from what you will see elsewhere to make this a priority. I have never made the trip during the daytime. For a first time traveler to Russia, I would recommend getting a second class kupe (four berths) ticket on one of the earlier overnight trains, departing between 10 and 11 PM. This will allow you two spend some time with a few Russians in your compartment. Bring a late-night snack to share; your companions will provide the vodka. This is a great experience (unless you are very unlucky -- see previous post), especially for a seasoned traveler. A few shots of vodka also ensure a good night's sleep, but don't drink as much as the Russians Wink

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