Way to Russia Talk Lounge

JuicyFruit · Just Starting Joined: 18 Nov 2008 Posts: 3

Hello, I realize this is quite far in advance but I thought I should at least get a sense of what to expect...

I am planning to go to Russia (both Moscow & St-P) for the first time in spring 2009. I would like to stay for about a week in both places and wondered if there are any short-term rentals that won't cost an arm and a leg; i.e., less than staying in some crappy hotel that is far from the central part of the city.
I would love to stay with a family or an individual who is willing to open their doors to a foreigner as I think this would be a great cultural exchange and nice way to learn about Russian way of life first-hand, although very brief. I suspect visiting museums, wandering along canals and people-watching won't tell me everything. Smile

Any info you can provide would be very much appreciated. Thank you!

BTW: What is *sticky*??

Varrah · Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:28 pm Post subject:

you could use the smarthotel.ru site, but unfortunately it's only in Russian (cosider google translate?)
Renting an appartment for a short term would more likely be more expensive. But you could consider some international students dorm, or a very basic hostel.
Though, is 1500 rubles a day a big amount of money?
If not you could still look for mini-hotels, which are quite nice.

Paul Holmes · Lounge Wizard Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1012

Pm Waytorussia (dmitri)
He had a website that encouraged roommates. I think it was called flatmates.ru

Andrey Vereshchagin · Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 1:51 pm Post subject:

What is supposed length and period of your visit to St.Petersburg? Depending on your reply - I am to think what to offer if anything.

Soffie · Just Starting Joined: 25 Dec 2008 Posts: 9

depending on your ability to find a right site! there's many apartments to book directly from the site without other interferences. 'cause they take percents and no discounts but if you book directly they can give you some.
try to search for small sites where no lots of different links (i was looking for a hotel and found one this way)