St. Petersburg Tips

American citizens are required to have both a valid passport and a visa for travel to or through Russia. Visa must be purchased ahead of time from the Russian Embassy in Washington D.C.

Need help? Look for the city’s “tourist angels,” English-speaking volunteers who patrol tourist-heavy areas like Nevskiy Prospekt, doling out advice and directions. Recognize them from their white t-shirts emblazoned with a big “i” and the words “Can I Help?’

Russian is written in Cyrillic letters (derived from the Greek alphabet) rendering most city signage indecipherable to western visitors. Luckily, information kiosks labeled “i” supply area information in both Russian and English.

Don’t be shocked when, as a foreigner, you are charged up to 20 times more than posted prices paid by locals at museums and theaters. It’s standard practice across much of Eastern Europe. Protesting is useless.

Instead of sketchy taxis, ride these affordable numbered minivans, which are popular with Russians (single rides cost from 30 cents to $1.25). The Marshrutka line K-3 runs from the international airport to the Sennaya Ploshchad subway station in the Fontanka.

New York may bill itself the city that never sleeps but St. Petersburg gives the Big Apple a run for its money with an ever-increasing array of 24-7 shopping and dining establishments. Signs labeled “24” signal all-night operations.

Although tourism workers and many shopkeepers speak passable English, waitstaff in less trendy restaurants often do not. Pronouncing the consonant-rich language can be difficult non-natives – instead of speaking, you may have better luck pointing at Russian phrasebook words.