The habit of traveling from Moscow to St. Petersburg - for business or purely entertainment purposes - originated a long time ago. As soon as Tsar Peter ordered the foundation of the future huge city in the Finnish swamp, carts began to flow there from the direction of the capital. And then there were carts and carriages.
The transition from horse-drawn to advanced modes of transport only worsened the traffic situation. And it led to additional anxiety among those in power.
Forced, instead of pleasantly doing nothing in an easy chair, to solve pressing problems with roads. And then other infrastructure that requires care and maintenance - the same toll M11 between Moscow and St. Petersburg needs constant attention.
And not only in terms of price increases...
Note that the population suffered accordingly. If earlier Moscow bars could spend hours carefree pulling tea from a saucer and crunching dryers, then with the appearance of St. Petersburg on the map, and even turned into the capital, it was necessary to strain.
Because the “light” has moved north. And so that they wouldn’t forget about you, you had to constantly “shine” in his spotlights.
Today Moscow is the capital itself. With a corresponding number of attractions and “satellite” cities in which you can usefully spend your weekend. However, the habit of capital residents to travel in a northwest direction has not gone away. True, preferences have changed - now travelers are keenly interested not in proximity to those in power, but in the legacy of past years.
After all, you’d be too tired to list all the interesting places in St. Petersburg and its suburbs. Due to their large number, it is necessary to travel this route often. This means that savings come to the fore.
By plane
The fastest and most convenient way to travel between two cities. The flight time is about 1.5 hours, this does not include the road to or from the airport and pre-flight control. The total time spent is about 5 hours.
Flights from Moscow to St. Petersburg depart daily; you can fly from any Moscow airport - Domodedovo, Vnukovo or Sheremetyevo.
You can view prices and book a ticket here →
Upon arrival in St. Petersburg, you can get to the city from Pulkovo Airport by bus, minibus or taxi.
From other cities
In any case, the option with an airplane ends with landing at Pulkovo airport and then choosing a route, as I wrote about in the section above. But I will dwell on other types of transport in more detail in the following paragraphs.
For those arriving by train
There are five railway stations in St. Petersburg:
- Moskovsky accepts passengers from Moscow and the European part of Russia;
- Ladozhsky - northern and eastern (for example, travelers from Siberia or Arkhangelsk will set foot on the land of the hero city at the Ladozhsky station);
- at Vitebsky Station from Riga, Tallinn, Chisinau, Vilnius, Grodno and Belarusian cities (Gomel, Minsk, Brest, Grodno), as well as Kaliningrad;
- The Baltic Station serves primarily for the reception and departure of commuter trains, but also welcomes trains from Tallinn;
- Finland Station welcomes commuter trains and Allegro trains from Helsinki.
How to get from the station to the center
Near each station there is a metro station and, as often happens, bus stops. You won't get lost no matter where you go! 
All five stations are marked with stars on the map; the lobbies of the metro stations are located directly next to or inside the station buildings.
- Finlyandsky Station - Ploshchad Lenina metro station;
- Ladozhsky railway station - "Ladozhskaya";
- Moskovsky Station - “Vosstaniya Square”;
- Vitebsky railway station - "Pushkinskaya" / "Zvenigorodskaya";
- Baltiysky Station (not signed, at the very bottom of the map) - “Baltiyskaya”.
On my own behalf, I will add that each railway station is very beautiful, although Ladozhsky, which you see in the photo below, is the youngest and most modern not only in architecture, but also in technical equipment, was opened recently - in 2003.
Every time I arrive or pass by the Vitebsk, Baltiysky, Moskovsky train stations, I stop at a traffic light and involuntarily admire the architecture of real palaces. The Finland Station, for example, is almost 150 years old, and the Vitebsk Station is even older - it was opened in 1837! That’s where all the charm of architecture comes from.
For those arriving by bus
There are several municipal bus stations in St. Petersburg. One of them receives and sends out-of-town buses; private cab drivers are based at different stations (the place of arrival should be found out in advance).
How to get from the station to the center
So, the city’s bus station, located on the Obvodny Canal embankment (not far from the metro station of the same name), connects St. Petersburg not only with the capital, but also with cities in different regions of our country, as well as with other countries - Finland, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia ( Read more about directions on the station website).
Don't panic if you don't see the metro immediately after leaving the station, you only need to walk 6 minutes.
For those arriving by ferry
Tourists from Scandinavian countries who use the ferry as a means of transport also want to admire the bridges being raised, see with their own eyes a ship with scarlet sails and simply take a walk during the white nights.
Ferries today are used, of course, not as a crossing from, for example, Germany to St. Petersburg, but as a wonderful cruise, because the ship is full of life - restaurants, casinos, cinemas, musical costume shows, shops, swimming pools, beauty salons and much more. Ferry companies are pleased to offer you their cruise routes: VikingLine, StPeterLine, FinnLines, TallinkSiljaLine and others. So, if you are from Finland , Sweden , Germany , Denmark , Norway , Great Britain , the Baltic states , why not get to St. Petersburg on a luxury ship?
The duration of such a trip will be from 3 to 10 days (if the ferry also calls at the ports of other cities as part of your route) - there and back. Essentially, these are tours, but also an opportunity for foreigners to visit St. Petersburg.
The cost of the ticket - this is the cost of the cabin - varies depending on the duration of the journey and the comfort of the cabin, food and drinks “package”; there are also discounts and promotions when, for the price of a standard unremarkable room, you get a suite with a balcony. Port and fuel taxes are paid additionally.
You can find out more information on costs and schedules on the website of a well-established ferry center. On average, the cost of a cabin starts from 87 EUR and higher, higher, higher.
How to get from the station to the center
The Marine Passenger Station is located on Vasilievsky Island; you can get to the nearest metro station (Vasileostrovskaya) by ground transport No. 6, 11 or 128.
Pay attention to how far you need to walk to the stop.
The option of taking a taxi is also relevant; for advice on choosing, see the section “By plane”.
By train
The most common and easiest way to travel, and also quite comfortable. Travel time depends on the type of train - it takes from 4 to 12 hours, and the train arrives directly in the center of St. Petersburg, next to the metro station, which is very convenient.
The comfort of the trip is determined by the class of the train - sedentary train, reserved seat, coupe, SV, high-speed express (Sapsan, Nevsky Express). Trains depart daily from the Leningradsky station in Moscow and arrive at the Moskovsky station in St. Petersburg.
You can view the schedule, prices and order a ticket here →
Intercity buses
You can view the schedule and prices and book a ticket through this form:
They depart in the evening and arrive in 11–12 hours. Relatively fast and comfortable.
Where to buy a ticket: at the box office or book online. Ticket price 1000–1800 rubles.
How to get to the station and how much it costs: buses depart from the Central, Leningradsky stations and from the Krasnogvardeyskaya metro station, go to the Baltiysky station or to the Kupchino metro station. Around the city - by metro (40 rubles), public transport (30) or by taxi (32 rubles/km).
By car
You can go either by taxi or by private car. In the first case, the cost may seem quite expensive if you order a taxi alone, without company. The average travel time is about 7-9 hours, but due to possible traffic jams, the trip can last up to 15 hours.
The distance from the Moscow Ring Road to the St. Petersburg Ring Road is about 680 km. The main route runs along the Leningradskoye Highway. There are many signs along the entire route.
The main places where traffic jams accumulate are Khimki, Solnechnogorsk, Klin and Vyshny Volochok. The ideal time to leave Moscow by car is early morning (6-7 am) or late evening (after 11 pm).
Path options
The fastest way to get to the cultural capital is by air. Flights to St. Petersburg are carried out from several airports: Vnukovo, Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo; Flight time is 1 hour 30 minutes. Upon arrival, you can get to the city by taxi, bus or minibus. If you want to save money, buy a ticket at the “without baggage” rate; on average, the price will be 1000 rubles less and you don’t have to waste time waiting for it to be issued after arrival.
- The most popular type of transport is the train. About 36 trains run between Moscow and St. Petersburg. Travel time is on average from 9 to 11 hours. You can purchase a ticket via the Internet or at railway ticket offices; their cost is very reasonable - from 800 rubles. The train is perhaps the most comfortable form of transport. Of course, the level of comfort will depend on the category of railway transport. Traveling by train, you can relax and unwind along the way (of course, if you are lucky with your fellow travelers).
- If you are not particularly limited in funds, you can buy a ticket for or “Red Arrow”), ticket prices range from 1,500 to 2,500 rubles. But the trip will be more comfortable, in the carriage you will be offered the latest newspapers, tea, coffee, at the same time, departure from Moscow and arrival in St. Petersburg at a more convenient time (mainly branded trains travel at night). Considering the ticket prices, you can count on more serious and calm travel companions.
The cheapest option is to get to St. Petersburg by train in a “seater”, but you can’t even dream of comfort here. Also, the arrival time may not be very convenient, so tickets must be purchased in advance, choosing a more suitable train.
- The high-speed electric train "Sapsan" takes you to the cultural capital in 4 hours, but the cost of such comfort is higher than in branded trains - from 3175 rubles. The ticket price may be cheaper if you purchase it in advance rather than before departure. Comfortable chairs, tables, carriages are equipped with air conditioning, there are sockets. Arrival and departure times are during the day, which is very convenient. Basically, business people and businessmen travel on the Sapsan. It can replace a plane - the travel time is a little longer, but you save time on moving from the airport to the center, and besides, you need to arrive at the airport in advance. A trip in Sapsan will be comfortable without a doubt. The electric train has clean, modern carriages and good sound insulation. Smokers, of course, need to wait 4 hours, since smoking on an electric train is strictly prohibited.
On the Nevsky Express high-speed train you can get to your destination in just 15 minutes more than on the Sapsan. It is more economical in terms of ticket price (cheaper by 900 rubles), comfortable, for tall passengers it will be even more convenient than in Sapsan, since there is more free space for legs (the downside is that the seats do not move forward (but there is the alternative is a branded train or Sapsan!) The compartments are equipped with TVs, so you can take your mind off the landscape outside the window.
- Another way to get to St. Petersburg is by private car. Traveling by car can be more exciting, since you choose your travel companions yourself. The downside is that there may be traffic jams on the road (in the area of Khimki, Klin and Vyshny Volochek) at the entrance to St. Petersburg there may also be traffic jams. The journey will be more enjoyable if you do not violate traffic rules (video recording is carried out on the highway). The cost of a trip to St. Petersburg and back will cost on average 4500-5000 rubles. And, of course, you need to take into account the time of arrival in the “cultural capital” before the bridges are raised.
- You can get to St. Petersburg by taxi, but it is much more expensive - at least 12,000 thousand will take you to such a distance. The downside is the same traffic jams, the advantage is that if you travel with three of you, it is much more economical - and you can choose a departure time that is convenient for you.
By passing transport (BlaBlaCar) - the trip will be more budget-friendly, but the downside is that you do not know the driver (the driving style or the music offered may irritate you), and besides, stops along the way can be at the driver’s request (regardless of yours).
Go to the BlaBlaCar website =>>
- You can go on a trip by bus - this type of transport is quite comfortable (air conditioning is required), in terms of time it will, of course, not be as fast as you would like (buses have a schedule and do not wait for departure from the station before the appointed time), but there are also minibus - departs as soon as it is full of passengers, but this is not a problem - there are always many people willing and you won’t have to wait long.
From Moscow to St. Petersburg - How to get there by train: Details + Photos and Videos
Now the idea of getting from Moscow to St. Petersburg by train is a little unusual, because whatever you say, the cheaper and faster way will be by train.
However, in this article we will take a closer look at how you can get from Moscow to St. Petersburg by train. Currently, there are no direct trains along this route. You will have to make certain transfers.
The distance between Moscow and St. Petersburg is 600 km. The entire route is divided into 5 sections: Moscow - Tver, Tver - Bologoe, Bologoe - Okulovka, Okulovka - Malaya Vishera, Malaya Vishera - St. Petersburg. Bologoe is considered the center of the entire route. The road from Moscow starts at the Leningradsky station, and from St. Petersburg - at the Moskovsky station.
There are two travel options: with an overnight stop at an intermediate stop or without an overnight stay. If you want to get there without stopping, you need to take the very first train.
Hitchhikers
In no case do we suggest hitchhiking. Now there is a more civil and automated way to find a travel companion (or rather, become one) - the BlaBlaCar service. Drivers write their trip route, departure time and price per passenger. Passengers reserve seats on a convenient route. Prices for a trip from Moscow to St. Petersburg start from 800 rubles.
The advantages of this method are that you can find a driver leaving your area/district on a convenient day and time (Moscow-St. Petersburg is a very popular destination with a large selection of routes). Disadvantages - the human factor, the trip may be postponed or cancelled, the driver may not be the most adequate (you will have to listen to Radio Chanson the whole way).
Current trips Moscow - St. Petersburg:
The first train from St. Petersburg to Moscow
The morning train from St. Petersburg leaves at 4:30. To get to Moscow by nightfall, you need to catch the train, which leaves at 07:13. If you took the first train, you will arrive in Moscow at 20:25. Travel time will take about 16 hours. If you are staying overnight in Bologoye, you need to catch the train leaving St. Petersburg no later than 13:25.
If several trains run from Moscow to Tver, including high-speed Lastochkas, then from Tver to Bologoe there are only two ordinary trains departing at 8:55 and 15:06, and from these trains it is possible to catch only one Lastochka to St. -Petersburg. You can check the train schedule for the required dates on the Russian Railways website.
All roads lead to St. Petersburg
Well, traveler, I sincerely hope that I helped you choose the most convenient road to wonderful St. Petersburg. All options are as good as a swan, a crayfish and a pike: a plane will bring you by air, a train and bus (or car) will carry you along the ground, and a ferry will slowly arrive by water.
You can combine options and visit our beautiful city again and again, because St. Petersburg is very friendly and hospitable (in winter, however, it is a little gloomy, which more than pays off with white nights and generally all the sunny days).
Regular trains to St. Petersburg
It is cheaper to get to St. Petersburg by regular trains, but it takes longer and with certain difficulties, since you will have to change several trains.
The condition of transfer points in the case of an overnight trip is different. The city of Tver has a fairly large and comfortable station. There is a canteen in the station building, and not far from it there is a store that is open 24 hours a day. There is a security guard on duty in the waiting room, who will escort out everyone who has not paid for their stay at the station. In Bologoye the station building is small.
It has a small budget canteen. Everything is quite modest, but clean. In Malaya Vishera the station is almost the same as in Bologoye, but a little more neglected. There is a small waiting room, a canteen, and local youth are often there.
Line control
There are inspectors on the trains along the route. If you do not have tickets, you will not be forcibly disembarked, but long proceedings are possible.
From February 1, it will no longer be possible to travel from St. Petersburg by train to Moscow and back, since commuter trains on the Uglovka-Okulovka route have been completely cancelled. Soon, trips on all suburban routes will be stopped; accordingly, it will not be possible to travel by train to St. Petersburg by any roundabout routes.
The furthest you can get from St. Petersburg by commuter trains is to Ivangorod, Luga, Oredezh, Veliky Novgorod, Okulovka, Khvoynaya, Babaev, Medvezhya Gory, Buslovskaya and Sortavala.
Currently, the best way to get to St. Petersburg is by high-speed trains: quickly and conveniently. The journey will take only 4 hours. Prices in 2022 range from 3175 rubles.
Sapsan - falcon speed!
You can reach the Northern capital in just 4 hours on the famous high-speed train, offering passengers an opportunity to appreciate the impressive achievements of modern railway and digital technologies.
The ability to reach speeds of up to 240 km/h is complemented by the comfortable seating environment of the perfectly clean carriages. The relatively high cost of such a quick pleasure is a little depressing - tickets in economy class will cost about 2,800 rubles.
And if you want to travel in a double suite compartment, then in this case you will have to prepare at least 12,000 rubles. But compared to an airplane - no checks or delays, I just sat down, read, took a nap - and, oops, I arrived! You can buy a ticket for SapSap here
