Travel Tips for St Petersburg Tours & Shore Excursions
Timing of your Visit
The main tourist season in St Petersburg is from May to September. The White Nights period is from the end of May to the end of June approximately. This is when the sun doesn't set and creates a golden glow in the sky during the evenings. From May to August is the high season and there can be limited availability of hotels so make sure to book well in advance.
September can be warm with the typical "Indian Summer" effect. The prices can also be lower and there can be more availability for hotel rooms.
Documents
Make color copies of your passport and VISA. Often cruise ship passengers on a shore excursion can enter VISA free. However, you should always have color copies on you as the police have the right to stop you and check your documents. Leave your originals in your hotel room or cruise ship.
You can also make an electronic copy of your documents that you can have available on your mobile phone.
The most important point here is that you must have identification on you at all times, however do not carry your original documents with you.
Costs
Mercer consulting ranks St Petersburg as the 2nd most expensive city in Russia (after Moscow of course) and the 12th most expensive city in the world. Moscow is the most expensive city in the world but St Petersburg is more expensive than such famous cities as New York, Paris, and Singapore.
Be ready for higher prices, especially during the tourist season. A local guide can recommend you affordable hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
The museums and attractions often charge much higher fees for tourists as compared with Russian citizens. Students who have an ISIC card can save money at the museums and attractions.
Weather
With so many outdoor wonders to explore the weather can really influence a tour or shore excursion in St Petersburg.
The city is windy and it can frequently rain. We recommend checking the weather forecast daily and to take an umbrella with you should there be any signs of inclement weather.
As the weather can change suddenly it is also recommend carrying a light sweater or jacket in the summer in case the temperature drops. At night it can also be cool and it is also recommended to carry something to keep warm.
This is especially true if you decide to take a guided boat tour of the Neva River and canals. On the river it is cooler and you should be prepared for the colder air.
Souvenirs
If you are buying souvenirs from an open air market please note that you can bargain the prices. If you are in a store which sells souvenirs the price is probably fixed.
If you want to buy art you must have it certified as being culturally insignificant. You will need time to prepare these documents and without it you could have problems passing through customs.
Also, be careful buying any WWI or WWII medals or artifacts as you could also have a problem passing through customs.
Electronics
Bring a charger adapter. Russia has a European style plug for the wall outlet and the voltage is 240. Check your electrical devices to make sure they support up to 240v. Most laptops and mobile phones will support 240v.
However, hair dryers, curlers, and other electrical equipment might not support 240v. You can buy an adapter or converter before your arrival to make sure all your electrical devices work.
Learn 10 Phrases in Russian
To make your visit more enjoyable and stress free it is recommended to learn at least each of the following in Russian language before your arrival:
The locals will be impressed and happy that you took the time to learn at least some basic words in Russian language.
Money
Many major tourist attractions and restaurants can accept credit card. However, it is advised to carry local Russian Rubles also as many souvenir shops and vending stands will only accept cash. If you decide to pay with credit card make sure to have at least a copy of your passport with you for verification of your payment.
Make sure you order new money from your bank that you will bring with you to exchange in Russia. If the bill is torn, written on, or creased in the slightest way, the local banks can refuse to exchange your money or give you a much lower exchange rate.
The main tourist season in St Petersburg is from May to September. The White Nights period is from the end of May to the end of June approximately. This is when the sun doesn't set and creates a golden glow in the sky during the evenings. From May to August is the high season and there can be limited availability of hotels so make sure to book well in advance.
September can be warm with the typical "Indian Summer" effect. The prices can also be lower and there can be more availability for hotel rooms.
Documents
Make color copies of your passport and VISA. Often cruise ship passengers on a shore excursion can enter VISA free. However, you should always have color copies on you as the police have the right to stop you and check your documents. Leave your originals in your hotel room or cruise ship.
You can also make an electronic copy of your documents that you can have available on your mobile phone.
The most important point here is that you must have identification on you at all times, however do not carry your original documents with you.
Costs
Mercer consulting ranks St Petersburg as the 2nd most expensive city in Russia (after Moscow of course) and the 12th most expensive city in the world. Moscow is the most expensive city in the world but St Petersburg is more expensive than such famous cities as New York, Paris, and Singapore.
Be ready for higher prices, especially during the tourist season. A local guide can recommend you affordable hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
The museums and attractions often charge much higher fees for tourists as compared with Russian citizens. Students who have an ISIC card can save money at the museums and attractions.
Weather
With so many outdoor wonders to explore the weather can really influence a tour or shore excursion in St Petersburg.
The city is windy and it can frequently rain. We recommend checking the weather forecast daily and to take an umbrella with you should there be any signs of inclement weather.
As the weather can change suddenly it is also recommend carrying a light sweater or jacket in the summer in case the temperature drops. At night it can also be cool and it is also recommended to carry something to keep warm.
This is especially true if you decide to take a guided boat tour of the Neva River and canals. On the river it is cooler and you should be prepared for the colder air.
Souvenirs
If you are buying souvenirs from an open air market please note that you can bargain the prices. If you are in a store which sells souvenirs the price is probably fixed.
If you want to buy art you must have it certified as being culturally insignificant. You will need time to prepare these documents and without it you could have problems passing through customs.
Also, be careful buying any WWI or WWII medals or artifacts as you could also have a problem passing through customs.
Electronics
Bring a charger adapter. Russia has a European style plug for the wall outlet and the voltage is 240. Check your electrical devices to make sure they support up to 240v. Most laptops and mobile phones will support 240v.
However, hair dryers, curlers, and other electrical equipment might not support 240v. You can buy an adapter or converter before your arrival to make sure all your electrical devices work.
Learn 10 Phrases in Russian
To make your visit more enjoyable and stress free it is recommended to learn at least each of the following in Russian language before your arrival:
Hello
Goodbye
Thank you
Please
My name is…
Do you speak English?
Where is the bathroom?
Where is the train station?
How much?
The numbers 1 – 20.
The locals will be impressed and happy that you took the time to learn at least some basic words in Russian language.
Money
Many major tourist attractions and restaurants can accept credit card. However, it is advised to carry local Russian Rubles also as many souvenir shops and vending stands will only accept cash. If you decide to pay with credit card make sure to have at least a copy of your passport with you for verification of your payment.
Make sure you order new money from your bank that you will bring with you to exchange in Russia. If the bill is torn, written on, or creased in the slightest way, the local banks can refuse to exchange your money or give you a much lower exchange rate.