Welcome to St. Petersburg, Russia's cultural capital and most popular tourist destination. With a population of over 5 million, St. Petersburg is more than just one Europe's most beautiful cities; it is one of Europe's largest cities too. As a tourist in any big city throughout the world, a little knowledge can be very helpful in avoiding unnecessary difficulties during your stay here.

Click on pictures to view St.Petersburg's Centre City Map
or Undeground scheme

             
   PEOPLE
   St. Petersburg's residents are traditionally hospitable to tourists and very willing to lend a helping hand. However, older generations do not usually speak foreign languages. If you need help or have a problem, seek out the assistance of a younger man or woman and you are more likely to be able to communicate in English or another foreign language.

   SAFETY
   St. Petersburg is generally very safe. However, cities that attract large numbers of tourists, also often attract petty crime in the form of pickpockets. Pickpockets are usually found in crowded places, like tourist areas, exchange offices, restaurants and cafes or subway stations, bus stops and other public transportation locations. If you are touring the city, it is best to leave your airline tickets, passport and visas, extra cash and credit cards and other unnecessary valuables in your hotel safe. Be particularly careful of individuals pushing to get through doors, onto buses or on metro cars and avoid groups of gypsies.

   If you have been robbed or lost something important, contact the police (militia) and your consulate. The police phone number is 02. You can dial this number from any payphone for free, but you are unlikely to be connected to an English speaker.
   You can also find police stations in the city where you see this sign, “Милиция” or inside the metro stations. However, you will need someone to translate as few police officers speak any foreign language. Alternatively, you can go directly to the embassy of your native country.

   HEALTH
   Medicines for minor aliments are available at the many drug stores throughout the city. For more serious problems, you can receive international standard medical care and international level customer service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by calling 740-2090. The American Medical Clinic offers complete medical facilities and the city's only international medical team including family and general practice, emergency medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, dental care and a complete range of specialists offered within a clean, comfortable environment conveniently located in the heart of St. Petersburg.

   FOOD
   Eating at restaurants, cafes and with friends is usually quite safe however it is not uncommon for travelers to become ill while away from home, especially in the summertime. If you do experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, it is best to see a doctor immediately as timely treatment will help you to avoid complications and recover quickly. Local tap water is safe enough for brushing your teeth and showering, but it is recommended to drink only boiled or bottled water, which is readily available throughout the city. Drinks in bottles and cans and ice cream sold on the street are safe to consume.

   TRANSPORT
   The city has an extensive public transportation system including a metro network available daily from 6am to midnight. There are numerous trams, buses and trolleybuses, as well as very efficient commercial minibuses. Official taxis are expensive, particularly for non-Russian speakers. Most Russians simply stop a private driver. This will cost you less, but you should always make clear your destination and negotiate a price before getting in the car.

   PEAK HOURS
   Public transportation is busiest in the morning from 8:00 until 10:00 and in the evening from 17:30 until 20:00. If you don't want to be crowded into a bus or metro car, it's best to avoid public transport during these hours. Please keep in mind that the drawbridges across the Neva River are raised at night between 2:00 and 5:00 from May to late-October.

   OPEN HOURS
   State institutions, offices and companies are usually open from 9:00 or 10:00 to 18:00 or 19:00 and do not work on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Food stores are usually open from 8:00 to 20:00 except on Sundays when they are open from 8:00 to 18:00. Some convenience stores are open 24 hours a day. Big department stores, clothing stores and supermarkets are open every day from 9:00 or 10:00 to 21:00 or 22:00.

   MONEY and PRICES
   It is best to carry Rubles for your every day use. If you do carry foreign currency, then it's best to carry US Dollars as they can be converted without any problem. Currency exchange offices are located all across St Petersburg and many operate 24 hours a day.
   There are also many ATMs, usually next to banks' offices, that charge no commission or only 1%, but your bank may charge you for each transaction.
   Credit cards are widely accepted in supermarkets, department stores, restaurants, bars and clubs. American Express and Thomas Cook traveler's checks can be cashed in banks, but are not widely accepted elsewhere. Bank hours of operation are usually from 9:00 to 17:00 or 20:00. Some businesses price in "y.e". This is a fictional currency unit, which is equivalent to the Dollar or Euro. You should inquire about the exchange rate whenever you plan to pay in foreign currency.
   Food is relatively cheap. If you cook for yourself, you can spend only a few hundred rubles a day. If you only eat out, then you can expect to spend as little as 500 rubles per day, if you chose your restaurants very carefully .
   Transportation is very cheap. A ride on the metro is 10 Rubles, a bus is 12 Rubles, a trolley is 10 Rubles, a tram is 4 Rubles. A taxi will charge anywhere from 50 Rubles to 300 Rubles depending upon your destination and your negotiating skills.
   At some tourist sights including museums and palaces, you will have to pay more than Russians. Unless you can speak Russian, there is little you can do to avoid this.
   Nightlife can be inexpensive to expensive depending upon where you go. Some clubs don't charge any entrance fee whereas others will charge as much as 20 Dollars cover charge. A drink is $1 or more and a meal is $5 or more again depending upon your choice of venue.
   There is a great variety of shopping choices that range from traditional Russian souvenirs to expensive imported clothing. Most of the city's shopping is centered along Nevsky Prospect.

   ENTERTAINMENT
   St. Petersburg offers many forms of entertainment. It abounds in concerts, theater, variety shows, striptease acts and intimate dancing at nightclubs and bars. As in any big city, use caution when choosing your venue and dealing with strangers. Prostitution exists, but to a lesser extent than in many countries of Southeast Asia. For health reasons, it is best to avoid unprotected sex.

   When in Russia DO:
   * Learn some Russian, even if it is just a few phrases, your attempts will be appreciated.
   * Be alert at all times to street crime.
   * Ask for detailed directions on how to reach your destination.
   * Carry a city map. Maps in English are readily available.
   * When visiting an Orthodox church, women should wear skirts and preferably have their heads covered and men should always remove their hats indoors.
   * Make the most of your trip to our glorious city!

   And DO NOT:
   * Change money on the black market.
   * Drink tap water.
   * Expect friendly smiles. Russians are friendly people but they are more reserved and cautious with strangers than some other cultures.
   * Expect to find smoke-free areas anywhere. (A standard joke in Russian says that buildings here have two sections: smoking and chain-smoking.)
   * Be put off or upset by minor problems. There is a lot in this city to make up for any little trouble!

   YOU HAVEN'T DONE ST.PETERSBURG UNTIL YOU'VE:
   - taken a boat river trip
   - visited the Russian museum and Hermitage
   - seen a ballet or opera at the Mariinsky Theater
   - enjoyed white nights and watched bridges opening
   - seen fountains of Petergof

   CONSULATES GENERAL
Austria:   43/1 Furshtatskaya ul., phone: 275 0502
Canada:   32 Malodetskoselskiy pr., phone: 325 8448
China:   134 Griboedova Kanala nab., phone: 714 7670
Denmark:   13 Bolshaya alleya, phone: 703 3902
Finland:   4 Preobrazhenskaya pl., phone: 331 7600
France:   15 Moyki Reki nab., phone: 332 2270
Germany:   39 Furshtatskaya ul., phone: 320 2400
Italy:   10 Teatralnaya pl., phone: 312 3217
Japan:   29 Moyki Reki nab., phone: 314 1434
Netherlands:   11 Moyki Reki nab., phone: 334 0200
Norway:   25 Nevskiy pr., phone: 326 2650
Spain:   7b Rubinshteyna ul., phone: 325 8470
Sweden:   1/3 Malaya Konyushennaya ul., phone: 329 1430
United Kingdom:   5 Proletarskoy Diktatury pl., phone: 320 3200
USA:   15 Furshtatskaya ul., phone: 331 2600

   HOT LINE
Fire:   phone: 01, (24 hours a day)
Police:   phone: 02, (24 hours a day)
Medical Help:   phone: 740 20 90, (24 hours a day)