Whether you’re studying in St. Petersburg or simply visiting, knowing the basics of travel is vital. You must know where to go, how to get there, and when.
If you’re on a term break, it’s best to plan a ten-day or two-week trip to fully enjoy your vacation. But if you’re only seeing St. Petersburg for a day, be pickier with places you want to see and things you want to do.
Here are more practical travel tips in St. Petersburg to get the best out of your trips:
Try to Plan a Trip Between May and September
The weather in St. Petersburg is an unpredictable foe, and it changes its course almost every 15 minutes. It also tends to lean towards the extremes, so summers are torridly hot and winters are numbingly cold.
Fortunately, the average daily weather isn’t too bad. The temperature kicks in between 20ºC and 25ºC. This is why it’s best to travel between May and September to enjoy fair weather.
If you want to travel between December and February, be prepared for the chill. Pack up heating jackets and warm boots, a pair of gloves, and other winter clothes.
Book an Accommodation in Advance
If you already have student accommodation in St. Petersburg, you don’t have to worry. But if you’re coming from a different Russian city, book accommodation in advance.
Since you’re only staying for a short time, your best option is Airbnb. We recommend booking one within the city center to have better access to the city’s landmarks.
If you’re tight on budget, you can opt for accommodation outside of the city instead. But do manage your expectations because the environment isn’t as nice as in the city.
Plan Your Travel Budget
St. Petersburg isn’t an expensive place. It’s the 14th most affordable city in the world according to the 2022 QS Best Student Cities list.
Still, having a budget is important since it forces you to manage your fund and don’t overspend. Take a look at the table below to see some common expenses for your travels:
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
| A one-way ticket to a public transportation | 0.76 |
| A monthly pass to a public transportation | 41.60 |
| Taxi Start | 1.38 |
| One meal in a mid-range restaurant | 7.93 |
| One meal at a fast-food chain | 4.14 |
| Regular cappuccino | 2.04 |
Learn a Few Russian Phrases
Signs at metro stations are in both Russian and English, so you won’t have to worry too much. Plus, if you’re dining in a restaurant, chances are, you’ll encounter an English-speaking server.
But more often than not, everyone else who you might interact with may not speak English. Keep a couple of these phrases in mind to get started:
| Thank you | Spasibo |
| Where is the subway? | Gde metro? |
| Please, stop at the next/nearest public transport stop | Na ostanovke ostanovite, pozhaluysta |
| I am lost | Ya zabludilsja |
| Sorry / Excuse me | Izvinite |
Did you like this list of travel tips when visiting St. Petersburg? If you want to orient yourself more with this student city, see our list of affordable places in St. Petersburg here at MSM Unify.
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