Duration : 1st – 9th July
Flights:
Delhi to Moscow (Aeroflot) – 36K (It was expensive, during normal time it can be booked for around 24K round trip)
I visited Moscow & Petersburg (4 days each).
From Moscow to Petersburg I took a free train. (During the world cup they were providing free trains). Normally it costs around 1K. Book through their official Website “rzd.ru”
From Petersburg to Moscow, I took the bullet train (SAPSAN). Cost was 3800 INR. (Book in advance through rzd, you will get cheaper tickets). The journey was about 3:45 hrs.
Hostel :
Hostel Movies & Hostel Lime in Moscow (1200 & 600 INR respectively per night, I think they will be cheaper during normal times)
Hostel Movies & Hostel Lime in Moscow (1200 & 600 INR respectively per night, I think they will be cheaper during normal times)
Hostel Neva BnB in St Petersburg (800 per night). This hostel was very good and also was very close to the metro station.
Local Transport:
Metro is very cheap. In Moscow it is 55RUB & St Petersburg 45RUB.
Take TROIKA card in Moscow (Per journey 35RUB) & Take PODOROZNIK card in St Petersburg (Per journey 35 RUB).
Both these cards can be used in sorts of ground transports.
As English language is rarely spoken there it is advisable to get these cards as you don’t have to go to the ticket counters anymore.
Uber is another cheaper option if you are travelling in a group.
Sightseeing:
Moscow:
- Red square, Kremlin (The armoury & the cathedral square). Buy the tickets online, otherwise you have to stand in long queue.
- St. Basil’s cathedral
- Gorky Park
- Cold war bunker
- Sparrow Hills, Luzhniki Stadium
- Space Museum near VDNKh metro Station
- Arbat Street
- Izmailovo market for Shopping of Souvenirs. (You can apply your bargaining skills there)
- Some of the metro stations are itself like museums. They are very beautiful.
 |
| Moscow Bell (Kremlin) |
 |
| St Basil's Cathedral (Red Square) |
- Palace Square (Winter Palace): Tip: Entrance to the Winter Palace is free on the 1st Thursday of every month. But there will be a long queue. Otherwise book your tickets online. Keep at least one day for visiting the winter palace, it is huge.
- Boat cruise through the opening bridges in the Neva River. (The cruise starts from around 12 a.m – Tickets 1000 RUB). It is the best way to enjoy the white nights in summer. Must do.
- St Isaac Cathedral. (Go to the top to get a panoramic view. But you have to get extra tickets for that)
- Peter & Paul Fortress
- Church of the Saviour on the spilled blood. (Very beautiful inside)
- Peterhof palace & gardens (Must visit). Go by Metro & Bus, while coming back take the Hydrofoil (Ticket was around 900 RUB). Spend the entire day there.
- Kazan Cathedral.
 |
| Palace Square |
Sim card:
I took megafon in the airport itself (500 RUB, 20 GB). In metro stations it is cheaper. 20 GB was more than enough for 10 days, as you will get wi fi almost everywhere.
I took megafon in the airport itself (500 RUB, 20 GB). In metro stations it is cheaper. 20 GB was more than enough for 10 days, as you will get wi fi almost everywhere.
Currency : Got the exchange rate of 1 RUB for 1.2 INR. Don’t carry too much cash. Use your debit cards in ATM. It is cheaper than currency conversion.
Most useful tip: Learn a little bit Russian before you go, at least the normal phrases. Learn to read the Cyrillic alphabets (It will make your life simpler.). Interact with the locals as much as possible. They are super helpful. If you speak a little bit Russian, they will treat you like stars.
Print out the Moscow and Petersburg metro map or install Yandex Metro app.
Cherry on the cake:
It was a visa free entry during Football world cups.
It was a visa free entry during Football world cups.
SPACIBA & DASVIDANIYA
0 comments:
Post a Comment