Transport

Public transport in St. Petersburg is available in many different forms and takes in all areas of the city. Here you can travel by Metro, bus, trolleybus, tram, marshrutka taxi or taxi. To what should you pay speacial attention?

1. Timetables - Every form of transport, with the exception of taxis, ceases to operate at night, roughly between 00:30 and 05:00.
2. Bridges - Be aware of night time changes. If you are returning home by taxi or private car between 01:00 and 04:00, remember that the bridges over the River Neva are opened and that part of the city can become inaccessible. For a schedule of bridge opening times, click here.
3. Rush hour - rush hour is roughly between 16:00 and 18:00. Journeys at this time can be highly uncomfortable because of the large influx of passengers.
4. Paying - The cost of using public transport is inexpensive in comparison with other European cities (from 4 to 10 rubles per trip). Conductors and controllers are on the look out for passengers who haven't paid, so to avoid trouble pay for your trip.
5. Be alert both on the street and on public transport, especially when there are lots of people around. Just as in any city worldwide, there will always be thieves wanting your money and your valuables. For more information about how to enjoy a safe stay in the city, click here.

Metro

The St. Petersburg Metro is one of the cleanest and most beautiful in the world. It is also the quickest and most comfortable mode of transport in the city. A single journey on the Metro costs 5 rubles regardless of journey length. There are two ways of paying for the Metro. One is to buy a single journey token (zheton) before each trip, the other is to buy a travel pass (proezdnoi bilyet) either for a certain number of journeys, or for a length of time, a month for example. Trains arrive at regular intervals of 2-3 minutes. For a map of the Metro, click here. The Metro runs between roughly 05:45 and 00:30. If you are intending to return home late, make sure that you know at what time the last train will run from the nearest station.

Trolleybus

The most ecologically clean form of ground transport because they run on electricity. However they do not run regularly like the Metro and it is possible not only to wait for half an hour for a bus, but also to find oneself in a traffic jam during rush hour. Trolleybus stops are marked on signs by the letter 'T'. A trip costs four rubles which is paid at the beginning of a journey to the conductor.

Marshrutka Taxi

The most comfortable form of ground transport, with a widespread coverage of the city. In the suburbs this is perhaps the one reliable form of transport. The advantage of marshrutka taxis is that the maximum number of passengers directly corresponds to the number of seats. On other forms of transport the volume of passengers can become claustrophobic, reaching a peak at rush hour. Marshrutkas are more comfortable than trams or trolleybuses, and because of this cost from 6 to 10 rubles per trip. Pay the driver at the beginning of your journey and only in cash. Travel passes do not include Marshrutkas.

Bus

Less comfortable than European equivalents, but they are good for getting around the city. The cost is 4 rubles, again regardless of jouney length. Buses are widely available on the outskirts of the city. Bus stops are marked by the letter 'A'.

Tram

The oldest form of ground transport. At one time they were horse-drawn, but now they are railed and run on electricity. Tram stops are marked on overhead signs by the letter 'T'. A trip costs 4 rubles which is paid to the conductor.

Taxi

A universal means of travel. Taxis will take you to any place in town, even to Moscow, and at any time of day. But the price can amount to tens or hundreds of rubles and of course depends on the distance. You can catch a taxi on the street (they are normally yellow cars with a taxi sign on the roof). The best thing to do is to phone ahead of time and book a taxi, by dialing 068 for example.