St Petersburg Travel Guide

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Budget Travel to St. Petersburg, Russia

Do some pre-arrival planning - There is a wealth of information available online about St. Petersburg and the wonderful attractions the city has to offer. Not only can you choose a hotel and sites you want to see, you can read additional information about St. Petersburg and the history of the city to enrich your experience. You can even do some shopping in advance to buy some of the best souvenirs. Not only can this save valuable time, but can save space in your bags and save money as you won't have to bargain for souvenirs in the city. A great resource for tours, excursions, and online souvenirs is TJ Travel. All this research in advance will give you an idea of the prices in St. Petersburg and allows you the chance to shop in advance for the best prices for hotels, tours, and souvenirs.

Bigger is not always better – This is particularly true of where you will stay in St. Petersburg. Budget travelers will be particularly interested in the smaller boutique hotels in St. Petersburg that offer exceptional value at a price that will keep you on a reasonable budget. Hotel prices can be very high in both Moscow and St. Petersburg and the boutique hotels can surprise with their personal service and attention to guest needs. An example of a boutique hotel in the center of St. Petersburg that offers exceptional value is Hotel Vera.

Take a boy scout approach and be prepared - As a budget traveler the last thing you want is to be unprepared. For example, buy water in advance of an excursion or tour in the city so you don't have to buy it during your tour. Usually the price is much higher when you are at a popular tourist destination. Ask questions to your guide or hotel reception about the best value restaurants in the city. Again, use the Internet to find restaurants, museums, and attractions that are within walking distance. Rather than buying a guide book, you can simply print the most useful information from the Internet and bring a map with you. The official St. Petersburg Government website can offer useful information for tourists.

Avoid unnecessary expenses - Often you can walk to a restaurant or café that is near your hotel and avoid costly taxi rides. An official taxi in St. Petersburg can be very expensive. If you are arriving by plane, have your hotel arrange a taxi to greet you at the airport. Exchanging money can also be another expense you can minimize. For example, the most expensive place to exchange money is in the airport. In addition, you should always have your passport and VISA with you at all times, or at least a color copy. The police can fine you for not having any documentation and with some advance planning this expense can be avoided. Russian law dictates that all persons have identification (in the case of tourists, Passport and VISA) with them and the police have the right to check your documents at any time and for any reason. Although this is not such a common occurrence, it is better to avoid such unnecessary problems.

Ask a local – Don't be afraid to ask people around the city for help, advice, and recommendations. "When in Rome, do as the Roman's do" and this also applies to St. Petersburg. The locals can tell you about the best sites, hidden budget restaurants, discounts, specials, and tips to save you money. Many people in cosmopolitan St. Petersburg speak English and are ready to help make your experience in St. Petersburg unforgettable while still being budget conscious.

Business lunch – Most restaurants offers special prices in the day and it is the most cost effective way to eat out while keeping on a budget. For example, on Nevsky Prospekt tourists can find a myriad of restaurants for tourists and most offer business lunch specials.

Take advantage of airline specials – Some airlines offer last minute discount flights and this can also include flights to St. Petersburg. Lufthansa, KLM, and British Airways are among the many International airlines offering flights to St. Petersburg. Check their websites to see if they are offering any special discounts on travel to St. Petersburg and plan your trip around these times.

Arrive at the beginning or end of the tourist season – From the middle of May until the end of August is the peak Season for tourists arriving to St. Petersburg. Planning your travel just before or after these dates can bring significant cost savings on airline tickets and hotel prices to make your trip more budget friendly.

 

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A travel guide about St Petersburg in Russia - Mark TV


st petersburg travel guide
st petersburg travel guide
st petersburg travel guide