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Saint Petersburg Travel Resources

Saint Petersburg Travel Resources

Saint Petersburg St-petersburg, Russia Travel Guide

Essential Apps for the Destination

Navigation & Transport

  • Yandex.Maps / 2GIS

    Provide navigation, public transport routes, and offline maps.

  • Yandex Go

    Employ this app for ride-sharing (taxis).

  • Yandex.Metro

    Offers a metro map and planner.

  • Note

    Some international apps may be unavailable or have limited functionality due to current circumstances.

  • Affiliate Link: NordVPN

    A VPN can offer greater access to online services and secure your internet connection.

Language & Planning

  • Google Translate / Yandex Translate

    Download Russian offline language packs for translation assistance.

  • Official Saint Petersburg Tourism Portal

    Visit-petersburg.ru (Check for current information and events).

  • Russian State department

    Visa.kdmid.ru (For official visa information).

  • Pulkovo Airport Official Website

    Pulkovoairport.ru.

  • Mariinsky Theatre

    Mariinsky.ru (For performance schedules and tickets).

Social Media & Digital Content

Social Media Accounts

Search for local tourism boards (verify if active and accessible). Follow travel bloggers focusing on Russia for recent content.

Podcasts About Destination

Search for travel podcasts or documentaries about Saint Petersburg and Russian history or culture for background knowledge.

Language Learning

Use resources like Duolingo, Memrise, or Pimsleur to learn some simple Russian phrases before your trip.

Print Resources

Recommended Guidebooks & Maps

  • Look for recent editions from reputable publishers (Lonely Planet, Rough Guides)
  • Always check the publication date for up-to-dateness
  • Carry high-quality physical maps of Saint Petersburg for navigation
  • Check given the rapidly changing travel landscape

Books About the Destination

  • "Catherine the Great" by Robert K. Massie (History)
  • "Peter the Great: His Life and World" by Robert K. Massie (History)
  • "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky (Fiction, set in Saint Petersburg)
  • "Eugene Onegin" by Alexander Pushkin (Fiction)

More Print Resources

Fiction & Culture

  • "The Master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov (Moscow-centric, but relevant context)
  • "A History of Russia" by Nicholas V. Riasanovsky (Culture)
  • These deepen understanding of Russian life
  • Read before or during your visit

Local Publications

  • Look for local English-language newspapers
  • Verify if still published upon arrival
  • Cultural listings reveal current events
  • Discover current exhibitions

Travel Planning

  • Combine digital and physical resources
  • Physical maps act as a reliable backup
  • Guidebooks provide curated itineraries
  • Local publications give current insights

Emergency & Medical Information

Emergency Numbers and Contacts

Immediate Assistance

  • 112: Universal Emergency Number (English available)
  • 101: Fire department
  • 102: Police
  • 103: Ambulance services

Hospital and Clinic Locations

  • Private clinics for foreign visitors
  • Higher standards and English-speaking staff
  • American Medical Clinic
  • Euromed Clinic

Lost Document Procedures

  • Contact your embassy or consulate immediately
  • They assist with reporting loss to local police
  • They issue temporary travel documents
  • Prioritize reporting missing passports

Embassy and Consulate Information

Before Your Trip

  • Locate contact details for your country's embassy in Moscow
  • Find any consulate in Saint Petersburg
  • Gather this information before traveling

Current Situation

  • Many Western countries significantly reduced diplomatic presence
  • Consular assistance may be extremely limited
  • Be aware of this before travel

Natural Disaster Protocols

General Information

  • Natural disasters are not highly relevant for Saint Petersburg
  • Follow local authority instructions if any unusual event occurs
  • Stay informed through local news channels

Emergency Planning

  • Saint Petersburg's climate is temperate
  • General safety awareness is sufficient
  • Familiarize yourself with exit routes in large buildings

Further Reading & Exploration

Documentaries and Films

  1. "Russian Ark": A single-shot film entirely inside the Hermitage Museum.
  2. "War and Peace": Adaptations of Tolstoy's novel provide insights into Russian imperial life.
  3. Explore Russian cinema for cultural context.
  4. Historical documentaries also valuable.
  5. Visual media deepens understanding.

Music and Art

  1. Listen to classical Russian composers (Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Shostakovich).
  2. Explore Russian folk music.
  3. Immerse yourself in Russian art before or during your visit.
  4. Visit museums like the Russian Museum.
  5. Attend a ballet or opera.

Online Communities & Language Learning

Online Forums

Consult TripAdvisor forums (check for up-to-date posts) and relevant Reddit subreddits (e.g., r/russia, r/travel). Exercise caution regarding talking politics.

Language Resources

Use resources like Duolingo, Memrise, or Pimsleur to learn basic Russian phrases before your trip. Babbel offers structured lessons.

Skill-Building

For photography skills or other creative pursuits relevant to travel, explore platforms like Skillshare.

Limited Consular Assistance

Many Western countries significantly reduced their diplomatic presence in Russia. Consular assistance may be extremely limited.

Further Exploration

In-Depth Understanding

Documentaries and Films

  • "Russian Ark"

    A single-shot film entirely inside the Hermitage Museum.

  • "War and Peace"

    Adaptations of Tolstoy's novel provide insights into Russian imperial life.

  • Other Russian Cinema

Music and Art

  • Classical Composers

    Listen to Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Shostakovich.

  • Russian Folk Music

    Explore traditional Russian musical forms.

  • Russian Art Immersion

    Engage with Russian art before or during your visit.

Online Engagement

Online Communities

Consult TripAdvisor forums for recent posts and relevant Reddit subreddits (e.g., r/russia, r/travel).

Language Learning

Use platforms like Duolingo, Memrise, or Pimsleur to grasp basic Russian phrases.

Travel Blogs & Skills

Seek out travel blogs focused on Russia for new content. For photography skills, use platforms like Skillshare.

Thematic Exploration

History and Literature

  • "Catherine the Great" by Robert K. Massie
  • "Peter the Great: His Life and Global" by Robert K. Massie
  • "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky
  • "Eugene Onegin" by Alexander Pushkin

Cultural Context

  • "A History of Russia" by Nicholas V. Riasanovsky
  • "The Master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov (Moscow-centric but relevant)
  • Read these before or during your visit

Local Gems

Cultural Events

  • Mariinsky Theatre performances
  • Local displays and galleries
  • Concerts and festivals (seasonal)
  • Check local listings upon arrival for happenings

City Exploration

  • Explore Nevsky Prospekt and hidden courtyards
  • Visit city green spaces and gardens (Summer Garden, Pavlovsk Park)
  • Photo opportunities everywhere

Deepen Your Trip

Engaging with Russian culture and history through various media enriches your travel experience.