Transportation

Driving in Russia

Generally speaking driving around Russia is not recommended. The road conditions are spotty at best, there are few signs, and the drivers can be aggressive. If you do feel the need to drive it is essential that you get a comprehensive insurance policy. You must have an international drivers license as well. Under any circumstance drive carefully!

Car rental agencies in Moscow and St Petersburg include Avis, Europcar and Hertz:

Avis:
Moscow, tel: 578 5646.
St Petersburg, tel: 312 63 18.
Europcar:
Moscow, tel: 253 1369.
Hertz:
Moscow, tel: 578 7532.
St Petersburg, tel: 277 4032.

Taxis

For many this is the preferred method of travel. By Western standards the cost of a taxi in St Petersburg is inexpensive. All taxis should have a T on them and should be yellow in color. In other words, easy to spot. Do not take an unofficial taxi. As in most places it is cheaper to take a taxi that is flagged down on a street. Taxis at hotels for instance tend to be more expensive.

The Metro

The metro is a great way to get around the city. The first train starts at 6am and the last stops running at 1am. There are numerous metro stops throughout the city and overall taking the metro is one of the fastest ways to get around.

Russian Railways

The rail system in Russia is one of the largest in the world. That should not come as any surprise due to the vastness of the country itself. There are a variety of connections with the rest of Europe and daily routes between St Petersburg and Moscow. Additionally there are daily routes to other important cities and towns in Eastern Russia.

If you are planning on taking a train it is always god to make an advance reservation a few days in advance. You have the choice of 1st or 2nd class. The 1st class trains are fairly comfortable while the 2nd class trains are much more basic.

Busses and Trolleys

Buses run throughout the city. All bus stops have a prominent A sign. If you come across a sign with a T, then that is a stop for a trolley bus. Buses and trolleys run from early in the morning to late in the evening. They can be crowded, but are a very inexpensive way to get around St Petersburg.

Flying In Russia

Aeroflot is still the main airline in Russia. Prior to the breakup of the Soviet Union it was considered the largest airline in the world. It is no longer.

If you need to get somewhere quickly taking a plane is the best way to cover the vast distances in Russia in a relatively short period of time. The service is not up to Western standards and some of the planes are not as comfortable as you may be used to.

Aeroflot Offices In Moscow:
Leningradskiy Prospekt 37, bldg 9 tel: (095) 155 8019; Tickets, Tel: (095) 1555045

Aeroflot Offices In St Petersburg:
7-9 Nevsky Prospekt
tel: (812) 311 8093 (In country travel); 315 0072 (International travel)

Khabarovsk:
5 Amursky Boulevard tel: (421) 332 071 Minsk
18-28 Karl Marx Street tel: (0712) 224 232 Kiev
66 Boulevard Shevchenko
tel: (44) 774 4223

Aeroflot Offices in London:
70 Piccadilly, London W1V 9HH tel: (0171) 355 2233 New York
235 West 48th Street, NY 10036 tel: (212) 245 1100 Paris
33, Avenue des Champs Elysees
tel: (01) 42 25 43 81, 42 56 19 30