St Petersburg Travel Tips

Normal business hours in St Petersburg are Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 18:00, while on Saturdays and Sundays the majority of shops and businesses are closed. Exceptions to the regular closing times include larger shops and department stores, which often open until 19:00 or 20:00 and at weekends also.

Visitors should be wary of pickpockets at all times, especially in crowded places such as on public transport at rush hours. Avoid straying off the beaten track; as a tourist you will stand out and make easy pickings for petty thieves. If you are from a country that drives on the left side of the road, then beware that Russians drive on the right and take care to look in the correct direction when crossing a busy road.

Russian police have something of a reputation for giving trouble to tourists by hassling them to produce their passports and visas. To avoid potential problems, make sure to carry a photocopy of the relevant pages of your passport with you at all times. If a police officer asks to see your documents, take a note of their identification number before handing anything over. If they demand that you pay a fine for an alleged discrepancy, then you may want to take the issue to your embassy.

Electricity: 220V, 50Hz

Visitors to St Petersburg should take a number of precautions with regards to their health. Vaccinations against diphtheria, hepatitis, rabies and typhoid are recommended as well as a travel insurance policy with adequate health cover. If for whatever reason you are forced to seek medical treatment, then it is advisable to attend one with Western accreditation. The following clinics can assist in emergencies:

The International Clinic
Tel: +7 812 336 3333 (24 hours)

Euromed
Tel: +7 812 327 0301 (24 hours)

Russian is the official language in St Petersburg and it is based on the Cyrillic alphabet, which makes it difficult for tourists to read road signs and other important written media. English-speaking residents can be found at most businesses involved in the tourist industry and also among a small percentage of the population. It's advisable to carry a phrase book with you at all times if you intend on getting out and about with ease.

The Russian Rouble (RUR) is the country's official currency; however, you will find that many vendors and retailers are happy to take US dollars for purchases. One rouble is equal to 100 kopeks; denominations of 1, 2 and 5 and 1 to 50 kopek coins are available, while notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 and 500.

Credit cards are becoming increasingly more accepted in St Petersburg; however it's also advisable to carry cash for small purchases and in the event of emergencies. ATMs are less common than in big European cities, but they are still relatively easy to find and they invariably accept most major cards.

Travellers cheques can often be difficult to exchange and carrying a mixture of both roubles and dollars is recommended with the caveat of avoiding carrying too much at any time in case of theft. Bureaux de change can be found within the city and they offer a range of currency exchange services at reasonable fees.

On arrival in the country, tourists will be asked to complete a declaration form, which should then be kept with their passport until their departure; a similar form must also be completed on departing the country. The entry form must be stamped on arrival or else complications may arise when you attempt to leave the country. The form is fairly standard and requires details of name, nationality, purpose of visit and the amount of money you are bringing into the country. Large sums of money (R1,500 and over) need to be declared on arrival, or visitors run the risk of confiscation. Should you lose your declaration form, then you are obliged to obtain a police report to present to customs on your departure.

Alcohol and cigarettes sufficient for personal use only may be brought into the country. Passengers carrying prescription drugs, hypodermic needles and the likes should inform customs officers on arrival.

Russians place a great deal of emphasis on hospitality and as a visitor it is essential that you behave appropriately in situations where food, drink or gifts are offered. If you are invited to dine with Russians, then certainly don't decline and make an effort to taste all the food and drink on offer, lest you offend your hosts.

Toasts at the table are common and should always be acknowledged by guests, regardless of whether or not you are drinking alcohol. If you are invited somewhere with advance notice, then you may wish to consider showing your gratitude by offering your host a gift of some description; goods from your home country will be especially well received, or alternatively wine or flowers are perfectly acceptable. When meeting someone for the first time in Russia, it’s customary to shake hands.

Female tourists visiting religious sites should be aware that it is necessary for them to cover their heads.

Russians are intensely patriotic people. However, while they love their country, they are still often heard complaining about things; this is common, and while you may nod approvingly of their outbursts, you should never voice any personal criticisms of Russia and Russian society.

Evening time is all about entertainment for Russians, so don't be offended by behaviour that at home you might consider a little raucous. If you are dining at an upmarket restaurant, then it's customary to tip 10 per cent of the total bill; at cheaper restaurants, the figure is at your discretion. Dinner is eaten later than in Europe, with most people dining from 19:00 to 21:00. If you are dining with locals, then indulging in everything offered is a sure fire way to gain acceptance and to avoid offence.

All non-natives are required to obtain a visa prior to arrival in Russia and this can be easily arranged via your local Russian embassy or through a travel agent or online service. Be sure to apply for the correct visa, which is generally dependent on the length of time that you wish to stay in the county and the number of times you wish to leave and re-enter.

The St Petersburg tourist information office is located at: Dvortsovaya pl. 12 and can be contacted by telephone by calling: +7 812 310 22 31. The facility is open Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 to 19:00.