There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Saint Petersburg each year. The main ones are listed below.
January 1: New Year's Day (national) January 7: Russian Orthodox Christmas (national)The Russian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar and thus celebrates Christmas thirteen days after it is celebrated by most Christians in the rest of the world.
February 23: Defender of the Fatherland Day (Den' Zashchitnika Otechestva) (national)Previously commemorated the anniversary of the creation of the Red Army in 1918. Today, it is celebrated as the Russian equivalent of Father's Day, on which women and girls give presents to their male relatives of any age, whether they have served in the Russian armed forces or not.
May 1: Spring and Labour Day (Pervomaï) (national) May 9: Victory Day (Den' Pobedy) (national)Celebrates the Russian victory over Nazi Germany. Thousands of people gather on the Nevsky Prospekt (Neva Avenue) for a large military parade and a magnificent fireworks display.
May 27: City Day (Den' Goroda) (local)Celebrates the founding of Saint Petersburg by Peter the Great on this day in 1703. A large variety of events are organized, including a parade, brass bands, folk dancing, etc.
June 12: Russia Day (Den' Rossii) (national)Celebrates the anniversary of the First Congress of People's Deputies adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic in 1990. Streets and buildings are adorned with flags, while concerts, military parades and other events take place, followed by a fireworks display at the end of the day.
July 25: Navy Day (Den' Voenno Morskogo Flota) (local)One of the world's great sea-faring cities, Saint Petersburg pays tribute to its sailors each year on this day. Submarines and torpedo boats, festooned with flags and bunting, gather along the Neva and engage in mock battles.
December 25: Christmas (national)| Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -9/16 | -4/25 | 40/1.6 | Not the best period to go |
| February | -9/16 | -3/27 | 31/1.2 | Not the best period to go |
| March | -4/25 | 2/36 | 35/1.4 | Not the best period to go |
| April | 1/34 | 8/46 | 33/1.3 | Not the best period to go |
| May | 7/45 | 16/61 | 38/1.5 | Good period to go
|
| June | 12/54 | 20/68 | 64/2.5 | Good period to go
|
| July | 14/57 | 22/72 | 78/3.1 | Good period to go
|
| August | 13/55 | 20/68 | 77/3.0 | Good period to go
|
| September | 8/46 | 14/57 | 67/2.6 | Good period to go
|
| October | 3/37 | 8/46 | 65/2.6 | Not the best period to go |
| November | -2/28 | 2/36 | 56/2.2 | Not the best period to go |
| December | -6/21 | 2/36 | 49/1.9 | Not the best period to go |
Getting from the airport to Saint Petersburg and back:
There are several excellent options for getting around Saint Petersburg, including metro lines, trams, buses and trolleybuses. Saint Petersburg's public transport system also includes “river buses”, small boats taking several routes along the Neva and the city's canals, an especially delightful option in the summer months.
The Saint Petersburg Metro is the best way to get around the city quickly. And it is also an opportunity to discover the city's monumental and ornately decorated stations! Each day, nearly 3.5 million people use the Metro.
There are numerous bus stops dotted along all the city's main thoroughfares. Buses, trolleybuses and trams are thus very useful for getting around, in combination with the Metro. Tickets may be purchased from the driver on the bus. A single ticket costs RUB 45.
Minibuses follow fixed routes, but collect and drop off passengers anywhere along the way. You just need to ask the driver to stop when you are about to reach your destination. Allow about RUB 50 per ride.
A boat cruise along the Neva or the city's canals is also an ideal way to discover Saint Petersburg, sometimes known as the Venice of the North. Several companies offer cruises, with or without a guide. Allow at least RUB 800 per person for a 1-hour cruise.
Upon your arrival in Saint Petersburg, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.
City Tourist Information BureauOffers practical information and publications for tourists on the city of Saint Petersburg and its region. Here are the main addresses:
The Tourist Information Bureau also operates a number of information kiosks at various locations throughout the city, including:
The English-language website maintained by the Russian National Tourist Office, provides a wealth of information for visitors to Saint Petersburg.
The currency used in Russia is the Russian Ruble (RUB).
1 SEK = 8,55 RUB
1 RUB = 0,12 SEK
The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.
In order to travel in the best conditions and for your health and safety, we invite you to check all information regarding preventive measures and best practices to be respected, available on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/
Your comfort, well-being and health are at the heart of Air France's concerns, and we want to help you prepare for your trip in the best way possible. Find out more about the measures taken to ensure safe travelling on our website: https://www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common/page_flottante/information/coronavirus.htm#notre-engagement-sanitaire
See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Saint Petersburg counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.
There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to Russia. However, the following vaccines are recommended for travel to Russia:
For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
It is recommended to drink bottled water in Saint Petersburg.
Foreign nationals are required to be in possession of a visa in order to enter and stay in Russia.
Electronic visa (E-visa) to enter Saint Petersburg
Starting from October 1, 2019, nationals of 53 foreign States may be granted an e-visa to enter the territory of Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad region. Free and valid for 30 days upon delivery, it can be used for a maximum period of stay of 8 days and 7 nights in the Leningrad region. It can be requested between 20 to 4 days prior to arrival in Saint Petersburg. However, we recommend to allow for a minimum period of one week for delivery. To request an E-visa, you only need to use a passport and electronic photo, fill in the form available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation: https://evisa.kdmid.ru/ There is therefore no need to make appointments with Russian consular agencies or visa centre to complete the procedure.
For further information, visit the website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.russianconsulate.info/visa_requirements.html
| To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Saint Petersburg, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country. |
Here are a few basic Russian phrases that will make your stay in Saint Petersburg a little easier:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Sdrastvouité/ Dobroe Utro / Dobri Den'
Good evening: Dobryï vetcher
Goodbye: Do svidania
Yes: Da
No: Niet
No, thank you: Niet spasiba
Thank you very much: Bal'shoye spasiba
Please: Pozhaluysta
I don't understand: Ya ne ponimayu
Could you repeat?: Ne mogli by vi povtorit' ?
What time is it?: Katory tchass ?
Sorry / Excuse me: Izvinite
Airport: Aeraport
Train station: Zheleznodorozhni Vokzal
Taxi: Taksi
Hotel: Otel'
Hospital: Bolnitsa
Bank: Bank
Telephone: Telefon
I'm (…): Ya (…)
I'm looking for (…): Ya ichtchu (…)
How much is (…)?: Skolka stoït (...) ?
Do you have (…)?: U vass yest' (...) ?
Where can I find (…)?: Gde ya magu naïti (…) ?
Where can I buy (…)?: Gde ya mogu kupit ' ?
I'd like (…): Ya by khotel (…).
Tipping
In Saint Petersburg as in the rest of Russia, tipping is certainly not required but always appreciated. If you are satisfied with the service, you can tip about 10% of the bill in restaurants and bars.
