St. Petersburg is Russia’s second largest city with abundant history. Due to visa restriction, most visitors go with local tour agency visa waiver program. When stepping out of the custom terminal, you will see overwhelming tour coaches and shuttles waiting outside. In a busy day, cruises in port may top to 7 boats and everybody goes to same places in similar itinerary through the same monstrously big tour agency. Even lunch place is the same. You can tell what trouble you are heading into. Review your agent’s plan before starting trip.
Travel Tips
- for cruisers, first day at cruise port through the custom is very slow. Be the first person off boat. Toilets are available on the right side of the custom waiting area. Make sure meeting point with your local tour agent.
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Avoid the day with many cruises in port. Attractions are all very crowded even just two cruises in our case.
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Be aware of tour itinerary arranged by big local agency. Itinerary sequence might not be ideal due to ticketing restriction, dinning restriction, and commission shopping restriction. Drill with your tour guide to maximize your chance of relaxing touring.
Russian seem less smile and more defensive. You may receive a poke face or motionless answer in stores or in museums. The way they do things is somehow inflexible. Give your tour agent full support to tough through abnormal situations. You especially need this in popular attractions which often prolong waiting time. Most of attractions are history about Russian Empire like Peter the Great, Catherine the Great and Alexander II.
Peterhof (Summer Residence)
Hermitage Museum (Winter Palace)
Catherine’s Palace
A big queue is waiting at ballroom for Amber Room. Left and right path both go to Amber Room. Local guide tells us our visit doesn’t count as a busy day yet.
Church of Our Savior of the Spilled Blood
St. Isaac’s Cathedral
Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral
Peter and Paul’s fortress and cathedral, the burial place of the Russian Emperors
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