Travelling between Moscow and St. Petersburg
The distance between the two cities is more than 700 kilometers.
There are a few options to travel between Moscow and St. Petersburg. First, you can take a direct flight that will take an hour and a half. Second, you can take a fast daytime train (Sapsan) that takes about 4 hours. Third, you can take a night train such as the Red Arrow that makes the journey in about 8 -9 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus (more economical but also more uncomfortable).
Taking a direct plane from Moscow to St. Petersburg is not really expensive. As of February 13, 2019 such a trip will cost around $40. There are several companies that operate these flights: Aeroflot, S7 Airlines, Rossiya Airlines, Utair and also Pobeda (a low cost subsidiary of Aeroflot). While taking a plane is very fast, remember that you will have to travel to Moscow airports and then also you have to get from Pulkovo Airport to the center of St. Petersburg by bus or taxi (there is no aeroexpress train there).
By Sapsan (Day High Speed Train)
It takes Sapsan train around 4 hours to reach St. Petersburg from Moscow. As of February 13, 2019 the fare for such a trip starts from $60. The tickets for the trip can be purchased at railway stations in Moscow. Alternatively you can get a better price if you buy them 90 days in advance on official website for Russian railways - RZD (it is in English as well). The buying process is easy but requires registration. The trains depart from Leningradskiy Railway Station in northeastern Moscow (Komsomolskaya metro station, red line 1 or brown circular line 5) and arrive at the station in St. Petersburg called Moskovsky Railway Station (located in the city center).
If you buy a train ticket from Moscow to St. Petersburg, the departure station that will probably appear on the ticket will be the Oktyabrsky station in Moscow, a name previously held by this station, now called Leningradsky Railway Station.
By a Night Train
You can also choose to travel to St. Petersburg from Moscow by a night train. There are different night trains to suit different budgets. As of February 13, 2019, the starting price for a simple place on a night train starts at $14. More comfortable and best-known trains are the Red Arrow and Grand Express (with prices starting at $50). Remeber that train prices heavily depend on the season and how early you book your ticket.
By Bus
You can also take a bus from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Normally, the journey is at night and the trip takes about 10-12 hours.
- Moscow to St. Petersburg (Flight SU6024)
