During weekends in the summer it's possible to take a helicopter tour above St Petersburg. The cost is around $30 and the helicopters take off and land on the lawn beyond the northern wall of the Peter and Paul Fortress. Just follow the deafening noise…

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

This is a trolley bus service that for 10 rubles takes you all the way up (or down) Nevsky Prospect. The trolley buses whizz past so fast it can be hard to decipher the place names if you don't speak Russian but this service takes all the leg work out of Nevsky and means it is less stressful when trying to cross the street. Just wait at the bus stop and smile when boarding - it disarms the ticket collector and they are then generally helpful. There are others but this one is safe, fast and easy to use. Whereas the Metro isn't much help as it goes no further along than Gostiiny Dvor.

The trolley buses run frequently up and down Nevsky Prospect.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Taking photos on the metro will attract the attention of the metro police and a modest but inconvenient fine having to be paid. On the positive side, the police are very helpful giving directions when your knowledge of the Cyrillic alphabet fails you in the stations.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

On the St Petersburg metro you buy tokens (zhetony) although you can also buy multiple-trip travelcards as well. If you ask for 'zhetony' on the Moscow metro they won't know what you're talking about. They only have tickets (bilety).

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

There are plenty of short-trip riverboats that ply the Neva near the Hermitage, but there are also ones that go much further afield, heading up the Neva River and across Lake Ladoga in the summer. Valaam monastery is a popular and stunning destination and can be visited on a one day/two night excursion. There are lots of other destinations and options.

River Terminal, near Proletarskaya metro station; tel: 262 02 39;
petersburgcity.com/city/transport/watercommunication/watercommunications/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends