Moscow and Saint Petersburg

Region info

A long-lasting rivalry between the two largest Russian cities is not a secret to anyone. Which city is more attractive? Should one stay more time in a 'gold-domed Moscow" or 'the Venice of the North"?
Moscow and St Petersburg were both capitals of Russia at different times. Moscow was the capital from 1389 to 1712 and then from 1918 up to now. St Petersburg was the seat of government from the time of Peter the Great up to 1918.

Moscow is a much older city. The oldest preserved church is the St. Andronicus cathedral, which was built in 1427. Established in Peter the Great's time in the early 18th, St Petersburg is much younger compared to Russia's old capital.

St Petersburg looks very close to what travelers expect from a European city. With its well-preserved and elegant center, the city might remind you of Paris. Moscow is much bigger and less comfortable to explore. With a remarkable blend of old and new, the Russian capital looks a bit chaotic and exciting at the same time. Moscow has preserved a remarkable medieval and Soviet heritage. St Petersburg is a perfect destination for travelers interested in the history of the tsars and the royal palaces' glamour. Moscow has a better collection of Russian art, while St Petersburg boasts one of the world's largest European art collections.

The capitals of Russia are different, but each has a charm of its own. Moscow and St Petersburg played such an important role in Russia's history that you can't imagine your trip without visiting one of those cities.

When to go?

There's no right or wrong time for visiting Moscow and St Petersburg. The warm season usually starts in late April and lasts till the end of September. If you come in June and early July, you will experience white nights in St Petersburg. The season of fountains in Peterhoff lasts from Mid-May to Mid-October.

The summer season is pleasant but more popular among tourists. It might be a good idea to visit Moscow and Saint Petersburg in early spring or late fall to enjoy empty museum halls and lower hotel prices.
It usually starts snowing in November, but the snow usually settles close to the end of December.

The Winter season in Moscow and St Petersburg usually lasts till mid-March. Winters in Moscow and St Petersburg might be cold sometimes, but don't let this put you off. The average winter temperature ranges between -9 °C (15 °F) and -4°C (24 °F). All you need is to wrap up warm and pack many layers. Both Moscow and St Petersburg are exciting destinations to celebrate Christmas and New Year.

 

How to travel between cities?

You can travel both by air or by train. In general, it is easier and faster to travel by train. The trip by Sapsan train lasts around 4 hours. You can find many trains during the day with the earliest one starting around 5.30 am and the latest one departing at 9 pm.
 
Another alternative is an overnight train. Some of the trains like Red Arrow, Nikolaevsky Express are very comfortable and cozy. A sleeper train might be an exciting experience and also a chance to save on one-night hotel accommodation.