Moscow has a few main train stations - all of which are located close by each other. Trains to St. Petersburg leave from Leningradsky station. I got lost for a good hour (thankfully I decided to come here early), desperately trying to match Cyrillic signs before I found the correct station and platform.
I chose the second fastest option, as I had only booked the train a day earlier, and the high-speed options were coming up for anywhere from USD 300 to USD 2000!
The conductor checked my ticket and I was on board. Unfortunately the system had assigned me a seat right next to the toilets, which emitted a very strong scent of urine for the entire trip.
Karma is coming back to bite me after all these first class trips.
St. Petersburg
It was quite a few degrees colder in St. Petersburg compared to Moscow. Thankfully I had packed enough clothes for the next few days. There were even bursts of snow twice during the trip.
2014-05-02 14.46.54 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
The Hermitage:
Wonderful museum. I loved the grand rooms and the really vast art collection. The queues were pretty terrible , but the best part was that students get in free. ^
2014-05-05 12.04.52 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
2014-05-04 11.57.35 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
2014-05-04 11.38.56 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
Architecture:
I loved the architecture in St. Petersburg, along with the canals. It was a shame I wasn't here for White Nights during the summer.
IMG_6303 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
2014-05-03 13.18.19 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
IMG_6356 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
IMG_6262 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
2014-05-05 12.05.26 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
2014-05-02 10.29.31 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
Metro:
An even deeper Metro than Moscow? You've got to be kidding! St. Petersburg's Metro was even more grand than Moscow's - every station was unique and lots had some beautiful artwork and statues. I spent half a day just checking out the Metro stations!
Even better was that the Metro here had English signs! (I noticed them in a lot more places in St. Petersburg than in Moscow)
2014-05-03 17.09.25 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
2014-05-03 17.28.53 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
Skyline:
Amazing that the city extends as far out as the eye can see. Lots of industrial areas, but the city centre has thankfully retained its old world charm.
2014-05-04 18.54.36 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
2014-05-04 18.55.40 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
Night Views:
I'll conclude with some pictures by night. Magical.
2014-05-03 23.11.52 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
2014-05-03 23.41.37 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
2014-05-03 23.33.13 by
jurastudent, on Flickr
Conclusion:
I liked St. Petersburg a lot more than Moscow. Aside from the chilly weather, it was beautiful for most of the time I was there. The people here were also more welcoming of foreigners and friendlier than Moscow. The architecture and sights were also better than Moscow. Only complaint would have been that it was super busy, packed with lots of tourists (mostly domestic), resulting in huge queues for just about everything.