Is Saint Petersburg worth getting a VISA?
Mar 23, 2018, 1:52 am
#1
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 128
Is Saint Petersburg worth getting a VISA?
Is it worth the trouble to get a VISA just for Saint Petersburg? Wondering how much different/unique it is from Europe. How would you compare it to other cities in the world? Any similarities to other cities? How is it vs Eastern Europe? Would you recommend any places to go in Eastern Europe to get a similar experience or feel is better? Thanks for insight as I an a sponge/open minded when it comes to learning about Russia
Mar 23, 2018, 4:08 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: AMS/LYS
Programs: FB Gold
Posts: 130
It really depends on what you expect from the city. In my view, St Petersburg is definitely worth getting a visa for, especially as the procedure for getting a Russian visa has become a lot easier over the last few years (at least ex-EU). I would argue that it is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and has a very different vibe from the bustling city life of Moscow. The Hermitage and the Marrinsky (both old and new) alone are worth a visit IMHO. When are you planning to go? The white nights in early June are most definitely a highlight if that fits within your schedule.
Mar 24, 2018, 6:05 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: New York City
Programs: Alaska Gold. SU Silver.
Posts: 312
Is it worth the trouble to get a VISA just for Saint Petersburg? Wondering how much different/unique it is from Europe. How would you compare it to other cities in the world? Any similarities to other cities? How is it vs Eastern Europe? Would you recommend any places to go in Eastern Europe to get a similar experience or feel is better? Thanks for insight as I an a sponge/open minded when it comes to learning about Russia
Mar 24, 2018, 6:09 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,661
In my short visit to St. Petersburg, I discovered that Russians are different. I think visits even short ones can widen one's perspectives on nationalities. So, yes. IMO, St. Petersburg is different from Europe, even Eastern Europe.
Mar 24, 2018, 10:39 pm
#5
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 128
My points is you would think getting a visa you would try to visit a few cities/places. Moscow doesn't interest me. I'm sure Russia has other great spots but if I only ended up doing St. Petersburg I'm wondering if it by itself is worth it. I'm open minded to anything including views, Museums, Restaurants, Walking, etc.
Mar 25, 2018, 5:40 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,602
Yes, St. Petersburg is well worth the visit. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
St. Petersburg SFO777
On the other hand and by comparison, Moscow is rather ugly but still well worth a visit.
Moscow SFO777
St. Petersburg SFO777
On the other hand and by comparison, Moscow is rather ugly but still well worth a visit.
Moscow SFO777
Last edited by SFO777; Mar 27, 2018 at 7:17 am
Mar 28, 2018, 5:40 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 2
Definitely agree with most previous posters. I have been to S-P twice and if you have the slightest interest in architecture, art, culture, or just want to see something beautiful and different from anywhere else (in Europe or even in Russia), then it is worth a visit, for sure.
The only area which I don't think it outranks any of the big European capitals is in high-end cuisine. You can eat well, but if you're after different types of high end restaurants, well, S-P is no match for other places in Europe. In anything else, especially in the arts and architecture department, it is second to none. It is also a very manageable city for people (distances are not huge, streets are made for people, not cars).
You say that you're not interested in Moscow - I know what you mean, I don't like it as much either... but I would still tempt you to give it a go. It is completely different from S-P, less friendly, more metropolis than city. However, it is also quite different from anywhere else in Europe or Russia, and worth a few days. I find that I like S-P more, but I tend to find more reasons to visit Moscow than S-P, it's bigger, busier and there are usually more things happening there at any given time.
The only area which I don't think it outranks any of the big European capitals is in high-end cuisine. You can eat well, but if you're after different types of high end restaurants, well, S-P is no match for other places in Europe. In anything else, especially in the arts and architecture department, it is second to none. It is also a very manageable city for people (distances are not huge, streets are made for people, not cars).
You say that you're not interested in Moscow - I know what you mean, I don't like it as much either... but I would still tempt you to give it a go. It is completely different from S-P, less friendly, more metropolis than city. However, it is also quite different from anywhere else in Europe or Russia, and worth a few days. I find that I like S-P more, but I tend to find more reasons to visit Moscow than S-P, it's bigger, busier and there are usually more things happening there at any given time.