Saint Petersburg to Moscow via train/bus
 

Any transportation site you recommend for booking between cities? Also how many days do you recommend staying in Moscow and Saint Petersburg each? Thanks

I would not recommend taking buses in Russia. Your best bet is a high speed Sapsan train (multiple daytime and evening departures, takes about 3 hours 40 minutes) or a sleeper train (slower, overnight. e.g. the Red Arrow train, takes about 8 hours). You can buy tickets on the Russian Railways website (it quite horrible but it works).

Many will probably disagree but I think Moscow is not an interesting city, give it 2 days and St Petersburg is very interesting and much more pleasant, 3-5 days should be enough to cover both the city itself and the country palaces and museums around it

I'll agree and disagree.
Taking the train is the best way between the two cities. VataliU has pointed out the two main options. The Sapsan is very comfortable and the night trains are good too (Generally, the lower the train number, the better it is).

The Russian Railways official site is the best. I wouldn't say it's that horrible either. Make sure you book before getting to Russia as trains do sell out regularly - especially around the weekend.

You might also consider flying, but I wouldn't recommend it as the airports are all so far from the centre.

Intercity buses = No, just don't!

In terms of the cities...
I always find Moscow to be very interesting. There so much to do and see there, it's a great place to visit.

I would say spending around 4-5 days per city would allow you to scratch the surface.

Just had a look at the bus ticket prices (as a local, I have never heard of someone going to Moscow by bus), out of interest. They start at 690RUB. If you are really on a tight budget, you may want to travel in a seater carriage on an overnight train (not Sapsan).

Tickets cost 705RUB (one way) and the journey takes just under 8 hours (vs 11 hours on the bus). I have travelled on that train and it's perfectly fine. The seats are similar to what you would find in regional business class and there is wifi/toilet and a train attendant in each carriage.

Hi! I recommend you to go from St Petersburg to Moscow by fast train Sapsan. It is comfortable, quick and much better than bus. I myself often travel by this train and I like it! Some words about cities. I think, St Petersburg is much more interesting and beautiful than Moscow. So you should stay there minimum 1 week to see all must see attractions in the city and suburbs.

And it would be better if you have a guided tour. This way you will save much time and spend great time in the city! By the way, I can recommend you an excellent professional English - speaking private guide in St Petersburg. Just let me know!

I think both Saint-Petersburg and Moscow are worth a visit. Saint-Petersburg has more beautiful buildings, but I really enjoy the very Russian feel to Moscow. Both have some great food options, but I'm more familiar with restaurants for Moscow:
- Breakfast: 'Friends forever' or 'breakfast club': Oh my just wow, if I would live in Moscow I'd eat here every week.
- King crab: 'Wine and crab' or 'Boston seafood and grill'. The first one is a bit more fancy. In both the king crab is delicious. best I've ever had.
- Siberian food: Chemodan. They have great Siberian food offering bear, yak and all sorts of meat and fish. A great selection of hard liquor too.
- Delikatessen: Trendy food place that serves up modern food. Cocktails are really amazing.