Moscow and St. Petersburg itinerary and general questions

Dear people, hello!
I know that there are many threads about this - I used them all to try to build my itinerary, but still had to come here ask for help.
I'm travelling to Russia with my brother in February. I'm 25, he's 21. We have a fast pace and visit things quickly, especially because we're not into spending hours inside a museum reading everything. We like to explore :)

Please take a look in the itinerary. I'm all open for suggestions!
Here it is: http://s18.postimg.org/60tt0b45l/itinerary.png

Upper part is Moscow, and then St. Petersburg.
Column A and B are for organization only. The items marked with * (in Moscow) are our priorities. Column C is the place's name, column D is a remark. Column E is the day chosen for visiting, and column F is where I wrote the other options I have (if it is blank, it has no restrictions).
I know some days are really rushed (like 26th) and some days are easy (like 28th), but this is the best I could figure out, and it would be great to read your comments.
I chose to say in Moscow on 20th, 21st and 22nd; then take a train to St. Petersburg. Stay there on 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th; then take the train back to Moscow and stay the last two days, 27th and 28th. The days I’ll be in Petersburg are the days in which the hotel in Moscow is more expensive, so I can save some money.
Now some questions:
1 – Do you think there will be snow there by this time?
2 – Which rooms of Peterhof do you suggest visiting? I know Catherine Block is a must, but what about the others? Grand Palace, Special Treasury, Church Wing, Bath Block, Historical and cultural project, Museum of Fountain Craft.
3 – Can you suggest a shop to buy cheap winter clothes in Moscow? We have some jackets here, but “second skin”/fleece nearly can’t be found in Brazil and when found, they’re very expensive…
4 – Do you suggest buying museum tickets in advance? For which ones? I think it’s important to buy for the ones with long queues, otherwise I think having the possibility of going whenever possible is more attractive.
5 – We need to buy SIM cards to keep in touch with our family. I already know I can buy in the airport. Is there a preference for a company (Euroset, Svyaznoy, MegaFon)? I just need as much internet as possible for the cheapest price, I don’t care about calls.
6 – About the hotel, I always try to book Ibis because it’s usually cheap, trustable and I have a loyalty card. They have two options in Moscow, for around 75 USD per day. What do you think of the price? Please check the pages: Bakhrushina (link) and Paveletskaya (link). Right now I think the first one is better, since it’s closer to the metro station and closer to the city centre. What do you guys think?
In St. Petersburg, I’m going with Ibis centre (link). Only 55 USD. What are your thoughts?
Of course, suggestions of another hotels are welcome!
7 – Trains… there are so many websites: real Russia, Russian trains, Russian railways, Russian rail. Is there a preference? For me, it seemed like Real Russia is a good choice, since I can retrieve the tickets in their office in Moscow or have them shipped to my hotel.
As of now, it seems like I’m taking the train 016A, 00:43-09:12. 2nd class is 83 USD in real Russia; and something similar to come back.
The 3d class ticket is much cheaper than 2nd class. How is it to sleep in the 3rd class? Do they provide mattresses? I even tried searching for pictures but had a hard time. I really would like to know if it's worth paying more for 2nd class.

Well, I think it’s all for now! Thanks for helping and sorry for this huge essay. We chat on the comments. Thanks!

I can answer only a couple of your questions:

1) yes

7) I think the best is to book an e-ticket on the Russian Railways(RzhD) website. 3rd class is called platzkart in Russian and it is the preferred way for most Russians I think it's not worth to pay more for kupe(4 berth sleeper). Just avoid the berths parallel with the corridor!

Check out this website for detailed descriptions and photos of different train classes and how to book online on the RZD website:

http://www.seat61.com/Russia-trains.htm

Think about spending a day less in St. Petersburg and see Novgorod on the way between Moscow and Piter.

There's a night train from Moscow to Novgorod, which is actually cheaper and less busy than the trains to Piter. See the sights of the city than continue to Piter by train in the evening(a 3 hour journey).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veliky_Novgorod

About the question 5. Euroset and Svyaznoy are the shops (but they sell SIM cards), MegaFon is a telecom company, but it also has shops in Russia. We have four telecom companies: MTS, Beeline, Megafon and Tele2. I've never tried MegaFon, but heard that its prices are quite good. For my experience the most expensive is MTS and the cheapest is Tele2, but it depends on the service package.
For you it is better to ask in the shop the best option for the internet. And tell them about travelling to another city. The problem is that you can buy the SIM with cheap internet for Moscow, but when you will go to St Petersburg it will be charged by roaming price what is more expensive. You can ask for the SIM card with cheap internet for Moscow and outside or telecom companies usually offer to buy an additional package for travelling what could help to save money.
Anyway in Russia there are a lot of places with free wi-fi.

3) Any shop that is not in the center of town (except maybe for sportmaster) Go for big and medium malls on the outskirts. You can also try shops that sell military/hunting clothes like Splav or work clothes.

3) I would go for any (informal) outdoor market outside the city center. (Sorry, forgot names but you could do web search.)

Three items would be high on my shopping list: Insoles (the Russian variety), a hat or cap (again, a local product) and a coat/jacket.

Hello

1. I think you have enough time to buy winter clothes on the Internet . I believe It is the cheapest way. Center of Moscow is rather expensive place. I know two not expensive shop near center of Moscow metro station Smolenskaya and Novoslobodskaya “Spotrmaster”. By the way you should take few pair of warm shoes and many socks because streets will be very wet in this time (Streets will be covered defroster)

4 . As I recall big queues In Kremlin museums and Hermitage . It will be better to buy tickets by Internet.

1. I would recommend Euroset or Svyaznoy, they are distributors and they can offer SIM different providers. Will be better use different SIM In Moscow and St. Petersburg because we have local rouming in Russia . I think call in Brazil will be expensive. Use local SIM for Internet (Google maps and Google translate ) and call to hotel. For calls home would be better use Skype I think it is the best way

Hey guys, thanks so much for helping! You have no idea how much you're helping!

[balkanexpress]
Hi! Actually it's really a lot cheaper in Russian Railways website... Like, really really cheaper. Thanks for this.
I think I'm going with the 3d class indeed. I just don't know which train is best, I'll leave some options at the end of the topic, if you can suggest any that would be great.

[Irina90], [Turbo99] - SIM cards
Thanks for the info. I didn't know there would be roaming between Moscow - St. Pete, but we have something similar here in Brazil. I honestly don't think I'm going to make calls to Brazil, internet for whatsapp is just fine. I'll ask when I arrive!

[frostbite], [altona], [Turbo99] - clothes
Good to know. I even found a Brazilian store with good prices yesterday, so I'll be able to buy something before arriving, at least a fleece. Upon my arrival I'll look for the stores mentioned. Thanks!

[Turbo99] - museums
You said the streets will be covered defroster. Do you think I'm gonna be able to see falling snow?
Thanks for the info on the museums, I'll try booking these two before departure.

--

Searching for trains, I found many options (3rd class).
016A - Arktika $ 40
064A - Dve Stolitsy $ 47
026A - Smena $ 47
038A - Aphanasiy Nikitin $ 47
020Y - Megapolis $ 64 (the least expensive 2nd class)
Is there a significant difference or a recommended one?

Well, the questions are almost answered, I just need some help on 2 (the Peterhof rooms).

About the hotel, I think I'll stick with Ibis. They're both rated 8+ on booking.com and 650m from the metro is fairly close, I think. Anyway, other options are always welcome.

Again, thanks so much for helping!

I don't think there's much difference between these trains. I'd choose the one with the best timing. It's not nice to arrive very early morning in winter when it's still dark and there's nothing to do, leaving too late (like Arktika after midnight) is not exactly convenient either.

Afanasiy Nikitin sounds good, leaving not too late and arriving not too early.

Haven't you thinked about my idea to spend a day in Novgorod instead of going directly to St. Petersburg?

This way you can see something else of Russia, than only the 2 big cities and it's a classic win-win game, because you'll see more, but pay less. I just checked ticket prices(Using 17th November as the date, because February is too far away to book tickets) and it's 1040 rubel in platzkart/3rd class) for the Moskva - Novgorod(on th RzhD timetable Novgorod-Na-Volhove) and 374 rubel for the Novgorod - St. Peterburg train(that train has only seats, because it's only a 3 hour journey). All together that's only 30 USD!

Novgorod is like a cradle of Russian culture and civilisation, worth to see it!

Hello
There is no falling snow everyday in Moscow, But you can enjoy winter in parks .
1. Kolomenskoe park http://mgomz.ru/posetitelyam
There are buildings 14- 17 century and reconstruction of wooden building and winter attractions skating-rink, sliding down the hill on snowtubing and Riding in a troika
2. Tsaritsyno http://www.tsaritsyno-museum.ru/ru/
This place was renovated recently. There are large nice park and palace of Ekaterina Great .
3. Sokolniki http://park.sokolniki.com/rus/visitors/winterentertainments.aspx
It is park of rest with nature and winter attractions (skating-rink, sliding down the hill on snowtubing )
also there is ice museum http://www.led-sokolniki.ru/
In the center of city snow is disgusting wet and dirty
I realize that you aren’t going to call at home but just in case some offers for calls to Brazil
Megafon
Any plan with option “Call in all country”(zvoni vo vse strany) 60 RUB turn on option and 14 RUB per minute
MTS
Any plan with option “favorite country”(lubimaya strana) 70 RUB turn on option and 14.90 RUB per minute.(command *111*101*55#)
Beeline
Any plan with option "My calls to other countries"(Moi zvonki v drugie strany) 1 RUB per day and 25 RUB per minute.

By the way if you want to ask people about something on a street would be better ask “ Can you help me” most people try to help you but if you tell “Do you speak English?” most people go past.

P.S. I will try to answer to other questions later

[balkanexpress]
Hi! Thanks once more for helping.
I would love to spend one day at Novgorod, but since 4 days already seem too few for what we intend to do in St. Petersburg, I can't find a way to make our stay one day shorter. Have you taken a look? Do you think I can do all that in 3 days? Any suggestion would be great. It would be awesome to see Novgorod. We even would like to go to Siberia, it's a pity we don't have more time.

[Turbo99]
Thanks once more for all the suggestions. I'll definitely take a look in each of them.
Regarding the SIM cards, I think I'll search for the MTS. I've read a good testimonial about this company.
Thanks for the advice. Glad to know how to approach people in Russia! ;)
Your responses to the other questions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys once more!

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Guys,

I had decided to stay 5 days in Moscow and 4 in St. Petersburg.
Given the itinerary, would you recommend to stick to this plan or do the opposite (stay 5 days in St. Petersburg and 4 in Moscow)?

When I make up my mind, I'll book the hotels.
Itinerary: http://s18.postimg.org/60tt0b45l/itinerary.png

Thanks once more!

2 I have been only in the Grand Palace and I liked this place . Other people get advise: The Hermitage The Bath Block Monplaisir

About the itinerary in Moscow I would add Arbat street (near ministry of foreign affairs )
There are 3 large railway station in Komsomolskaya square and this place very crowded I think for rest better something different.

About the itinerary in St petersburg. Tsarskoe selo and Pavlovsk quite near. It would be better to visit these place together

I think 5 days in St.Peterburg would be better because there are many places in suburbs

2 I have been only in the Grand Palace and I liked this place . Other people get advise: The Hermitage The Bath Block Monplaisir

About the itinerary in Moscow I would add Arbat street (near ministry of foreign affairs )
There are 3 large railway station in Komsomolskaya square and this place very crowded I think for rest better something different.

About the itinerary in St petersburg. Tsarskoe selo and Pavlovsk quite near. It would be better to visit these place together

I think 5 days in St.Peterburg would be better because there are many places in suburbs

Hi Turbo99! Thanks once more, you've always been helpful.
According to all I've read, I think I'll give the Sunday 22nd to St. Petersburg.
This way I'd be in Moscow on:
20th (Friday) and 21st (Saturday), then 27th (Friday) and 28th (Saturday)
And in Petersburg:
from 22nd to 26th (Sunday to Thursday).
Any remarks/comments? Always appreciated.

If I have some spare time, I can even make it to Novgorod, as suggested by our friend =)

In February is normally very cold and wet in S.-Petersburg, you will need really good clothes. I don't think there will be a queues in the Hermitage and other museums or palasts there. In my opinion do Pavlovsk and Pushkin (Tsarskoe selo) in one day could be too much.
There are trains from S.-Petersburg to Novgorod (I think, about 7 a.m. depart, about 3 hours, but I forgot from witch railwaystation), buses and marshrutkas (marshrutkas should go from metro "Moskovskaya"). Novgorod is very nice im winter.

This post has been removed because it may not have met our community guidelines.

In February is normally very cold and wet in S.-Petersburg, you will need really good clothes. I don't think there will be a queues in the Hermitage and other museums or palasts there. In my opinion do Pavlovsk and Pushkin (Tsarskoe selo) in one day could be too much.
There are trains from S.-Petersburg to Novgorod (I think, about 7 a.m. depart, about 3 hours, but I forgot from witch railwaystation), buses and marshrutkas (marshrutkas should go from metro "Moskovskaya"). Novgorod is very nice im winter.

Hi galap! Thanks for helping. I've already bought some clothes just to make sure I'm not gonna die as soon as I arrive. :D
Thanks for all the suggestions, I really appreciate those. :)

You can add in your itinerary the Soviet dacha in Moscow (summer house of Russians).
http://visitrussdacha.com/
There you can dine to save time. Dacha blends well into route 27 February, because it is convenient to get after that to Gorky Park. By the way, the Park in the winter is not very interesting, just a tick to deliver.
At the dacha local hosts will talk about Soviet life with interactive entertainment. Tea samovar, nature and real life of locals.
There is one more interesting attraction in Moscow, but also not cheep.
http://www.bunker42.com/
Look at Stalin's bunker in Moscow. It's a real old secret object in the centre of Moscow 18 floors down. It's about the power of USSR after the opulence of palaces in SPb.

Hi Dina27!

Thanks for helping. I'll definitely take a look at these and try to fit in my itinerary!
By the way, does anyone know if it is better to have US Dollars or Euros with me upon my arrival? I can't find the Russian money in Brazil. I know I'll exchange there, but I'd like to know if the exchange favors any of the currencies...

I think, it doesn't metter if you take US or EUR with you. In Petersburg I changed in this bank: Address: St. Petersburg, Ligovskij pereulok, 2; 08:45 - 21:00 (all week)
http://www.ligovka.ru/en/
For Petersburg I could send you a couple links of "eating places" were I was althought you habe it all in in your guidebook. (The palaces and museums are sertanly too).

No matter the dollars or euros. They are only accepted in banks, exchange immediately for rubles.
You can buy cheap clothes in the stores Фамилия (Familiya). In the centre of the cities in any shops all is expensive. In SPb I love cafe БРЫНЗА (Brinza), find necessary. Still delicious and inexpensive format ТЕРЕМОК (Teremok). In Moscow, too, has a mansion, but it's not as tasty.
The weather in both cities will be extremely unpleasant, I recommend to make a second plan with the replacement of street attractions. I could not walk in the Park in this weather but I was born and raised here)))).

I think, it doesn't metter if you take US or EUR with you. In Petersburg I changed in this bank: Address: St. Petersburg, Ligovskij pereulok, 2; 08:45 - 21:00 (all week)
http://www.ligovka.ru/en/
For Petersburg I could send you a couple links of "eating places" were I was althought you habe it all in in your guidebook. (The palaces and museums are sertanly too).

Hi galap! Thanks a lot for helping. I already exchanged my R$ to USD, since USD is becoming more and more expensive day by day.
And your eating places list will be very welcome. Would you like to send it to my email or post here?

Thanks!

No matter the dollars or euros. They are only accepted in banks, exchange immediately for rubles.
You can buy cheap clothes in the stores Фамилия (Familiya). In the centre of the cities in any shops all is expensive. In SPb I love cafe БРЫНЗА (Brinza), find necessary. Still delicious and inexpensive format ТЕРЕМОК (Teremok). In Moscow, too, has a mansion, but it's not as tasty.
The weather in both cities will be extremely unpleasant, I recommend to make a second plan with the replacement of street attractions. I could not walk in the Park in this weather but I was born and raised here)))).

Hi Dina27, thanks for all the great suggestions!! I'll definitely give it a try!

haha please don't tell me that about the weather! I hope I can deal with the cold! It's not gonna be easy for someone who lives in a 30 degrees celsius place... At least, I hope I find some snow!

The dollar is rising in Russia even faster now))))
I love budgetary and delicious plases
1 Му-Му (Mu-mu)
2 Ёлки-Палки (Yolki-palki)
3 Тануки (Tanuki)
4 Ваби-Сабиi (Wabi-Sabi)
In Moscow there is a fast food chain McDonald's, Крошка- Картошка (Kroshka-Kartoshka), many pancake cafe. There is a cafeteria with snacks Шоколадница (Shokoladnitsa) and Coffee house (they have the same owner).

This post has been removed because it may not have met our community guidelines.

Thanks for everything! This forum is really a lifesaver...

Just some final questions about the trains...

1 - Do you suggest picking up upper or lower seats?

2 - Is there a specific train preferred? I just saw that the 3rd class prices went up a little bit. This way I think that, for only 10 U$ more, it's more advantage to pick up the Red Arrow 2nd class. What are your thoughts?

Thanks again!!

Guys, is there anything "special" I should be aware of regarding the train 006A - Nikolaevskiy Express?

The 2nd class ticket is half the price of the others.
It's $31.99, whereas the other 2nd class tickets are around $60.

Kind of weird...
Thanks!! :)

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