Weather in December

Hey there -

Going to be in Russia over Christmas for about 2 weeks. Will probably be mostly around Moscow and the Golden Ring, St Petersburg and maybe Novgorod.. Now i know that it is going to be cold.. but what kind of clothing will i need? Is it particularly windy? Im hoping to get away with wearing lots of layers - thermals, jumper/sweater, jacket etc as i don't have much need for some massive heavy duty jacket that is going to cost a fortune... STILL - I don't want to freeze to death either, so if anyone has some good suggestions/advice, I will be eternally grateful!!

Cheers!!

P.S. Will a couple of days notice be enough for booking the overnight train to st petersburg? And for booking a bus from St petersburg to helsinki on 30th Dec?
P.S.S. Feel free to add any additional tips for being in Russia at this time of year!!!

P.S.S.??

P.P.S - you know what i mean.... :)

Yes layer up and St Petersburg is very windy. The wind comes right up the Gulf of Finland and is cold. I'm an old man so I'd wear long johns if I were going in December. Maybe trackies under denims? Be prepared to be assaulted by the weather every time you step off the bus/train. Don't forget your beanie. Eat lots of solyanka (vege soup) with sour cream.

Get good quality waterproof boots. Wear them with very warm socks. Don't forget the hat and gloves.

couple of days for the train will be enough.
and dont forget,december christmas is an ordinary day in russia.russians like the majority of orthodox christians celebrates christmas on january 7th.

Layers, layers and more layers. I strongly suggest winter underwear, both tops and bottoms; scarf, hat gloves, warm waterproof shoes in case it snows or there is cold rain.

Booking the last week of December may be tough since Jan 1 and 2 are big holidays in Russian and the entire period from Dec 31 to Jan 7 is often a holiday.

Ruth

Many of Russians go to Finland for a New Year celebration. Most of them go by car but maybe it is better to book your bus in advance. What about the train, it may be a problem for 28, 29, 30 December too.

Usually December is not very cold (0-5 below 0) but rainy and windly. Rain may be mixed with snow - very unpleasant combination. But it is also possible that for a few days the temperature falls to 20-25 below zero. As Ruth said, layers, layers and more layers. Plus wind- and waterproof coat - and you are perfectly prepared.

This year the holidays period is from December, 30 to January, 8 (10 days).

Dina

Another way to get to Finland from St. Petersburg is to rent a car or a minivan with a driver through a travel company, it is often cheaper than going by train.

You will probably need more than a couple of days notice for the St P overnight train - they sell out quickly. They can be bought online. I'd book the bus as soon as you get there as it's a busy time of year. Layering is the way to go - the most important thing is to insulate your top half (truck, head, neck). Outside of Moscow, travel between certain Golden Ring cities can be made easier if you are pushed for time and are freezing - depending on the size of your group you can get a taxi for up to 50 kms and probably keep within your budget. I didn't see where you are from, but darkness falls earlier than in other countries and quite early in December, so if you have museum tours, book them for the afternoons.

Ok, you are from Australia. Don't forget that good shoes or boots are important, and as you won't be used to the chill, I would avoid jeans.

Sunrise/Sunset will give you information regarding hours of daylight.

Ruth

What you'll need is a quilted jacket preferably filled with down. It can be anything from +5 C to -30 C.

There are two trains to Helsinki foom StP: 7.57 am and 16 pm. There is also a straight overnight train from Moscow to Helsinki (85 euros/one way).

Look: http://www.vr.fi/heo/eng/<BR><BR>Guy from Helsinki

It's been -2 (give or take) in St Petersburg/Moscow for me for the last week, possibly less with the wind chill, and I've suffered. Wearing layer upon layer, (including thermals) but mostly cotton... the sort of clothing that kept me snug and warm for 4 winters in London, but doesn't quite suffice here!