By plane

St. Petersburg has two airports, side-by-side, just south of the city. International flights arrive at newly renovated Pulkovo-2 tel.704 34 44, while flights from Russian cities and most former Soviet Republics like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan arrive at Pulkovo-1, tel. 704 38 22, (see photo). Newly renovated Pulkovo-2 may look like a regular international airport, but when you see the queue for visa control, you’ll know you’ve arrived in Russia.

Both airports have restaurants and Pulkovo-1 has a couple of nice bars and a good Irish pub. Both airports also have money exchanges (obmyen valyuty) and ATMs (bankomaty) – although they may not always be functioning. It’s always a good idea to have some cash in your pocket when you arrive. Also there are toilets with free entry, seat covers, a baby’s table and a special room for the disabled. If you do not want go in to town immediately there is a 24hr cafe.

Getting into town: Beware of taxi drivers at the airport! They’re notorious for overcharging, asking 1500Rbl (US$50) and up for the 18-km ride to the city centre. Always agree on a fare before getting in, keeping in mind that a reasonable price shouldn't exceed 700-800Rbl, (US$25). If you don’t want to take a taxi, there are plenty of public-transport options to get you to Moskovskaya metro, on the southern edge of town. From Moskovskaya, you can hop on the metro (22Rbl).

From Pulkovo-2: buses N113, N213 and fixed-route mini-buses (marshrutky) K13 and T113 leave the arrivals terminal for Moskovskaya metro every 15 minutes (19-28Rbl). The less frequent marshrutka K3 and K213 goes to Moskovskaya metro and then on to Sennaya ploshchad, in the centre of town.
From Pulkovo-1: Mini-bus (marshrutka) K39A leaves the arrivals terminal for Moskovskaya metro every 15 minutes, and the less-regular mini-bus K39 goes to Ladozhsky station via Moskovskaya metro, Moscow (Moskovsky) station and Hotel Moskva (Pl. Aleksandra Nevskogo). These buses cost between 19-28Rbl.

Lost Luggage: If your airline loses your luggage, head for the Lost Luggage office, and file a Lost Luggage Report. Keep this report, with your report number and simply call the office to find out where your bags are. When your luggage arrives, due to customs regulations, you have to make the journey back to the airport to collect them. Enquiries, tel. 324 37 87

Recent reports about the restrictions concering carry-on liquids, indicate that as of August 2007, passengers travelling from Russia are only able to carry on medicine (if you have the prescription). All other types of liquid are prohibited. This is the information provided by Pulkovo Airport. Of course you can put your liquids in your checked luggage.