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General information
The history
Consulates
LOCATION & TERRITORY
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
CURRENCY
CURRENCY EXCHANGE
SHOPPING
COST OF LIVING
INTERNATIONAL DIALING
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
COMMUNICATIONS
TRANSPORTATION
AIRPORT AND AIRLINES
CAR RENTAL, COACH HIRE AND LIMOUSINES
BRIDGES
VIDEO, CAMERAS & FILMS
MEDICAL FACILITIES
CONFERENCE FACILITIES
CITY TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE
LOCATION & TERRITORY
St. Petersburg Russia lies on the coast of the Gulf of Finland (the Eastern shore of the Baltic Sea) at the mouth of the Neva River. The city is situated on 60° of the northern latitude that passes roughly across the South of Alaska and Greenland, Stockholm, Oslo and Helsinki. The city is located on 44 islands. A 32 kilometers long section of the Neva River flows within the city limits. Ninety small rivers and canals, in total 300km, occupy one-tenth of the city`s area. As of 1993 the territory of the city is 606 square kilometers, and 1 439 square kilometers with the suburbs. The length of the city from North to south is 44 kilometers, and 25 kilometers from West to East. St. Petersburg Russia, one of the largest northern cities in the world, is divided into 21 administrative districts The south-western, southern, eastern and northern districts are located on the mainland, while the central and western districts lie on the islands of the Neva`s delta.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
New Year`s Days – January 1st, 2nd
Christmas Day – January 7th
Defenders of the Motherland Day – February 23rd
International Women`s Day – March 8th
Holiday of Spring and Labour – May 1st and 2nd
Victory Day (WW II) – May 9th
St. Petersburg foundation Day – May 27th
Russian Independence Day – June 12th
Consolation Day (formerly the Socialist Revolution Day) – November 7th
Russian Constitution Day – December 12th
(This is still likely to change as it frequently did in the past 10 years).
CURRENCY
The local currency is the Russian Rouble. The rouble comes in denominations of 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 in notes and there are also 1, 2, 5 rouble and 1,5, 10, 50 kopeecks coins (one kopeicka is 1/100 of rouble). This is now internally convertible but cannot be exchanged out of the country for foreign currency. The rouble is the only currency used in the Russian Federation for all cash transactions, so all cash transactions in shops, restaurants, hotels etc, must be made in Russian roubles or by credit card. However, there are occasions when you can pay for goods and services in hard currency but it are not legal. You will find that the products in some shops are tagged with prices in dollars or `y.e.`, which actually is US Dollar or Euro as well. If you pay cash, the rouble equivalent is calculated on the basis of a so-called `house rate` which is invariably higher than bank exchange rates. This means that it is often more cost-effective to pay by credit card. Credit cards are widely accepted today by hotels, most large stores and better restaurants.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE
If you need to change money you may go to any commercial bank or licensed exchange point. It is advisable to exchange money ONLY through officially licensed banks and their exchange points, NOT in the streets, since it is less secure and you run the risk of receiving counterfeit roubles, dollars or other troubles. The exchange offices are spread all round the city. Most of them open at 11 a.m. and stay open until 7 or 8 p.m. Hotel exchange offices stay open all round the clock. All individuals, either local or foreign need a passport to exchange the money. In some exchange offices or banks you can cash travelers cheques, but you hardly ever can use them as means of payment. Western Union has offices in several banks and wire-transferring money to St. Petersburg Russia is rather easy and reliable (mind that most banks close at 6 p.m. and are closed at weekends).
SHOPPING
Most shops are opened from 9 or 10 a.m. and stay open until 7 p.m. (8 or 9 p.m. for big department stores). Today there are numerous grocery stores, which stay open 24 hours a day. Bottled water is usually a big issue for travelers. Most famous western brands are now available in St. Petersburg Russia but the local brands are also quite good and safe to consume. The variety of gift items available in the shops and markets has increased in quality and choice in recent years.
COST OF LIVING (October 2004)
The exchange rate has remained rather stable in the last years. Here are some sample prices just to give you an idea of costs:
1L Milk - 15 roubles ($ 0.5)
1L Juice - 30 roubles ($ 1.0)
0.5L Russian beer - 15 roubles ($ 0.5)
0.5L Imported beer - 45 roubles ($ 1.5)
0.5L Russian vodka - 60 roubles ($ 2.0)
20 Cigarettes (king size) - 20 roubles ($ 0.65)
2L Coca-Cola - 45 roubles ($ 1.5)
0.33L Coca-Cola - 18 roubles ($ 0.6)
Loaf of bread - 10 roubles ($ 0.3)
Public transport - 8 roubles ($ 0.25)
Metro - 8 roubles ($ 0.25)
1 hour of Internet access - 30 roubles ($ 1)
Lunch or dinner with drinks in an inexpensive restaurant per person ($10-15).
INTERNATIONAL DIALING
Dial 8 – upon hearing the continuous tone dial 10, followed by the country code, the city code and then the telephone number. Please, call the international operator if you experience connection problems- 070 (24 hours). Favourable tariffs for international calls are – 24 hours for weekends and public holidays.
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS (24 HOURS)
Fire 01
Police 02
Ambulance 03
Lengas emergency service 04
Police for help to foreign visitors 1649787
Long distance phone calls operator 077
International phone calls operator 079
Exact time service 066
St. Petersburg Network phone directory 09
Private phone numbers directory 009
Phone directory 008
Information on the city 063
Information on road accidents 2347990
COMMUNICATIONS
Several major international communication companies now operate systems in the City and telephoning internationally is no longer a problem. Mobile phones are wide spread now. There are some international and domestic operators (mostly GSM 900/1800 standart). Roaming with most countries is available too. All major international courier companies are represented with offices in the city and can offer both international and domestic courier services. Internet access is available at Internet clubs, elite hotels for 24 hours.
TRANSPORTATION
In the city there are five railway stations, two bus stations, a seaport and a river station, two airports, taxi. Public transportation: buses, trolley buses, trams, fixed - route taxis (T) and a highly developed subway network, which is of the quickest form of transport in St.-Petersburg. It has beautiful and impressive interiors, which are bound to impress the visitors. Avoid the Metro between 7 am and 9 am and 5 pm and 7 pm, as they are the rush hours and it becomes very crowded. Traveling by metro, keep in mind - the signs are all on Russian. Public transportation is fairly reliable and inexpensive. If planning to go someplace it might be a good idea to ask some local about the time it will likely take you to get to your destination.
Distances and time to get to St. Petersburg Russia
By car: 200 km to Finland via Vyborg, 670 km to Moscow
By train: 8 hours to Moscow
By air: Numerous international flights. One hour to Moscow, 3 hours to Central Europe. Pulkovo airport - 18 km from the centre of city.
By ship: Sea terminal - Vassilievsky Island, River terminal - 195, prospect Obukhovskoy oborony.
AIRPORT AND AIRLINES
“Pulkovo-1” - Domestic and “Pulkovo-2” - International airports are located approx. 18 km and 45 minutes by car south of the city. Among airlines that serving St Petersburg Russia are Pulkovo, Aeroflot, Air France, British Airways, CSA, Delta Airlines, Finnair, KLM, LOT, Lufthansa, Malev, SAS, Swissair and other.
CAR RENTAL, COACH HIRE AND LIMOUSINES
Self-driving is not recommended but cars without drivers can be hired from car rental companies. Coaches of different classes with driver can be hired through destination management companies and hotels. Limousines are available through car rental companies, destination management companies and hotels.
BRIDGES
The bridges over the Neva and the Nevka rivers are raised at night from May till November to enable shipping to pass. This spectacular sight also means that access to many parts of the City is affected between 1:45 am and 5 am. Four hundred bridges, 21 of which are drawbridges, adorn the city.
THE BRIDGES ARE DRAWN AT (a. m.):
Volodarsky Bridge 2.10 - 3.45 4.15 - 5.45
Finland Bridge 2.30 - 5.00
Alexander Nevsky Bridge 2.30 - 4.45
Big Okhta Bridge 2.00 - 5.00
Litejny Bridge 1.50 - 4.40
Trinity Bridge 1.50 - 4.50
Palace Bridge 1.40 - 3.00 3.20 - 4.50
Lt. Schmidt Bridge 1.45 - 4.55
Stock Exchange Bridge 2.10 - 4.50
Tuchkov Bridge 2.10 - 3.05 3.35 - 4.40
Sampsonievsky Bridge 2.10 - 2.05 3.20 - 4.25
Grenadeers Bridge 2.45 - 3.45 4.20 - 4.50
Kantemirovsky Bridge 2.45 - 3.45 4.20 - 4.50
The Ushakov, Kamennoostrovsky, Krestovsky, Lazarevsky, and Big Petrovsky Bridges are drawn upon preliminary order.
VIDEO, CAMERAS & FILMS
Films can be purchased and developed in St. Petersburg Russia. It is possible to take pictures in most museums and palaces; however, you have to buy a special permit upon entrance to the museum.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Medical facilities in the city include several international medical centers with western experienced doctors. The famous hotels often have a doctor or nurse in-house or on call at all times.
CONFERENCE FACILITIES
The major hotels have facilities for 200-300 delegates but for larger events of up to 1,500 people the city`s many Palaces, Concert Halls can be used.
CITY TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE
Addresses: 14/52, Sadovaya Street, 12, Dvortsovaya Square.
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