Moscow to St. Petersburg: Russia’s Two Capitals in a Weekend
Two of Europe’s most iconic cities — Moscow’s Kremlin walls and St. Petersburg’s imperial canals — in just three days. This express itinerary is built for the bold budget traveller who wants the real Russia without wasting a minute. We’ll hop the high-speed Sapsan between capitals, hit the unmissable sights, and still leave room for impromptu borscht stops and metro station wanders. Budget around 18,000–25,000 RUB ($180–250) per person excluding flights.
3-Day Itinerary Overview
At a Glance
Route: Moscow → St. Petersburg (via Sapsan high-speed train or overnight sleeper)
Best for: First-time visitors, city-break lovers, culture and history enthusiasts
Budget: 18,000–25,000 RUB ($180–250) per person excluding flights
Direction: Moscow first (2 nights), then train to St. Petersburg (final night)
Getting There & Getting Around
Arriving in Russia
Most international flights land at Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO) or Domodedovo (DME). The Aeroexpress train connects both to the city centre in 40–50 minutes for about 500 RUB ($5). Citizens of 64 countries can apply for Russia’s unified e-visa — it takes about four days and costs around 5,200 RUB ($52). Print your visa and registration card; you’ll need them at hotels.
Moscow to St. Petersburg by Train
The Sapsan high-speed train does the 650 km in just 4 hours, with fares from 2,500 RUB ($25) in economy if you book a few weeks ahead. Want the full Russian experience? Take the overnight sleeper train — about 8 hours, a berth in a platskartny (third-class open carriage) from 1,500 RUB ($15). It saves a night’s accommodation and is an adventure in itself. Book through the Russian Railways app or at any station kiosk.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Moscow — Red Square & the Kremlin
☀️ MorningStart at Red Square before the crowds arrive — it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and the absolute heart of Russia. Walk the cobblestones past St. Basil’s Cathedral (that candy-coloured onion dome masterpiece), Lenin’s Mausoleum, and the GUM department store. The sheer scale is overwhelming in the best way. Entry to St. Basil’s is about 700 RUB ($7) and worth every kopeck for those 16th-century frescoes.
🌆 Afternoon & EveningBuy your Kremlin grounds ticket (1,100 RUB / $11) and spend the afternoon exploring the Armoury Chamber — you’ll see Fabergé eggs, coronation robes, and enough gold to make your eyes water. In the evening, take the metro (it’s an attraction in itself — think chandeliers, marble, and socialist realist mosaics) to Kitay-Gorod for dinner. Try Mari Vanna for classic Russian home-style cooking: pelmeni, borscht, and a shot of infused vodka for around 1,200 RUB ($12).
Night: Budget hostel near Arbatskaya — 1,000–1,500 RUB ($10–15). Transport: Metro day pass — 285 RUB ($2.85).
Day 2: Moscow Metro Tour + Train to St. Petersburg
☀️ MorningDedicate your final Moscow morning to the metro — not just transport here, it’s a subterranean art gallery. Ride the Circle Line and hop off at Komsomolskaya (baroque chandeliers), Novoslobodskaya (stained glass panels), and Mayakovskaya (art deco ceilings). A one-way ticket is just 65 RUB ($0.65) — the cheapest architectural tour in Europe.
🚄 Midday: The TrainHead to Leningradsky Station for the Sapsan to St. Petersburg. The 4-hour ride flies by — buy a coffee (200 RUB / $2) from the onboard cart and watch the birch forests blur past. If you chose the overnight sleeper, board around 11 PM, settle into your berth with a book, and wake up in the imperial capital.
🌆 Afternoon & Evening in St. PetersburgDrop your bag at a hostel near Nevsky Prospekt and dive straight into the city. Walk Nevsky from the Admiralty to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra — it’s St. Petersburg’s grand boulevard and a 45-minute stroll past canals, palaces, and enough cake shops to ruin any diet. For dinner, try Stolle on Nevsky for their legendary savoury pies and a bowl of mushroom soup — about 700 RUB ($7).
Night: Hostel near Nevsky Prospekt — 1,200–1,800 RUB ($12–18). Train: Sapsan from 2,500 RUB ($25) or sleeper from 1,500 RUB ($15).
Day 3: St. Petersburg — The Hermitage & Peterhof
☀️ Morning: The HermitageThe State Hermitage Museum in the Winter Palace is one of the world’s greatest art collections — think Rembrandt, Da Vinci, and a staggering Egyptian collection. Entry is 1,000 RUB ($10) and you’ll want at least three hours. Head straight for the Jordan Staircase, the Pavilion Hall, and the Peacock Clock. Pro tip: it’s vast, so pick two or three wings and don’t try to do it all.
🌆 Afternoon: PeterhofTake the meteor hydrofoil from near the Hermitage — a 40-minute thrill ride across the Gulf of Finland for about 1,200 RUB ($12) round trip. Peterhof’s Grand Cascade is Russia’s answer to Versailles, and the Lower Park fountains are pure magic. Entry is 1,000 RUB ($10). If your timing works, watch the Grand Cascade fountain show at 11 AM.
🌙 Evening: The FarewellBack in the city, wander the canals one last time. Grab a final Russian meal — try Market Place, a contemporary canteen-style spot where you can build a plate of salmon, buckwheat, and salad for about 900 RUB ($9). Then head to Moskovsky Station for your overnight train or flight out.
Hydrofoil: 1,200 RUB ($12) round trip. Hermitage entry: 1,000 RUB ($10). Peterhof: 1,000 RUB ($10). Meals: 1,500–2,000 RUB ($15–20) total.
Practical Information for Russia
Visas & Entry
Russia’s unified e-visa is available to citizens of 64 countries — apply online at the Russian MFA website. It takes around four days, costs 5,200 RUB ($52), and allows a 16-day stay. You’ll also need to register with local authorities within 7 days — your hotel does this automatically. Arriving by train from abroad? Same visa rules apply. Check the latest entry requirements before booking.
SIM Card & Internet
Pick up a MTS or Beeline SIM at the airport or any mobile shop — about 500 RUB ($5) for a month of data. You’ll need your passport to register. Google services may be slow without a VPN; install one before you arrive. Moscow and St. Petersburg have excellent free Wi-Fi in cafés, stations, and even on the metro.
Money & ATMs
Russia runs on cash. The ruble (RUB) hovers around 100 RUB = $1. ATMs are everywhere in both cities, but Visa and Mastercard from outside Russia may not work everywhere. Bring a backup card (UnionPay or MIR if possible) and always carry some cash for markets and smaller eateries. Cards work fine in hotels and major restaurants.
Language & Communication
English is not widely spoken outside tourist areas. Learn a few Cyrillic words: zdravstvuyte (hello), spasibo (thank you), gde (where), skol’ko (how much). Download Google Translate with offline Russian — it’s a lifesaver at transport kiosks and markets. Most metro signs have English transliterations in the central stations.
Best Time to Visit
June to August is peak season with long, mild days and White Nights in St. Petersburg (the sun barely sets). May and September offer fewer crowds and still-pleasant weather. December to February is bitterly cold but magical if you don’t mind sub-zero exploring — just pack thermal layers. This itinerary works best May–September.
Health & Safety
Both Moscow and St. Petersburg are safe for solo travellers — standard city awareness applies. Watch for pickpockets on the metro and at tourist sites. Tap water is safe in Moscow but tastes better bottled (30 RUB / $0.30). European Health Insurance Cards are not valid here; travel insurance is a must. Pharmacies (apteka) are everywhere and sell basic meds without a prescription.
Budget Summary: 3-Day Russia Itinerary
Estimated Total: 20,000–25,000 RUB ($200–250) per person
- Accommodation: 4,000–6,000 RUB ($40–60) — hostels in both cities
- Train (Moscow → St. Petersburg): 2,500–4,000 RUB ($25–40) — Sapsan economy or sleeper
- Local transport: 1,500–2,000 RUB ($15–20) — metro, hydrofoil, Aeroexpress
- Meals: 5,000–6,000 RUB ($50–60) — mix of street food and casual dining
- Attractions: 4,000–5,000 RUB ($40–50) — Kremlin, Hermitage, Peterhof, St. Basil’s
- SIM & misc: 1,000–1,500 RUB ($10–15)
Best season: May–September. Recommended for: First-time Russia visitors, weekend city-breakers, culture and history lovers.
Money-saving tip: Choose the overnight sleeper train instead of the Sapsan — you save 1,000 RUB on the fare plus one night’s accommodation. Eat at student canteens (stolovaya) for the cheapest full meals — expect 300 RUB ($3) for soup, main, and kompot.
Disclaimer: Prices and visa rules are approximate and may change. Check current exchange rates and visa requirements before you travel. Always carry travel insurance and register with your embassy if recommended.