Highlights of Moscow & St Petersburg
Duration7days
Price fromUSD $1,905 ?Currency ConversionConverted from USD based on the latest exchange rate. Final amount and payment will be in USD. Final conversion rate is determined by your bank.
Trip StyleSightseeing
Time of yearAll Year
On this unique 7-day Moscow to St Petersburg tour, you'll immerse yourself in the art, history and culture of Russia and explore the contrasting styles of her old and new capitals – the majestic cities of Moscow and St Petersburg. Your tour begins in Moscow, the mega-metropolis whose blend of Imperial decadence, Soviet austerity and vibrant contemporary energy is sure to entertain and enthral.
Moscow and St Petersburg Tour Highlights:
- Panoramic Tour of Moscow: See Moscow beyond the postcard images on a private excursion by car through the city streets including a drive along the banks of the Moskva River. Visit the famous Bolshoi Theatre, pass by Gorky Park and the Novodevichy Convent and admire the city from on high at the Sparrow Hill observation platform.
- Moscow Guided Walking Tour: Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of one of the world’s biggest metropolises and discover local haunts on foot, including the Red Square, the Kremlin and the multi-coloured domes of St Basil’s Cathedral.
Arrival
Moscow
Departure
St Petersburg
Accomodation
3* hotels
Trip style
Sightseeing
Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Action rating?
Group size
min 2
Type of tour
Private - Any Date
Itinerary
Day 1 Moscow: Arrival
Welcome to Moscow, the monumental capital of Russia! On arrival at the airport, you’ll be met by a friendly driver and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing in the hotel or getting acquainted with the local area on your own.
As an option*, we suggest you spend the evening on a sumptuous dinner cruise, taking in the sights and sounds of this mesmerising city by night.
Day 2 Moscow: Tretyakov Gallery and city tour
Today’s tour is designed as an overview of the city, to give you a sense of Moscow’s sheer size, and an impression of how the capital has changed throughout the ages. Start with a tour of the 19th century Tretyakov State Gallery, the world’s foremost depository of Russian fine art, containing over 130,000 exhibits, with work by Rublev, Kandinsky, Repin and many others. We’ll get to the gallery via a Metro Tour, stopping on the way to marvel at some of the most elaborately decorated stations of the world-famous Moscow subway system. You’ll visit the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, one of the most important churches in Russia. Besides the cathedral is a bridge with fantastic views of this part of the city. Next, we explore the Red October district, and a vibrant hangout for Moscow’s youth, with its old industrial alleyways and lovingly restored courtyards lined with chic cafes, designer studios and galleries.
After a break, the second half of the day consists of a wandering sojourn through some of Moscow’s most famous streets and squares. Later, we suggest you relax in one of the city’s quirky cafes before an evening stroll along the main streets. Moscow never sleeps, so you’ll always find something to capture your attention.
Day 3 Moscow: Kremlin and Red Square
Our in-depth Moscow discovery starts with a walking tour of the historical city centre. Enjoy Moscow’s main attractions including the Red Square, the State Historical Museum, GUM (a luxurious shopping centre), the colourful Saint Basil's Cathedral and other sights. Have a delicious lunch in one of the multiple downtown cafes or restaurants and continue the day with a tour of the Kremlin and Armoury Museum, famous for Tsar regalia such as jewellery, crowns, orbs and sceptres, royal carriages, huge arms and armour collection, gifts to the Russian Tsars from leaders of the West of the Far East, as well as an illustrious collection of Faberge Eggs.
Take your time to relax as we prepare something special as an option* for this evening. After dinner at our hotel, we head out for an unforgettable night at the opera or the Russian ballet at the iconic Bolshoi Theatre.
Day 4 Moscow to St Petersburg by train
Your last half-day in Moscow is free for you to enjoy this magnificent city on your own. Or you may opt-in for an optional* excursion to Izmailovo Kremlin and Craft and Flea Market. An open-air cultural complex, the Izmailovo “Kremlin” (actually a modern building designed in the Imperial style) is a colourful complex home to several interactive museums.
After lunch, you will be transferred to a train station and board a Sapsan – a Russian high-speed train, which will whisk us to our next destination, St Petersburg, completing the 700km journey in four hours. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by a driver and transferred to your centrally located hotel.
Day 5 St Petersburg: Hermitage and city tour
Meet your friendly and knowledgeable St Petersburg guide in the lobby and begin your discovery of Russia’s ‘Cultural Capital’ with a walking tour of the city’s most popular attractions. Your walking tour will include Nevsky Prospect, St. Petersburg’s fanciful high street, the Anichokov Bridge and Palace, viewpoints over the Fontaka and Moika Rivers, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Palace Square and the Senate Square, with its bronze horseman monument to Peter the Great and the Church of the Spilled Blood. You’ll also get the chance to stroll the grounds of the magnificent Peter and Paul Fortress on the banks of the Neva River, a burial place for the Russian emperors from Peter the Great to Nicholas II.
Take a walk at the Palace Square and admire the beauty and grandeur of the Winter Palace, the most glorious Tsar residence in Russia and now a part of the vast Hermitage museum. Enjoy a private guided tour of the Hermitage museum. Ask as many questions as you can think of while exploring this colossal repository of classical and modern art, including the world’s largest collection of paintings.
As an option* for this evening, we invite you to enjoy the traditional Russian dance performance in Nikolaevsky Palace.
Day 6 St Petersburg: Peterhof
Take a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Peterhof (Petrodvorets). We’ll travel by fast boat, in order to escape the morning traffic jams. Once the opulent summer resort of the Romanovs, today Peterhof is a huge open-air museum and a testament to Peter the Great’s contribution to the city’s development. Peter's daughter, Empress Elizabeth, who ordered the expansion of the Grand Palace, greatly extended the park and the famous system of fountains, including the majestic Grand Cascade.
As an option*
1. Enjoy a self-guided tour of the recently opened Faberge Museum, a private collection of over 4,000 Faberge Eggs and other bejewelled objects of desire, elegantly displayed inside the stunning Shuvalov Palace.
2. A tour of Yusupov Palace on the Moika River, best known for being the scene of the assassination of Rasputin. Having survived much of the WWII destruction that wreaked havoc on many of St Petersburg’s suburbs, it’s one of the area’s few aristocratic homes to have retained many of its original interiors. This tour also allows us to visit Mikhaliovsky Castle, an unusual architectural phenomenon featuring an eclectic mix of styles. Even stranger is its connection to Emperor Paul I, one of the most eccentric and controversial figures of Russian royalty. It was here that Paul was murdered in his own bedroom, only 40 days after moving in.
Day 7 St Petersburg: Tsarskoye Selo and departure
Experience the extravagance of the Imperial rulers on an excursion to the suburban estates of the Romanov Tsars. Tsarskoye Selo (Tsar’s village) is now part of the nearby town of Pushkin and is one of St Petersburg’s finest attractions. Amid exquisite parks and gardens, you’ll find the baroque Catherine Palace, a dazzling testament to Catherine’s love of luxury and royal excess. We’ll also see the lavishly gilded Amber Room, containing over six tonnes of amber, and the neoclassical Alexander Palace, whose tumultuous history paints a fascinating portrait of the Romanov family.
This evening marks the end of our Moscow and Saint Petersburg tour. In the evening you’ll be transferred to the airport. Say farewell to this beautiful country… until next time!
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Inclusions
Group arrival and departure airport transfers
Train station transfers
All transportation on tour, according to the itinerary (private driver, metro)
Centrally located 3* hotels (twin/double occupancy), can be upgraded to 4* or 5* on request
Breakfasts in the hotels
Local licensed English-speaking tour guides
All activities indicated in the itinerary, except optional
Entry tickets, according to the itinerary (skip-the-line policy)
Sapsan train tickets from Moscow to St Petersburg ("economy plus" class), *can be upgraded to business class or first class upon request
Russian visa support document (voucher/ invitation letter)
Exclusions
Flights
Russian visa and visa fees. Russian visa can be arranged by 56th Parallel for an additional cost (for Australian citizens only). Apply for concierge visa service here.
Optional excursions
Individual transfers
Highlights of Moscow & St Petersburg
7 days / 6 nights
*Private Tour. Price is per person, based on min 2 people
Make an enquiry Detailed Itinerary Personalise this tourTestimonials
Jose RomeroGuatemala
Thank you so much for all your support and kindness.
Russia is a marvellous country, so much to see and so little time…!! The grandiosity and opulence of the Imperial Era is absolutely amazing. We enjoyed every minute of our tour in Russia… People were for the most part friendly, both cities were incredibly clean and neat… Food was great most of the time and the service was outstanding… The Sapsan train experience was great, good food and service…
Natalie TiffanyIndonesia
I would like to Thank You so much for all the hard work of my trip that gone well and enjoyable just like how I requested on.
The reason why I choose to go to Russia it’s because I adore this country for already 6/7 years now. And I’m glad that I found 56thParallel that specialist for only travel in Russia, that’s exactly what I need for, because some tour they don’t have just only Russia unless City Tour in the country itself. About guides in both cities, I like them tho. They are friendly, helpful and understandable so much. Both of them gave me clear explanations about each place and they answered me when I have questions about the attractions and gave us such priority when enter the museums with lots people lining up that won’t let we wait and wait for long ( which is a good thing when visit such places, so won’t waste time!). And truly I amazed by the beauty of the historical museums especially their arts and the artefacts that still keep in the museums. I got my eyes hurt once I out from Armoury Chamber really WOW !Stephen MatthewsAustralia
We very much enjoyed our trip to St Petersburg/Moscow and all ran smoothly.
Both guides were very good and we enjoyed their company and their knowledge. If any of our friends were to follow in our footsteps we would probably get them to check if you could schedule the same guides. It certainly was a significant benefit to be able to bypass the long queues for the larger tour groups. The hotels were more than satisfactory particularly the Mercure in Moscow which was very close to the underground station and also near to the Arbat St pedestrian area. We covered a lot of distance walking in St Petersburg and while not a problem for us perhaps some others might struggle (16km-20km per day on each of the first 2 full days). I think we have about 900 photos of St Petersburg and around 500 of Moscow.
Similar tours
Highlights of Moscow & St Petersburg
7 days / 6 nights
*Private Tour. Price is per person, based on min 2 people
Make an enquiry Personalise this tour
Why travel to Russia with 56th Parallel?
Destination Specialists
Our team offers over 18 years of experience travelling and planning travel in Russia. Delivering outstanding travel experiences in Russia’s capitals and in some of the most stunning & remote locations takes experience, special access and the right connections. We make sure that all the fine details are handled perfectly so you can enjoy your Russia travel experience.
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The choice to join a small group on a guaranteed departure or chose to travel on your own dates with your own mates. Each destination we travel to in Russia offers an option between private tours and small group tours. Please note: on our adventure tours in remote destinations, we mostly run group tours to keep the cost down.
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Highlights of Moscow & St Petersburg
Days 7
From USD $1,905
Trip Style Sightseeing
Time of year All Year
Day 1: Moscow: Arrival
Welcome to Moscow, the monumental capital of Russia! On arrival at the airport, you’ll be met by a friendly driver and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing in the hotel or getting acquainted with the local area on your own.
As an option*, we suggest you spend the evening on a sumptuous dinner cruise, taking in the sights and sounds of this mesmerising city by night.
Day 2: Moscow: Tretyakov Gallery and city tour
Today’s tour is designed as an overview of the city, to give you a sense of Moscow’s sheer size, and an impression of how the capital has changed throughout the ages. Start with a tour of the 19th century Tretyakov State Gallery, the world’s foremost depository of Russian fine art, containing over 130,000 exhibits, with work by Rublev, Kandinsky, Repin and many others. We’ll get to the gallery via a Metro Tour, stopping on the way to marvel at some of the most elaborately decorated stations of the world-famous Moscow subway system. You’ll visit the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, one of the most important churches in Russia. Besides the cathedral is a bridge with fantastic views of this part of the city. Next, we explore the Red October district, and a vibrant hangout for Moscow’s youth, with its old industrial alleyways and lovingly restored courtyards lined with chic cafes, designer studios and galleries.
After a break, the second half of the day consists of a wandering sojourn through some of Moscow’s most famous streets and squares. Later, we suggest you relax in one of the city’s quirky cafes before an evening stroll along the main streets. Moscow never sleeps, so you’ll always find something to capture your attention.
Day 3: Moscow: Kremlin and Red Square
Our in-depth Moscow discovery starts with a walking tour of the historical city centre. Enjoy Moscow’s main attractions including the Red Square, the State Historical Museum, GUM (a luxurious shopping centre), the colourful Saint Basil's Cathedral and other sights. Have a delicious lunch in one of the multiple downtown cafes or restaurants and continue the day with a tour of the Kremlin and Armoury Museum, famous for Tsar regalia such as jewellery, crowns, orbs and sceptres, royal carriages, huge arms and armour collection, gifts to the Russian Tsars from leaders of the West of the Far East, as well as an illustrious collection of Faberge Eggs.
Take your time to relax as we prepare something special as an option* for this evening. After dinner at our hotel, we head out for an unforgettable night at the opera or the Russian ballet at the iconic Bolshoi Theatre.
Day 4: Moscow to St Petersburg by train
Your last half-day in Moscow is free for you to enjoy this magnificent city on your own. Or you may opt-in for an optional* excursion to Izmailovo Kremlin and Craft and Flea Market. An open-air cultural complex, the Izmailovo “Kremlin” (actually a modern building designed in the Imperial style) is a colourful complex home to several interactive museums.
After lunch, you will be transferred to a train station and board a Sapsan – a Russian high-speed train, which will whisk us to our next destination, St Petersburg, completing the 700km journey in four hours. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by a driver and transferred to your centrally located hotel.
Day 5: St Petersburg: Hermitage and city tour
Meet your friendly and knowledgeable St Petersburg guide in the lobby and begin your discovery of Russia’s ‘Cultural Capital’ with a walking tour of the city’s most popular attractions. Your walking tour will include Nevsky Prospect, St. Petersburg’s fanciful high street, the Anichokov Bridge and Palace, viewpoints over the Fontaka and Moika Rivers, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Palace Square and the Senate Square, with its bronze horseman monument to Peter the Great and the Church of the Spilled Blood. You’ll also get the chance to stroll the grounds of the magnificent Peter and Paul Fortress on the banks of the Neva River, a burial place for the Russian emperors from Peter the Great to Nicholas II.
Take a walk at the Palace Square and admire the beauty and grandeur of the Winter Palace, the most glorious Tsar residence in Russia and now a part of the vast Hermitage museum. Enjoy a private guided tour of the Hermitage museum. Ask as many questions as you can think of while exploring this colossal repository of classical and modern art, including the world’s largest collection of paintings.
As an option* for this evening, we invite you to enjoy the traditional Russian dance performance in Nikolaevsky Palace.
Day 6: St Petersburg: Peterhof
Take a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Peterhof (Petrodvorets). We’ll travel by fast boat, in order to escape the morning traffic jams. Once the opulent summer resort of the Romanovs, today Peterhof is a huge open-air museum and a testament to Peter the Great’s contribution to the city’s development. Peter's daughter, Empress Elizabeth, who ordered the expansion of the Grand Palace, greatly extended the park and the famous system of fountains, including the majestic Grand Cascade.
As an option*
1. Enjoy a self-guided tour of the recently opened Faberge Museum, a private collection of over 4,000 Faberge Eggs and other bejewelled objects of desire, elegantly displayed inside the stunning Shuvalov Palace.
2. A tour of Yusupov Palace on the Moika River, best known for being the scene of the assassination of Rasputin. Having survived much of the WWII destruction that wreaked havoc on many of St Petersburg’s suburbs, it’s one of the area’s few aristocratic homes to have retained many of its original interiors. This tour also allows us to visit Mikhaliovsky Castle, an unusual architectural phenomenon featuring an eclectic mix of styles. Even stranger is its connection to Emperor Paul I, one of the most eccentric and controversial figures of Russian royalty. It was here that Paul was murdered in his own bedroom, only 40 days after moving in.
Day 7: St Petersburg: Tsarskoye Selo and departure
Experience the extravagance of the Imperial rulers on an excursion to the suburban estates of the Romanov Tsars. Tsarskoye Selo (Tsar’s village) is now part of the nearby town of Pushkin and is one of St Petersburg’s finest attractions. Amid exquisite parks and gardens, you’ll find the baroque Catherine Palace, a dazzling testament to Catherine’s love of luxury and royal excess. We’ll also see the lavishly gilded Amber Room, containing over six tonnes of amber, and the neoclassical Alexander Palace, whose tumultuous history paints a fascinating portrait of the Romanov family.
This evening marks the end of our Moscow and Saint Petersburg tour. In the evening you’ll be transferred to the airport. Say farewell to this beautiful country… until next time!
Included
Group arrival and departure airport transfers
Train station transfers
All transportation on tour, according to the itinerary (private driver, metro)
Centrally located 3* hotels (twin/double occupancy), can be upgraded to 4* or 5* on request
Breakfasts in the hotels
Local licensed English-speaking tour guides
All activities indicated in the itinerary, except optional
Entry tickets, according to the itinerary (skip-the-line policy)
Sapsan train tickets from Moscow to St Petersburg ("economy plus" class), *can be upgraded to business class or first class upon request
Russian visa support document (voucher/ invitation letter)
Not included
Flights
Russian visa and visa fees. Russian visa can be arranged by 56th Parallel for an additional cost (for Australian citizens only). Apply for concierge visa service here.
Optional excursions
Individual transfers
If you have any urgent questions or enquiries, please give us a call +61 412 587 785