Helsinki to St Pete’s - 5 days
FROM USD $1,079
VISA FREE RUSSIA TOUR! On a 5 day twin city holiday you’ll see the best of Helsinki with its neo classical architecture, art museums, markets and street fairs, before crossing the Gulf of Finland by ferry to St Petersberg - City of the Tsars, home to Peterhof and the stunning Hermitage collection at the Winter Palace.
No visa required for Russia! Helsinki to St Pete’s Visa Free Russia Tour means you do not need to procure a Russian visa due to the fact that ferry passengers can visit St Petersburg visa-free provided that their stay does not exceed 72 hours and they have sightseeing arrangements.
Day 1: Helsinki
Welcome to Helsinki and the start of your holiday. Helsinki, resting on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, a branch of the Baltic Sea is both historic and modern. In contrast to the city’s 450 years of history, historic architecture and unique Finnish design, the beauty of the city blends seamlessly with high-tech achievements. It is here where old traditions mix with the latest contemporary trends. Arrive early as there is plenty to see and do! At 5pm today you will need to make your way to the ferry port to board the Princess Maria Ferry pulling up anchor at 7pm, cruising the Gulf of Finland to St Petersburg. Overnight - Princess Maria Ferry
Day 2: St Pete's city tour
Good morning St Petersburg - city of the tsars! After disembarkation and a stamp in your passport you'll meet your tour guide to commence a sightseeing tour of this delightful city.
Your first stop is the Peter and Paul Fortress, home to the SS Peter and Paul Cathedral, with its angel shaped weather vane perched on top of the razor thin needle; housing the tombs of the Romanov monarchs. Formerly a prison, Dostoevsky, Gorky and Lenin’s brother all spent time in the somewhat gruesome political prison.
Later there's a guided tour to perhaps the best museum in the world - the Hermitage. With only 10% of the 3 million exhibits on show, the variety and quality of the museum is breath-taking, ranging from gifts to the Tsars to archaeological finds and includes masterpieces from some of the greatest painters. After our city tour you're free to explore the city independently. Overnight - St Petersburg (B)
Your first stop is the Peter and Paul Fortress, home to the SS Peter and Paul Cathedral, with its angel shaped weather vane perched on top of the razor thin needle; housing the tombs of the Romanov monarchs. Formerly a prison, Dostoevsky, Gorky and Lenin’s brother all spent time in the somewhat gruesome political prison.
Later there's a guided tour to perhaps the best museum in the world - the Hermitage. With only 10% of the 3 million exhibits on show, the variety and quality of the museum is breath-taking, ranging from gifts to the Tsars to archaeological finds and includes masterpieces from some of the greatest painters. After our city tour you're free to explore the city independently. Overnight - St Petersburg (B)
Helsinki to St Pete’s - 5 days Go Guide : :Check out the go guide for details of the tour, info on visas, climate, money, what to bring and more!
Days 3 - 4: St Pete's your way
Today and tomorrow are free for you to independently explore. On day 4 we offer our optional pukka pass bolt-on which includes a full day of sightseeing in St. Petersburg including all transportation, guiding, entrance fees and lunch. Visits are made to either the gardens of Peter the Great’s Peterhof, which overlook the Gulf of Finland (summer) or a visit to Catherine Palace at Tsarskoe Selo (or Pavlosk Palace on winter tours if Catherine Palace is closed). Then there's stop for lunch at a restaurant overlooking the Griboyedov Canal before continuing on to view the inside of The Church on Spilled Blood.
Maybe also consider a night out at one of St Pete’s many great clubs or bars or join us for an evening at the ballet or Russian Cossacks performance (book/ pay locally, if available). In the early evening of day 4, make your way (free shuttle bus available) to the St Pete's Port to board the Princess Maria ferry, returning to Helsinki. Overnight - St Pete's (1), Princess Maria ferry (1) (B:2)
Maybe also consider a night out at one of St Pete’s many great clubs or bars or join us for an evening at the ballet or Russian Cossacks performance (book/ pay locally, if available). In the early evening of day 4, make your way (free shuttle bus available) to the St Pete's Port to board the Princess Maria ferry, returning to Helsinki. Overnight - St Pete's (1), Princess Maria ferry (1) (B:2)
Day 5: Helsinki
Arriving to Helsinki this morning (at approx 8:30), after disembarkation and immigration your tour comes to an end. In Helsinki, everything is nearby, it’s a pocket-sized metropolis easily explored on foot. Today you could opt to visit the Helsinki Cathedral with its rich architecture designed by Carl Ludvig Engel in neoclassical style, Suomenlinna Fortress with its old cannon and submarines, market stores and arty stalls - or perhaps have a coffee at Market Square followed by a scoop of ice cream at Esplanade park.
Flights, Visa's & the Ferry
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If flying from London to Helsinki a good choice is the low cost carrier Norwegian Air. Other alternatives include Scandanavian Airlines (SAS) and Finnair.
In light of the fact that you are arriving to Russia by ferry, are not staying for more than a 72 hours and have a confirmed ferry ticket for your departure, you are not required to obtain a Russian Toursit Visa to enter the country. Not having to obtain a Russian visa saves most nationalities more than $150 in visa costs. This ruling primarily serves to the benefit of many Finnish and Estonian traveller who come across to St Pete's to shop and sightsee for a day or two but also to other nationalities that arrive to the country by this mode of transport. A tourist visa for Finland is required though for most nationalities this is offered free of charge. Please check with your nearest embassy for more information. This tour includes two overnight journeys on board a ferry travelling between Helsinki and St Petersburg. On the ferry we reserve comfortable single sex, 4 berth, air conditioned cabins, equipped with an en suite bathroom and freshly laundered bed linen. You will share a cabin with either fellow On The Go travellers or members of the general public. If you are travelling with someone of the opposite sex and want to share a cabin, you will need to upgrade to a private two berth cabin, please refer to the pricing page for more information. |
Tour Details
- Starts in: Helsinki / Ends in: Helsinki
- Departs: May - Oct
- No local payment required
- Breakfast:3, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 0
- Hotel Rating: 3 star
- Tour Guide: Yes - for guided sightseeing in St Petersburg
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