Short St. Petersburg Tours for Ocean CruisesIf your ocean cruise is docking in St. Petersburg, this information will explain the available options for short tours in St. Petersburg. Note: this information does not apply to passengers of Russian river cruises.
1) You may join a city tour organized by the ship company. It is convenient to avoid having to plan ahead, but you will pay 2-3 times more than the market price (close to $2,000 per person) and you are stuck with a large group. You will not need a Russian visa, however, as your ship will put you on a list for a "group visa," which requires you to be back on the ship by the evening.
2) There are various small-scale operations in St. Petersburg that offer small group tours of the city. Just like your ship, such operations use "group visas," so you don't have to worry about obtaining a Russian visa. The price tag of local providers is around $1,300 for two days of touring. You will once again, though, be stuck in a large group and be corralled back to the ship at a certain time.
3) The third option is offered by Travel All Russia, a private tour for $770 without hotel or $1,150 with hotel in case you prefer to stay in the city. It is important for you to see as much of St. Petersburg as possible, and the only way to do so is without the hassle of a large group and with a private guide and driver. You will need a Russian visa to disembark for this tour, but never fear: we take care of all Russian visa arrangements for you, at no additional cost.
St Petersburg short tours