Flights to Saint Petersburg (LED), Book economy, business, first class

Discover picturesque St. Petersburg

Book flights to St. Petersburg and explore Russia’s second-largest city. Discover charming boulevards, iconic spires and glittering palaces in St. Petersburg.

View of St. Petersburg cityscape with St. Isaac’s Cathedral

The former Russian capital is rich in royal history, arts and culture and has stunning cityscapes to admire. Nestled on the Neva River at the gateway of the Baltic Sea, there’s so much to see when you fly to St. Petersburg.

Stroll from the grandeur of Palace Square to the eclectic architecture of the city’s landmark churches. Admire the gilded dome of St. Isaac’s Cathedral and the magnificent mosaics that line the Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood.

Follow the cobblestone streets and soak up the culture, from the world-renowned State Hermitage Museum to the Russian ballet. Walk through the manicured gardens of the Summer Palace of Peter the Great or take a boat tour of St. Petersburg and see the sights from beneath its many bridges.

Book your flights to St. Petersburg and visit the ‘Venice of the North’ with Etihad.

What’s the weather like in St. Petersburg?

Average temperature Average rainfall

-6°C

4cm

-6°C

3cm

1°C

4cm

6°C

3cm

16°C

5cm

16°C

7cm

19°C

8cm

17°C

8cm

12°C

6cm

7°C

7cm

0°C

6cm

-4°C

5cm

While there’s no bad time to book flights to St. Petersburg, it’s a good idea to prepare for the colder seasons. Be sure to wrap up warm between October and April as this is the coldest part of the year.

Contrary to the city’s picturesque, frosty winters, summer months can be hot and humid between May and September, so be sure to bring sunscreen. To experience the White Nights festival in St. Petersburg, visit between late May and early July.

Reasons to visit St. Petersburg

Palace Square and the Winter Palace, St. Petersburg

Explore Palace Square

Palace Square should be one of the first stops on your itinerary when you fly to St. Petersburg. Home to the Winter Palace on the bank of the Neva River, it’s at the heart of the city’s most impressive landmarks.

Start at the Alexander Column and marvel at the preserved palace transformed into a world-class museum. The former Imperial residence of Russian Emperors, including the House of Romanov, is now the main building of the State Hermitage Museum.

With more than three million cultural artefacts, including works from Leonardo Da Vinci, Van Gogh and Rembrandt, the Hermitage Museum houses one of the world’s finest art collections.

Admire the Neva River

Perched on the Baltic Sea, St. Petersburg is shaped by a system of canals leading from the Neva River. Nicknamed the ‘Venice of the North’, a popular way to explore St. Petersburg is by boat tour.

Cruise along the canals and admire some of St. Petersburg’s famous bridges. There’s a total of 342 across the city, each one unique with various architectural designs and statues.

The Neva River offers some of the most spectacular views of St. Petersburg. Pass the banks of the Winter Palace, the Summer Garden, the Peter and Paul Fortress. Catch the picture-worthy Palace Bridge as it raises its platforms in a display of lights, letting ships pass in the night.

Experience iconic ballet

The Russian ballet is one of the most quintessential things to see in St. Petersburg. Don’t miss the chance to experience hundreds of years of tradition across a variety of ballet shows.

You can watch classical ballet shows at multiple theatres across the city. The Mariinsky Theatre, home of the world-renowned Mariinsky Theatre Company, is one of the finest classical ballet theatres in the country. You can also see ballet and drama shows at the Alexandrinsky and Mikhailovsky theatres and the State Hermitage Museum. The museum was once the personal theatre of the Emperor’s family, but now offers intimate showings with only 250 seats.

The long, bright evenings of the White Nights summer festival make it a popular time for watching ballet and visiting the theatre.

Things to know before you fly

Getting Around

St. Petersburg has an excellent public transport system, with a bus and metro running throughout the city. You can also visit plenty of popular landmarks around Nevsky Prospect – the main thoroughfare in the centre.

Language

In St. Petersburg, the most commonly spoken language is Russian. You may find some English-language signage at the airport and tourist spots, and English menus at some restaurants.

Currency

The currency in St. Petersburg, and the rest of Russia, is the Russian rouble (RUB). While cards are accepted at many hotels, restaurants and shops, it’s a good idea to carry some cash too.

Local Cuisine

When you fly to St. Petersburg, make sure to sample a few local dishes. Popular dishes include stroganoff, cabbage stew and borscht, though there are plenty of alternative cuisines available in restaurants across the city too.

Flying to St. Petersburg: FAQs

How many days should I spend in St. Petersburg?

St. Petersburg is rich in captivating sights, arts and culture. You could spend up to a week exploring this vibrant city. For a shorter stay, it’s a good idea to spend between four and five days in St. Petersburg, giving you plenty of time to get to know the historic quarters, museums and catch a couple of shows.

If you’re planning a trip to Moscow as part of your journey to Russia, you may wish to spend a minimum of eight days seeing the best of the two cities.

Where should I stay in St. Petersburg?

Head to the city centre in the Tsenstralny district surrounding Nevsky Prospekt or stay in the Admiralteysky district to be near some of the best restaurants in St. Petersburg. Both areas are well linked to the metro and in walking distance to the heart of St. Petersburg’s best sights.

Book a hotel across the river in the Petrogradsky district to be close to the Peter and Paul Fortress – the oldest landmark in St. Petersburg. You’ll only be a short metro ride away from the city centre.

Is St. Petersburg walkable?

Simply walking around St. Petersburg is a historical excursion in itself. Most of the city’s main attractions are within reasonable walking distance from one another, so make sure to pack comfortable shoes ready to explore the sights. For slightly longer distances, the metro is your quickest route.

When can you see the northern lights in St. Petersburg?

While areas of St. Petersburg have been lucky enough to experience a glimpse of the northern lights in the past, sightings are extremely rare.

It is possible to see the northern lights in Russia, offering beautiful vistas of the Arctic Circle. However, you may need to travel north to the Kola Peninsula.

What is the White Nights Festival?

The White Nights Festival is an event that happens every year in St. Petersburg, celebrating the evenings that never get dark, thanks to the city’s proximity to the Arctic Circle.

To mark the occasion, between May and July each year, the city erupts with classical music, ballet performances and firework shows. With warm temperatures and twilight skies, it’s a very popular, romantic and unique spectacle.

Book Flights to Saint Petersburg

Tickets for Our Most Popular Flights to Saint Petersburg

Flights to Saint Petersburg with Most Searches on Etihad