Getting out of the city for the summer doesn’t require a car in Saint Petersburg, with various public transport options available to reach popular destinations. Electric trains, city buses, and even hydrofoils offer convenient routes to lakes, forests, and parks.

Suburban Trains Offer Convenient and Frequent Service

Suburban trains are a reliable choice with frequent departures and ample seating. Unlike city traffic, the trains run on schedule, ensuring timely arrival at your destination.

Popular Train Destinations

• Pavlovsk: A favored destination accessible for just 63 rubles. Visitors can explore Pavlovsk Park’s scenic alleys, feed ducks, cycle, and admire the wildflowers.
• Pushkin: Another popular spot, known for Catherine and Alexander Parks, costing 55 rubles plus park admission. Shady trees, charming squirrels, and refreshing ponds provide a relaxing escape.
• Lomonosov: The Oranienbaum palace complex and park have been restored to their former glory. Comfortable “Lastochka” and “Finist” trains, equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and USB charging, run to Lomonosov from the Baltic Railway Station for 113 rubles.
• Solnechnoye: A village famous for its sandy beach and views of the Gulf of Finland, is just 40 minutes from the city. Trains from the Finland Railway Station run frequently, and tickets cost 85 rubles.

Water Transport Offers a Scenic Alternative

While less frequent and more expensive, water transport provides a unique and faster journey to certain locations. Meteors and catamarans avoid traffic jams and offer stunning views of the city’s coastline.

Water Transport Destinations

• Kronshtadt: Accessible by “Meteors” and catamarans from the Palace Pier, Kronstadt offers attractions like the “Island of Forts” park. Round-trip tickets cost 3600 rubles, with weekend departures. Ferries at Fort Konstantin provide tours of the Gulf of Finland forts for 1200 rubles (adults).
• Peterhof: Known for its fountains and parks, Peterhof is easily reachable by meteor from the Palace and Senate piers. Tickets cost 1800 rubles for adults, with regular departures. The journey provides picturesque views of landmarks like the Hermitage and Peter and Paul Fortress.
• Peter and Paul Fortress: Instead of a long, hot walk, a river tram offers a pleasant ride to the Peter and Paul Fortress from the Mytninskaya embankment for 200 rubles.

Land Transport Provides Extensive Reach

Buses in St. Petersburg cover a wide range of destinations, from farms to lakes, forests and parks. Real-time tracking is available on your phone. Using a “Podorozhnik” card provides a more affordable fare: even with the upcoming price increase, it will be cheaper than a one-time ticket: 60 rubles versus 86.

Bus Destinations

• Sestroretsk: Is a long-standing vacation spot where trolleybus route No. 52 “Katyusha” connects Parashyutnaya Street to Staraya Derevnya, where transfers to suburban trains in the direction of Sestroretsk are available.
• Lake Bezymyannoye: Is the only place in St. Petersburg recommended for swimming, accessible by bus route 145 from Avtovo.
• Lake Kipen: Reachable by bus route No. 481 from Kirovsky Zavod and Avtovo metro stations, offers wakeboarding and fishing opportunities.
• Kolonistsky Pond: Located in Pushkin, can be reached by bus 342 from the Kupchino metro station.
• Lake Bolshoe: Located in the Pargolovsky Park of Osinovaya Roshcha, it can be reached by buses 109 and 109B from the Ozerki metro station to the Osinovaya Roshcha stop.