Comments on: Planning: Paris and St. Petersburg, done. Moscow, well…

By: Cheapos at Work: Off to Paris, St. Petersburg, and… | Budget Travel Tips - EuroCheapo

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:25:18 +0000

[…] Moscow: Thanks to all the Cheapos who suggested ways to visit Moscow a la cheapo. In the end, spending two nights in the city was too expensive for my inexperienced self, so […]

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:23:22 +0000

I would take the night train to Moscow even if for one day.. There are so many trains that you could easily arrive at 6am and not come back until 1am, so would have lots of time to take in some main sites. I have been to Russia many times, but have to say that the most lasting impression is standing on Red Square. Go to Moscow!

By: Stella Stopfer

Stella Stopfer — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:13:31 +0000

It’s best to do what you are comfortable with. If you really want to go to Moscow, than you should go. The idea of taking night trains there and back is a better one. Make sure you plan that day really good and take care of yourself. 😉

By: Thomas Meyers

Thomas Meyers — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:54:41 +0000

Hi poetloverrebelspy —

Thanks for your help. I know, after going through the whole visa process, I’m tempted to try to see as much of Russia as possible. It is good to know about the “Kamera Khranienia.” I’ll keep that possibility in mind.

I suppose another possibility would be to take the night train down from St. Petersburg during my week there, stay for the day, and then take the night train back! That way, I could leave all my things in St. Petersburg and just visit Moscow for the day. And I wouldn’t have to find a hotel.

Where have you stayed when you visited Moscow?

Stella,

Thanks for your thoughts. I agree that it’s best to visit a city when you can really spend time and get to know it and get a feel for what it’s like to live there. I’m assuming then that you wouldn’t be into my idea for spending one day in Moscow, before taking the train back to St. Petersburg?

By: Stella Stopfer

Stella Stopfer — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:30:43 +0000

In a way I agree with Cordy, Moscow is an awesome city to see and you should certainly visit it. But also, Moscow is the most expensive city in Europe…and if you don’t speak Russian is a real handicap. Not because you won’t be able to read the names of the streets but because if something happens, English will not help you at all. It’s a much safer idea to go with someone who speaks Russian or have a friend who lives there to show you around.
I’d suggest Tallinn at this point mostly because you’ll have a great time and see it in a way you should. Go to Moscow when you are ready to spend more than half a day, you’ll get more out of it. And the goal is always to see and enjoy the place you are going to than to add just another destination to your map…

By: poetloverrebelspy

poetloverrebelspy — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:48:12 +0000

Tom, I love both Moscow and Tallinn. The latter is a great city. The former is a world capital. There is really no comparison.

You have already paid for your Russian visa. USE IT.

Cordy, do you have a spare room (or know someone who does) where Tom could stay? Cheapos, we’ve got to help Tom out here!

FYI, you can store luggage easily at any train or bus station in Russia at the “kamera khranienia” — it’s a staffed storage room that you might have come into contact with in other parts of Eastern Europe.

By: Tom Meyers

Tom Meyers — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:15:16 +0000

Hi Cordy —

Thanks for your comment. I must admit, you bring up an interesting idea. If I did come into Moscow just for one day, where would I be able to put my luggage? Can you keep luggage safely at the train station?

And Luc, thanks for your thoughts. I’m not making excuses about going to Tallinn 🙂 The more I think about the city, the more I want to go there, too. Do you have any recommendations about things to see in Tallinn?

Many thanks,
Tom

By: cordy

cordy — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 11:44:38 +0000

Being a muscovite I suggest that you should not drop Moscow altogether, in spite of the fact that it’s really one of the most expensive cities in the world.
What I mean is that you might arrive there from St.Petersburg by a night train, which should be rather comfortable nowadays, and spent a day around Moscow without staying for the night; and then take a night train, or a flight to Tallinn from Moscow.
I realize one day is not enough to see Moscow in detail; but to my knowledge making a couple of visits to places of interest at your choice is quite manageable.