Train to Moscow from St. Petersburg???

We didn't go to Moscow on our last Baltic cruise, but hope to see it in June of 2016 on our next trip. Does anyone have any experience using the Saspan high speed train? It takes 3 1/2 hours downtown to downtown. I'm looking for an alternative to the ship's tours which are expensive, especially with 7 of us traveling! I know the risks of the ship leaving with out us etc. but am just looking for a viable option.

Any advice or suggestions would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks!

We didn't go to Moscow on our last Baltic cruise, but hope to see it in June of 2016 on our next trip. Does anyone have any experience using the Saspan high speed train? It takes 3 1/2 hours downtown to downtown. I'm looking for an alternative to the ship's tours which are expensive, especially with 7 of us traveling! I know the risks of the ship leaving with out us etc. but am just looking for a viable option. Any advice or suggestions would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks!

While when we did our day-trip to Moscow from St. Petersburg, we did it via jet airline, I can share some insights and ideas. First, yes, it does take some time and money. BUT, we viewed as very "WORTH IT!!" See some of my notes and pictures below.

The key train advantage today is that it takes you directly into the heart of the city. When flying, you landed at a somewhat-distant airport and needed to travel into Moscow via surface street, taking about an hour. On your own is possible, maybe, but that process will get very, very complicated with the need for getting your own Russian visa, dealing with the confusion of the Russian printed language, etc. Some tour companies, such as Anastasia that we used in St. Petersburg, have done such a Moscow trip with friends from Central Ohio a couple of years ago. I would suggest contacting them and a couple of other firms in StP to check their offerings, costs, options, etc.

YES, the high-speed train connection does make a big, big difference. I'll offer the various pro/con factors for your consideration. My wife thought it was lots of money, but she viewed it as very much worth it AFTER completing the trip as a "once in a lifetime" experience. Be prepared that it will be a costly day. Then, shift gears to whether or not it will be worth it. You know my opinion for how to spend your money.

CON FACTORS: It's a long day! Leave the ship early (greeted by a small welcoming band dockside); get back to the St. Petersburg airport around midnight and back to the ship a little before 1 am. Moscow is a super large city of over ten million people. There has been huge growth in the suburbs of this city during the past decades or so. Traffic and time from the airport to the main downtown takes about an hour, but the train takes your directly into the heart of this large city. Since we had to drive in from the airport, we had a good feel as we traveled into town through the coach windows about the “new Moscow” with its suburban growth, commerce, advertising, capitalism, big box stores, etc.

PRO FACTORS: Moscow has its unique history, sights and sites, from Ivan the Terrible up through Lenin, Stalin and the new Russian leaders of today. After a long ride in from the airport on the outer edge of this large metro areas of 17.3 million (with 10.5 million in the city), we stopped at a new hotel for coffee/tea/break. Then, we rode the Moscow subway and saw a couple of their very unique and artistic stations. Stalin at the time called these stations “People’s Palaces”. This Moscow Metro was first opened in 1935 and now has 182 stations, 12 different lines,187 miles of routes and carries seven million passengers each weekday. It’s the world second busiest subway system. This subway ride offered a good sampling of real life for people who live and work in Moscow. We then saw more key places enroute, including the home of the Bolshoi Ballet, KGB Headquarters, various Stalin-era buildings, etc. Then we went to the Kremlin with its 19 historic towers. WOW, we were really there!

Inside the Kremlin are three key “super stars”. First, was the State Armoury with its spectacular Faberge Eggs, plus so many carriages, crowns, gowns, jewels, etc. Second are the various historic Cathedrals within the Kremlin Walls, plus the Tower Bells, Icon art, etc. This includes the Cathedral of the Annunciation built in the 1480’s and having such spectacular wall murals and icons. Third, was the Great Kremlin Palace with its spectacular reception halls, inlaid wood floors, gold and more gold, fancy ceilings, etc. The Czars were crowned here, plus the current heads of the Russian government, etc. The size and scale of these areas are hard to describe in words, let alone reflect and capture the history that has happened in some of these rooms dating back to the late 1400’s. We have seen lots of great palaces all over Europe, but this is something above and beyond for the eyes, heart and brain.

Then, we saw more building inside the walls of the Kremlin. We went outside of the Kremlin Walls and walked next door to adjoining Red Square, seeing St. Basil’s and the re-done Gum Department Store. Red Square is so historic, especially having grown up seeing the military May Day parades there, visuals of Lenin’s Tomb, etc. Have the words “spectacular” and historic been used too much? Maybe, but it fits for many of these unique places. St. Basil’s was built 1555–1561 on the order of Ivan IV (the Terrible). It was the tallest building in Moscow until the completion of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower (266 feet tall) in 1600 inside the Kremlin Walls. To be able to “CONTRAST” and compare Moscow and St. Petersburg during these three short days adds to the benefits of seeing both of these great Russian capital cities. Each is a very different and special city.

We finished with dinner in the Central Writers’ Club, a one hundred years old mansion made into a restaurant with crystal chandeliers, rich wood panelling, fireplaces, and antique balustrades.

Is one day in Moscow too short and limited? YES! You can, however, do and see lots in only that one short day. How often do you get to Russia? The Cold War might not come back in full force, but there are going to be increasing and revisited tensions in future years involving Russia and getting access there. Most ship tours have done this trip many times and have its details down well and timing perfected. Let me know any questions, thoughts or reactions.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 107,525 views for this posting.

One of the Kremlin Wall Towers in Moscow. It is a defensive wall that surrounds the Kremlin with its recognizable notches and the famed Kremlin towers. The original walls were likely a simple wooden fence with guard towers built in 1156. Between 1485 and 1495 a brigade of Italian architects designed a new defense perimeter. With an outer perimeter of over 7300 feet, the Kremlin appears as a loose triangle. Twenty towers survived to highlight the walls. Built at a different time, the oldest one dates to 1485 while the newest one was built in 1680. Three of the towers, located in the corners, have circular designs.:

Walking on the famed Red Square of Moscow. This square separates the Kremlin, as the former royal citadel and the current official residence for Russia's President, from a historic merchant quarter. Red Square is often considered the central square of Moscow and all of Russia, because Moscow's major streets originate from here. The name Red Square comes neither from the color of the bricks nor from the link between the color red and communism. The name came about because of a Russian word that can mean either "red" or "beautiful". This word, per Wikipedia, has the meaning "beautiful", was originally applied to Saint Basil's Cathedral. Then, later, the meaning was transferred to the nearby square. It is believed that the square acquired its current name in the 17th century. Red Square was the leading stage and trade center for Moscow. Ivan the Great decreed that trade should only be conducted from person to person, but later these rules were relaxed and permanent market buildings began appearing on the square. After a fire in 1547, Ivan the Terrible reorganized the lines of wooden shops on the Eastern side into market lines and part of that transitioned into what is now GUM department store that adjoins this famed square.:

This is the interior for Moscow's most historic church, Assumption Cathedral or the Cathedral of the Dormition, inside the Kremlin walls. It is the mother church of Muscovite Russia. The church stands on Cathedral Square and was built in 1475–1479 by the Italian architect Aristotele Fioravanti. It was erected on the spot of an older 14th century cathedral of the same name:

Here is a small sampling of the Kremlin Royal Treasures of the Czars: Eggs & Jewels inside the famed State Armoury in Moscow. One of the oldest museums in Moscow, it was established in 1808 and located within the Kremlin Walls. It originated as the royal arsenal in 1508 during when it was in charge of producing, purchasing and storing weapons, jewelry and various household articles of the Tsars. There are ten Fabergé eggs in the Armoury collection (all Imperial eggs). This is the most Imperial eggs, and the second-most overall Fabergé eggs, owned by a single owner. The Trans-Siberian Railway Egg is a jeweled Easter egg made under the supervision of the Russian jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé in 1900 for Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. It was presented by Nicolas II as an Easter gift to his wife. The exterior of the 1900 Trans-Siberian Railway egg is made of onyx, silver, gold, and quartz, and is decorated with colored vitreous enamel. The lid of the egg is hinged, has an overlay of green enamel, and is decorated with inlaid leaves of acanthus. On top of the lid is a golden three-headed eagle in gold with the Imperial Crown. The interior is lined with velvet. A route map of the Trans-Siberian Railway is engraved in silver across the face, with major stations marked by a precious stone, forming a belt around the egg. The egg is supported by three griffins made of gold-plated silver on a stepped triangular base of white onyx.:

Kazan Cathedral sits on the northeast corner of Red Square in Moscow. The current building is a reconstruction of the original church which was destroyed at the direction of Joseph Stalin in 1936. The original church was erected as a shrine in the early 1630s to mark the city's liberation from the Polish aggressors. After the Soviet Union’s fall, this was the first church to be completely rebuilt. The cathedral's restoration (1990–1993) was based on the detailed measurements and photographs of the original church:

The Russian subways are called the “People’s Palaces” with their marble coverings and unique designs for each of the different and many stations. This visual is from Moscow, but you have similar to see in St. Petersburg. Very interesting!!:

Terry,

You are amazing and I am overwhelmed at your kindness in sharing all of this information with me! Thank you so much. You've given me lot to think about and plan.

Thank you SO much!!!!!

Terry, You are amazing and I am overwhelmed at your kindness in sharing all of this information with me! Thank you so much. You've given me lot to think about and plan. Thank you SO much!!!!!

Appreciate your follow-up and kind comments. Glad to be of help!! Let us know any added questions or needs. Russia has amazing history, architecture, crafts and background. Do your homework in advance to better understand all of the excellent sites and sights you will be experiencing.

Everyone wants to save money and/or not spend too much. BUT, the worst kind of "economy" is to lose perspective on your overall, total budget. You are spending lots on the flights, cruise, etc. Do not pinch pennies too much that you miss the "greatness" that is there in Russia and the Baltics.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 22,341 views for these postings.

Appreciate your follow-up and kind comments. Glad to be of help!! Let us know any added questions or needs. Russia has amazing history, architecture, crafts and background. Do your homework in advance to better understand all of the excellent sites and sights you will be experiencing.

 

Everyone wants to save money and/or not spend too much. BUT, the worst kind of "economy" is to lose perspective on your overall, total budget. You are spending lots on the flights, cruise, etc. Do not pinch pennies too much that you miss the "greatness" that is there in Russia and the Baltics.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 22,341 views for these postings.

Thanks Terry! If it were just the two of us, we wouldn't really question the cost, like you we know that the experiences and the memories are forever things to treasure and the monetary aspects are easily forgotten. But we have 5 family members and two friends so a $10,000 -$12,000 is significant and would pay for a lot of college expenses. We have some time to figure it out, so it may well happen for all of us. I appreciate all of your insights and advice.

Thanks Terry! If it were just the two of us, we wouldn't really question the cost, like you we know that the experiences and the memories are forever things to treasure and the monetary aspects are easily forgotten. But we have 5 family members and two friends so a $10,000 -$12,000 is significant and would pay for a lot of college expenses. We have some time to figure it out, so it may well happen for all of us. I appreciate all of your insights and advice.

YES, excellent points on the "bigger picture" in having a larger group. I would definitely check with Anastasia and other firms for their offerings. With a larger group, that might help the "economics" for getting a better pricing to do this "adventure" to Moscow.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 177,522 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

We didn't go to Moscow on our last Baltic cruise, but hope to see it in June of 2016 on our next trip. Does anyone have any experience using the Saspan high speed train? It takes 3 1/2 hours downtown to downtown. I'm looking for an alternative to the ship's tours which are expensive, especially with 7 of us traveling! I know the risks of the ship leaving with out us etc. but am just looking for a viable option.

 

Any advice or suggestions would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks!

Yes , we used the Sapsan in 2013 and plan on using it to go to Moscow tomorrow morning .

We wrote a thread about our trip to Moscow and you can find it here :

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1927687

We will be glad to answer any further questions that you may have .

Hi all - in the early planning stages for a possible cruise next summer (2016) that gives us 3 days in SPB. We feel that getting to Moscow for that middle day might be worth it as who knows if we will get the chance to go there in the future.

The only problem is that the middle day is Thursday when the Kremlin is closed. Does that make it not worth going? Can we still walk around the grounds of the Kremlin or does closed mean the gates are locked? Any thoughts or advice from those who have done this crazy 3 day marathon would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi all - in the early planning stages for a possible cruise next summer (2016) that gives us 3 days in SPB. We feel that getting to Moscow for that middle day might be worth it as who knows if we will get the chance to go there in the future.

 

The only problem is that the middle day is Thursday when the Kremlin is closed. Does that make it not worth going? Can we still walk around the grounds of the Kremlin or does closed mean the gates are locked? Any thoughts or advice from those who have done this crazy 3 day marathon would be appreciated.

 

Thanks!

This is just MHO, but if I wanted to see Moscow during a 3 day port stop in St. Pete, I would change my cruise to one wherein the 2nd port day did not fall on a Thursday.

Thursday:

In Red square, you would still be able to visit St. Basils (it is closed on Tuesdays, not Thursdays), Kazan Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum and also visit GUM department store. There are lots of other interesting sights to see and some excellent museums (in addition to the Tretyakov, I really enjoyed the Gulag museum, Pushkin museum & the Rublev museum of Ancient Russian art). Moscow is HUGE and there is much to see (the metro stations are much more ornate than those in St. Pete) and there aremany historic parks to visit including, of course, the celebrated Gorky Park.

However, if I had only one chance to visit Moscow, there is absolutely no way that I would miss the Kremlin - it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the grand daddy of must see sights in Moscow and several magnificently preserved historic cathedrals and churches stand within its walls (Annunciation, Archangel & Assumption Cathedrals, Patriarch Palace (with 12 Apostles Cathedral), Nativity & Deposition of Robe churches, Bell tower of Ivan the Great) as well as the magnificent Armory, Diamond Fund & Arsenal as well as assorted palaces. There are also the many towers of the Kremlin's walls - they are really something to behold.

Would it be possible to change the date of your cruise?

Oops - just noticed that the OP posted quite awhile back. Maybe plans have already been finalized.

This is just MHO, but if I wanted to see Moscow during a 3 day port stop in St. Pete, I would change my cruise to one wherein the 2nd port day did not fall on a Thursday.

 

Thursday:

In Red square, you would still be able to visit St. Basils (it is closed on Tuesdays, not Thursdays), Kazan Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum and also visit GUM department store. There are lots of other interesting sights to see and some excellent museums (in addition to the Tretyakov, I really enjoyed the Gulag museum, Pushkin museum & the Rublev museum of Ancient Russian art). Moscow is HUGE and there is much to see (the metro stations are much more ornate than those in St. Pete) and there aremany historic parks to visit including, of course, the celebrated Gorky Park.

 

However, if I had only one chance to visit Moscow, there is absolutely no way that I would miss the Kremlin - it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the grand daddy of must see sights in Moscow and several magnificently preserved historic cathedrals and churches stand within its walls (Annunciation, Archangel & Assumption Cathedrals, Patriarch Palace (with 12 Apostles Cathedral), Nativity & Deposition of Robe churches, Bell tower of Ivan the Great) as well as the magnificent Armory, Diamond Fund & Arsenal as well as assorted palaces. There are also the many towers of the Kremlin's walls - they are really something to behold.

 

Would it be possible to change the date of your cruise?

Oops - just noticed that the OP posted quite awhile back. Maybe plans have already been finalized.

Thanks. We ended up booking flights to Moscow pre-cruise and will spend a few days there first. The weak ruble meant that even with the cost of visas, the hotel, flight to Stockholm etc, it was still cheaper than the one day excursion. We will also have more flexibility to do St. Petersburg on our own.

Thanks. We ended up booking flights to Moscow pre-cruise and will spend a few days there first. The weak ruble meant that even with the cost of visas, the hotel, flight to Stockholm etc, it was still cheaper than the one day excursion. We will also have more flexibility to do St. Petersburg on our own.

Awesome. IMHO, a visa is the best way to go & you will have plenty of time to explore Moscow pre-cruise.