Pulkovo Airport connects to Saint Petersburg's city center via express bus and metro combination, covering the 20 km distance in approximately 40-60 minutes. The journey delivers travelers to one of Europe's most magnificent historic city centers.

About Saint Petersburg City Center

Saint Petersburg's city center is a UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece, built by Peter the Great as Russia's 'Window to Europe' starting in 1703. The Hermitage Museum, housed in the Winter Palace and its connected buildings along the Neva River embankment, holds over three million works of art spanning from ancient Egypt to 20th-century modernism, making it one of the largest and most important museums in the world.

Nevsky Prospekt, the city's main boulevard stretching 4.5 km from the Admiralty to the Alexander Nevsky Monastery, is lined with the Kazan Cathedral, the Singer Building (Dom Knigi bookstore), the Beloselsky-Belozersky Palace, and the Gostiny Dvor shopping arcade. The avenue pulses with cultural life, from street musicians to the grand Philharmonia concert hall.

The city's canal-laced geography has earned it the nickname 'Venice of the North,' with boat tours offering views of ornate bridges, pastel-colored palaces, and the golden domes of St. Isaac's Cathedral and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. During the White Nights of June, the drawbridges over the Neva open at night in a spectacle that draws visitors from around the world.

Nearby Landmarks

Hermitage Museum Nevsky Prospekt St. Isaac's Cathedral Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost Varies by traffic
Time 20-40 min

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Exit Pulkovo Airport arrivals and find the bus stop area outside
2. Take express bus 39 or 39E to Moskovskaya metro station (20-30 minutes)
3. At Moskovskaya, enter the metro and take Line 2 (blue) northbound
4. For the city center, exit at Nevsky Prospekt station (approximately 15 minutes)
5. Total journey time: 45-60 minutes depending on connections
6. Alternative: taxi or Yandex Go from the airport directly (30-50 minutes, 800-1200 rubles)

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi Varies by traffic 20-40 min Convenience, groups, heavy luggage

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

The metro operates until approximately midnight. After midnight, licensed taxi services and ride-hailing apps (Yandex Go is the primary platform) are available from the airport 24/7. Night-time taxi fares from Pulkovo to the city center cost approximately 1,000-1,500 rubles ($11-16). Minibus services to Moskovskaya metro stop running around 11:30 PM. Some hotels offer airport shuttle services.

Luggage Tips

Bus 39 and the metro have limited luggage space during rush hours. If carrying large bags, consider a taxi for a more comfortable ride. The metro stations often have long escalators (some of the deepest in the world) — hold luggage firmly. Left-luggage offices (kamera khraneniya) are available at Moskovskiy Vokzal and Vitebskiy Vokzal stations in the city center.

Accessibility

Pulkovo Airport is modern and fully accessible. However, Saint Petersburg's metro system is one of the deepest in the world, and many stations have extremely long escalators without elevator alternatives. Surface-level transport (buses, trolleybuses) is gradually being updated with low-floor vehicles. Taxis are the most practical option for wheelchair users. Many historic buildings in the center have limited accessibility due to their age.