Cruise ship passengers visiting St. Petersburg do not need a Russian visa, provided they are staying in the city for no longer than 72 hours. Therefore, if you book a cruise and St. Petersburg is one of the calls, you DO NOT NEED to get a Russian visa before you depart. The 72-hour exemption for cruise ship passengers does not mean that visitors have three days free in St. Petersburg. The limitations are the following: you have to sleep on the ship (not a problem for most cruise passengers), you will also have to be accompanied at all times on shore by a licensed tour guide and follow a pre-arranged schedule from the moment you leave the ship in the morning to the moment you step back on board in the evening. Cruise operators will expect their clients to book the St. Petersburg tours offered on-board or during booking, but in fact, there are essentially three options for cruise passengers visiting St. Petersburg:
1. Book the tour recommended by your cruise operator (in advance or onboard)
This is certainly the simplest option, the path of least resistance even. However, beyond the lack of choice in what you see and do in St. Petersburg, the tours offered by your cruise operator or booking agent are likely to be significantly more expensive than tours you book independently.
2. Book a tour independently (in advance in at least 2 weeks before you arrive at the port of call)
Though you may be encouraged to think otherwise, the tours offered by your cruise operator or booking agent are not the only options for cruise ship passengers to see St. Petersburg visa-free. There are a number of independent companies in St. Petersburg with the necessary licensing to offer shore tours for cruise ship passengers without Russian visas. Not only will this option give you much greater choice in terms of what you can see and do - as well as a wide range of more original and unusual tours, many companies will give you the option of designing your own itinerary - tours booked with independent local companies are in general considerably cheaper than those offered by your cruise operator.
We are happy to offer you check out the SHORE TOURS THAT WE OFFER IN ST. PETERSBURG ON THIS PAGE BELOW
3. Get a Russian Tourist Visa
If you wish to explore St. Petersburg on your own while not accompanied by any tour company, as well as if you wish to spend overnight not on the ship, you will need to secure an independent tourist visa to Russia. So if you prefer to be truly free to do what you want while in St. Petersburg, the only option is to obtain Russian Tourist Visas before you depart on your cruise. This is essential if, for example, you plan to meet up with friends or family in St. Petersburg, or if you want to enjoy the city's colourful nightlife (especially tempting if you're visiting during the White Nights). If staying out late is part of your reason for wanting a Russian Visa, then it's probably also worth booking accommodation in St. Petersburg as there are likely to be restrictions on returning to your ship after a certain point in the evening.
There is a set of obligatory documents you have to collect to apply for your Russian Tourist Visa, and VISA INVITATION is one of them, which you can order from us https://www.uvisitrussia.com/russian-visa/. Сost is 10 USD each. To make an order you need to insert the dates of your stay in Russia and info from your passport. After getting the visa invitation, you will need to address to Russian Visa Application Center in your country for visa processing itself (they will advise you in the visa processing cost, time etc.)
Travelling without a Russian visa does impose some limitations on your time in St. Petersburg, but at the same time gives you an excellent opportunity to explore the city with a knowledgeable guide. If it is not what you want, then it's certainly worth considering the option of getting a Russian Tourist Visa before you start your cruise.
31 Tours and Activities
A wonderful private full day tour, which will take you to some of the wondrous places in St Petersburg including - The Palace of Catherine and Peterhof Park, the fountains of Peterhof and a sightseeing tour of the area.
Duration: 8 hours
US$ 175
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per person, based on 2-people group
St. Petersburg is one of the most picturesque cities in the world, built in 1703 by Peter the Great around a network of canals, and this tour will ensure that you experience the beauty which St. Petersburg can offer.
Duration: 4 hours
US$ 155
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per person, based on 2-people group
If you are looking for a great way to see St Petersburg without too much walking this tour is for you. Experience a wonderful panoramic city tour of this magnificent city taking in the most important sights of the area including Peter and Paul's Fortress, the Church on Spilled Blood and St Isaac's C...
Read moreDuration: 4 hours
US$ 115
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per person, based on 2-people group
A fascinating panoramic half day tour of this magnificent city which cannot be missed, you will get to see Peter and Paul's Fortress, the Church on Spilled Blood and St Isaac's Cathedral, the Hermitage, Neva River, Nevsky Prospect. Once we have had a fantastic ovrview tour we then head off for vodka...
Read moreDuration: 4 hours
US$ 125
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per person, based on 2-people group
Experience one of our most popular one day tours in St Petersburg. This will take you on a journey of lifetime memories, visiting the Hermitage one of the most famous and well known Museums, Church on Spilled Blood and the picturesque Peterhof Park. A full day tour is required to get the sense and t...
Read moreDuration: 10 hours
US$ 341
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per person, based on 2-people group
This tour is perfect to have a general city overview by car as well as by boat while heading off to world's biggest fountaions complex Peterhof by hydrofoil. You will also have an awesome chance to visit one of world's greatest museums - Hermitage.
Duration: 10 hours
US$ 291
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per person, based on 2-people group
Learn all about St Petersburg’s history and sights on a 4-hour walking tour, led by a private guide! Head off to discover top St Petersburg attractions like Palace Square, Winter Palace, Senate Square, St Isaac's Cathedral, the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood and more.
Duration: 4 hours
This one-day tour from St.Petersburg to Russia's capital includes major highlights of Moscow, such as Red Square, the Kremlin Cathedrals and Armory. Feel the energy that has always made Moscow one of the most exciting cities on earth.
Duration: 18 hours
US$ 579
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per person, based on 2-people group
Make the most of your time in port and enjoy this All-Highlights Panoramic Berlin tour combined with a visit to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial - one of the first in Germany, built just on the northern outskirts of Berlin! A great introduction for first-time visitors who want not to just s...
Read moreDuration: 12 hours
From
US$ 376
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per person, based on 4-people group
The best of Copenhagen offers a comprehensive tour of the Scandinavian largest town both on foot and by bus including the most important sights of this exceptional Nordic pearl.
Duration: 4 hours
From
US$ 167
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per person, based on 4-people group
The tour for families with kids – this tour will introduce you the city through playful atmosphere and the wonderful legends. During the tour you will also create your own marzipan figurine, climb ancient city walls and enjoy the lunch break in the most loved pancake place in the whole town!
Duration: 5 hours
From
US$ 85
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per person, based on 4-people group
Our flexible payment options allow you to pay [deposit_value]% of a deposit first and the remaining [remain_value]% in [deposit_days] prior to your tour date - payment can be done both online or over the phone. This gives you the peace of mind knowing your spaces are booked on the tours and that you do not miss out on making the most of your time in Russia.
Also you [discount_text] get the best, top-rated and most experienced and knowledgeable hand-picked tour guide appointed on a priority basis.
In our experience, exceptional travel experiences are almost always delivered by exceptional people. With that in mind, we utilize a comprehensive approach to select and employ the best tour guides only. Multilingual and well travelled, each possesses deep insight into the diverse attractions and cultural patterns throughout the region. With us guides undergo a rigorous selection process, achieving outstanding knowledge of local culture and language. Rest assured that the best tour guides only will be working on the tours to give you excellent opportunity to explore the best of the sights during both short and long-term stay in Russia.
Our flexible payment options allow you to pay [deposit_value]% of a deposit first and the remaining [remain_value]% in [deposit_days] prior to your tour date - payment can be done both online or over the phone. This gives you the peace of mind knowing your spaces are booked on the tours and that you do not miss out on making the most of your time in Russia.
Also you [discount_text] get the best, top-rated and most experienced and knowledgeable hand-picked tour guide appointed on a priority basis.
In our experience, exceptional travel experiences are almost always delivered by exceptional people. With that in mind, we utilize a comprehensive approach to select and employ the best tour guides only. Multilingual and well travelled, each possesses deep insight into the diverse attractions and cultural patterns throughout the region. With us guides undergo a rigorous selection process, achieving outstanding knowledge of local culture and language. Rest assured that the best tour guides only will be working on the tours to give you excellent opportunity to explore the best of the sights during both short and long-term stay in Russia.