St Petersburg Shore Excursions


St Petersburg Shore Excursions - Cruise Ship Passengers at Port Beginning Their Tour

Step on to dry land and experience a professional and entertaining guided tour of St. Petersburg for cruise ship passengers, led by our licensed and multilingual tour guides. We have prepared a variety of St Petersburg Shore Excursions to fit your time schedule and level of activity.

We have created a new tour for the 2011 season called “All St. Petersburg Highlights” which is our most comprehensive tour of the main attractions in St. Petersburg. For your convenience we have included early entrance to the Hermitage, which helps you to start your 2 hour tour earlier and gives more time for other museums in the program.

You will have a chance to look at the city from unusual angle while taking a boat trip along the rivers and canals, and save your time using a hydrofoil back to the city from Petergof. Moreover, you will receive two traditional Russian lunches in the local restaurants / cafes. The tour covers the most of St Petersburg for a very reasonable price and it is limited to 16 people. We can’t guarantee that you will become experts in Russian history and art after this experience, but we are sure you will have an unforgettable time!

Please note we also offer a Jewish Heritage Tour or a Children’s Tour which can be included as part of a shore excursion. Please see our cruise ship and ferry timetable to get arrival and departure times for the port of St Petersburg.

Also, you can watch a video of how we greet shore excursion passengers at the terminal in St. Petersburg:

We have created our new 1 day programs taking into consideration that you have just 1 day to spend in St. Petersburg, but would like to visit as many sites and attractions as possible, that’s why we have included all our must see attractions which are open on the day of your ship’s arrival.

What is important: you go by hydrofoil to Peterhof, a very enjoyable way to travel and you won’t spend any time in traffic jams – it’s a big timesaver in St. Petersburg!

Please note we can customize these programs for you!

Price includes:

  • Admission fees to all museums in the program
  • Hydrofoil ride
  • Guide services for 1 day
  • Driver services for 1 day (Comfortable car (Mercedes)/mini van with A/C)
  • A Permit for photo and video at the museums per couple
  • All port fees
  • All local taxes
  • Blanket visa
  • Bottled water

Price doesn’t include:

  • Cost of lunch

If you feel full of energy after a long touring day and would like to enjoy our city a bit longer, you are welcome to join one of our evening optional tours.

We highly recommend you the Venice of the North Night tour that includes a stroll along the city, shopping, and boat ride along the rivers and canals with champagne or vodka and sweets – the perfect ending of the lovely day in the city!

If you would like to see the fairy brilliant folk show at the former palace of Grand Duke Nikolas – an uncle of the Last emperor, you are welcome too.

If you just prefer to enjoy romantic views on the streets, squares, and embankments of St Petersburg, we can arrange a boat ride for you (either private or not) so you can complete the collection of your holiday pictures with the lovely townscapes.

Whatever wish, we will be happy to make your dreams come true!

One Day Excursions -
Make the most of it on Monday

  • 7:30 – 8:00 am – Meet your guide near your ship
  • 8:00 – 9:15 am – City tour
  • 9:15 – 10:00 am – Drive to Pushkin (with a metro ride on the way there)
  • 10:00– 11:30 am – Guided Tour of Catherine Palace with the Amber Room
  • 12:00-1:00 pm – Scenic drive to Peterhof
  • 1:00 -1:30 pm – Traditional Russian meal (optional)
  • 1:30 – 3:00 pm – A walk in the Fountain Park
  • 3:00 – 3:30 pm – Return to the city by hydrofoil
  • 4:00 – 5:00 pm – Guided tour of the Yusupov Palace
  • 5:30 – 6:00 pm – Guided tour of the Church on Spilt Blood
  • 6:30 pm – Return to your ship

One Day Excursions -
Make the most of it on Tuesday

  • 7:30 – 8:00 am – Meet your guide near your ship
  • 8:00 – 9:15 am – City tour
  • 10:00– 11:00 am – Drive to Peterhof, Russian Versailles.
  • 11:00– 1:00 pm – Stroll through the lower park with fountains. Guided tour of one of the small palaces: Catherine block, Mon Plaisir, Bath block
  • 1:00 – 1:30 pm – Traditional Russian lunch (optional)
  • 2:00 – 2:30 pm – Return to the city by hydrofoil
  • 2:30 -4:30 pm Guided Tour of the Hermitage Museum
  • 5:00 – 5:30 pm – Guided tour of The Church of our Savior on the Spilt Blood
  • 6:00 pm – Return to your ship

One Day Excursions -
Make the most of it on Wednesday

  • 7:30 – 8:00 am – Meet your guide near your ship
  • 8:00 – 9:15 am – City tour – Photo stop near the Church on the Spilt Blood (closed on Wednesday)
  • 9:15 – 10:00 am – Drive to Pushkin (with a metro ride on the way there)
  • 10:00– 11:30 am – Guided Tour of Catherine Palace with the Amber Room
  • 12:00-1:00 pm – Scenic drive to Peterhof
  • 1:00 -1:30 pm – Traditional Russian meal (optional)
  • 1:30 – 3:00 pm – A walk in the Fountain Park
  • 3:00 – 3:30 pm – Return to the city by hydrofoil
  • 3:30 – 5:00 pm – Guided tour of the Hermitage Museum
  • 5:30 – 6:00 pm – Guided tour of St. Peter & Paul Cathedral
  • 6:30 pm – Return to your ship

One Day Excursions -
Make the most of it on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

  • 7:30 – 8:00 am – Meet your guide near your ship
  • 8:00 – 9:15 am – City tour - Photo stop near the Church on the Spilt Blood
  • 9:15 – 10:00 am – Drive to Pushkin (with a metro ride on the way there)
  • 10:00– 11:30 am – Guided Tour of Catherine Palace with the Amber Room
  • 12:00-1:00 pm – Scenic drive to Peterhof
  • 1:00 -1:30 pm – Traditional Russian meal (optional)
  • 1:30 – 3:00 pm – A walk in the Fountain Park
  • 3:00 – 3:30 pm – Return to the city by hydrofoil
  • 3:30 – 5:00 pm – Guided tour of the Hermitage Museum
  • 5:30 – 6:00 pm – Guided tour of the Church on Spilt Blood
  • 6:30 pm – Return to your ship

Back to top

PDF

Two Day St Petersburg Shore Excursions:

The price of any two day shore excursion includes:

  • Admission fees to all museums in the program
  • Guide services for 2 days
  • Driver services for 2 days (Comfortable car (Mercedes)/mini-van with A/C)
  • A Permit for photo and video at the museums (the only exception is Yusopov Palace)
  • All port fees and local taxes
  • Blanket visa= tour ticket
  • Bottled water per person per day
  • Head sets for the groups from 10 and more

Please note:

  • Price does not include cost of the lunches except for All St Petersburg Highlights Tour that has two traditional Russian lunches included into the cost of the tour
  • Children under 7 years are free of charge
  • Children/Students over 7 years receive a discount of $40 US for all tours. Students must have an ISIC card (student’s ID)

Two Day “All St Petersburg Highlights” Shore Excursion 

Day 1

7:30-8am – Meeting by the ship. City tour in St Petersburg

10:00-10.30am – Travel to Petergof by hydrofoil

10:30-12:00pm – Guided tour of the Fountain Park

12:00-1:00pm – Traditional Russian lunch

1:00-2:00 pm – Travel to Tsars’ Village

2:00-3:30pm – Inside guided tour of Catherine Palace with the Amber Room

3:30-4:30pm – Driving back to the city. Visit to the subway station

4:30-5:00pm – Inside guided tour of St Isaac’s Cathedral

5:30-6:00 – Inside guided tour of the Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood

6:30pm – Return to the ship or evening optional program

Day 2

8am – Meeting by the ship

8:30-9:30am – Boat Ride along the rivers and canals with a glass of Champagne

9:45-12:00am – Inside guided tour of the Hermitage Museum (Early entrance, before official opening hours)

12:30-1:15pm – Traditional Russian lunch

1:30-2:30 pm – Inside guided tour of St Peter and Paul fortress/Cathedral. Shopping

3:00-4:30pm – Inside guided tour of Yusupov palace

5 pm – Return to the ship

Book now to receive Season prices for 2011!

Price includes:

  • Admission fees to all museums in the program as well as the cost of hydrofoil ride and a boat trip along rivers and canals
  • services of a friendly, and a highly professional guide for 2 days
  • Driver’s services for 2 days (Comfortable (Mercedes) mini van with A/C)
  • Photo and video permissions at the museums (except the Yusupov Palace, camera pass is 5$ per person, video pass is 12$ per person)
  • All port fees
  • The cost of a blanket visa
  • All local taxes
  • Cost of traditional Russian lunches
  • Bottled water
  • Headphones for the group from 10 people

Please note:

The tour includes two lunches that will be in a local cafes or restaurants. You will be served 3 course typical Russian meals.

– Please let us know if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions

If the hydrofoil ride is cancelled due to the unfavorable weather conditions it cannot be refunded: we will use our van instead to get to/from Petergof

If you travel with children under 7 years old, you don’t have to pay for them-the tour for them will be free of charge

Children/Students over 7 years old receive discount of $40 US for the tour. Students must have ISIC card (student’s ID)

Back to top

Two Day  “Relaxed” Shore Excursion

For those who don’t want to be in a hurry, would like to get know more about everyday life, those who are travelling with little children.

During this two day program you will get to know:

  • The history of St Petersburg and its founder Peter the Great
  • The Romanovs dynasty (facts and anecdotes)
  • St Petersburg – city of 3 revolutions
  • Gorbachev:  “the father” of perestroika
  • St Petersburg as the cultural capital of Russia and Soviet Union
  • Soviet Regime: Lenin and Stalin
  • Modern life in Russia and St Petersburg: housing, educational system, health care system, family life – don’t hesitate to ask any questions

Based on the references of our clients we have included in our 2-day relaxed program:

Inside visits of:

As well as:

Please note we can customize this program for you!

Day 1

  •  8:00 – 9:00 am - Meet your guide near your ship (depending on your ship’s arrival and as soon as you clear the customs)
  • 9:00 – 10:30 am -  City tour in St Petersburg – We can start either with the visit to the Orthodox cathedral or Synagogue (upon your wish). City tour includes driving and photo stops in the most beautiful, historical places in St Petersburg. You will see: Nevsky prospect (the main street in St Petersburg), National Library, Kazan Cathedral, the Square of Arts, Russian Museum, Ethnographical Museum, Michael’s Castle, Summer Gardens of Peter the Great, the log cabin of Peter the Great, Aurora Battleship, the Spit of Basil Island, The St Petersburg State University, the Monument of Peter the Great, Admiralty, Theatre Square with famous the Mariinsky Theatre. The city tour will be divided in two days and includes photo stops at St. Isaac’s Cathedral and Peter & Paul Fortress.
  • 10:00 – 11:00 am - Scenic drive to Peterhof
  • 11:00 am – 12.30 pm - Guided Tour of Fountain Park in Peterhof , “RussianVersailles” — a jewel of the Russian art, a town of parks, palaces and fountains which is very often compared with French Versailles. But don’t believe those who state this: our Peterhof is much better!
  • 12:30 – 1:30 pm - Lunch (optional)
  • 1:30 – 2:30 pm - Drive from Peterhof to Pushkin
  • 2:30 – 4:00 pm - Inside Guided Tour of Catherine Palace with the Amber Room
  • 4:00 – 5:00 pm - Drive back to the city with a subway station visit
  • 5:00 pm - Return to your ship or enjoy an optional evening program (theatre / folk show / boat trip)

Day 2

  • 9:00 am - Meet your guide near your ship. Second part of the city tour. Local farmer’s market. Walking along Nevsky prospect and souvenir shopping
  • 11:30 am -12:00 pm - Church on the Spilt Blood (outside only, but your guide will help you with tickets if you are interested in getting inside)
  • 12:00 – 1:00 pm - Lunch (optional) for example in Pirogi caf? - Stolle” – the best pie caf? in the city. These pies (aromatic, juicy, warm and soft) quickly conquered the city. First visitors compared them with grandmother’s pies but a bit later they stopped referring to grandmothers and just took them as models. The widest choice of fillings is during summer when to traditional fish, meat, chicken and cottage cheese they add wild berries. We drop there with all our tourists just to have a bite during excursions – believe us everybody is very pleased!
  • 1:30 – 3:30 pm - Guided Tour of the Hermitage Museum
  • 4:00 pm - Return to your ship

Price includes:

Please note, that the sequence of the tour can be changed by your guide because of the traffic and museums days-off

  • Admission fees to all museums in the program
  • Guide’s services for 2 days
  • Driver’s services for 2 days( Comfortable car(Mercedes)/minivan with A/C)
  • A Permit for photo/video at the museums per person
  • All port fees
  • All local taxes
  • Blanket visa
  • Bottled water

Price doesn’t include:

  • Cost of the lunches

Note,  please:

  • If you travel with children under 7 years old, you don’t have to pay for them -the tour for them will be free of charge
  • Children/Students over 7 years old receive a discount of $40 US for the tour
  • Gratuities to a guide and driver are not included in the price of the tour. In Russia it is usually 10-15% from the cost of a tour, but it is always up to you!!!

Back to top

Two Day “Standard” Shore Excursion

This program is for those who would like to visit and see all the main highlights of St Petersburg!

During this two day program you will get to know:

  • The history of St Petersburg and its founder Peter the Great
  • The Romanov dynasty (facts and anecdotes)
  • St Petersburg – city of 3 revolutions
  • Gorbachev:  “the father” of perestroika
  • St Petersburg as the cultural capital of Russia and Soviet Union
  • Soviet Regime: Lenin and Stalin
  • Modern life in Russia and St Petersburg: housing, educational system, health care system, family life – don’t hesitate to ask any questions

Based on the references of our clients we have included in our 2-day active program:

Inside visits of:

As well as:

  • Subway ride
  • Farmers’ market

Please note we can customize this program for you!

Day 1

  • 7:30 – 8:00 am - Meet your guide near your ship (depending on your ship’s arrival and as soon as you clear the customs)
  • 8:00 – 10:30 am -  City tour in St Petersburg – We can start either with the visit to the Orthodox cathedral or Synagogue (upon your wish). City tour includes driving and photo stops in the most beautiful, historical places in St Petersburg. You will see: Nevsky prospect (the main street in St Petersburg), National Library, Kazan Cathedral, the Square of Arts, Russian Museum, Ethnographical Museum, Michael’s Castle, Summer Gardens of Peter the Great, the log cabin of Peter the Great, Aurora Battleship, the Spit of Basil Island, The St Petersburg State University, the Monument of Peter the Great, Admiralty, Theatre Square with famous the Mariinsky Theatre. The city tour will be divided in two days and includes photo stops at St. Isaac’s Cathedral and Peter & Paul Fortress.
  • 10:00 – 11.00 am - Scenic Drive to Peterhof
  • 11.00-12.30 pm - Guided Tour of Fountain Park in Peterhof , “RussianVersailles” — a jewel of the Russian art, a town of parks, palaces and fountains which is very often compared with French Versailles. But don’t believe those who state this: our Peterhof is much better!
  • 12:30 – 1:30 pm - Lunch (optional)
  • 1:30 – 2:30 pm - Travel to Tsars Village
  • 2:30 – 4:00 pm - Inside Guided Tour of the Catherine Palace with the Amber Room
  • 4:00 – 5:00 pm - Drive back to the city with a visit to the subway station and a short visit to the Farmer’s market
  • 5:00 pm – Return to your ship or enjoy an optional evening program (theatre / folk show / boat trip)

Day 2

  • 9:00 am - Meet your guide near your ship. Second part of the city tour including souvenir shopping.
  • 10:00 – 11:00 am - Peter and Paul Fortress including an inside Guided Tour of Peter and Paul Cathedral
  • 11:30 am – 12:00 pm - Inside guided tour of the Church on the Spilt Blood
  • 12:00 – 1:00 pm - Lunch (optional) for example in Pirogi caf? - Stolle” – the best pie caf? in the city. These pies (aromatic, juicy, warm and soft) quickly conquered the city. First visitors compared them with grandmother’s pies but a bit later they stopped referring to grandmothers and just took them as models. The widest choice of fillings is during summer when to traditional fish, meat, chicken and cottage cheese they add wild berries. We drop there with all our tourists just to have a bite during excursions – believe us everybody is very pleased!
  • 1:30 – 3:30 pm - Inside guided tour of the Hermitage Museum
  • 4:00 pm - Return to your ship

Price includes:

Please note, that the sequence of the tour can be changed by your guide because of the traffic and museums days-off

  • Admission fees to all museums in the program
  • Guide’s services for 2  days
  • Driver’s services for 2 days( Comfortable car(Mercedes)/mini van with A/C)
  • A Permit for photo/video at the museums per person
  • All port fees
  • All local taxes
  • Blanket visa
  • Bottled water

Price doesn’t include:

  • Cost of the lunches

Note, please:

  1. If you travel with children under 7 years old, you don’t have to pay for them-the tour for them will be free of charge
  2. Children/Students over 7 years old receive discount of $40 US for the tour. Students must have ISIC card (student’s ID)
  3. Gratuities to a guide and driver are not included in the price of the tour. In Russia it is usually 10-15% from the cost of a tour, but it is always up to you!!!

Back to top

PDF

Three day St Petersburg Shore Excursions:

Price of any three day shore excursion includes:

  • Admission fees to all museums in the program
  • The cost of Hydrofoil ride
  • The cost of the Boat ride along rivers and canals
  • Guide services for 3 days
  • Driver services for 3 days (Comfortable car (Mercedes)/mini-van with A/C)
  • A Permit for photo and video at the museums (the only exception is Yusopov Palace from our Active program) per person
  • All port fees and local taxes
  • Blanket visa= tour ticket

Please note:

  • Children under 7 years are free of charge
  • Children/Students over 7 years receive a discount of $40 US for all tours. Students must have an ISIC card (student’s ID)
  • Price does not include:
    • Cost of the lunches
    • Permission for video filming at Yusopov Palace (active program only)
    • Evening optional tours

Three Day Relaxed Shore Excursion

Day 1

  • 9:00 am – Meet your guide near the ship
  • 9:00 -11:00 am – City tour in St Petersburg including photo a stop near St.Isaac’s Cathedral. We can start either by attending a short service in an Orthodox Cathedral or Synagogue (upon your wish)
  • 11:00 am-12:00 pm – Boat ride along rivers and canals of St. Petersburg
  • 12:00-1:00 pm – Typical Russian Lunch (optional)
  • 1:00-4:00 pm – Excursion at the Hermitage Museum
  • 4:30 pm – Return to the ship
  • 6:00 pm – Pickup for evening optional program – (theatre/ folk show/boat trip)

Day 2

  • 9:00 am – Meet your guide near the ship
  • 9:00-10:30 am – Driving to Peterhof (29 km from the city) with Metro ride
  • 10:30am -12:30 pm – Walk in the lower park with fountains
  • 1:00-1:30 pm Travel by comfortable hydrofoil boat to the city
  • 1:45-2:45 pm – Typical Russian Lunch (optional)
  • 3:00-3:30 pm -Inside guided tour of St.Isaac’s Cathedral
  • 4:00-5:00 pm – Excursion inside Peter and Paul Cathedral
  • 5:30 pm – Return to the ship
  • 6:15 pm- Pickup for evening optional program – (theatre/ folk show/boat trip)

Day 3

  • 9:00 am – Meet your guide near the ship
  • 9:00-10:00 am – Driving to Pushkin (25 km from the city)
  • 10:00-11:30 am – Catherine Palace with Amber room inside guided tour
  • 11:30 am-12:30 pm – Driving back to the city
  • 12:30- 1:00 pm – Farmer’s market
  • 1:15-1:45 pm – Church of Our Savior on Spilt Blood (inside visit)
  • 1:45- 2:30 pm – Shopping, strolling along Nevsky Prospect-”St Petersburg Broadway”
  • 3:00pm – Return to the ship

Please note that the sequence of events may be changed because of museum holidays
Back to top

Three Day Standard Shore Excursion

Day 1

  • 9:00 am – Meet your guide near the ship
  • 9:00 am – 12:00 pm – City tour in St Petersburg including a photo stop near St.Isaac’s Cathedral. We can start either by attending a short service in an Orthodox Cathedral or Synagogue (upon your wish)
    - Boat trip by rivers and canals (including Farmers’ market)
  • 12:30 pm -1:30 pm – Lunch (optional)
  • 1:30- 2:00 pm – Excursion to Church of Our Savior on Spilt Blood
  • 2:30-3:00 pm – Excursion to St.Isaac’s Cathedral
  • 3:30-5:00 pm – Yusopov Palace
  • 6:00 pm Return to the ship or pickup for the evening optional program (theatre/ folk show/boat trip)

Day 2

  • 9:00 am -Meet your guide near the ship
  • 10:00 -10:30 am – Travel to Peterhof by comfortable hydrofoil boat
  • 10:30 am-12:30 pm – Visit Peterhof fountains – Inside visit of a small palace: The Catherine block, Mon Plaisir, Bath block (optional)
  • 12:30-1:30 pm – Lunch (optional)
  • 1:30-2:30 pm – Travel to Tsar’s village
  • 2:30- 4:30 pm – Tour of Catherine Palace including the Amber Room
  • 5:00-5:30pm – On the way back to the city- Metro ride (we will show you several beautiful stations)
  • 6:00 pm – Return to the ship or pickup for the evening optional program (theatre/ folk show/boat trip)

Day 3

  • 9:00 am – Meet your guide near the ship
  • 9:30-10:30 am – Inside tour of St Peter and Paul’s Fortress (guided tour of Peter & Paul Cathedral)
  • 11:00 am – 2.00 pm – Excursion at the Hermitage Museum
  • 2:00-3:00 pm – Lunch (optional)
  • 3:00-4:00 pm – Shopping
  • 4:30 pm – Return to the ship

Please note: That the sequence of events may be changed because of museum holidays
Back to top

Three Day Active Shore Excursion

Day 1

  • 9:00 am – Meet your guide near the ship
  • 9:00 am – 12:00 pm – City tour in St Petersburg including a photo stop near St.Isaac’s Cathedral. We can start either by attending a short service in an Orthodox Cathedral or Synagogue (upon your wish)
    - Boat trip by rivers and canals (including Farmers’ market)
  • 12:30 pm -1:30 pm – Lunch (optional)
  • 1:30 – 2:00 pm – Inside guided visits of Church of Our Savior on Spilt Blood and St.Isaac’s Cathedral
  • 3:30 – 5:00 pm – Yusopov Palace excursion
  • 6:00 pm – Return to the ship or pickup for the evening optional program (theatre/ folk show/boat trip)

Day 2

  • 9:00 am – Meet your guide near the ship
  • 10:00 – 10:30 am – Travel to Peterhof by comfortable hydrofoil boat
  • 10:30 am – 12:30 pm – Visit Peterhof fountains – Inside visit of a small palace: The Catherine block, Mon Plaisir, Bath block (optional)
  • 12:30 – 1:30 pm- Lunch (optional)
  • 1:30 – 2:30 pm – Travel to Tsar’s village
  • 2:30 – 4:30 pm – Tour of Catherine Palace including the Amber Room
  • 5:00 – 5:30 pm – On the way back to the city- Metro Ride and the War (Siege) Memorial
  • 6:30 pm – Return to the ship or pickup for the evening optional program (theatre/ folk show/boat trip)

Day 3

  • 9:00 am – Meet your guide near the ship
  • 9:30 – 10:30 am – Inside tour of Peter and Paul Fortress (guided tour of Peter & Paul Cathedral)
  • 11:00 am – 1:00 pm – Excursion at the Hermitage Museum
  • 1:00 – 2:00 pm – Lunch (optional)
  • 2:30 – 3:30 pm – The Russian Museum excursion
  • 4:00 pm – Return to the ship

Please note: The sequence of events may be changed because of museum holidays
Back to top

More About Our Cruise Tours

Visa free shore excursions for cruise ship passengers are the best way to get the most from your visit to St Petersburg. Leave the cruise ship for awhile and take in the opulence of the city. The tours offered on the cruise ship can be expensive and with their large groups it is hard to get your questions answered to really enjoy your tour. Get a cruise tour that is organized so that you see as much as you can while spending enough time in each place to take pictures as you observe the scenery. Our professional guides are there to help you and make your cruise tour as beneficial, informative, and fun as possible.

Why Choose TJ Travel For Shore Excursions?

TJ Travel is an officially licensed tour operator with professional, knowledgeable tour guides. We pick you up at the port, right outside of your cruise ship and transport you to all the sights of St Petersburg in comfortable, modern cars, vans, and buses. We offer unique, well-organized shore tours with a focus on customer service – so when you leave St Petersburg you have a good feeling about our city.