 Pulkovo
II International Airport is located seventeen kilometers south of the
city, about a thirty-minute drive in normal traffic conditions to the city
center or 45 minutes to an hour during rush hour. Flights arrive and depart
from Pulkovo on the state airline, Aeroflot, and many major international
carriers.
The domestic airport is Pulkovo I, located slightly further
to the south off of Pulkovskoye Shosse. Almost all major cities of the
former Soviet Union can be reached directly on Aeroflot and/or its
off-shoots, but flights to all cities, except the major hubs, are irregular so you
may need to fly via Moscow.
Both Pulkovo I and II are
"no-frills" airports; if you need help toting bags or getting from
the airport into town try to arrange this in advance.
There are some tourist services available
including a few meager duty-free shops, a currency exchange, snack bars, and
state public telephones (which you won't be able to use because you won't
have the necessary card) as well as payphones that accept major credit
cards (BCL phones), located in the arrival and the departure terminals and
outside the airport building. There is also an Information Desk in the
arrivals area but don't expect any help from them.
There are taxis waiting at the
airport. Like airport taxis worldwide they will try to extract as much money
from you as possible, usually no less than $30-40 for a ride into the city.
To avoid having to deal with the shady
looking taxi drivers at the airport, our company offers an airport
pickup and drop off service. Our driver will pick you up at the
airport for a safe, comfortable ride into the city. If you can afford it,
this is definitely the nicest option.
At the other end of the scale are public
buses for the truly intrepid: number 13 from Pulkovo II; 39 and 80 from
Pulkovo I. Sometimes hours can go by without the appearance of one of these
buses, much to the delight of the taxi drivers, and they are often so full
that even a person without luggage has a hard time squeezing on. This option
is only recommended for experienced travellers to Russia or those wanting a
crash immersion into some of the wonders of everyday Russian life. After a
few stops (fifteen minutes) you will be at the Moskovskaya Metro
station (line 2), one stop past the Monument to the Heroic Defenders of
Leningrad.
There are also mini-buses, known as Marshrutnoye
taxi, (also number 13 from Pulkovo II and 80 from Pulkovo I) which
are a slight improvement on the regular public buses that will also deliver
you to Moskovskaya Metro station.
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