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Transfer Options from Pulkovo Airport to City Centre

Travelers landing to Pulkovo airport have two main transportation options to the centre of Saint Petersburg. The first option is by public transportation, which combines a 20-minute bus ride along with a 60-minute metro until Mayakovskaya central station. The ticket price for each transit is around 0.65€ depending on the corresponding exchange rate at that time. In addition, public transportation from the airport is available from 5:30 am until 1:00 am. The second travel option to the heart of the city is by hiring a Pulkovo airport taxi; the total travel time is around 30 minutes and official fares usually range from 15 to 20€.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Saint Petersburg at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Taxi €20 30min 24/7
Bus €2.60 80min 05:30–01:30

How to get from Pulkovo airport to city centre by taxi

The taxi industry of Saint Petersburg is mostly run by private companies without a major governmental administration. Therefore, taxis in the city and in Pulkovo airport can be found in any color. However, any licensed vehicle offering taxi services must have the well-known taxi stripes on their sides as well as the classic taxi rooftop sign. The transportation to the centre of the city should take less than 30 minutes and cost around 20€ at most.

Taxi fare from Pulkovo airport to city centre

Due to the lack of governmental control over the taxi industry of Saint Petersburg, the fares are mostly regulated by the private taxi companies in conjuction with the overall value of Russian ruble. A typical Pulkovo airport taxi ride to the heart of the city can range anywhere from 15€ to 25€ depending on the taxi operator. Additional fees usually apply for extra luggage and night rides.

Taxi prices
Day time
(05:00–24:00)
Night time
(00:00–05:00)
Duration
FROM LED - TO HOTELS IN CITY CENTRE
€20
€30
30 min
FROM LED - TO CITY CENTRE
€20
€30
30 min
FROM LED - TO PETERHOF PALACE
€20
€25
35 min
Cost

20€

Trip Duration

30 Min.

*Rates may vary unless you book your taxi in advance.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis at Pulkovo airport are available 24/7.

Where do I get it from?

The official taxi rank at Pulkovo airport is located on the right side of the exit gate when coming out of the main terminal.

Convenience

Taxis are usually considered to be the best travel option to the centre of Saint Petersburg. However, many drivers are known to attempt overcharging careless travelers.

Editor’s Note

Always make sure to agree on a reasonable price before entering any taxi because even official/licensed taxi drivers are known to overcharge tourists.

Useful Tips

If you want to avoid getting into negotiations with taxi drivers about the price, it is advised to ask for hiring assistance at the taxi information desk, which is located in the main terminal next to the exit.
Credit/Debit card payments are accepted only at the Pulkovo taxi counter. Taxi drivers will accept only cash in Russian currency.

How to get from Pulkovo airport to city centre by bus

Unfortunately, there is no direct bus network running from pulkovo airport to the centre of Saint Petersburg. Nonetheless, travelers can take one of the three offered buses (39Ex, 39, K39) to Moskovskaya metro station and then use the blue line to reach the centre of the city. The combined travel time is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes including waiting times at the stations, while the total price for both tickets is 1.30€. Lastly, the buses are available every 5 to 30 minutes depending on the time of the day and bus line.

How much is the bus from Pulkovo airport to city centre?

The ticket price for all three available buses is 0.65€. Bus tickets can be purchased from the airport bus counter or directly from the bus driver.

The metro ticket can be purchased from Moskovskaya metro station and will cost an additional 0.65€.

Cost

1.30€

Trip Duration

1 H 30 Min.

Waiting time ranges from 5 to 30 minutes.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Buses are available as followed: 39Ex - 5:25am to 00:20am, 39 - 05:30am to 01:30am, K39 - 07:00am to 23:30pm.

Where do I get it from?

All three buses stop right outside of the main terminal’s exit gate. Signs will clearly show the station of each bus line.

Convenience

The main advantage of buses over taxis is the low travel cost to the centre of the city. On the other hand, a long trip which includes getting a bus and then switching to a metro can be very frustrating after a flight.

Editor’s Note

Getting exactly to the downtown district of St Petersburg will require to further switch metro lines at Gostiny Dvor station (blue line to green line) and get off at Mayakovskaya station.

Useful Tips

Always carry small bank notes or coins when purchasing public transportation tickets.
Getting around with buses especially for tourists that do not speak Russian can be quite challenging since most public transportation employees do not possess any English knowledge.

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

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  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

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Frequently asked questions

How much is a taxi from Pulkovo airport to city centre?

The average taxi fare from Pulkovo airport to the city centre is 20€. Factors, such as the time of the day and type of vehicle can further affect the taxi fares.

How much is a bus/metro tickets from Pulkovo airport to city centre?

Regular one-way bus + metro tickets cost 1.30€ for adults. Tickets can be purchased from the bus counter inside the airport, directly from the bus driver and from the metro station.

How far is it from Pulkovo airport to the city centre?

The total distance from Pulkovo airport to the city centre is 21 km. The total trip with a car usually takes around 30 minutes.

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