Often when traveling, cutting our budget means missing out too. We’ll miss out on fancy dinner dates or expensive theater plays because we can’t afford the ticket.
While St. Petersburg is among the most affordable student cities in the world, some students may not have the budget to splurge. Fortunately, there are many ways to discover the city without spending a lot of money.
Here are some ways you can try to travel around St. Petersburg on a budget:
Choose Your Lodging Wisely
St. Petersburg is a large city, so you can’t just stay in one location if you plan to move from zone to zone. But you also can’t just rent a new lodging place whenever you’re moving because it can be costly.
What you should do instead is plan out your trips and choose a lodging that has access to the places you plan to go. For example, if you want to see the landmarks in the city center, rent a place in the middle of the center.Â
Go for Cheaper Attractions
At this point, you’ll have to make a few compromises since not every attraction is affordable. If you want to visit well-known museums such as Peterhof and Pushkin, getting a ticket is not only hard, but it can be expensive too.
Alternatively, you can only spend $4 on tickets for Peter and Paul Fortress and Saint Isaac Cathedral. But if you want a better deal, buy a Guest Card for $55. This will give you both a public transport past and a museum pass for 48 hours.
Of course, nothing beats a trip that won’t cost you a single penny. If you’re up for it, you can simply stroll in the city, stopping by shops to see goods or get special takeaways. You can take selfies down Nevsky prospect or cross the Anichkov Bridge to see views of surrounding palaces.
Feast on Fast Food
It may be heartbreaking not to go on fancy dining during your trip, but it’s better than breaking your bank. Plus, you can try out local fast-food chains that offer authentic Russian meals at a cheaper price.
Instead of lining up for your typical McDonald’s, you can go to places such as Teremok, Brynza, and Pirogovyi Dvorik. It will only cost you around $3 to $6 to enjoy a delicious meal. A cup of great coffee only costs $0.41, perfect to match with a delicious slice of cake.
Save for Your Trip
No matter how little you plan to use for your trips, still some cash. Knowing that you have funds reserved for the trip will give you peace of mind.
Create a budget and start saving to complete it as early as possible. Don’t be afraid to spend your trip savings since it’s meant for that matter.
Want to see more ways on how you can travel on a budget in St. Petersburg or other Russian cities? Check out our other articles here at MSM Unify.