How to Get from Pulkovo Airport to the City Centre, Saint Petersburg is a practical question for visitors arriving in Russia’s northern capital. Pulkovo International Airport lies in the Moskovsky District, south of the historic centre. Unlike some major European airports, it has no direct passenger rail service into downtown Saint Petersburg.
For most travellers, the best combination is express bus 39E to Moskovskaya Metro Station, followed by Metro Line 2 towards Nevsky Prospekt. The journey is inexpensive and avoids much of the unpredictable road traffic in central Saint Petersburg. This guide explains where to find the buses, how to change to the metro, which alternatives serve different neighbourhoods, and when a direct taxi makes more sense.
Quick answer: Take express bus 39E from Pulkovo Airport to Moskovskaya, then Metro Line 2 to Nevsky Prospekt. Allow approximately 50–70 minutes, depending on waiting and walking time. Cost: ₽.
At a Glance
| Total time | 50–70 minutes |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | ₽ |
| Last updated | October 17, 2026 |
What You Need Before You Start
- Your accommodation address and nearest metro station
- An offline map of central Saint Petersburg
- A suitable payment method for local public transport
- A phone with sufficient battery for navigation
- A manageable suitcase or backpack
- An alternative transfer plan if arriving late at night
- The airport's current bus timetable checked before travelling
Compare Your Options
| Option | Duration | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express bus 39E and Metro Line 2 — recommended | Approximately 50–70 minutes | ₽ | The most practical choice for many visitors staying around Nevsky Prospekt, Sennaya Ploshchad and the historic centre. Bus 39E normally takes approximately 27 minutes to Moskovskaya and runs at intervals of about 13–20 minutes. As of October 2026, the airport lists departures from approximately 06:00 until 01:40. However, late bus departures do not guarantee an onward metro connection. The journey is convenient for travellers who can manage their own luggage. |
| Regular bus 39 and Metro Line 2 | Approximately 60–80 minutes | ₽ | A useful alternative when the regular bus arrives before the express. Route 39 makes intermediate stops and the city transport organiser estimates approximately 35 minutes to the Moskovskaya area. The airport lists frequent departures, generally every 5–7 minutes, with service from approximately 05:15 until 01:36. This route suits budget-conscious visitors who do not mind the additional stops. Check the displayed destination and follow the same metro connection as the express service. |
| Express bus 82E and Metro Line 1 | Approximately 55–80 minutes | ₽ | An alternative for travellers whose destination is better served by the red metro line, particularly around Ploshchad Vosstaniya and Moskovsky Railway Station. Bus 82E travels without intermediate stops to Prospekt Veteranov Metro Station in approximately 25 minutes. The airport lists departures roughly every 15 minutes, from about 06:00 until 01:40. From Prospekt Veteranov, take Metro Line 1 towards Devyatkino. This avoids changing metro lines when travelling to Ploshchad Vosstaniya. |
| Official airport taxi or app-booked taxi | Approximately 35–80 minutes, depending on destination and traffic | ₽₽₽ | The simplest door-to-door option for late arrivals, families, travellers with heavy luggage or accommodation far from a metro station. The airport identifies Yandex Go as its official taxi partner, with staffed booking counters and an app-based service. Driving times are planning estimates rather than guaranteed operator timings. Congestion can substantially lengthen the journey, especially on approaches to central Saint Petersburg. |
| Prearranged private transfer | Approximately 35–80 minutes of driving, plus any waiting time | ₽₽₽₽ | Suitable for groups, travellers requesting specific vehicle arrangements or passengers who prefer an organised meeting after their flight. Arrange collection directly with a verifiable licensed provider or accommodation property before arrival. Confirm the terminal meeting location, number of passengers, luggage capacity and how delays will be handled. The driving time remains subject to traffic, and the overall convenience depends on the quality of the actual arrangement. |
₽ budget · ₽₽ moderate · ₽₽₽ upscale · ₽₽₽₽ splurge. Price levels are estimates compared with typical prices for visitors.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: 1. Leave the arrivals area
After collecting your luggage and completing any arrival formalities that apply to your flight, enter the public arrivals hall of Pulkovo Airport. Domestic and international passengers use the airport's main passenger terminal complex. Look for the exits leading towards ground transportation and the terminal forecourt. You do not need to transfer to another airport building to reach the city buses. Keep your accommodation address available so that you can identify the correct metro destination later.
Tip: Set your map destination to the nearest metro station rather than relying only on your hotel's street address.
Step 2: 2. Find the bus stop outside the terminal
Walk out to the lower, first-floor level of the terminal forecourt. The public airport buses depart from the designated stops directly outside this level, while departing passengers arriving at the airport are generally dropped at the upper level. Look for the route numbers displayed at the bus area. The airport also provides public transport information near the arrivals area. The bus stop is close to the terminal, so no separate shuttle journey is needed.
Tip: If you find yourself at the elevated departures roadway, return to the lower arrivals level.
Step 3: 3. Board express bus 39E
Choose the bus marked 39E, the express service towards Moskovskaya Metro Station. Its distinguishing feature is the journey without intermediate stops between the airport and the metro area. Airport express buses have space designed for passenger luggage, making them more convenient than ordinary city buses when travelling with a suitcase. Check the destination before boarding, keep your bag close, and use the payment arrangements explained in the booking information section.
Tip: The Cyrillic letter Э means express; route 39Э is the same service as 39E.
Step 4: 4. Travel to Moskovskaya
The express bus follows the road towards Saint Petersburg along the Pulkovo corridor, approaching the broad avenues and residential districts south of the historic centre. The city transport organiser lists approximately 27 minutes for this bus journey under normal operating conditions. Traffic can make the trip longer. Remain on board until the Moskovskaya metro area, where the route terminates. This is the main connection between the airport bus and the northbound metro service into central Saint Petersburg.
Tip: Follow your route on an offline map as the bus approaches Moskovskaya, particularly if announcements are difficult to understand.
Step 5: 5. Enter Moskovskaya Metro Station
At Moskovskaya, find the underground entrance marked with the familiar metro symbol. The station has entrances associated with Altayskaya Street and Aviatsionnaya Street, and the best one depends on exactly where the bus stops. The southern entrance near Altayskaya Street is particularly relevant to airport bus passengers. Descend into the station, pass through the entrance area and follow directions towards Metro Line 2. Allow extra time for the pedestrian passages, escalators and movement between street and platform.
Tip: Moskovskaya is the station name; Moskovsky is also the name of the surrounding district. They are not different transport destinations.
Step 6: 6. Take Metro Line 2 towards Parnas
On the blue metro line, choose trains travelling towards Parnas, the direction of central and northern Saint Petersburg. Stay on the train towards Nevsky Prospekt. Along the way, the route passes through the southern part of the metro network and reaches Sennaya Ploshchad before Nevsky Prospekt. There is no need to change trains for this destination. The underground journey is relatively predictable compared with the road section, although platform waiting and escalator time still matter.
Tip: Check the train's direction before boarding: a train towards Kupchino takes you away from the centre.
Step 7: 7. Exit at Nevsky Prospekt
Leave the train at Nevsky Prospekt Metro Station for a central arrival point close to the city's principal avenue, Kazan Cathedral and the Griboyedov Canal. Follow the exit directions for the part of Nevsky Prospekt closest to your accommodation. The area has several connected underground passages, and choosing the wrong exit can mean an unnecessary street crossing. Once outside, identify your next landmark and continue on foot or use a connecting metro line for more distant neighbourhoods.
Tip: For a hotel near Palace Square or the Admiralty, check whether an onward connection to Admiralteyskaya would shorten the final walk.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming the airport has an express train into downtown Saint Petersburg. The published airport transport connections are buses and road transfers, not a direct passenger railway service to the historic centre.
- Confusing route 39 with 39E. Both provide a connection to the Moskovskaya area, but the regular service makes intermediate stops and usually takes longer.
- Taking bus 82E automatically because it is an express. This bus serves Prospekt Veteranov, not Moskovskaya, and is better suited to a different metro route.
- Assuming that the last airport bus means the metro is still running. The two timetables are different, and a late bus arrival can leave travellers without the planned underground connection.
- Choosing the wrong direction on Metro Line 2. From Moskovskaya, the central route is towards Parnas, not towards Kupchino.
- Entering a taxi offered informally by someone approaching passengers in the arrivals hall. Use the airport's designated official booking arrangements or a verifiable prearranged service.
- Planning only as far as Nevsky Prospekt without checking the final accommodation location. Saint Petersburg's historic centre is extensive, and the last walking section can be inconvenient with luggage.
Tickets, Payment and Booking
Public transport: As of October 2026, Saint Petersburg’s transport authorities accept several fare methods on the airport bus routes, including cash paid to the conductor, valid local transport cards such as Podorozhnik, and supported contactless or QR fare systems. A public transport ticket kiosk operates on the airport forecourt near the bus stops, with daytime opening hours. Metro tickets and tokens are available through the metro’s official sales facilities. The bus and metro are separate parts of the journey, so check which fare product covers each section.
International visitors: Foreign-issued Visa and Mastercard cards generally do not work in Russia. Check the travel advice of your own government and arrange a usable payment method before relying on public transport or taxi apps. Sanctions rules in your country may restrict some Russian banking or payment services. These restrictions can depend on nationality and jurisdiction and may change.
Taxis: Use the official Yandex Go booking counters or supported app arrangements. The airport lists counters in the domestic baggage area and immediately after international baggage reclaim. Confirm the quoted fare and vehicle details before travelling; avoid unofficial taxi solicitations.
Helpful Links
Compare hotel pricesSearch flights
Advertisement: these are partner links. If you book or buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Russia Vibes Tips
- For a central hotel, identify the nearest metro station before leaving the airport. 'City centre' is not a single stop, and Nevsky Prospekt is not always the closest station to your accommodation.
- If you are travelling to Moskovsky Railway Station, compare the 82E connection to Metro Line 1 with routes via Moskovskaya. The red line reaches Ploshchad Vosstaniya without a metro change.
- Allow extra time at central metro stations with deep escalators. The train journey can be short, but walking from the platform to the street is a separate part of the trip.
- Download an offline street map before your flight. It remains useful if roaming data is unavailable, local mobile access is restricted or a navigation service fails to load.
- In winter, prepare for a sharp change between the heated terminal, the exposed bus forecourt and the underground network. Keep gloves and a warm layer accessible rather than packed at the bottom of your suitcase.
- During the White Nights season, daylight can continue late into the evening, but this does not mean public transport runs all night. Plan around actual service hours rather than the amount of daylight.
Explore Nearby How to Get from Pulkovo Airport to the City Centre, Saint Petersburg
Sights near How to Get from Pulkovo Airport to the City Centre, Saint Petersburg
Nevsky Prospekt, Saint Petersburg · typical visit: 2–4 hours for the main stretch; a full day with stopsMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Metro stations near How to Get from Pulkovo Airport to the City Centre, Saint Petersburg
Moskovskaya Metro Station, Saint PetersburgMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Nevsky Prospekt Metro Station, Saint PetersburgMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Ploshchad Vosstaniya Metro Station, Saint PetersburgMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Train stations and river piers near How to Get from Pulkovo Airport to the City Centre, Saint Petersburg
Pulkovo International Airport, Saint PetersburgMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Moskovsky Railway Station, Saint PetersburgMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Browse more: All Airport Transfers · All How-To · All How-To in Saint Petersburg · All Saint Petersburg
FAQ
Is there a direct train from Pulkovo Airport to Saint Petersburg city centre?
No direct passenger airport rail service is included in the current transport connections published by Pulkovo Airport and the Saint Petersburg transport authorities. The normal public transport approach combines an airport bus with the metro. Do not confuse the city metro with an airport railway. If you prefer not to transfer between services, use a road-based transfer to your accommodation.
Which airport transfer is best for a hotel near the State Hermitage Museum?
The bus-and-metro route to Nevsky Prospekt is a sensible starting point, but it does not finish at the museum entrance. The Hermitage's main complex faces Palace Square, farther west along the historic centre. Depending on your hotel address and luggage, an onward metro connection towards Admiralteyskaya or a direct taxi may be more convenient than walking the entire remaining distance.
What is the best route from Pulkovo Airport to Moskovsky Railway Station?
Consider airport express bus 82E to Prospekt Veteranov, followed by Metro Line 1 towards Devyatkino. Leave the metro at Ploshchad Vosstaniya, which serves the area of Moskovsky Railway Station. This is particularly useful when your onward journey begins at the railway station. Check your train's actual departure terminal and allow enough time to find the correct platform.
Can I reach the city centre if my flight lands after midnight?
Yes, but the best method depends on when you actually leave the arrivals hall. Airport buses operate later than the normal final northbound metro departure from Moskovskaya, which the transport organiser lists at approximately 00:11 as of October 2026. Do not assume an onward connection will be possible. A direct taxi or prearranged transfer is normally the more practical late-night solution.
Is the airport bus suitable for children and families?
The airport express buses are designed to accommodate passengers travelling with luggage, which makes them a reasonable option for families with older children. Families with a stroller should also consider the underground passages and escalators at metro stations. The Saint Petersburg Metro provides assistance for passengers with prams or reduced mobility. For several small children and multiple large suitcases, a suitably sized direct vehicle may be easier.
How accessible is the airport-to-centre journey for wheelchair users?
The airport's modern bus connections include vehicles adapted for passengers with reduced mobility, but the complete route requires checking each stage. Saint Petersburg Metro offers staff assistance and specialised equipment at stations where needed. Not every entrance has ordinary step-free access. Wheelchair users should arrange support with the metro operator in advance and consider a suitable accessible road transfer when independent movement through the network is difficult.
How do I travel back from central Saint Petersburg to Pulkovo Airport?
The same main connections operate in reverse. From Nevsky Prospekt, use Metro Line 2 towards Kupchino and leave at Moskovskaya. Follow the signs towards the airport bus stops, paying attention to the correct street exit and bus destination. The airport buses approach the terminal on the upper departures level. For a flight departure, allow additional time beyond the actual transport journey for airline check-in and airport procedures.
Do I need to speak Russian to use the airport bus and metro?
No, but recognising a few names makes the journey considerably easier. Moskovskaya identifies the airport bus's main metro connection, while Nevsky Prospekt identifies the central stop on Metro Line 2. Station diagrams, route numbers and map symbols provide useful visual guidance. Save your destination in both English and Russian before departure, and show the address to transport staff if clarification is needed.
Russia Vibes is a one-person project. A coffee keeps it going
Not legal advice. This is general information for visitors. Rules on visas, entry, registration, customs and similar matters change often and can depend on your nationality. Check the official source and, if in doubt, ask your embassy or a qualified adviser.
Last updated: October 17, 2026.
How we research and update our guides
About this guide: AI assistance and accuracy
This guide is created with the help of AI and is based on official sources where available. Mistakes can still happen. Opening hours, prices, rules and other details are given to the best of our knowledge as of the date shown and can change without notice. It offers general recommendations only, not professional, legal or travel advice. Please confirm important details with the official source before you travel; you are responsible for your own plans and decisions.
International sanctions affect payments between Russia and many other countries. In practice, cards issued in the EU, the UK, the US and several other countries often do not work in Russia, Russian cards usually do not work abroad, and some booking platforms, airlines and payment providers limit or suspend their services for Russia. The situation changes frequently. We do not give legal or financial advice, and this site does not encourage anyone to break or circumvent sanctions. Whatever you plan, you are responsible for following the laws and regulations that apply to you, including those of your country of residence and citizenship. Many travelers still organise their stay lawfully. It is worth asking your bank or payment provider what is currently permitted, contacting hotels, tour operators and carriers directly about the payment methods they accept, and checking which services are open to customers from your country. Clarify payment, cancellation and refund terms before you commit to a booking, and keep your plans flexible. Partner links on this site may not be available in every country, and prices, availability and rules in our guides can differ from what you see when you book.Paying for your trip: please read
Report an issue on this page
Take this guide with you
Get a free PDF of this guide to print or read offline: key facts, tips and a map link on a few clean pages.