This guide is for visitors who want to reach the Peterhof palaces and fountains on the Gulf of Finland, about 30 km west of the centre of Saint Petersburg. Here is how to get to Peterhof from Saint Petersburg by the cheapest and most reliable route: the suburban train from Baltiysky Station to Novy Peterhof, then a short bus ride.
You will also see the alternatives: the seasonal Meteor hydrofoil, buses from Avtovo metro station, taxi and car. Peterhof is a district of Saint Petersburg, called Petrodvortsovy, but there is no metro line to it.
Quick answer: Take a suburban train from Baltiysky Station to Novy Peterhof (about 45–50 minutes), then a bus of 10–15 minutes to the palaces. Total about 1.5 hours, cost ₽₽.
At a Glance
| Total time | About 1.5 hours door to door; 40 minutes to 1.5 hours by road |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | ₽₽ |
| Last updated | October 17, 2026 |
What You Need Before You Start
- A suburban train ticket for Novy Peterhof (not Staryi Peterhof)
- A way to pay for the bus or minibus on the day
- The Peterhof Lower Park ticket if you plan to enter the fountains (see the booking section)
- A phone with a map or transport app
- Comfortable shoes and a layer for the sea wind
Compare Your Options
| Option | Duration | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train to Novy Peterhof plus bus | About 1.5 hours | ₽₽ | The recommended route, running year round about every half hour. The bus from the station takes 10 to 15 minutes. Best for most visitors and for a budget. |
| Meteor hydrofoil | About 35–45 minutes on the water | ₽₽₽ | A seasonal service from the Neva embankments, near the Hermitage and the Admiralty, to the pier in the Lower Park. The hydrofoil fare does not include the Lower Park entry. Best for the view and the arrival at the fountains. Book ahead in summer. |
| Bus or minibus from Avtovo metro station | About 1 hour to 1.5 hours | ₽₽ | Buses such as 200, 210 and 204E and some minibuses run from Avtovo to Peterhof, depending on the day. Good if you are already on the red line, but traffic can slow the journey. |
| Taxi or ride-hailing car | 40–90 minutes | ₽₽₽ | A direct, comfortable option for groups and luggage. The time depends heavily on traffic. See the taxi how-to for booking. |
| Own car | 40–90 minutes | ₽₽ | Possible, but parking near the palaces is limited in the busy season and traffic is heavy at weekends. |
₽ budget · ₽₽ moderate · ₽₽₽ upscale · ₽₽₽₽ splurge. Price levels are estimates compared with typical prices for visitors.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Go to Baltiysky Station
Take the metro to Baltiyskaya on the red line; the station is in the same complex as Baltiysky Railway Station. Follow the signs for the suburban trains, which leave from a separate hall from the long-distance services.
Tip: Allow time for the ticket machines or the ticket office, especially in the morning.
Step 2: Buy a ticket to Novy Peterhof
Ask for or select Novy Peterhof, the stop for the palaces. Do not confuse it with Staryi Peterhof, which is a different station in the town. Buy the ticket at a machine or the ticket office before you go through to the platforms.
Tip: Check the destination on the screen before you pay.
Step 3: Find the right platform and board
Check the departure board for trains toward Oranienbaum that stop at Novy Peterhof, and look at the platform number. Trains leave about every half hour. Board any carriage; the stops are announced.
Tip: Confirm with a staff member or a transport app that your train stops at Novy Peterhof.
Step 4: Ride about 45–50 minutes
The train runs along the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland. Count the stops or follow the station announcements, and get off at Novy Peterhof. The journey takes about 45 to 50 minutes.
Tip: Sit on the side you can easily leave, because the platform can be crowded in summer.
Step 5: Find the bus or minibus stop
Leave the station and look for the stops of the buses and minibuses to the palaces. Several routes run from the station to the park complex, including numbers in the 350s such as 351 and 352, and the ride takes 10 to 15 minutes. Check route numbers on a map app, because they change.
Tip: Tell the driver you want to get off at the fountains or the palace.
Step 6: Get off at the Upper Garden
The bus stops near the Upper Garden and the Grand Palace. The Lower Park, with the fountains and the Grand Cascade, lies below the palace on the shore, and its entrance has a separate ticket. Walk through the Upper Garden toward the palace to reach the Lower Park.
Tip: Buy your Lower Park ticket online beforehand to skip the queue.
Step 7: Plan your return
To go back, take the same bus or minibus from the stop near the park to Novy Peterhof station, and then the train to Baltiysky Station. Leave extra time at the end of the day, because the platforms and buses are full when the park closes.
Tip: Check the last train times on a transport app before the evening.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying a ticket to Staryi Peterhof: it is another station, so ask for Novy Peterhof.
- Assuming the hydrofoil fare includes the park: the Lower Park ticket is separate, and the pier opens only into the paid park.
- Taking the hydrofoil outside the season: it runs in the warm months, so check with the carriers before you plan the trip around it.
- Leaving the Lower Park and expecting to come back in on the same ticket: entry is for one visit, so plan your route first.
- Leaving late in the day without checking the last train and bus: queues form when the park closes.
- Trusting the first person at the pier or station who offers a ticket: use the official ticket offices and the carriers' counters.
Tickets, Payment and Booking
For the train, buy a ticket to Novy Peterhof at the machines or the ticket office at Baltiysky Station, or through the railway operator’s official app or site (as of October 2026). For the bus or minibus, the way of paying depends on the vehicle, so have a payment method ready.
- Meteor: buy from the carriers’ counters on the Neva embankments or on their official sites. The fare does not include the park.
- Lower Park: the entry ticket is sold separately by the Peterhof museum-reserve on its official website and at the ticket offices. Rates differ by residency, and the entrance to the fountains is the only way from the pier to the park, so there is no bypassing it.
Use official ticket offices and sites only and be wary of touts at the pier. The sanctions rules of your own country may restrict Russian payment services, so check this yourself.
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Russia Vibes Tips
- Arrive early in the morning in summer: the Grand Cascade and the Lower Park are quieter before the tour groups come in by hydrofoil and coach.
- Make the hydrofoil your outward trip and the train your return, or the other way round, to see both the Gulf of Finland and the countryside for one budget.
- Check the fountain season before you go: the fountains run only in the warm months, and the official site announces the dates each year.
- Take a layer: the wind off the Gulf of Finland is cooler than in the city, even in summer.
- If you only want the park and not the palace interiors, the Upper Garden is free to walk through and leads to the Lower Park, so you can choose your own pace.
Explore Nearby How to Get to Peterhof, Saint Petersburg
Metro stations near How to Get to Peterhof, Saint Petersburg
Baltiyskaya Metro Station, Saint PetersburgMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Avtovo 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 to Peterhof, Saint Petersburg
Baltiysky Railway Station, Saint PetersburgMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Palace Pier, Saint PetersburgMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Lions' Descent Pier, Saint PetersburgMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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FAQ
What is the cheapest way to get to Peterhof?
The suburban train from Baltiysky Station to Novy Peterhof, followed by a bus, is the most budget-friendly route. Buses from Avtovo metro station are similar in price but can take longer in traffic.
How long does it take?
By train and bus about an hour and a half, by hydrofoil about 35 to 45 minutes on the water, and by road 40 minutes to an hour and a half depending on traffic.
Is Peterhof in Saint Petersburg?
Yes, it is in Petrodvortsovy District, about 30 km west of the centre on the Gulf of Finland. It is a long way out, and there is no metro line to it.
Does the hydrofoil ticket include the park?
No. The Lower Park ticket is separate, and the pier opens directly into the park, so you need an entry ticket to leave the pier.
Can I visit Peterhof in winter?
Yes, the park and some museums remain open, but the fountains are off and the hydrofoil does not run. The train and bus work all year.
Do I need a tour?
No. Public transport is easy to use. A tour only helps if you want a guide in the palaces or want transport and entry arranged for you.
Where do I get off the train?
At Novy Peterhof. Staryi Peterhof is a different station, further along the line.
Is it suitable with children?
Yes, the park has fountains and open space. The train and bus ride is straightforward, but plan for crowds at the platforms in the evening and take a stroller you can fold.
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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.
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