S M T U International

SAINT- PETERSBURG

More than a place to live

Saint-Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, the North capital of Russia, "the window to Europe ", the city - museum.
It attracts thousands of tourists who trust there is no place to be compared with St.Petersburg.

What is it famous for ? What gives it its special flavour ?
Uniqueness.

The city has its fascinating charm in the unique harmony of the superb European style and Russian historical tradition.

It was founded in 1703 by the Great Russian Tsar Peter the 1st and designed to be the centre of sciences, arts and culture and also the main sea- port of the country.

The city had to survive wars and revolutions, it saw the times of recession and prosperity but it never lost its leading position in the political, cultural and economical development of Russia.

It is almost impossible to describe St.Petersburg. You have to see it with your own eyes. Many outstanding architects, decorators and sculptors of the 18th - 19th centuries contributed to the city's glory and magnificence.

You will have an exciting experience to watch the classical ensembles of the Peter and Paul Fortress, the St. Isaak Cathedral, the Admiralty, the Winter Palace and fine collections of arts in the Hermitage and in the Russian Museum. You will definitely enjoy your visits to St.Petersburg suburbs - Pavlovsk, Pushkin, Petrodvorets and Lomonosov - which are called the city's " pearl necklace " for their marvellous palaces and picturesque outskirts.

You will feel the atmosphere of the three century history and the vibrancy of the future.

St. Petersburg is waiting for you to discover it.

What every visitor should know

Travel through St.Petersburg

St.Petersburg is covered by comprehensive public transport services including Metro, buses / shuttles, trams and trolleybuses. Metro is the main means of transportation conveying huge flows of passengers daily. Metro lines run from south to north and from west to east reflecting the city configuration. Metro terminals serve as hubs in a hub and spokes scheme, being supplemented with a network of above-ground transport taking passengers within distant local areas which are often called bedroom districts. So, whatever your destination is you are recommended to get by bus/shuttle or by tram/trolleybus to the nearest Metro station and choose an appropriate Metro line. St.Petersburg Metro is famous not only for its effectiveness but for its beauty, its underground stations resembling Palace Halls.
One ride in Metro will cost you only 7 roubles ( about $0.25), regardless of the route length. Entrance tokens and monthly cards are on sale right inside Metro. Tickets for ground transport are offered by conductors and there is no need in getting them in advance. Shuttles are, on average, more expensive than Metro, the cost depending on the route; bus, tram and trolleybus tickets will normally be no more than 5 roubles per ride.
Taxis are also available in St.Petersburg, but usually they are a very expensive alternative to the public transport. Taking into account the safety considerations we would not advise you taking a taxi, particularly at late hours.

Money

The only currency used in Russia is Roubles. $1 is approximately 30 roubles. The easiest way to obtain cash is to exchange money in a bank or in an exchange office which are widely available in St.Petersburg. Banks are generally open from Monday to Saturday, their working hours normally being from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., exchange offices close later and some of them work "round the clock". Credit cards are welcomed in shopping malls, superstores, some restaurants and also in small expensive shops, like boutiques, but are not accepted everywhere. Before you buy something or order a service you should therefore check if you can pay by credit card.

Cafes and Restaurants, Shops and Telephones

You can buy food in a variety of shops, including big superstores, food markets, cafes with take out services and lots of street kiosks. There are many food shops working 24 hours through. The quality of products is generally guaranteed and it is not necessary to visit very expensive places for everyday products. Food markets with comparatively low prices are quite safe. But if you wish a caviar can or some other delicious things you are recommended to buy it in a big shop. Another advice: avoid buying food at knock down prices right in the streets, what we call "from hands to hands".
Meals are available at an extensive net of cafes and restaurants, offering all possible meals from fast food to exclusive national and international cuisine. Fast food will cost you $5-$10 per meal, and a visit to an expensive restaurant may cost you a fortune. Please, be sure you are ready to pay that much before you will make an order.
Along with foodstuff, you can be interested in apparel or need some other non food products. Again, you can choose to visit one of the many emporiums where prices are relatively low or go to a shopping mall, such as "Gostiny Dvor" or "Passage" where goods of all makes including world-wide known brands are on sale.
Public phones are operated with telephone cards but you will hardly make an international call from everywhere. International telegraph office will provide you this service at the lowest price. University hostel's fee will be quite moderate but an international call will still be not free. In St.Petersburg mobile phones are very popular and we often use them for calling overseas. If you have your own mobile phone, please contact your local company and find out if connection with St.Petersburg is available.

Language

Coming to Russia you have to be prepared to that in most situations you will not be able to manage with English. Of course, there are places where people are expected to communicate in English, such as hotels, tourist agencies, museums, but unfortunately, they sometimes do not. Nevertheless, Generation Y is already different. The young people, particularly students, normally can communicate in English. Their English may be rather poor but the lack of skills will be definitely compensated by their sincere wish to be helpful. So, do not hesitate to contact your age-equals.

Finally, we would like to remind that whatever problem you face, please do not hesitate to apply to International Affairs and Education Department. We will be only pleased to help you.

For more information, please apply to:

3, Lotsmanskaya Str., St.Petersburg, 190008 Russia
St.Petersburg State Marine Technical University
International Affairs & Education
Tel +7 812 4950227,
Fax +7 812 4950227
E-mail inter@smtu.ru
E-mail lpbranch@smtu.ru