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Small-group departure · Russia

Discover Russian Capitals

A 7-day Moscow and St. Petersburg group tour with the Kremlin, Red Square, the Sapsan train and a guided Hermitage visit, staying in selected 4-star hotels.

The route2 cities, 3 nights in each, joined by rail.
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7 days, 6 nightsDuration
2 cities, 2 hotelsWhere you sleep
03 Oct — 24 Oct 20264 departures
Max 40 travellersGroup size

Twin share · land only, flights extra

Why this journey

Discover Russia’s two best-known cities on a seven-day journey that links Moscow’s grand historic core with St. Petersburg’s imperial avenues and museum-lined squares. The trip begins with time to settle into your hotel in Moscow before moving into a guided sightseeing programme that brings the city’s most recognisable landmarks into focus, including Red Square and the Kremlin’s cathedral grounds.

In Moscow, the pace leaves room for both structured touring and quieter moments. You’ll see the city from its embankments, pause for views from Sparrow Hills and the Moscow City skyline, and then continue on foot through Red Square for exterior views of St. Basil’s Cathedral, Lenin’s Mausoleum and the GUM department store before entering the Kremlin complex. A free day follows, giving you the chance to explore independently or add optional experiences at your own pace.

The route continues north on the Sapsan high-speed train, a comfortable way to connect the two capitals without losing a full day to overland travel. On arrival in St. Petersburg, the programme shifts to the city’s broad boulevards, canals and palace squares. A guided city tour introduces Nevsky Prospect, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, the Bronze Horseman and Palace Square, with exterior views of the Winter Palace before the highlight of the day: a guided visit to the Hermitage Museum.

With selected 4-star hotels, daily breakfasts and transfers arranged throughout, this itinerary is designed for travellers who want a clear, well-paced introduction to Russia’s cultural capitals. The balance of guided sightseeing, rail travel and free time makes it suitable for first-time visitors who value comfort, straightforward logistics and time for independent discovery between the main visits.

Trip highlights

  • 01Guided visit to the Moscow Kremlin with its cathedral grounds and historic interiors
  • 02Walking tour of Red Square with exterior views of St. Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin’s Mausoleum
  • 03Photo stops at Sparrow Hills and the Moscow City skyline for wide-angle city views
  • 04Travel between Moscow and St. Petersburg on the Sapsan high-speed train
  • 05Guided St. Petersburg city tour covering Nevsky Prospect, Palace Square and St. Isaac’s Cathedral
  • 06Included English-speaking guide for scheduled sightseeing in both cities
  • 07Guided afternoon visit to the Hermitage Museum with time for independent browsing
  • 08Selected 4-star hotel stays in both cities with daily breakfasts
  • 09A balanced itinerary with structured touring and free time in both capitals

Day-by-day itinerary

What's included

Included in your trip6 items covered in this fare
Hotels1
  • 6 nights’ accommodation in selected 4-star hotels in Moscow and St. Petersburg
Transfers1
  • Airport and railway station transfers as per itinerary
Entrances1
  • Entrance fees to the sites named in the itinerary where stated
Guides1
  • English-speaking guide for scheduled tours
Meals1
  • Daily breakfast except on arrival day
Train1
  • Sapsan high-speed rail ticket between Moscow and St. Petersburg
Plan and pay separately6 items not covered by this fare
Meals1
  • Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
Optional Tours1
  • Optional excursions and locally offered activities
Visa1
  • Visa fees
Insurance1
  • Mandatory travel insurance
Personal Expenses1
  • Personal expenses
Tips1
  • Gratuities for guides and drivers

Your hotels

MoscowSushevsky Safmar★★★★Or similar category hotel
St PetersburgCosmos Pulkovskaya★★★★Or similar category hotel
Meeting & drop-off
You're met atMoscow AirportMoscow, Russia
You're dropped atSaint Petersburg Airport or Railway Station

You leave from a different place than you arrive — book an open-jaw flight, not a return.

Meeting point for arrival transfer. Exact airport depends on flight details.

2 go inside3 walk through10 exterior only
Moscow9 places
Moscow KremlinEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Red SquarePassed through on the guided tour
Walk through
St. Basil's CathedralSeen from outside — no entry
Exterior view
Lenin's MausoleumSeen from outside — no entry
Exterior view
GUM Department StoreSeen from outside — no entry
Exterior view
The State Historical MuseumSeen from outside — no entry
Exterior view
Kazan CathedralSeen from outside — no entry
Exterior view
Sparrow HillsSeen from outside — no entry
Exterior view
Moscow City skylineSeen from outside — no entry
Exterior view
Saint Petersburg6 places
Hermitage MuseumEntrance included in the fare
Goes inside
Nevsky ProspectPassed through on the guided tour
Walk through
Palace SquarePassed through on the guided tour
Walk through
St. Isaac’s CathedralSeen from outside — no entry
Exterior view
Bronze HorsemanSeen from outside — no entry
Exterior view
Winter PalaceSeen from outside — no entry
Exterior view

Russia

IdealGoodFairAvoid
OctFair

Summer (Jun–Aug) is the only comfortable time for most of Russia. St Petersburg has White Nights in June.

Moscow
Average High
8°C
Rainfall
51mm
St Petersburg
Average High
8°C
Rainfall
50mm
Sochi
Average High
20°C
Rainfall
130mm
Essential

Passports, visas and insurance

  • A valid passport is required for travel.
  • Travellers must arrange any required visa before departure.
  • Mandatory travel insurance must be purchased prior to the trip.
Essential

Rail journey and transfers

  • The Moscow to St. Petersburg connection is by Sapsan high-speed train.
  • Airport and railway station transfers are included as per the itinerary.
  • Standard baggage allowances apply on the train and can vary by fare class.

Hotel standard

  • Selected 4-star hotels are used in both cities.
  • Hotel substitutions of similar standard may be made if operationally necessary.
  • Check-in and check-out times follow individual hotel policies.

Breakfast basis

  • Breakfast is included daily except on the arrival day.
  • Other meals are at your own expense unless stated in the itinerary.
  • Let the operator know in advance about any dietary requirements.

Spending money

  • Allow for lunches, optional excursions, tips and personal spending.
  • Local services offered during free time are payable separately.
  • Keep a payment method available for incidental hotel charges.

Free-day activities

  • Free days can be used for independent sightseeing.
  • Optional excursions may be available locally and are payable separately.
  • Availability of optional activities can vary by season and operator.

Common questions

Is the Sapsan train included between Moscow and St. Petersburg?

Yes. The package includes the Sapsan high-speed train journey between the two cities, together with the required transfers.

Which sights are covered by entrance fees?

Entrance fees are included for the sites specifically named in the itinerary where stated, including the Kremlin and the Hermitage visit.

Are meals included beyond breakfast?

Daily breakfast is included except on arrival day. Other meals and drinks are not included unless mentioned in the day-by-day programme.

Is this suitable for first-time visitors to Russia?

Yes. The itinerary is designed as an introductory trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg with guided sightseeing, rail travel and free time built in.

Do I need a visa and travel insurance?

Yes. Travellers are responsible for arranging any required visa and for purchasing mandatory travel insurance before departure.

Policies & booking terms
Booking terms
  1. Full payment must be completed 30 days prior to departure, unless otherwise specified.
  2. All bookings are subject to availability at the time of confirmation.
  3. Travel insurance is mandatory and must be purchased prior to departure.
  4. Prices are subject to change due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates, taxes, or supplier costs.
  5. Guests are responsible for obtaining valid passports, visas, and any required vaccinations.
  6. Cancellations or amendments are subject to the applicable cancellation policy outlined in the package.
  7. The company is not liable for delays, cancellations, or changes due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather, strikes, or other force majeure events.
  8. All travelers must adhere to the local laws and customs of the destinations visited.
  9. No refunds will be issued for unused services, including but not limited to meals, accommodations, or activities.
  10. The company reserves the right to modify the itinerary or substitute hotels of similar standards if necessary.
  11. All special requests (e.g., room preferences, dietary requirements) are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
  12. Guests are responsible for any additional costs incurred due to personal expenses, such as phone calls, laundry, or minibar charges.
  13. Check-in and check-out times are subject to hotel policies and may vary by property.
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