Travel to Russia - Exeter International

[Kalafrana]

I found the Alexander Palace much more interesting than the Catherine Palace - far more intimate and 'lived in', and more material in English. Interestingly, on the day I went there were huge queues for the Catherine Palace but hardly anybody at the Alexander Palace. However, you do need to allow plenty of time for getting there, unless you are prepared to pay the earth for taxis. The trains to Tsarskoye-Selo are not that frequent (at any rate on Sundays) and the palace is a fair walk from the station.

I only had a morning for the Peter and Paul Fortress (flight to catch). It deserves more. There were huge crowds in the Peter and Paul Cathedral from the moment it opened, so difficult to adopt a properly reverential attitude to all the tombs.

Good luck!

Ann

[Holly]

Thanks for the information, Ann. Very helpful.

I'm in Russia right now and have been for about a month. I'm in Petrozavodsk for classes but on the 25th I'm taking a train to St. Petersburg for roughly a week. I'm staying at a place within walking distance of the Peter & Paul Fortress. I'm planning on going to the Hermitage, Peterhof, etc. Does anyone know if it would be too far to walk from one of them to the Alexander Palace?

[aleksandr pavlovich]

It is approximately 15-16 miles to Tsarskoye Selo/Pushkin from central Saint Petersburg. Your school/tour/chaperon/advisor should be able to advise you further. After all, they undoubtedly have a representative with your group, there on the spot at your present location.  AP

[Kalafrana]

When I visited St Petersburg two years ago I went to Tsarskoye-Selo by train from the Vitebsk Station. The Alexander Palace is not all that far on foot from the station at Tsarskoye-Selo, but the Catherine Palace is further.

Ann

[Holly]

Thank you, Kalafrana.

I know how to get to Pushkin from where I'll be. I will be at Peterhof, Catherine, etc. I'm just not sure exactly how far the Alexander Palace is from, say, Peterhof. I will not be "chaperoned". I may have organized this trip through my university, but that doesn't mean I have an adviser with me. I am essentially on my own here.

[nena]

I have a great wish to go there somewhere --  trip made of visits of Pavlovsk, St. Peterburg, Tsarskoe, Petehof, Anichkov, Gatchina, Catherine and Winter Palace... However, I have read, If you'd stay to watch a single portrait in Hermitage, it would have taken you 10 years to review all pictures, sculptures and so on there. We're awaiting for your review, Holly! Try to get some photos, and if available to recognize exact places there at Tsarskoe's gardens where IF once stood. Magnifique!  

I hope I will get the chance for that trip anyway. I will keep reading this thread.

[Ena]

Thank you, Kalafrana.

I know how to get to Pushkin from where I'll be. I will be at Peterhof, Catherine, etc. I'm just not sure exactly how far the Alexander Palace is from, say, Peterhof. I will not be "chaperoned". I may have organized this trip through my university, but that doesn't mean I have an adviser with me. I am essentially on my own here.

I would visit Peterhof one day and visit both the Catherine & Alexander Palaces a different day.  All three in one day will be near to impossible.  In additional to all the CP has to offer, you'll want some time to walk around the AP, the park, go see the Feodorovskiy Cathedral and, if possible, get a glimpse of the Tsar's abandoned train station. 

I used this map for getting around Tsarskoe Selo and it was so incredibly helpful. :-)
http://www.infoservices.com/stpete/pushkin/pushkin_map800e.htm

[Alan]

Pavlovsk station is one stop after Detskoe Selo/ Pushkin station and the journey from Vitebskiy station in St P takes about 30 minutes to Pushkin and another five minutes or so to Pavlovsk. At Pavlovsk the entrance to the Park and thence to the Palace is directly opposite the railway station. There is a very good snack restaurant on the left end of the station buildings. At Detskoe Selo you need to get a local bus and it takes about 15 minutes on the bus. One of those pick-up buses which stop anywhere (forget the name) cost 22 roubles one way. A taxi from the Alexander Palace to D S station cost me 100 roubles, and he quoted 700 roubles to St Petersburg. These are August 2010 pricings.

When I asked at my hotel about the name of the station I was told that Tsarskoe Selo station, Detskoe Selo station and Pushkin station are all one and the same place! The name boards on the platforms say Detskoe Selo. I hope this helps anyone contemplating a visit. Its well worth spending plenty of time at both places. I did one on one day and the other on the following day.

[Kalafrana]

The Alexander Palace and Catherine Palace plus a walk around the park make a realistic day's outing.

Bear in mind, however, that you have to queue for a guided tour round the Catherine Palace and one the day I went the tours were all in Russian. You can walk around the Alexnder Palace by yourself, and there is some material in English.

Ann