| St. Petersburg apartments are renowned for their | | | | number has to be mentioned in the visa |
| reasonable pricing, excellent amenities and | | | | confirmation. |
| centralized location. It comes as no surprise then | | | | How to reach SPB |
| that most tourists clamber to rent apartment in | | | | The transport infrastructure in St. Petersburg is |
| St. Petersburg. However, unfortunately not many | | | | extremely well developed and you can easily |
| of them know how to go about the process. | | | | access any of the airports, coaches or buses, |
| Here is a brief guide to get started. | | | | railways or sea travel modes to reach the city. |
| How to book | | | | How to select the right rental agent |
| The first thing to do is to book the apartment | | | | The apartment rental agent must be legally |
| rental in SPB. While there are many offline agents | | | | registered to facilitate a seamless and hassle-free |
| and brokers who can do the job for you at a | | | | experience when you rent apartment in St. |
| price and commission, the online booking method | | | | Petersburg. The agent must accept a wide array |
| remains the most popular. Booking an | | | | of payments such as credit card, bank transfer |
| accommodation for rent in St. Petersburg is best | | | | etc., as per your convenience. The pricing is |
| when done online because of the convenience | | | | another indication as a steep drop in prices should |
| involved. There is no need to stand in queue or | | | | be seen with suspicion as agents will typically |
| wait endless hours for a confirmation. All you | | | | honor contract agreements with management |
| have to do is visit the particular website, check | | | | and apartment owners. |
| for references, ratings, tariffs and then you can | | | | How to pay |
| simply book the apartment rental by making the | | | | You can make the payment by credit card, bank |
| payment online. Once the payment is made, you | | | | transfer, cash or any other mode you feel |
| will receive an instant confirmation via email for | | | | comfortable. Most apartment rental facilities will |
| future reference. | | | | accept various modes of payment. |
| How to get visa and invitation | | | | How to use local transport |
| Before you can think of getting an apartment | | | | For short trips, buses, trams, taxis or trolley |
| rental in SPB, you need an invitation for the visa. | | | | buses are the best alternative while for large |
| There are several authorities within Russia, which | | | | family vacations or for business stays, van or car |
| issue the invitation letter for the visa. However, | | | | rentals are a better option. For all long-distance |
| always ensure that your visa invitation letter is | | | | travel, the metro is reasonably priced and |
| either from Russian foreign ministry or its regional | | | | efficient. You could also choose a Marshrutka, |
| representatives, the Ministry of internal affairs' | | | | which is a private mini bus operating with cheap |
| passport and visa department or the UVIR. | | | | prices and fast speed. |
| Otherwise, you can get the visa invitation letter | | | | How to behave in the street |
| for St. Petersburg from authorized agencies in | | | | You need to know a certain amount of Russian in |
| Russia, which have been registered as tourist | | | | order to converse and get by in the area of St. |
| companies at Ministry of foreign affairs. The | | | | Petersburg though many people know English |
| agency providing the visa invite should have a | | | | here. You should also know a bit of Russian |
| special index by, which you can reference the | | | | culture and customs so as not to offend |
| agency. The tour reference code and the index | | | | someone there! |