St Petersburg Taxis
St Petersburg has many taxi companies, some licensed and some not and both types can found around main attractions on main streets, theaters, late night clubs, hotels and restaurants so finding one is not difficult. You can either hail a taxi on the street or call a central dispatcher who will quote a price and time of the taxi's arrival. This latter method is usually the cheapest.
Few have meters or to be precise, few have them turned on. This means the price is highly variable depending on you negotiating skills if you choose to take a taxi from the street. The customary negeotiation should be completed for getting inside or else you can be surprised at the arbitrary price demanded at the end of your ride. Open the passenger side front door and announce your destination and offer or ask how much. Only if you agree to that price do you get in, otherwise counter-offer and be prepared to walk away if you are not happy with it. If it is a slow day, the driver will likely take your offer or respond with a reasonable price.
Dispatch phone numbers:
- Tel 6.000.000
- Tel 7.000.000
- Tel 271.8888
What is a good price?
In the city center between major venues, say from Nevsky prospekt to
the Mariinsky Theater should be between $5-7, the seaport to the Hermitage
should be about $12
Note that finding a taxi in front of a high end hotel or excusive club will
cause the prices quoted to be twice this. Walk a block or less and try
again if you want to save money.
Very few drivers speak English, but they know the prices and major destinations
so keep your descriptions and questions very basic and all will be understood.
