A speedy boat trip to Kronshtadt

As of August,1 you can have a nice trip from St. Petersburg to its distant district Kronshtadt via Gulf of Finland. Since the connection operated by speedy cvessels is created to serve the needs of the Kronshtadt inhabitants and then funded by the city authorities, it’s rather cheap in comparison to tourist-dedicated services.

Kronshtadt is a city district located on the island of Kotlin, in the Gulf of Finland on a dam just half an hour drive from St. Petersburg. Juridically this is a municipal district of St. Petersburg, which nevertheless lives its own life and serves as a collection of items that must be seen, but rarely reached by foreigners.

Created by the St. Petersburg’s founder, the first Russian Emperor Peter the Great, Kronstadt has been designed as a marine outpost to control all the ships coming to the city. The town has managed to keep its profile also nowadays, serving in the Soviet times as a military naval base. For this reason, Kronshtadt was closed for any external visitors, even Russians, till 2003-2004 when it has become of an open access. A good opportunity to touch what ever was a military base of “The Empire of Evil”.

On work days, a vessel departs from the Arsenal embankment at 08.30 (a.m.), 17.00, 18.00 and 19.00, from Kronshtadt at 07.30, 08.00, 09.30, 19.00. On a weekend, the boat leaves St. Petersburg at 10.00, 13.00, 15.30, 18.00 and Kronshtadt at 11.00, 14.00, 16.30 and 19.00. 

Rate for adults is 90 rubles, for children 45. Travel time is 45 mitues.

I tried it several times, it’s worth doing if even you don’t  need go to Kronshtadt. A return trip can be made on land, there is a bus connection between the district and a few metro stations in St. Petersburg. It takes about 40 minutes.

Have a nice trip!