How to get to Petrozavodsk
Three realistic options: train, plane or car. Below are travel times from Moscow and St. Petersburg, the distance from the airport, and how to reach our apartments from the station.
By train
| From Moscow | from 10 hours 45 minutes, trains leave from Leningradsky station |
|---|---|
| From St. Petersburg | from 5 hours; the "Lastochka" takes about 5 hours 25 minutes |
| Station in Petrozavodsk | one, in the city centre — Gagarin square |
From Moscow the overnight train is the smart choice: board in the evening and wake up in Karelia, so you do not lose a day. From St. Petersburg the "Lastochka" takes half a day, so you either leave early or arrive in the evening. Timetables: Yandex Timetables (in Russian).
By plane
Petrozavodsk airport (Besovets) is 12 kilometres north-west of the city. Flights do not operate daily and not from every city, so it is worth checking in advance — often it is easier to fly to St. Petersburg and continue by train.
From the airport to the city: taxi or bus, about 20–30 minutes. From the city centre to our apartments is another 2–3 kilometres.
By car
Petrozavodsk sits on the R-21 "Kola" highway — the main road from St. Petersburg, and from Moscow via Vologda and Medvezhyegorsk.
Parking at both houses is free, directly on the street in front of the entrance. A car is the most practical way to explore Karelia: Kivach, Martial Waters and Ruskeala are car routes, and public transport there is rare.
By bus
Long-distance buses arrive at the bus station next to the railway station. Cheaper than the train but slower — usually only worth it from St. Petersburg and neighbouring towns of Karelia.
From the station to the apartments
| To Rigachina 56 | 3.6 km · 10 minutes by car, 15–20 minutes by bus |
|---|---|
| To Varlamova 31 | 2.6 km · 8 minutes by car, 15 minutes by bus |
| On foot | about 40–50 minutes — not ideal with suitcases |
We send the flat number and the door code before arrival. The guest guide covers check-in, parking and house rules.
What to see once you are here
The first evening usually goes to the Onega lake embankment — 2.3–2.7 km from the apartments. On the second day, head out of town: Kivach is 80 km away, Martial Waters 50 km, Ruskeala 255 km. Routes and travel times are in the Karelia guide.