St. Petersburg Airports Guide: Terminals, Transport, and Essential Information

St. Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city and cultural capital, is served by one main international airport and one smaller regional airport. Navigating the airports and their transport links is essential for a smooth visit to this historic metropolis on the Neva River.

This guide covers the airports serving St. Petersburg, including their terminals, how to get to the city center, and key logistical information for travelers.

Pulkovo Airport (LED)

Overview: Pulkovo Airport is the sole international gateway and primary airport serving St. Petersburg. Located approximately 23 km (14 miles) south of the city center, it is a modern, single-terminal complex that handles all scheduled domestic and international passenger flights.

Terminals:

• Terminal 1: This is the only active passenger terminal. It is a large, integrated modern facility (opened 2014) divided into three main concourses under one roof:
  • Concourse A: Handles domestic flights within Russia.
  • Concourse B: Handles international flights (Schengen countries).
  • Concourse C: Handles international flights (non-Schengen countries).

Note: The old Terminal 2 is closed. All operations are consolidated in Terminal 1, making connections straightforward.

Getting to and from Pulkovo Airport (LED):

• Public Bus + Metro (Most Economical):
  Take public bus №39, №39э, or minibus №K39 from the airport to the Moskovskaya Metro Station (blue/line 2). The bus journey takes 20-30 minutes. From Moskovskaya, you can take the metro directly to the city center (e.g., Nevsky Prospekt) in about 15 minutes. Purchase a “Podorozhnik” transport card or single-use tokens at the metro station.
• Official Airport Taxi / Ride-Hailing (Yandex Go):
  The recommended and safest option for taxis. Use the official taxi desk in the arrivals hall or, even better, use the Yandex Go app (Russia’s equivalent to Uber) on your smartphone. Fares to the city center are fixed and should be around 1,200-2,000 RUB, depending on traffic. Avoid unsolicited drivers inside the terminal.
• Pre-Booked Private Transfer:
  Many hotels and tour companies offer this service. A driver will meet you in arrivals with a sign. This is a reliable and stress-free option, especially for first-time visitors or late-night arrivals.
• Car Rental:
  Major international and Russian rental companies have desks in the arrivals hall. Driving in central St. Petersburg can be challenging due to traffic and parking; public transport or taxis are often more convenient for tourists.

Best for: All international and domestic travelers to St. Petersburg. It is the city’s only full-service airport.

Rzhevka Airport (No IATA Code)

Overview: Rzhevka is a small, regional airport located in the northern part of the city. It handles only general aviation, private charters, cargo, and some flight training. It does not handle scheduled commercial passenger flights. Tourists are highly unlikely to use this airport.

Best for: Private aircraft, business aviation, and cargo operations.

Essential Travel Information for Pulkovo Airport (LED)

Visa & Immigration: Ensure you have a valid Russian visa before travel (check requirements for your nationality). Passport control at LED can have long queues; allow ample time for both arrival and departure procedures.

Currency: The Russian Ruble (RUB). ATMs and currency exchange offices are plentiful in the arrivals hall. It is advisable to have some local currency for transport.

Language: English signage is present but not universal. Having your destination written in Cyrillic or saved on your phone can be very helpful for taxi drivers.

Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available at the airport but requires registration via a Russian mobile phone number to receive an SMS code. Consider purchasing a local SIM card at the airport (e.g., from Beeline, MTS, Megafon) or arranging an international roaming plan.

Departure Tip: For international flights, arrive at least 3 hours early due to potentially slow security and passport control processes. The check-in desks for major airlines (like Aeroflot) can become very crowded.

Ground Transport to Key Destinations

To City Center (Nevsky Prospekt, Hermitage): The Bus + Metro to Moskovskaya is the best value. A Yandex Go taxi is the most convenient door-to-door option.

To Moscow Station (Moskovsky Vokzal): This major train station is on the blue metro line from Moskovskaya (just 2 stops). A direct taxi takes 25-40 minutes.

To Cruise Ship Terminals (Marine Facade): A taxi is the only direct option and takes 45-60 minutes depending on traffic. Public transport requires multiple bus/metro changes.

Which Airport Should You Use?

For all commercial airline travel to St. Petersburg, you will use Pulkovo Airport (LED). There is no other choice for scheduled flights. Rzhevka is not an option for regular passengers.

Important Note on Connectivity: For travel between St. Petersburg and Moscow, the high-speed Sapsan train (taking about 4 hours from city center to city center) is often more convenient and reliable than flying, especially when considering total travel time to/from airports.

Bottom Line: All travelers will arrive at Pulkovo Airport (LED). For a smooth transfer, either pre-book a private transfer or use the Yandex Go app for a taxi. For budget travelers, the public bus to Moskovskaya Metro Station is efficient and very cheap. Allow significant extra time for airport procedures on both arrival and departure.