Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Alternatively, the driver might not ask you for a price and just tell you to get in
or not, depending on whether he wants to go your way. If that's the case, at the
end of the ride you pay him what you think the fare was worth. If your ride is less
than five minutes long, R150 to R200 is acceptable. For a greater distance reck-
on on paying R300.
As a bonus, often these drivers are very interesting characters you wouldn't
ordinarily meet on your trip, and chatting with them about the potholes, how
much better things were under the Soviets, their days in the army and how much
you earn can be great fun.
Bicycle
Bicycles are becoming more common on the streets of St Petersburg, but cyc-
ling is still difficult: pothole-riddled roads and lunatic drivers unaccustomed to
cyclists make it a dangerous proposition. You'll notice many cyclists stay en-
tirely on the pavement when they ride, such is the level of danger on the road.
Indeed, many drivers seem to consider cyclists to be in the wrong if they're in
the road at all, regarding them as a form of pedestrian. Helmets are highly re-
commended.
That said, the city's relatively compact size means that it is easy to get
around by bike - and often much quicker than public transport. Many adven-
turers swear by their bikes as the ideal form of transport in St Petersburg (at
least from May to October).
Especially when you are unfamiliar with traffic patterns, it is advised to stay
off the busiest, traffic-clogged roads. Stick to the back streets and pavements.
Both sides of the Neva River have wide footpaths (with few pedestrians) that
cellent place for cycling, although bikes are not allowed on weekends and hol-
idays. A map of safe cycle routes in the city can be found here:
www.i-bike-
