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Climate
St. Petersburg’s climate is tempered by the surrounding bay and sea, and much milder than its northern latitude would suggest. In January, temperatures average -8 C (17 F), though sometimes it can get down to negative 15 C (5F). It is a windy city, however, and in some areas the wind chill can get fierce. Summer is usually cool and takes a while to get going — snow in late April is not uncommon and the warm weather doesn’t really start until the period between June and August, when temperatures reach 20C (68F) and warmer.
Time
St Petersburg belongs to the Moscow standard time zone (MST). It is 11 hours ahead of the US West Coast, eight hours ahead of the East Coast, three hours ahead of London, two ahead of Central Europe
Things to bring with you
Clothing
The season of the year is the major factor in deciding what to bring. Summers are warm and humid, with frequent rains — bring a raincoat or an umbrella. The White Nights of St Petersburg are delightful in the summer, but occasionally a pullover or light jacket is needed. Winters are cold and damp, with temperatures sometimes well below freezing. Bring your warmest clothes — waterproof lined boots, hat, gloves, and scarf. Interiors are usually well-heated, so dress in layers. If you are going to a theatre here or to some gala restaurants, don’t forget your dressy evening attire.
But the most important is to have comfortable boots or shoes, especially if you are planning to walk a lot here.
Documents
Bring a photocopy of passport and visa to carry around with you, as you may be stopped for a document check by policeman (which happens very rarely, but good to have around just in case).
Gadgets
Bring a power converter and adaptor. Russian standard is 220 Volts.
If you have a laptop or other electronics with you, bring an RJ-11 adaptor for the Russian plug.
If using APS, be sure to bring enough film, as APS film is not sold in many shops in St Petersburg. There are lots of places to develop film if you plan to do so on your trip here.
Russian Currency
The national currency is the ruble. Though almost all prices are specified in rubles, some restaurants, bars, clubs and hotels quote prices in so-called “standard units” (abbreviated to Ó.Å) which can mean dollars, euros, or some midway point between the two. A calculator can help.
Changing Currency
There are lots of Exchange Offices and I will be pleased to help you find places with favourable exchange rates. If you bring American dollars or Euros, try to have clean, crisp, un-torn notes as anything else is likely to be refused. Changing money on the street is not advisable, and doesn’t happen much any more, though do watch out for hawkers who may approach you outside Exchange Office. Don’t be tempted to trade with them whatever the rates they offer. Bank ATMs are often the simplest way to change money, and local ATM machines support just about every standard card.
Credit Cards
Whereas not all shops and restaurants accept credit cards, ATMs will. When paying by credit cards you will probably be asked for your passport or a photocopy. Know your credit card and pin numbers, and their emergency telephone numbers, in case of loss or theft. Perhaps have a Xerox of such documents stashed away in a separate piece of luggage.
American Express travelers cheques are not exchangeable in all banks. The head office can be found in the White Nights Business Center: 23, Malaya Morskaya Street.
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