Moscow, St Petersburg & Novgorod

Three cities, one journey through Russia's past and present

Our city packages cover the main stops travellers want to see between or around a rail journey: the capital Moscow, the imperial streets of St Petersburg, and the ancient kremlin of Novgorod. Sightseeing can be added to an existing rail booking or arranged as a standalone short stay.

Travel between Moscow and St Petersburg unfolds as a study in contrasts, where the political weight of the capital meets the cultural grace of the former imperial city. Travellers stepping from one to the other often notice how quickly the mood shifts, from monumental squares and ornate metro stations to pastel facades, wide canals and the slow rhythm of the Neva. The two cities frame Russian history in complementary ways, inviting visitors to read the country through its architecture, its public spaces and the everyday choreography of street life in each setting.

City tours between these destinations are usually built around a small number of signature sights, allowing time to absorb atmosphere rather than simply move between landmarks. In Moscow, attention tends to gather around the Kremlin, Red Square and the layered history of cathedrals that have witnessed centuries of change. In St Petersburg, the Hermitage, Peterhof and the canals offer a quieter but equally rich sense of place, especially when explored on foot with a local guide who can place each façade in its wider story.

Novgorod adds a third dimension to the journey, reaching back to the very origins of Russian statehood. Its kremlin, cathedrals and riverside views feel older and more austere than the later imperial centres, and they reward travellers who have already adjusted to the pace of the larger cities. Including Novgorod in a city package turns a two-stop trip into something closer to a layered historical narrative, where each destination speaks to a different chapter and the route between them becomes part of the experience.

These city stays can be arranged as standalone short breaks or combined with a longer rail journey, such as the Trans Siberian or Trans Mongolian routes that pass through or near the region. Airport transfers from the main Moscow hubs are a practical consideration for many travellers, and adding a guided introduction to either city can ease the transition into the wider trip. The result is a flexible framework that lets visitors shape their own balance of rail time, urban exploration and quieter moments in places like Novgorod.