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Time zones in Russia

Russia has 11 time zones. Every zone has the same time on its territory. In Russia time is not adjusted  to winter/summer time, thus time difference with some countries may change in one hour on autumn and spring. Together with the international time system based on Greenwich meridian (UTC), Russia has its own scale with the baseline Moscow time (MSK). Thus, the time in Kaliningrad can be described as UTC+2 (meaning that in Kaliningrad it is 2 hours more than in the UK) or as MSK-1 (one hour less than in Moscow).

 

Time zones in Russia

Time zones and transport

Important to know: plane and train tickets have local time. Before 2018 trains in Russia departed and arrived at Moscow time because the unified time was considered as more convenient to manage the system of train traffic. Besides that, passengers could more easily calculate the time en route, irrespectively of the time zones that they change while travelling. Nevertheless, now the time both in the tickets and on displays at train stations is showed in local time. 

Travelling and time zones

If you travel within the particular regions of Russia, you may not necessarily witness the difference of the time in various time zones. For example, if you take a Golden Ring tour and visit Moscow, Yaroslavl, Rostov the Great and other cities of the central region of Russia, you will stay within the Moscow time. The same story if you visit the Russian South: you will not need to adjust your watch from the Moscow time as you will be in its realm. However, as soon as you take a longer trip such as Trans-Siberian Railtrip, you will be able to experience difference time zones. You will start from Moscow with baseline Moscow time, then proceed to Ekaterinburg where it is going to be 2 hours more than in Moscow (MSK+2), then to Krasnoyarsk (MSK+4), Irkutsk (MSK+5) and finish in Vladivostok where the time difference with baseline time will be 7 hours.


Travelling with the train, you really experience the size of the country and its expansion. Though taking a plane, you will also experience a curious effect: if you fly from Moscow to the East, then you will lag behind the time and you will land in Vladivostok with seven hours of time lag. Alternatively, if you fly back to Moscow you are ahead of time: you may take off in Vladivostok at 10 a.m. at local time, spend about 8 hours at the plane and land in Moscow approximately at 11 a.m. (MSK). Feels like an eternally long day!

REVIEWS

31 July 2019
Rosa Makhaeva

Many thanks to the specialists of Progulki company for their speed, professional competence and well-organized tour in Saint Petersburg for the Chinese students.
I've been the customer of this company for 3 years already and still have never regretted my choice. The managing is always high level, the buses are comfortable, the guides are qualified, the hotels are good.None of our of our requests or issues was left without solving.

I’m sure we will use the services of Progulki many times and recommend them to our friends – people working there know their job well.

Thank you so much!

 

May 21 2019
Tamara P

My trip to St Petersburg was short but amazing not only due to the city itself but as well due to this Agency, Natalia and my brilliant guide Victoria.

I had only a weekend in November 2018 to explore this amazing city and very specific interests in art history and architecture. I did not have time to plan it myself properly, so I just shortly explained to Natalia what I would like to see. In very short period of time Natalia offered me a great two days itinerary that blended my wishes ideally - and for a very good price as well. Besides this, having my first experience of St Petersburg with my guide Victoria, it was an exceptional one. Victoria spoke fluent English and had impressive knowledge of St Petersburg, Russian art and culture. In addition, she was very passionate about both the city and her job. I learned a lot from her. The whole trip was organized perfectly and I enjoyed every minute of it. I am learning Russian now - I think this says a lot what kind of experience I had.

I am sure I will come back to St Petersburg and as well to this Agency that I would recommend to everybody who would like to have a special and genuine experience of St Petersburg.
When they say that they care about their customers' experience and that they have knowledge of the city, Russian art, culture and any other area of interest connected with their service, they are among the rare that are telling the truth! They really do. Besides they are true locals! They have an office in the St Petersburg and people who work in this Agency live there. It is not that their Customer Service is placed in the other part of the world while arranging for you a local experience on the other part of the world.

 

4 May 2018
@mashukv

On April 27, 2018, we ordered a boat trip for a group of 12 French tourists. The trip was a perfect ending to our stay in Saint Petersburg. Tha navigations season had just begun and we were lucky with fine weather. It was a pleasure to see the canals, admire the beautiful streets and historical buildings again. Elena, the guide, made a wonderful excursion, all the tourists were satisfied.

By the way, we were late for the trip for 30 minutes, and I’d like to thank Elena and the boat crew for waiting. We’ll be glad to purchase trips in your company again.

 

13 August 2016
Alex G

Trip to Petergoff. It was very good organized trip. It was started at time. the guide worked good. Good balance between cost and benefit.
 
 
9 June 2016
Ichy B
 
I highly recommend this walk, especially for first timers in Saint Petersburg!

Very good, the streets are clean and I promise that you won't stop taking pictures.

 

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