The city of Kazan is very nice and quiet in comparison with Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Two days are enough to visit this city, because the historical center is quite small, but it's worth it!
Moscow is such amazing place! I've been many places in Europe and in Russia as well and it is on the top tier cities of Europe in my mind. The people are just awesome to you there and the women were so beautiful everywhere we went. Food is hit and miss depending on where you stay, as well as the overly salty McDonald's as well. Red Square is the pinnacle of what Russia is as a country and is a must see when visiting. You will witness poverty, extreme wealth, and gorgeous architecture all in one afternoon traveling. Be aware of pickpockets and thieves of course although, no one in my group had any issues there at all. Trains will take you to anywhere you want to go but be aware they are not that nice or plush so don't expect much. The history alone will take your breath away as you move through the city. Traffic from the airport is terrible if flying in and will take you three hours to get in or out so be ready. It's the best city I've ever been to but, yes, it's a bit pricey for…
It's an amazing city and there is plenty to see. St. Petersburg is really huge, so I wouldn't recommend staying at places away from metro stations. Water in the city is contaminated, so do not drink or brush your teeth with tap water (domestic people can drink it because they're used to it, but to foreigners it can bring serious troubles). Don't miss Puskin (or Tsarskoe Selo) a bit outside the city. I would highly recommend a ballet performance in Mariinsky or in one of many other theatres there - even if you are not at all fond of ballet, Russian ballet is a real spectacle! Beware that people mainly don't speak English and that most of the signs are in Russian alphabet. Also, almost everything is a lot more expensive for foreigners than for Russians. Police are everywhere, waiting for you to make any mistake to take your money away from you.
They say that Moscow is the biggest village in the world -- a place you will love or hate, but one you must see in your lifetime to appreciate the gravity of history. Russians are intense people who don't mince words, which often rubs Anglo-Saxons the wrong way. I loved Moscow for the contradictions that it is; vibrant, monotone, beautiful and hideous, artistic and bland... a mystery i will return to.
Moscow … What a great city!! I enjoyed it as much as New York, but it's a bit expensive and I live in Dublin!
HI - Moscow - Godzillas Hostel in Moscow … I absolutely loved this place! we came in late on Tuesday afternoon. They were very quick in getting us checked in and we were off to the city. We enjoyed the very friendly staff and guests. They were very helpful in helping us find a good place to eat dinner. The TV area is a great drinking area to get to know each other and find out where everyone is from and going to on there travels. I would definitely recommend this hostel to everyone!
Traveller's Guest House Hostel in Moscow … I stayed here for a week. The staff and guests were friendly. I had scheduled for them to pick me up from the airport. When my plane was late, their driver waited 2 1/2 hours until it came in. He wasn't happy about it, but he did it. They'll help arrange your visa and city registration. Check out the price difference from other hotels and you'll want to stay here for sure.
Yellow Blue Bus Hostel in Moscow … This is a fantastic place. I would only add that it can be a bit confusing to find if you're new to Russia, and visa registration cost me an additional 750 rubles (this may be a standard price at hostels in Moscow).
Yellow Blue Bus Hostel in Moscow … Booked this hostel from Kiev almost by default as it was the only one in Moscow showing rooms available! Not surprisingly as it only opened on August first! It's a converted apartment, so quite small. There are three dorms -- one of eight beds and two of four beds each. A toilet, separate shower (and bath!), and kitchen for communal use. The kitchen is a Godsend as it's so expensive to eat out in Moscow! Towels and bed linen are provided and there is an internet terminal for free use.
As the place is new, everything is sparkling clean and the staff are enthusiastic and very helpful. Svetlana is the driving force behind this venture, though it's her boyfriend's apartment. She speaks excellent English and is a very infectious presence around the place!
It's early days at the Yellow Blue Bus, but things are coming together nicely and, God knows, Moscow needs more cheap beds desperately! This is a very welcome addition and highly recommended!
Nord Petersburg Hostel in St. Petersburg … I spent there two nights during weekend. It is situated in the center center of the city. Very clean rooms, showers, and very nice staff. I cant say that you will have good breakfast there, but you will spend about one hour for talking there. Have a nice stay there.
Sleep Cheap in St. Petersburg … To any and all travellers wishing to stay in a safe, secure, close-to-it-all, small, intimate, FRIENDLY, dorm-style lodging, this is the place to be. I and my two children, (daughter, 13, son, 15) stayed here for two nights, 14 & 15JUL2004. It was fantastic! So clean, so friendly, so intimate (we were in one of the 8-bunk dorms), and just such a wonderful way to go. Poline is one of the friendliest and most helpful persons I have ever known, excepting for the woman in the St. Petersburg International Hostel, as she had directed us to Sleep Cheap because the YH was full. I cannot say enough good things about Sleep Cheap, and know that I will stay here whenver I return. I also recommend eating at ∟ ∏АΤИО ("The Patio") on Nevsky Prospect. It has excellent food at a very reasonable price. Happy travels to all, which will be even better if you spend your money wisely by staying at Sleep Cheap and eating at The Patio!
HI - Moscow - Godzillas Hostel in Moscow … This hostel was really good. It gave us everything we needed. The rooms were nice and clean and there were real duvets. There were kitchens on every floor and a lounge to hang out in with a selection of DVDs and cable TV. The staff were also really friendly. I would definitely recommend it!
HI - Moscow - Home from Home Hostel in Moscow … Me, my girlfriend, and a friend of ours visited this hostel in mid october 2006. When we got there, the only people who were there were other guests, which describes the excellent "aura" of this place. They showed us to our beds, and told us a bit of the place. The stay at Hostel Home From Home was a complete success, and it's close to everything! And add to that, this is probably the cheapest stay you can find in Moscow! I'm currently planning another trip to Moscow, and guess where i'll be staying?
Baikal Hostel in Irkutsk … I didn't plan anything when i came back from Mongolia to Russia. A guide said on the page concerning hostels -- " Book a long time before if you come in summer " -- i didn't saw it. I phoned there in the train station, and i found a place immediately. The staff helped me to find its hostel. They are helpful, they plan your projects with you, like where to go, how to go. Thanks to them i went to Oklhon Island by hydrofol but because of a money problem. i had to come back to Irkutsk. I phoned to this hostels and they helped me to get a train ticket to Moscow. The location is direct from the train Station by local bus (matchroutka) and direct to go to the center. You'll maybe have to ask for exact location to a shop near it, but you can find easily. it's quiet calm, really simple, as all the backpackers like. The people and the staff are really sympathetic and they seem to enjoy their activities.
Cuba Hostel in St. Petersburg … this hostel is everything you need. friendly and helpful staff, good place to find information, cosiest beds, functional kitchen, perfect location.
HI - Moscow - Sweet Moscow Hostel in Moscow … It's the coolest place I've ever stayed! The staff is very very friendly! I like this hostel very much.
Yellow Blue Bus Hostel in Moscow … I stayed one night only and it was on opening night, so my stay might not be representative. That said, excellent. It's very small (it's an apartment with three four-bed rooms), and very homely, almost more like a homestay than a hostel. Very friendly staff, although not everyone speaks perfect English. Also very central -- twenty minutes' walk from Red Square. The place has just been renovated; it's in better shape than my apartment. The only problem is that it's a little bit difficult to find: there's no sign at street level, and the door requires a code to get in. Other than that, perfect.
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