Planning a trip to Veliky Novgorod from the Northern capital is not so difficult, since the transport connection between the two cultural centers is well developed.
There are several options to cover the distance:
- on the highway in a personal car or public transport;
- by rail.
general information
Veliky Novgorod is a small quiet town on the banks of the Volkhov River, first mentioned in the annals in 859 and has so far managed to preserve many historical and architectural monuments. The main one is the Novgorod Kremlin, inside of which are St. Sophia Cathedral, built by Prince Vladimir, the Eternal Flame and a monument to the millennium of Russia, which has no analogues in the whole world.
But along with the oldest sights in the city there are fun memorable places left for posterity by modern authors:
- a schoolboy on the embankment, painstakingly drawing the Kremlin towering above the river;
- a girl without shoes at the Alexander Nevsky bridge ;
- Monument to the fitter who extended a helping hand to the kitten.
Option One - Private Car
Only 167 kilometers in a straight line or 196 kilometers on the highway is the length of the route St. Petersburg - Veliky Novgorod. The distance between the cars is overcome by the driver depending on his experience and road conditions in 2.5-3 hours.
The road from St. Petersburg to Novgorod is easy to remember. Almost the entire route runs along the M10 highway, connecting the Northern capital and Moscow. But somewhere on the 182nd kilometer from St. Petersburg, near the Novgorod village of Podberezye, the main highway to the Mother See will go a little to the left, and the road to Veliky Novgorod lies straight. It remains to drive the last kilometers.
Option two - regular bus
Another affordable way to go on a trip along the route Veliky Novgorod - St. Petersburg (the distance between these cities is decent) is to buy a ticket for the intercity bus. It leaves from the St. Petersburg bus station (metro station "Obvodny Canal") and follows most often with intermediate stops to the station of Veliky Novgorod. From there to the Kremlin - 10-15 minutes leisurely step.
The first bus in the direction of Veliky Novgorod leaves Petersburg a little later than 7 hours, and the last leaves until 22 hours. The interval of movement, including passing vehicles, is 30-60 minutes. Estimated travel time is 3.5 hours. In fact, there may be delays in transit due to unforeseen road traffic circumstances.
In the summer and weekends, you should not forget about the preliminary sale of tickets, as in the season there may not be any free seats on the bus just before departure.
Option Three - Shuttle Taxi
Another way to get from Petersburg to Novgorod is to use the services of a fixed-route taxi.
Among the carriers serving flights Veliky Novgorod - St. Petersburg - Veliky Novgorod, two transport companies are known:
As a rule, in the Northern capital they depart from the station. Moskovskaya metro station (from Aviation Street). You need to book seats in advance by phone or through the company website.
Having chosen a fixed-route taxi, passengers will spend much less time on the road than they would take by bus. The distance of the minibus is overcome in 2.5-3 hours. But the travel time of this type of transport also depends on the situation on the highway.
Option Four - Express Train "Swallow"
In 2013, the modern high-speed “Lastochka” electric train Veliky Novgorod - St. Petersburg - Veliky Novgorod was launched. Travel time on morning and evening routes varies slightly, on average it takes less than 3 hours.
The ticket price is affected by the time and day of departure of the express train, although in general it turns out a little more expensive than by bus, but it is guaranteed calmly, without traffic jams and with all the amenities:
- soft seats in bright removable covers that keep it clean in the car;
- comfortable layout of seats for groups of passengers;
- wide windows that open the view to the panorama;
- compact climate system, which allows you to enjoy the trip equally in winter and summer;
- neat toilets;
- for an additional fee - drinks and snacks offered by the conductors;
- good magazines.
Electric train "Swallow" Veliky Novgorod - St. Petersburg has a speed of up to 45 meters per second. But still, this modern train retains a smooth ride, noise is not observed inside the passenger compartment, the braking of the train is invisible to passengers, and it does not cradle anyone in the car.
Option Five - Suburban Train
The last way to overcome the distance between St. Petersburg and Veliky Novgorod is to catch a regular commuter train. In total, two trains go. One leaves in the morning from the Moscow railway station (metro station "Ploshchad Vosstaniya") and travels to the destination very slowly and with all the stops.
Another leaves the Vitebsk railway station of the Northern capital (metro station "Pushkinskaya"). The passenger train also follows without amenities through the village of Novolisino with all stops. It runs sporadically, its schedule is better to clarify in the help desk of the station. The local train Veliky Novgorod - St. Petersburg is on the way for more than 4 hours.
When choosing a vehicle, you should remember the advantages of rail over bus. With a relatively equal fare, crossing the St. Petersburg - Veliky Novgorod distance by electric train is much more comfortable and reliable. Rail delays are much less common.