5 days in St. Petersburg & Moscow Itinerary

Built on a desolate swamp as a showcase capital of Imperial Russia, this grand city has certainly lived up to the expectations of its founder, Tsar Peter the Great.

Kick off your visit on the 21st (Tue): pause for some serene contemplation at Peter and Paul Cathedral and then admire the masterpieces at The State Hermitage Museum. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: find something for the whole family at Divo Ostrov.

Take the guesswork out of planning a St. Petersburg vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

Mumbai, India to St. Petersburg is an approximately 14.5-hour flight. Traveling from Mumbai to St. Petersburg, you'll gain 2 hours due to the time zone difference. Plan for cooler temperatures traveling from Mumbai in May, with highs in St. Petersburg at 19°C and lows at 8°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 22nd (Wed) to allow time to travel to Moscow.

Russia's political, economic, and cultural center, Moscow remains the most populous inland city in the world, famed for its colorful history and rich architectural heritage.

Kick off your visit on the 23rd (Thu): get your game on at Walk in the Dark, steep yourself in history at Lenin's Mausoleum, gain interesting insight with Moscow Gun Tours, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at St. Basil's Cathedral, and finally don't miss a visit to Red Square (Krasnaya Ploshchad).

For maps, other places to visit, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Moscow day trip planning site .

Take a train from St. Petersburg to Moscow in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or drive. In May, daily temperatures in Moscow can reach 22°C, while at night they dip to 10°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 23rd (Thu) to allow enough time to travel back home.