Vasyl'evsky Ostrov

Getting around

Vasyl'evsky Ostrov sits just across the water from the historic centre of Saint Petersburg, and it is served by the same integrated public transport system as the rest of the city, so you can move between the island and the centre by metro, bus, tram, taxi or on foot. The metro is the fastest non-taxi way to cross: on the route from Spasskaya station to Gorny Institut station, trains run roughly every five minutes, daily, and the journey takes only a few minutes. Buses are the cheapest way across — bus line 7 runs from Palace Square to the 16th–17th Lines of Vasilyevsky Island, departing roughly every fifteen minutes and taking around twelve minutes. Trams offer a surface-level alternative; tram line 40, for example, runs from Dobrolyubova Avenue to the Museum of Urban Surface Transport in around seventeen minutes.

For direct, door-to-door trips, taxis and ride-hailing are the quickest option for the short hop between the centre and the island, with operators including Citymobil, Maxim and Yandex Taxi. The island is also close enough to reach on foot — the walk between the two is roughly 2.8 miles and takes about fifty-four minutes, reasonable with time and good weather, though most visitors prefer the metro, a bus or a taxi for the crossing. The Podorozhnik card is the common payment method across the metro and surface transport, and contactless bank cards are also accepted on buses and on the metro.

Three days in Vasyl'evsky Ostrov

Day one: Start by getting your bearings on Vasilyevsky Island, the large island that gives this district its name. Walk along the Lines, the numbered parallel streets that cut across the island, and notice how each one has its own character. Head for the Spasskaya area to see the historic buildings and the Gorny Institut, a landmark of the district. In the evening, cross over to Palace Square in the centre of Saint Petersburg to see the sweeping square and its surroundings.

Day two: Use the Urban Surface Transport network to explore further. Buses and trams run across Vasilyevsky Island and connect it to the rest of Saint Petersburg, so you can travel cheaply and see the streets as you go. Follow Dobrolyubova Avenue to get a feel for the island's main artery. If you prefer a car, Citymobil, Maxim and Yandex Taxi all operate here, and the Podorozhnik card is useful for paying your fares on public transport.

Day three: Spend your last day visiting a Museum on the island, then wander the Lines again at a slower pace. Take a final ride on the trams to watch the city pass by, and end with a walk along the waterfront where Vasyl'evsky Ostrov meets the river. Leave time to cross to Palace Square once more if you want a last look at the heart of Saint Petersburg.