Kaliningrad region is a unique subjectRussian Federation. This is not only the westernmost point of the country. The Kaliningrad region is also remarkable for the fact that it has no land communication with the rest of Russia. From the west it is washed by the Baltic Sea. From the north and east it is surrounded by Lithuania, and in the south this region of Russia borders on Poland. Both countries are members of the European Union and are members of the Schengen agreement. Therefore, in order to come to Kaliningrad and its region by land transport from the rest of Russia, it is necessary to open a transit visa. There are two ways to get to Kaliningrad without these bureaucratic delays: by air and by sea. In this article we will consider the second possibility. Fortunately, other cities of Russia go to the Baltic shore. How to get on the route St. Petersburg - Kaliningrad by ferry, how much it costs and how long this trip will last - read in this article.
For a long time, two Russian cities linkedcargo-passenger vessel "Georg Ots". But time goes by and it "retired". Now the "Georg Ots" will be moored off the coast of Vladivostok as a floating hotel. But the shipping link between the two ports of Russia continues to exist. But the route of freight and passenger transportation is only conditionally called "St. Petersburg - Kaliningrad". The ferry does not actually come from the city on the Neva, but from the port of Ust-Luga. This settlement is located in Kingiseppsky district of the Leningrad region. From St. Petersburg the port separates almost one hundred and fifty kilometers. And the ferry does not arrive quite to Kaliningrad, but to the city of Baltiysk. It is forty-five kilometers from the regional center. From St. Petersburg to Ust-Luga you can get (if you do not have your own car) by bus. From Baltiysk to Kaliningrad, not only shuttles, but also trains run.
The ferry runs all year round.But in the winter, when the Baltics usually storm, flights are made once a week. During the summer navigation period, sea trips between the two Russian ports become more frequent. Especially the transportation to the high tourist season is revitalized. Passengers, railway cars, cars and cargoes are currently carrying three ferries: Petersburg, Baltiysk and Ambal. All vessels in the period of busy navigation make trips two or three times a week. The path is distant and takes an average of at least thirty-six hours. But often the gloomy Baltic is not pleased by the fair wind, and the journey is delayed up to two days. Yes, of course, by plane it will be faster. But many tourists regard the ferry as St. Petersburg-Kaliningrad, whose photo looks like an image of an ocean liner, as an opportunity to make a mini-cruise. The schedule of these vessels is often changing. Every spring some changes are made. Therefore, the availability of places and the nearest departure from the ports should be known at the ticket offices.
"Baltiysk" - cargo ferry.St. Petersburg - Kaliningrad - the route is long, and the ferry can take on board only twelve passengers to stay in cabins. A two-day trip to the car does not seem very comfortable. For passenger transportations the most suitable is the ferry "Petersburg". On its decks are placed not only goods and cars. All three top platforms are cabins of different level of comfort and, accordingly, prices. The cheapest "beds" are on the lower passenger deck. These cabins are in the middle row - they are without windows. Three meals a day is already included in the fare. The uppermost deck is the so-called "Sunny" deck. If the weather favors, you can sunbathe in a chaise longue and breathe the sea breeze.
The ferry, as we have already mentioned, provides cabinsonly twelve passengers. The trip (three meals included) costs six thousand one hundred and fifty rubles. Transport of vehicles is paid separately. So, for a motorcycle it is necessary to lay out ten and a half thousand rubles, and for a car - from sixteen to twenty five thousand. There is also a fee for oversized luggage. Since there are only six double cabins for passengers on the ship, many drivers send their cars "unaccompanied cargo", and they themselves go to meet them in Kaliningrad or St. Petersburg by plane. Cheaper rates on the ship "Ambal".
Passenger ferry Kaliningrad - St. Petersburgis a wonderful opportunity to see the Amber Region without having to issue a transit visa through Lithuania. After all, when buying a ticket and for travel, you only need an internal passport of a Russian citizen. Of course, the ferry "Petersburg" can not be called a cruise liner. But still the cabins, especially on the upper decks, are very comfortable. Earlier the ferry Petersburg flew to the Black Sea, between Sevastopol and Novorossiysk, and only from last year it was transferred to the Baltic. This summer, most likely, a new route will be introduced. The ferry will depart from Ust-Luga (Leningrad region) and follow immediately to Sassnitz (Germany). After that the ship will turn towards Baltiysk. And then from the Kaliningrad region will take passengers to St. Petersburg. This new route, of course, will please those residents of the city on the Neva, who have a passport with a Schengen visa.
Not many tourists managed to ride a newvessel on the route St. Petersburg - Kaliningrad. This ferry has moved to the Baltic recently. But who was in time, they say that double and triple cabins are very comfortable and clean. They are fed well on board. But if you have seasickness, do not lean on food. The Baltic Sea is a stormy sea, and the ferry during the storms perceptibly shakes. But the trip is quite safe, although it can drag out due to weather conditions.
