Saint Petersburg Pulkovo Airport (LED) LED: Departure times and transfers

Flying from/to Pulkovo Airport

Find out the best way to get from Pulkovo Airport to the city centre by doing some research in advance. Should you take a train, bus or a tram from the airport to and from the city centre? Our guide to Pulkovo Airport and the facilities mean you can find your way around the terminal upon arriving and plan the rest of your trip—whether its for a short weekend or a little longer.

Arriving at Pulkovo Airport (LED)

Pulkovo Airport is Russia's fourth-busiest airport, located roughly 14 miles (23 kilometers) from the country's second-busiest city, Saint Petersburg. The airport has one terminal and is open 24 hours a day. It handles around 15 million passengers per year, and is a hub for Aeroflot, Rossiya Airlines, and Smartavia, among others. Major global airlines fly through the airport every day of the week, including Aegean Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, and Air France. 

What's the best way to get from Pulkovo Airport to the city center?

The best way to reach Saint Petersburg from Pulkovo Airport for those who prefer public transportation is by bus. Travelers can take bus 39 or the 39 express to Aeroport Station before changing to the 6466 bus, which they can ride for 20 minutes or four stops to Saint Petersburg Balt. This entire journey takes roughly 50 minutes. The airport is also linked to the nearby central metro station, Moskovskaya Station, by bus routes 39 and the express route, 39ex. From there, travelers can take bus 114 to Leninskiy Ave, and then bus 20 to Avtovo Station in Saint Petersburg. This entire route takes 70 to 80 minutes, depending on traffic and route timetables. The best transportation option for those with limited mobility or heavy luggage is to take a Taxi Pulkovo cab from the airport taxi rank. Taxis take 40 to 60 minutes to reach the city center, depending on traffic. 

How far is the city center from Pulkovo Airport?

Pulkovo Airport is 14 miles (23 kilometers) from Saint Petersburg city center. It's recommended that passengers leave themselves roughly one-and-a-half to two hours to reach central Saint Petersburg from the airport. The best way to reach the city center for those unfamiliar with local public transportation or getting around a foreign city on a bus is by taxi. Pulkovo Taxi's cabs are endorsed by the airport and considered safe. Traffic congestion is a fairly common concern in Saint Petersburg, particularly on busy routes such as the highways to the airport. 

What services are there at Pulkovo Airport?

Pulkovo Airport has a range of great services and amenities for arriving passengers, with enough restaurants, cafés, bars, and fast-food establishments to satisfy anyone's hunger. There are shops offering travel necessities, luxury goods, books, and fashion, as well as duty-free goods and local products. Arriving passengers can charge their phones at one of the various outlets, and exchange currency or withdraw cash at one of the exchange stalls or bank ATMs in the terminal. Those traveling for business may want to take advantage of the airport's business lounges. There's one for international flights and one for domestic flights. The lounges have workspaces and meeting rooms to allow people to make the most of their time at the airport before traveling on to their destination. 

How accessible is the route for those with limited mobility?

The large airport offers services for travelers with special needs, including those with limited mobility. Like at many airports, passengers should alert airports to their special needs 48 hours in advance when possible. This notice helps the airport adequately prepare and ensures staff will be able to assist all passengers to the best of their ability. This request for assistance should go through travelers' airline or travel agent rather than the airport. The airport has a phone number on its website for passengers with questions relating to limited mobility assistance. 

Local tips: what to know before flying to Pulkovo Airport

Those with limited mobility who aren't sure whether they require assistance are best to contact their travel agent or airline as soon as possible. Airports servicing countries as vast as Russia are large and require much walking to get around, so travelers with any needs should request help. All passengers arriving at the airport should know that getting around the city can take time. Those arriving and traveling on to central Saint Petersburg during peak hours in the morning and evening are best filling up their water bottles and eating something at the airport before continuing into the city. The city of Saint Petersburg may seem daunting in size, as reaching the city center takes close to two hours, but its fascinating culture and rich history make it well worth the travel time.