Major city · Russia
Gatchina
Spend a half‑day to see Gatchina Palace and park, then return to Saint Petersburg; a second night only if you want a relaxed pace.
Gatchina is a small historic town 45 km southwest of Saint Petersburg, best known for the imperial Gatchina Palace and its extensive park. Trains run frequently from Saint Petersburg, making a day visit easy. The town centre is walkable, so one full day covers the main sights; an extra night adds flexibility for slower travel or evening events at the palace.
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Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- RUB
- Best months
- May–June, September–October
- avoid July–August (hot, crowded) and late December (limited opening hours)
- Airport
- LED
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Reach this subregion only from the EU side — Romania for …Check your own government travel advice for Russia before…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Eastern Europe ↗Reach this subregion only from the EU side — Romania for Moldova — through crossings run by recognised authorities; no route through Ukraine, Belarus or Russia is planned here.
- Eastern Europe ↗Re-read your government's advice for Moldova (it covers Transnistria) in the week you travel; the situation next door changes fast.
- Eastern Europe ↗Carry euros in cash for Transnistria and village Moldova; cards stop working at the Dniester.
- Russia ↗Check your own government travel advice for Russia before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Russia ↗Direct flights from much of Europe and North America are suspended; no independent tourist route is documented here.
- Russia ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Russia before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Gatchina112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Gatchina, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Foreign-issued cards, ATMs and most transfers do not work: see Insurance & payments above.Russia-wide
- SafetyGatchina is generally safe; typical urban caution applies, especially at night on quiet streets.
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 fire/ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLED Pulkovo Airport (Saint Petersburg) (Train from Gatchina to Saint Petersburg centre takes ~45 min; then metro or taxi to airport.).
- Getting aroundTown is compact; walk or use local bus lines.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café₽150–250
- BeerLocal beer (0.5 L)₽180–250
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))₽350–500
- Budget bedHostel dormitory, a night, per personRUB 500
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomRUB 4,000
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomRUB 6,500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget RUB 1,200 · Mid RUB 2,000 · High RUB 3,500
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LED Pulkovo Airport (Saint Petersburg) (Train from Gatchina to Saint Petersburg centre takes ~45 min; then metro or taxi to airport.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Avoid
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Nov
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
Avoid*
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Gatchina: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
10 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
9 rd
Mar
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 rd
Oct
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Nov
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
Dec
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is compact; walk or use local bus lines. Trains to Saint Petersburg run every 30–60 min.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Saint Petersburg
goDoor to door: About 1 h including station walk
Electric train from Gatchina station, ~45 min
Combine with Gatchina visit if you have limited time; return same day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Gatchina city centre
Close to the palace, bus stop and train station; good for one night.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₽1,200–2,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₽2,000–3,500 excl. bed
- High
- ₽3,500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel double1 × 1 night × RUB 4,000 | RUB 4,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × RUB 2,000 | RUB 2,000 |
| Train Gatchina ↔ Saint Petersburg (return)1 × RUB 300 · check | RUB 300 |
| Gatchina Palace entry1 × RUB 200 · adults; students cheaper | RUB 200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | RUB 650 |
| Trip total≈ RUB 7,150 per person per day, bed included | RUB 7,150 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | ₽150–250 |
| Borscht bowl | ₽200–350 |
| Local beer (0.5 L) | ₽180–250 |
| Taxi (5 km) | ₽350–500 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Palace entry fee: adults ₽200, students ₽100 (check for discounts).
- Last train back to Saint Petersburg departs around 22:00; plan return accordingly.Last train back to Saint Petersburg departs around 10:00 PM; plan return accordingly.
- Some park sections close in winter; verify opening dates on the palace website.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire/ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
GatchinaGatchina
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
К этому адресу, пожалуйстаTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Fire/ambulance112
Embassy
US consular services are in Saint Petersburg; see the US Department of State website (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Gatchina ↔ Saint Petersburg train: about ₽300 each way, 45 min (check schedule)
- Palace entry: adults ₽200, students ₽100
Say or show
- Извините — Excuse me / Sorry (izvinite)
- Спасибо — Thank you (spasibo)
- Сколько стоит? — How much is it? (skol'ko stoit?)
- Где туалет? — Where is the bathroom? (gde tualet?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Gatchina. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–June, September–October · avoid July–August (hot, crowded) and late December (limited opening hours)
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Gatchina for relaxed pace.
- Visit nearby Kingisepp (30 km north) for historic forts – see /kingisepp.
Sources
Ask about Gatchina
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