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

You can take a taxi, Uber, or public transportation - the journey takes around 30-40 minutes depending on traffic

Can I exchange currency at the airport?

Yes, there are several currency exchange offices and ATMs throughout the airport

Are there any free Wi-Fi options available?

Yes, you can access free Wi-Fi in the airport's public areas

Can I store my luggage at the airport?

Yes, there are luggage storage facilities available for a fee

Are there any medical facilities at the airport?

Yes, there is a medical center on site with 24/7 staff

Can I get a refund if I miss my flight?

It depends on the airline's policies - best to check with them directly

What's New at Pulkovo Airport in 2023: Arrival, Departure, Prices, and Airport Performance

Hello!

I fly into Pulkovo airport on international flights about once a year and depart from there a few months later. I've known this airport since childhood, and back then, Pulkovo had two terminals - Pulkovo-1 and Pulkovo-2. Nowadays, passengers enter and exit the airport only through the new terminal, which is connected to the old terminal by a walkway in the arrivals area.

Pulkovo airport reviewsI've noticed a significant decrease in passenger traffic here over the years, and even during peak season, the airport operates in a 'light' mode. Maybe that's why the prices seemed reasonable to me, and the airport itself was half-empty. It's crazy to think that the airport serves 20 million passengers a year and ranks fourth in size in Russia.

You can read below about how the oldest Pulkovo airport looks now, the prices in 2023, and whether it's convenient for transit travelers.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

✈ Year of foundation: 1932

✈ IATA code: LED

✈ Number of runways: 2

Location:

Pulkovo Airport is located in the southwestern part of St. Petersburg in the Moscow district, 15 km from the city center. The nearest metro station to the airport is Moscowskaya station.

Pulkovo airport locationAddress:

Pulkovskoe sh., 41, lit.ZA, St. Petersburg

HOW TO GET TO PULKOVO AIRPORT?

✈Taxi: I usually get to Pulkovo by taxi. From my home in the Leningrad region, it takes about 40 minutes to get to the airport via the KAD, and before leaving, I always check the traffic situation and road repairs. It's easy to get stuck in traffic on the KAD from 8-10 am and 5-8 pm on weekdays, so it's best to plan your departure time in advance.

Average cost of Yandex taxi - from 800 to 1000 rubles, depending on the area. Currently, this is the most affordable option available. If you order a taxi from the airport upon arrival, it will cost much more.

✈ Bus 39 and 39-Э

Pulkovo has had only two city routes for a long time, which is a significant drawback for the city as a whole. The only difference between these two buses is the interval between departures, as well as the fact that the express 39Э runs without stops. If you're getting to Pulkovo by metro, there are four exits in Moscow, and you should strictly follow the signs to the airport. The bus stop is located near the Moscow shopping mall.

Pulkovo Airport metro station Bus stop at the airport is located on the first floor right opposite the exit from the arrivals hall.

The fare is 65 rubles.

Pulkovo Airport - how to get there Buses from Pulkovo are available from 5:15 am to 1 am. Interval of movement of the 39 bus is 15 minutes, of the 39-E bus is half an hour. I had to take the 39 bus from the airport to the metro station Moscowskaya this summer, and instead of 30 minutes, the trip took twice as long, despite the designated lane for public transport. An aeroexpress to the airport would be the best and most logical solution for a million-city, but we don't even promise it yet.

There are several parking lots in Pulkovo: two short-term and two long-term. There's also one free parking lot, where you'll never find a spot. The average cost of a parking spot is from 700 to 1000 rubles per day.

✈ ARRIVAL

All flights arriving at Pulkovo always land at the old terminal. The old terminal is connected to the new internal passage, so it's impossible to get lost or leave in the wrong direction after arrival. Most often, they bring out the jetways, which is much more convenient for me than buses.

After passport control, there's an escalator leading down to the baggage claim belt. Near the belt, I always find free baggage carts, with which you can exit to the parking lot or the bus stop.

Important note: I've had my share of troubles at Pulkovo, where I received damaged luggage, or didn't receive it at all. If the same happens to you, don't leave the baggage claim area. The offices of airline representatives and ground service providers are located right opposite the baggage transport belts, and all you need to do is register your complaint and track the status of your lost luggage on the website, waiting for compensation for the damaged luggage.

I usually go through the Green Corridor, as I don't carry anything that needs to be declared. But even here, there are some nuances: they can stop you, ask you to open your luggage and search it. The one important rule that works here is: if you're not carrying more than five identical items from abroad, you don't have anything to worry about.

EXTERNAL VIEW OF THE AIRPORT AND ITS STRANGE INSTALLATIONS

The airport looks like a massive urban construction made of glass and metal. It's visible from afar and looks very solid, especially if you remember what was here before.

Pulkovo Airport new terminal 2023I've gotta say, the idea of renaming Pulkovo to Dostoevsky Airport back in 2018 was pretty wild. Luckily, it never happened.

What's weird here is the sculpture of the aviator and the dandelion on the entrance to the new terminal. But hey, at least they're trying.

Pulkovo Airport reviewsAnd then there's the whole angel thing. I mean, who thought it was a good idea to hang these floating angel sculptures with airplane wings from the ceiling? They were originally created to commemorate aviation victims for some exhibitions, but I'm not sure what the airport was thinking by putting them in the new terminal.

Pulkovo Airport reviewsOn the other hand, the interactive views of St. Petersburg are actually pretty cool. Too bad there aren't more of them.

Pulkovo Airport reviews

But let's talk about the good stuff - the airport's navigation system.

The new Pulkovo terminal has three floors.

The first floor is the arrival area for all domestic and international flights. I've had to meet people here a few times, and it's always been pretty straightforward: usually, there are two exits with the flight numbers displayed. If you need to meet someone and you get separated, you can agree to meet at the 'Meeting Point' sign in the center of the hall.

Pulkovo Airport arrival areaThe first floor has a ton of shops. Pulkovo's actually got a record number of pharmacies, food places, and shops, considering its relatively small size and low passenger traffic. There are three pharmacies, a few souvenir shops, a 'Magnit Cosmetics' store, and about six restaurants - all on one floor.

Pulkovo Airport shops and pharmaciesThe luggage storage in Pulkovo is located on the first floor in the arrival area. Leaving your luggage for a day costs 600 rubles, plus 300 rubles for each additional day.

The second floor is the intermediate floor between the arrival and departure areas, basically a 'waiting lounge' and the busiest part of the airport.

Pulkovo Airport reviews

Pulkovo Airport ReviewsI've noticed that there aren't many places to sit on the first, second, or third floors. To be honest, there aren't that many seats on the second floor either, since most of the left side is taken up by airline offices.

On the second floor, you can find a capsule hotel for 700 rubles an hour.

Pulkovo Airport Capsule Hotel

The third floor of Pulkovo is the departure zone. One of the big pluses is that you can drive right up to it and not have to carry your luggage to the elevator or up the escalator.

Right inside the entrance, there's a clear and easy-to-understand airport map.

Pulkovo Airport MapTo the left of the entrance is the security check area. I didn't have to wait in line this time, and the security check itself was pretty quick. They really do a thorough job at Pulkovo, and even have dogs on site. The security check itself isn't a hassle at all.

Pulkovo Airport ReviewsAfter security, you'll find the check-in counters on the departures board. Check-in for international flights starts 2.5 hours before departure, and for domestic flights 1.5 hours before. In my case, there were 6 check-in counters open, and I only had to wait 10 minutes in line. I've learned my lesson before - if you check in for a flight early, you'll likely get your luggage last when you arrive at your destination, so I never rush to check in.

I've also got a tip: when checking in for a flight, I always ask them to put a 'Fragile' sticker on my luggage. That way, they'll handle it more carefully when loading and unloading it from the plane. You don't have to pay extra for this, but not all airlines (especially low-cost carriers) are willing to accommodate this request.

Pulkovo Airport ReviewsI've had to check in oversized luggage at Pulkovo a few times - sports equipment and household appliances. This type of luggage is always checked in separately and paid for separately: at Pulkovo, there are around 76 check-in counters for oversized luggage, and the prices depend on the airline. You'll also need to pick up oversized luggage at a separate counter when you arrive at your destination.

Airport Pulkovo check-in for flightBaggage wrapping at Pulkovo is located on the third floor in several places. The cost of wrapping is 800 rubles.

Pulkovo Airport baggage wrappingThere are no issues with charging your phone in Pulkovo - you can find a charging spot on each floor.

Pulkovo Airport has free Wi-Fi, but you can only connect if you have a Russian SIM card. To connect, you need to find the OBIT network on your phone, register, and wait for an incoming call. The last four digits are your password to connect to the network. The Wi-Fi works intermittently and is available in most areas of the airport.

The customs area for domestic and international flights in Pulkovo is roughly divided: domestic flights depart from the left side of the terminal, while international flights depart from the right side.

Customs in Pulkovo is now as smooth and hassle-free as it gets. All you need to do is remove your laptops and phones, take off your outerwear, lay out your belongings in separate containers, and walk through the metal detector. There are no scanner cabins, and you don't need to remove your shoes during the inspection.

Right after customs, you'll find the Duty Free area. You can't avoid it - we exit the terminal only through the shops.

Pulkovo Airport Duty FreeYou can read more about Duty Free in Pulkovo here. The prices in the shop surprised me - it's definitely worth spending time there.

CIP LOUNGE in Pulkovo is located above Duty Free:

Pulkovo Airport reviews

Where to eat in Pulkovo? Prices in cafes: October 2023.

You won't have any issues finding a place to eat in Pulkovo - there are plenty of restaurants on each floor, ranging from budget-friendly to upscale options. I found the drink prices in the airport to be surprisingly low, especially compared to other airports.

Pulkovo Airport pricesHere are a few options:

Pulkovo Airport prices

Pulkovo Airport prices After customs control area, there's even a sushi bar:

Pulkovo Airport restaurants Pulkovo Airport prices

Pulkovo Airport restaurants In general, prices for food near boarding gates are significantly higher than before customs control, so it's better to eat beforehand.

Unfortunately, kids' play areas in Pulkovo are a total disaster - I only spotted this one in the departure zone.

Pulkovo Airport reviews There are more than enough toilets in Pulkovo, both in arrival and departure zones.

Pulkovo Airport reviews

Smoking room in Pulkovo Airport exists only in theory somewhere in the domestic terminal. It's impossible to get there from the international zone.

Boarding announcements are on time. My flight even took off a bit earlier than scheduled time, so I didn't have to spend too much time in this airport).

Pulkovo Airport reviews

Pulkovo Airport new terminal boarding gates

SUMMARY I'd like to note that Pulkovo seemed to me an unusually convenient airport with excellent navigation, a huge number of shops to suit any taste, and very democratic prices. Airport staff are polite, well-mannered, and always ready to help. The airport is clean, cozy, spacious, and will be perfectly understandable even for those who find themselves here for the first time.

The terrible transportation infrastructure is already a problem of the city, not the airport. Pulkovo Airport itself evokes only positive emotions in me.

Pulkovo Airport reviews Thanks for reading my review!

My Airport and Airline Reviews:

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