Rental Cars in St. Petersburg

Find cheap car rental deals in St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg is imperial elegance, marvelous museums, and modern Russia, all packed into one of the country’s most beautiful urban landscapes. Renting a car through Orbitz gives you the freedom to explore all the variety of the compact, colorful city center, as well as the palaces and attractions in its enchanting suburbs.

Renting a car in St. Petersburg: What you need to know

Renting a car in Russia may seem like a daunting experience to the uninitiated, but Orbitz is here to help. Our price comparisons will help you find the best deal, plus we’ve answered some of the big car rental questions below.

Which car rental companies operate in St. Petersburg?

St. Petersburg is one of the most popular cities to visit in Russia, so it’s well equipped to meet the demand on car rentals. Companies such as Sixt, Europcar, Hertz, Thrifty and Avis offer vehicles to St. Petersburg’s many visitors, both at the airport and in the city center. A few Russian companies also offer rental cars in central St. Petersburg.

What paperwork do I need to rent a car in St. Petersburg?

Alongside the usual requirements of a valid driver’s license and a credit card, you should bring with you an International Driving Permit. Keep that, the insurance documents, and your passport with a Russian visa in the car with you when you’re driving.

What is the minimum age for renting a car in St. Petersburg?

The law in Russia states that rental car drivers must be at least 21, and to have held their license for a year. Note that drivers under 25 may incur surcharges.

What extras do I need?

You may want to consider bringing or renting a GPS to help you navigate, as all the road signs use the Cyrillic alphabet, which could make it difficult to plan your routes.

Explore St. Petersburg: Palaces, castles and museums

St. Petersburg’s most enticing attractions are spread out across the city, with different neighborhoods offering a variety of museums, galleries, and landmarks. Use your rental car to travel between the different districts, including these three highlights.

Tsentralny District

The center of mainland St. Petersburg is packed with historical delights and awe-inspiring architecture. Here’s where you’ll find The Hermitage Museum, one of the finest attractions in all of Russia. Tsentralny is also the home of the Winter Palace, the Summer Garden, and Saint Michael’s Castle.

The Islands

Some of St. Petersburg’s finest sights and most elegant neighborhoods lie on its islands at the mouth of the Gulf of Finland; hop in your rental car to see them all. Petrogradsky District, for instance, features the Peter and Paul Fortress – home to a museum about the Romanovs. Cross the bridges into Krestovsky Island to find Divo Ostrov theme park, or Vasilievsky Island for the university and museums.

Pushkin

Use your rental car to travel further afield. The suburb of Pushkin is a short drive south of the city, and promises a stunning insight into imperial history. The Catherine Palace is the main draw here – an impossibly elegant edifice with a sky-blue façade and picturesque formal gardens. Lose hours wandering through its gilded halls, before exploring the charming town.