Six days in Russia in winter
Moscow and St Petersburg make a good pairing for a first winter trip. Moscow brings together the Kremlin, ornate metro stations and a modern skyline. St Petersburg offers grand museum interiors, broad avenues and walks beside canals and the Neva. Use daylight for outdoor stops and keep longer indoor visits for colder afternoons.
Days 1–3: Moscow
Keep arrival day light. Check in, take a short walk around Red Square or Zaryadye and have dinner near your hotel. Spend the second day on one museum or guided tour, then explore Old Arbat or a few metro stations. On day three, choose a river cruise or Moscow City if your plans and weather allow. A late departure gives you more time in Moscow, while an earlier transfer makes arrival in St Petersburg easier.
Days 4–6: St Petersburg
Use your first full day for the Hermitage and Palace Square. Give the museum a few hours and pick a handful of galleries in advance. The following day, walk part of Nevsky Prospekt and see the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood. On the last day, choose a slower morning near the hotel or a short museum visit if your flight leaves later.
If your six days include a long flight in and a morning flight out, leave one headline visit per city firmly in the plan and keep the rest optional. That gives you room for delays, longer museum visits and a change of plans if pavements are icy.
Getting between the two cities
If you travel by train, confirm your departure station and check how long it takes to reach it from your hotel. For a flight, include the journey to and from both airports when comparing travel times. With bulky winter luggage or a late arrival, decide on your hotel transfer in advance.
What to pack and book first
Bring layers you can remove indoors, gloves and shoes with good grip. Reserve the intercity journey and any timed museum tickets before filling the rest of your days. Check opening days and entry times for your exact dates. Arbat Travel can help coordinate airport transfers, guided city tours and museum visits across both cities.