(Source: http://mishka.travel/blog/index/node/id/3725-kareliya)

Republic of Karelia - How to get there and away.

The Republic of Karelia is located in the north-west of Russia. In the west, Karelia borders on Finland, in the south - on the Leningrad and Vologda regions, in the north - on the Murmansk region, and in the east - on the Arkhangelsk region. In the northeast the Republic is washed by the White Sea. The capital is Petrozavodsk.

The distinctiveness of Karelia is also determined by the cultural heritage of four indigenous peoples living in this region: the Karelians, Finns, Vepsians, and Russians who created a unique and distinctive culture here.

There are several options to travel to Karelia. 

Option number 1 -  TRAIN (direct routes from St. Petersburg and Moscow)

Moscow - Petrozavodsk - Moscow

Several trains run daily from Petrozavodsk to Moscow: Train No. 092A, following the Moscow-Murmansk route, departing every day from the Leningrad station.


Departure time from Moscow - 22:20, arrival time  in Petrozavodsk  - the next day at 12:18. The cost of a reserved seat starts from 1688 rubles. In addition to this train there are several others, with the prices for tickets starting from 2118 rubles for a reserved seat and from 3950 rubles for a seat in a compartment.

Way Back - On the way back, there are also several trains, and it all depends on what time you want to return to Moscow. The cost of a reserved seat starts from 1688 rubles, and the cheapest seat in a compartment will cost about 2619 rubles.

St. Petersburg - Petrozavodsk - St. Petersburg

Train number 006A runs every day, leaving from the Ladoga station at 18:00, and arriving in Petrozavodsk in just 5 hours, at 22:55. Train number 658A runs every day, leaving from the Ladozhsky railway station at 22:07, arriving in Petrozavodsk at 6:40 a.m. A reserved seat’s price starts  from 980 rubles. Coupé -  from 1745 rubles.

Way back - Train number 005A, departing from Petrozavodsk at 18:00, arriving in St. Petersburg at 22:55. Train number 657A departures from Petrozavodsk at 22:50, arrives in St. Petersburg at 07:07 a.m. A reserved seat’s price starts  from 875 rubles. Coupé -  from 1456 rubles. 

Option number 2 - CAR

Perhaps, this option is one of the most convenient, as you can enjoy a road trip with fantastic views of Russia! From Moscow to Petrozavodsk - 996 km, approximate travel time ~13 hours. From St. Petersburg to Petrozavodsk - 430 km, approximate travel time ~6 hours.

Option number 3 - BUS

This option is suitable for those who travel from St. Petersburg. Ticket to Petrozavodsk will cost about 700 - 800 rubles, depending on the time of departure. Buses run daily. The journey takes 8 hours and 30 minutes. If your final route is Valaam or Kizhi, then you can get there by water -  a one-way ticket costs about 2600 rubles.