Nord Hostel

In Saint Petersburg you will usually find yourself staying in either an expensive or extremely expensive place. The idea of budget accommodation has not really broken through yet. Hence the Nord Hostel is not really cheap but it is still among the cheapest beds in town.

Dorm beds is from 24€ and doubles from 65€. Prices include free internet access and breakfast plus they offer visa registration for free if you stay there. They can also send you an invitation to get your visa to Russia for a fee of 35 €.

The beds and rooms are fairly sized but not more than you would usually expect. The breakfast goes on till 2 pm hence there is no rush getting up in the morning or you can get a snack if you are waiting for a midday train or plane.

What the place does have is a perfect location. You can not find anywhere else in Saint Petersburg with a better location. Of all the islands Saint Petersburg is build on this place is on the central island and the walk to the Palace Square which is the home of the famous Winter Palace or Hermitage Museum is just at the end of the street. A mere 100 meters or so from the door of the hostel. You will actually have to walk longer to cross the Palace Square to get to the entrance of the Hermitage museum than you will have to walk down the street to get to the Palace Square.

Even though you got this very central location there is not much traffic noise because you are on a side street to the main Alexander Newski street. And the place is generally quite.

The hostel can provide you with a pick up or a transport to the airport or the stations. But you are close to a metro station so unless you are unable to carry your own luggage a short distance you should have no problem walking from the metro to the hostel.

Nord Hostel is located right next to Palace Square. It is probably the most centrally-located hostel I have seen. It is a stone's throw away from Hermitage (about 5 min. on foot). I highly recommend it to anyone who wants an affordable accomodation in the city centre.

However, their service can be unreliable (at night). I booked for my accomodation online and received confirmation by email, but they forgot about my booking. The receptionists at night only speak little or no English. The receptionists during daytime are far more reliable and friendlier, and English-speaking.

The hostel offers free breakfast for the guests. You can have whatever there is in the kitchen for your consumption. They usually have pate, bread, yoghurt, fruit juice and coffee. The hostel's small kitchen is the only place to socialise with other travellers.