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jwilliams
Just Starting
Joined: 21 Aug 2011
Posts: 0
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 Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:19 pm Post subject: Kremlin Tours? |
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Could anyone recommend a tour company that conducts an English guided tour inside the Kremlin (armoury, cathedrals, etc.)? I previously lived in Russia and toured the Kremlin several times, but my husband is going to Russia with me this time and he does not speak Russian, and I would like for him to get the most from the experience.
I checked out a couple of tour companies online, but their prices seem a little high ($52 USD for an adult). Maybe I've been away from Russia too long or I am used to paying student prices, but this seems a little steep. |
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overseas_expat
VIP
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 741
Location: Moscow
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:37 pm Post subject: |
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Yep, 52 bucks is probably about what you're going to have to pay.
The tickets alone are really expensive, like $30 or $35 and an English speaking tour guide is adding his/her fee and ticket price onto the bill.
I dunno though, as an official old goat I think the Kremlin Palace is a bore. I wouldn't pay ten dollars to see it. If ornate palaces are your thing St. Petersburg has Moscow beat hands down. You want high end palaces with oodles of glitzy stuff, get thee to St. Petersburg.
Better you will avoid the overpriced Kremlin Palace/Armory/Diamond Exchange and go to the more reasonably priced and far more interesting State Historical Museum at #1 Red Sq. That is a lovely building with all sorts of cool stuff not sufficiently gilded and jewel encrusted to make it to the Krtemlin Palace. |
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mediashark
Moderator
Joined: 04 Nov 2004
Posts: 1599
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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Well, I think I was on that tour (Capital Tours) that also charged 52USD for the Kremlin Tour. However I really enjoyed the tour and the guide was great. Their partner company is also one of the very few (probably the only one) that has access to the Great Kremlin Palace and the KGB Museum, and tons of other tours around Moscow and the region.
As for the price--you will end up paying at least 20USD/h for a guide, and this excludes all tickets. The guide is not just a translator, but will tell you the history of the places. |
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mediashark
Moderator
Joined: 04 Nov 2004
Posts: 1599
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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| overseas_expat wrote: |
I dunno though, as an official old goat I think the Kremlin Palace is a bore. I wouldn't pay ten dollars to see it. If ornate palaces are your thing St. Petersburg has Moscow beat hands down. You want high end palaces with oodles of glitzy stuff, get thee to St. Petersburg.
Better you will avoid the overpriced Kremlin Palace/Armory/Diamond Exchange and go to the more reasonably priced and far more interesting State Historical Museum at #1 Red Sq. That is a lovely building with all sorts of cool stuff not sufficiently gilded and jewel encrusted to make it to the Krtemlin Palace. |
On the other hand I thought the Historical Museum was a bore... but maybe I missed some interesting exhibits... Anyway go and see both--they have their own charms. There is a restaurant inside 1 Red Square as well (of the same name) and I heard it was worth a try for visitors.
I have not got the chance to see St. Petersburg, so the Kremlin and all the buildings I got to inside were the most beautiful stuff I got to see.  |
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jwilliams
Just Starting
Joined: 21 Aug 2011
Posts: 0
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| Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 8:00 pm Post subject: |
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It's good to know that you get your money's worth with Capital Tours -thanks for the recommendation. My husband definitely wants to see the inside of the Kremlin since he has never been there before, so we'll have to suck it up and pay the $52 bucks each.
Are there any lines these days for the Lenin Mausoleum? This is still free, correct? |
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Kerensky
Frequent Guest
Joined: 10 Jun 2005
Posts: 14
Location: Quebec City, Canada
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| Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:52 am Post subject: |
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Ten days ago, it was still free (so I'm guessing it's still free today  ) and the queue is usually very short, especially if you show up between 10 and 11 o'clock.
However, if you want to skip the queue entirely, there always seems to be a slightly strange looking guy walking up and down the entrance-way, offering you the opportunity to skip the 15 minute queue for 250 roubles. My friend took him up on his offer and the mausoleum guards didn't say anything.
Take note that the Mausoleum is only open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is closed on Mondays and Fridays. |
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