Way to Russia Talk Lounge

dwood10 · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 1:02 pm Post subject: new way to Moscow from Houston

I'm annoyed that you took most of the information about the new air route from Houston to Moscow out of my post and only privately answered one question.
There are probably many folks who would like to know that until the 25th of March that they can buy a $599, non-stop, rd. trip, ticket on Singaporeair.com. Before this, we had to change planes and make another stop or two to get there and the prices were, and will be, outrageous again.
This site is supposed to be a public service; don't be so concerned with your ticket agents, the special price is only for 3 more days and they can sell the new route too, at a standard price.

Doris

danbrew · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 3:52 pm Post subject:

The WTR site doesn't make any money because some guy might buy his airline ticket from American Airlines, LOT, Aeroflot, or Singapore Air.

Your original post is here: http://www.waytorussia.net/TalkLounge/viewtopic.php?p=80946&highlight=#80946.

It's not such a bargain to spend $599 when you're not going to Moscow but to St Petersburg. Not only will you have to figure out how to get from one city to another, what happens if you miss the train/plane/whatever. You could buy a Houston to Petersburg R/T for about $1100 on Continental. How much will it cost you to get to St Petersburg? How much time are you willing to invest?

dwood10 · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:29 am Post subject: getting to St. Petersburg cheaply

You're right, It took me a while to find a way to St. Petersburg. After a couple of searches I found a site to book the DME airport hotel for $268 and an air ticket (Sibir) from DME to LED at noon the next day for $102. (An evening flight is less.) There are 2 of us so the hotel cost is split and they have a free hotel shuttle. Our cost is $242 each and we get a good rest to get over jet lag. We are taking the Viking River Cruise back to Moscow so have no return air costs. The Viking price for 13 nights is 2-for-1 ($1841 with tax) in May, so it seems a reasonable deal. $599 plus $242 = $841 plus taxi in St Petersburg and we get to St. Petersburg less stressfully, with a hotel night of rest. I'd love to have had the Continental air miles, but not at this price.
The rush and stress for 2, old, (over 60) ladies to go to the train in the middle of the night after a long flight, and take either 1st or 2nd class sleepers was not worth it to us.
We could combine train and subway or pay for a taxi direct, but are really not too good at hauling luggage on public transport or avoiding getting ripped off for a long dark taxi ride at night rates.
The hotels in Moscow would be a lot cheaper, but we'd still face 6 hrs of train ride sitting the next day. When I was younger, I might have done that to see the countryside, (or taken 3rd class when I could climb up bunks) or to meet people. We all have our own travel style.

danbrew · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 4:48 pm Post subject:

Since you mention airline miles, I assume you also think about hotel points - I know I do. The Marriott properties in Moscow can be obtained using Marriott points and it is a great deal. I don't think there are any Marriott properties in St P, but you might want to explore points and hotels there as well. I've used points at all of the Marriott properties in Moscow at all times of the year - holidays and non-holidays alike - and end up getting about a 40-50% discount. A three night stay that might cost $400/night can be had for 72,000 points. Don't have that many points in the Marriott bucket? Transfer some in from an airline partner - or, and this is the best part, buy some! Marriott sells them for something like $100 for 10,000 points. Even if you purchase all 80,000 points (increments of 10,000), you're still coming out ahead.

Smile