About flights from Saint Petersburg (LED)
Pulkovo Airport sits about 17 kilometres south of the city centre, and the moment you clear arrivals, you feel the particular weight of where you are. This is Russia's cultural capital — the city of Dostoevsky, of the Hermitage, of white nights so luminous they dissolve the boundary between evening and morning. With 112 direct routes across 19 countries and a reach score of 84 out of 99, Pulkovo punches well above its regional weight. It's genuinely well-connected, not just for European hops but for routes that stretch deeper into Central Asia and beyond.
Quick stats for LED
- Direct destinations: 112
- Countries served: 19
- Continents reached: 4 of 6
- Average flight distance: 2,516 km
- Longest non-stop: Phuket (HKT) — 8,012 km (~10h 1m)
- Shortest non-stop: Cherepovets (CEE) — 443 km (~33 min)
- Reach score: 84/99
Why fly to Saint Petersburg?
The connectivity here tells you something about who's traveling and why. Russia dominates, naturally, with 71 domestic routes threading out to cities most Western travelers couldn't place on a map — and that's precisely the point. Uzbekistan claims nine routes, which reflects the strong cultural and economic ties between the two countries and opens an interesting back-door to Tashkent and Samarkand for the adventurous traveler. At the far end of the spectrum, the longest route from Pulkovo reaches all the way to Phuket — 8,012 kilometres — which tells you that sun-seeking Russians have always known how to escape a Baltic winter. Four routes connect onward to China, and the UAE draws three, making this airport a quiet but functional hub for transit beyond Europe's edges.
Longest non-stop flights from LED
The furthest destinations you can reach non-stop from Saint Petersburg:
- Phuket, Thailand (HKT) — 8,012 km, approximately 10h 1m
- Sanya, China (SYX) — 7,651 km, approximately 9h 34m
- Bangkok, Thailand (BKK) — 7,607 km, approximately 9h 31m
- Shanghai, China (PVG) — 7,137 km, approximately 8h 55m
- Vladivostok, Russia (VVO) — 6,534 km, approximately 8h 10m
Short-haul flights from LED
Quick getaway options with the shortest flights from Saint Petersburg:
- Cherepovets, Russia (CEE) — 443 km, approximately 33 min
- Moscow, Russia (SVO) — 600 km, approximately 45 min
- Yaroslavl, Russia (IAR) — 623 km, approximately 47 min
- Moscow, Russia (VKO) — 625 km, approximately 47 min
- Moscow, Russia (DME) — 666 km, approximately 50 min
Top countries by direct connections from LED
Pulkovo Airport connects to 19 countries. Here are the most served:
- Russia — 71 destinations (Abakan, Adler/Sochi, Anapa, Arkhangelsk and 67 more)
- Uzbekistan — 9 destinations (Andizhan, Bukhara, Fergana, Namangan and 5 more)
- China — 4 destinations (Beijing, Chengdu, Sanya, Shanghai)
- United Arab Emirates — 3 destinations (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Dubai)
- Kazakhstan — 3 destinations (Almaty, Astana, Shymkent)
- Turkiye — 3 destinations (Antalya, Istanbul, Istanbul)
- Belarus — 3 destinations (Brest, Gomel, Minsk)
- Thailand — 2 destinations (Bangkok, Phuket)
Where to fly from Saint Petersburg
Flights to Russia
Saint Petersburg has 71 direct routes to Russia:
- Cherepovets (CEE) — 443 km
- Moscow (SVO) — 600 km
- Yaroslavl (IAR) — 623 km
- Moscow (VKO) — 625 km
- Moscow (DME) — 666 km
- Kaluga (KLF) — 689 km
- ...and 65 more destinations
Flights to Uzbekistan
Saint Petersburg has 9 direct routes to Uzbekistan:
- Urgench (UGC) — 2,898 km
- Bukhara (BHK) — 3,251 km
- Tashkent (TAS) — 3,364 km
- Samarkand (SKD) — 3,383 km
- Qarshi (KSQ) — 3,402 km
- Namangan (NMA) — 3,511 km
- ...and 3 more destinations
Flights to China
Saint Petersburg has 4 direct routes to China:
- Beijing (PEK) — 6,056 km
- Chengdu (TFU) — 6,262 km
- Shanghai (PVG) — 7,137 km
- Sanya (SYX) — 7,651 km
Tips for travelers at LED
The airport is straightforward to get through once you know the layout, but the city itself requires a bit of planning. Marshrutka minibuses and city buses connect Pulkovo to the Moskovskaya metro station in roughly 20-30 minutes, from where you can reach the historic centre without the expense of a taxi. Speaking of which, always book a taxi through the official airport counters or a trusted app rather than accepting offers from the arrivals hall. Winters are serious here — think January temperatures well below freezing — so if you're transiting or arriving late, dress accordingly and build in extra time. Summer, particularly June, is the season most travelers chase.
Airlines operating from LED
The following airlines offer non-stop flights from Pulkovo Airport:
2S, 3F, 3U, 5N, 7R, A4, A9, AT, B2, BJ, C6, D2, DP, DV, EK, EO, EY, FZ, HH, HU, HY, I8, J2, JU, MU, N4, NE, PC, R3, RT, S7, SM, SU, SZ, TK, U6, UJ, UT, VF, W5, WZ, Y7, YC, YK
Frequently asked questions about flying to Saint Petersburg
What's the best way to get from Pulkovo Airport to Saint Petersburg city center?
You can take the convenient metro line that connects directly to the airport, which gets you downtown in about 20 minutes for a few hundred rubles, or grab a taxi/ride-share for around 600-800 rubles depending on traffic.
When is the best time to fly to or from Saint Petersburg?
Late spring through early fall (May-September) offers the best weather and the famous white nights, though prices are higher; if you're flexible on budget, shoulder seasons like April or October have fewer crowds and decent weather.
How many destinations can I fly to directly from Pulkovo Airport?
Pulkovo offers 112 direct destinations, connecting you to major cities across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East without needing a connection.
Do I need a visa to visit Saint Petersburg, Russia?
Visa requirements depend on your nationality—many countries require a visa, but some like Serbia and Belarus have visa-free arrangements; check with the Russian consulate for your specific country well in advance since processing can take weeks.
Any practical tips for Pulkovo Airport?
Download the airport's app or take a screenshot of your terminal layout before arrival, as signage can be limited in English; arriving 2-3 hours early for international flights is wise, and having some rubles on hand helps since not all vendors accept cards.
Is flying from Pulkovo expensive compared to other European airports?
Pulkovo's prices are generally competitive and often cheaper than Western European hubs, especially for flights to Asia and the Middle East, though booking in advance and flying during off-peak times will save you the most money.
Plan your trip from Saint Petersburg
Browse the complete list of 112 destinations below to find your next flight from Pulkovo Airport. Each route page includes distance, estimated flight time, and airline information to help you plan your trip.