Tour & Activity Scams in St. Petersburg, Russia

How it works

Street promoters stationed along the Griboedov Canal embankment near the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood (Spas-na-Krovi) and on the Fontanka River quaysides lure tourists onto unofficial canal boat tours at prices of 1,500–3,000 RUB per person, sometimes triple the market rate. The boats are often poorly maintained, the commentary is brief or absent, and additional charges for "audio guide headsets" or "drinks" are added at the end. During White Nights (June–July) prices rise sharply and pressure tactics intensify.

How it works

Freelance "guides" without official accreditation approach tourists in the queue outside the Hermitage Museum on Dvortsovaya Ploshchad, offering to skip the ticket line and provide a private tour. They may claim to have "special access" or "museum staff connections." Once inside (using tickets purchased at your expense), the tour is often superficial and ends with a demand for 3,000–8,000 RUB per person. Some touts also sell counterfeit or expired pre-booked tickets outside the main entrance.