Travel Information

TRAVEL TIPS. Some tips for visitors (especially those visiting St.Petersburg for the first time) may be useful.

1. - How to get to the CONFERENCE HOTELS: "Rus", "Oktyabrskaya", "Novotel"
   - How to get to the CONFERENCE VENUE: Anichkov Palace
   - MAP of the St.Petersburg center (downtown)
   - Yahoo! WEATHER FORECAST for St. Petersburg
2. CURRENCY exchange rates are about 1 US$ = 25 roubles, 1 Euro = 35 roubles. Exchange offices are located in the airports, in the majority of the hotels including "Oktyabrskaya", "Rus" and everywhere in the downtown. There is a bankomat in the arrival hall of the airport which gives cash roubles. It accepts Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Eurocard and Cirrus/Maestro Cards. Please take into account that the commission rate for using credit cards and traveller checks is rather high. Cash is preferable way of payment in Russia.
3. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. The tram, bus or trolleybus fare is 14 roubles; tickets can be purchased inside the tram/bus/trolleybus.
   - metro token costs 14 roubles and can be purchased at the metro station;
   - shuttle bus from airport to the nearest metro station: 20-25 roubles; travelling time is about 20 min by bus.
4. PUBLIC PHONES. Public payphones accept metro tokens or payphone card. Payphone cards can be purchased in the arrival hall near the luggage lockers or at the metro stations.
   Also there are the "Metro-service" telephones in the entrance vestibules and in the underground halls of the all metro stations. The "Metro-service" telephones accept coins and metro tokens.
5. REGISTRATION will be held during the following hours:
   - Tuesday, August 28, 15:00-19:00 - Anichkov Palace;
   - August 29, 30, 31: 9:00-16:00 - Anichkov Palace (Main Building).
6. Survey BUS TOUR: Aug. 29, 18:00-21:00. Start from Anichkov Palace.
7. WELCOME RECEPTION will take place in the Anichkov Palace on Tuesday, August 28 from 19:00-21:00.
8. OPENING CEREMONY starts on Wednesday, August 29, 9:30.
9. CLIMATE in St.Petersburg is moderate and humid. In August it is warm, the temperature ranging from 18 to 23 (C). Sunny days are not rare, but you never know when it is going to rain: visiting St. Petersburg do not forget your umbrella!
10. The local telephone number of Organizing Committee is 321-47-66 (before August 28) or 310-4395 (from August 28 to August 31).