Top 5 best scooter rentals in Saint Petersburg

Picture cruising down the embankments as the Neva catches the evening light, ducking off Nevsky Prospekt into a quiet courtyard, then coming out right in front of Palace Square with the Winter Palace towering over you. That's the appeal of getting around on two wheels here — you set the pace, not the metro schedule. A quick scooter rental in Saint Petersburg puts the Peter and Paul Fortress, the river islands and the canal-side churches all within easy reach of a single afternoon.

Saint Petersburg's historic centre is built on a human scale but not a walking one: the distance from Palace Square to St. Isaac's is a fifteen-minute walk, but by the time you've also covered Nevsky Prospekt, the Church on Spilled Blood and the Vasilyevsky Island spit, your feet have had enough. A car, meanwhile, gets stuck in the same traffic and struggles to find parking near the canals. A scooter splits the difference — light enough to slip through the old streets, quick enough to reach the parks and river islands that the metro skips entirely.

Top 10 things to see in Saint Petersburg by scooter

1. Palace Square and the Winter Palace/Hermitage — the city's central landmark, and the obvious place to start or end a ride.
2. Peter and Paul Fortress — the founding site of the city on Zayachy Island, with river views and an easy approach.
3. St. Isaac's Cathedral — one of the largest domed cathedrals in the world, with a colonnade viewpoint over the rooftops.
4. Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood — the most photographed building in the city, right off the Griboyedov Canal embankment.
5. Spit of Vasilyevsky Island — a classic panoramic viewpoint where the Neva splits, especially good at sunset.
6. Nevsky Prospekt — the main avenue, a natural cruising route linking shops, canals and squares.
7. Yelagin Island — a quiet park island with a palace and ponds, good for an easy loop away from traffic.
8. Krestovsky Island and the Gazprom Arena area — wide embankments and parkland popular with locals in the evening.
9. Summer Garden — a historic formal garden on the Fontanka, a short hop from the centre.
10. Smolny Cathedral — a Baroque landmark slightly off the main tourist track, worth the ride for the building alone.

What do you need to rent a scooter in Saint Petersburg?

For a standard scooter up to 50cc, category M is enough — and any other licence category, including a regular car licence, already covers it. Anything bigger counts as a motorcycle and needs category A1 or A instead. The minimum age for category M is 16, though most rental shops in practice ask for renters to be at least 18. Bring your driving licence and passport: shops will want to see both, and an International Driving Permit is strongly recommended if your licence isn't in Russian or Latin script. Expect to leave a deposit, either in cash or on a card, with the exact amount set by the shop and the vehicle.

How much does it cost to rent a scooter in Saint Petersburg?

A standard economy scooter runs roughly 450–700 RUB per day in low season, climbing to about 1200–2500 RUB per day at the height of summer. Larger-engine or premium-brand scooters go for around 2000–4000 RUB per day in high season.

• Prices are lowest from November to March, when demand drops off.
• They climb steadily through spring and peak in June–August, the White Nights season.
• Booking a few days ahead in summer helps you avoid the highest last-minute rates.

When to book a rental scooter in Saint Petersburg?

High season runs June to August, when the White Nights and school holidays bring the most visitors and the highest prices — book a little in advance if you're travelling then. Low season stretches from November to March, when cold weather and thin tourist numbers mean cheaper rates, though many operators trim their fleets or close entirely over winter. May and September often sit somewhere in between, with milder weather and fewer crowds than peak summer.

Local traffic rules in Saint Petersburg

Traffic drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for both rider and passenger on any scooter or moped, and headlights must stay on at all times, day or night. Speed limits are 60 km/h in the city and 90 km/h outside built-up areas, though scooters themselves are built to a top speed of 50 km/h. The alcohol limit is effectively zero, so plan to ride sober. If you want to rent a scooter in Saint Petersburg, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!

Types of scooters available

On our website you can rent the following types of scooters: classic scooter, Vespa, moped, motoroller, motoscooter, with a sidecar, with automatic or manual gears, three-wheeled scooters, large, maxi-scooter, touring, scooters with a windscreen and a roof, underbones, electric scooters.

Models of scooters available

On our website you can hire scooters from the following manufacturers: Adly, Aeon, Aprilia, Piaggio, Bajaj, Benelli, Beta, BMW, Derbi, Gilera, Honda, Kawasaki, Kymco, LML, Malaguti, Peugeot, PGO, Suzuki, SYM, TVS, Vespa, Yamaha.

Which insurance is provided with my rental scooter?

Usually basic third-party insurance is included in the rental price. If you wish to have more protection you can purchase additional CDW insurance, which limits your risk to the amount of your deposit. If you wish to rent a scooter without a deposit and with zero risk, you will need to add full insurance to your reservation.

Extra services available

When you make an online scooter reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, delivery to your hotel, delivery to your address, delivery to the arrival point of your choice.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Find the best deals for scooter hire;
• Compare prices of scooter rental companies;
• Read reviews of previous customers;
• Reserve a scooter online with the Best Price Guarantee!

Most of our local moped rental companies have many years of experience and will provide you with a well-kept scooter, helmet, lock, top case, GPS, insurance and friendly service. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a scooter, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!