The Hermitage provides brochures at the entrance, and has a website like any other major museum. So from that point of view, you will not need a guide. It is no harder to navigate than, say, the Met or the Louvre.

We were lucky and did not encounter long lines. However, the cruise/tour bus folks were in a separate, seemingly endless line. Don't get in that one!! Suppose it can't hurt to buy tix ahead and online, if you are sure what day you want to go.

The Scythian Gold collection (Treasure Room) requires a separate ticket and a docent-led tour. I bought the tickets for that in the morning for an early-afternoon, same day, English tour. Same ticket counter. It sells out so go early for those tickets, if interested.

I THINK that the Scythian Gold ticket also entitles you to visit the whole museum. Not sure if you can buy that special ticket online. IF you want to see that collection, and you have to buy that ticket in person anyway (which I do not know), then just do the whole thing when you get there.

I'd ask a "local expert' about this.

Hi

Definitely buy on-line. It may be slightly more expensive but when we went in July the queues stretched from the inside courtyard to right outside into the main square. Tour groups go in through a different door but there is still a queue (and you will be rushed through the Hermitage, instead of choosing your own pace). With an on -line voucher however you go to the tour guides office just inside the main entrance on the right (have your internet voucher clearly visible and you won't be chased away). The voucher is then exchanged for tickets. You should then head towards the head of the the queue (which will be waiting to enter the right hand door) and veer over to the left hand (exit) door. You can walk in here unhindered and show your tickets inside. We planned carefully what we wanted to see, using the Lonely Planet St Petersburg Guide (one of their best)and spent the whole day there. You need something like Lonely Planet because the free map does not identify which room holds what.

It also depends on WHEN you are coming to StPete. If it's in winter time - there is no need to buy any tickets in advance since there very few visitors. Just avoid school holidays - or you will walk into the line of shouting, jumping and running pupils :)

It definitly depends on WHEN you come. If it is not high-season, you are free not to have pre-arranged ticket. If not, you are recommended to do that.

Both options are cheaper than to order special tour.

Also it is possible to buy so called "VIP ticket" to the Hermitage - a special program to collect donations from private individuals in support of bringing to the State Hermitage.

Buying a VIP ticket you receive a special invitation to visit the State Hermitage without staying in a queue on any date you choose (don't forget to check the museum’s schedule). This special offer also allows you to visit the “Hermitage 20|21” exhibition of recent and contemporary art.

You may receive your invitation at the Main Entrance to the State Hermitage and in St Petersburg hotels: Comfort Hotel, Grand Hotel Europe, Nevsky Forum Hotel and some other hotels.

<As to guides, we got the audio guide >

where you gotta this audio guide??

thanks and Merry Christmas for all

You can get an audio guide directly at the Hermitage, after passing ticket control turnstiles.

We are going there in mid January 2010, would I need to buy tickets in advance? Many thanks!!

Mid January is a low season and advance booking is not needed - but there might be lines on the weekend due to checkrooms' capacity. Try to come during weekdays (except Monday - it is a day off at the museum)