Pulkovo Airport is one of the busiest transport hubs in the North-West, and the issue of parking here is acute. Official parking at the terminals is paid (from 200 to 1000 RUB/hour), but many drivers are looking for ways to save money by leaving the car at free parking near the airport. However, not all such zones are legal: some are located on lawns, in the courtyards of residential buildings, or in areas where traffic regulations apply. In this article, we’ll look at where you can really park for free, how to avoid getting fined, and what alternatives exist for long-term parking.
It is important to understand: Pulkovo actively fights against unauthorized parking. Since 2023, traffic police patrols have been strengthened here, photographic cameras have been installed, and local “people’s squads” operate in the courtyards of nearby neighborhoods and record violations. However, there are still legal free options - we will look at them below.
Official free parking at Pulkovo: where and for how long
The only one legal free parking on the territory of the airport - this is an area for passenger boarding/disembarkation at the terminals. However, it has strict limitations:
- ⏳ Parking time: maximum 15 minutes (hereinafter referred to as a fine of RUB 3,000).
- 📍 Places: at the terminal Pulkovo-1 (flights within Russia and the CIS) and Pulkovo-2 (international flights).
- 🚗 Vehicle type: passenger cars only (trucks are prohibited).
- 📵 Rules: driver must stay in the car or be near her.
If you need to wait for a passenger for more than 15 minutes, you will have to park in a paid parking lot or use alternative methods. For example, some drivers leave their car in free parking at TRC "Pulkovo" (5 minutes drive from the airport), but there are also time restrictions (up to 2 hours).
Unofficial free parking: risks and real options
Many drivers park on adjacent streets and courtyards of microdistricts Shushary, Ligovo or Air town. However, there is a high risk of getting a fine or even evacuation. Here's what you need to know:
- 🚔 Sign areas 3.27–3.30: on the streets Pilots, Cosmonauts and Builders Parking is prohibited 24 hours a day. Fine - 1,500 rubles (according to Article 12.16 of the Administrative Code).
- 🏘️ Yard areas: Residents actively complain about “other people’s” cars, especially if they sit for more than a day. Local management companies can call a tow truck.
- 🌳 Lawns and sidewalks: fine for parking in a green zone - 5,000 RUR (according to Article 8.42 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of St. Petersburg).
- 📸 Photo recording cameras: work on the streets Pulkovskoe highway and Bucharest. The fine will arrive by mail in 2-3 weeks.
If you still decide to take a risk, choose streets away from the airport (for example, st. Tipanova or st. Pilot Pilyutov), where patrols appear less frequently. But remember: Since 2026, the “Clean Yards” program has been operating in St. Petersburg, and the probability of evacuation has increased by 30%.
Before parking in the yard, check for the “Paid parking” sign (6.4 + tariff sign). Even if there is no payment, the car may be towed as a trespasser.
How long can you stand for free: timings and penalties
Free parking times vary by zone. Below is the current data for 2026:
| Parking area | Max. time is free | Penalty for exceeding | Evacuation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official disembarkation at the terminals | 15 minutes | 3 000₽ | No |
| Parking lot for Pulkovo shopping mall | 2 hours | 2 500₽ | Yes (after 4 hours) |
| Streets without signs (for example, Tipanova St.) | Unlimited* | 1 500–5 000₽** | Yes (based on complaint) |
| Courtyards of residential buildings | Up to 1 hour*** | 3,000₽ + evacuation | Yes |
* If there are no markings or signs prohibiting parking.
**Depends on the violation (lawn, sidewalk, etc.).
*** Actual time depends on the vigilance of residents.
⚠️ Attention: If you leave the car for a period of time more than 3 days, the risk of evacuation increases 5 times. Traffic police officers consider such cars “abandoned” and can send them to an impound lot (the cost of evacuation is from RUB 5,000, storage is RUB 1,000/day).
Alternatives to Free Parking: Cheap and Reliable Options
If you need long-term parking (from 1 day), consider these options:
- Paid parking with an hourly rate:
- 💰 Parking Pulkovo (Pilyutova St., 3): 150₽/hour, overnight stay (from 22:00 to 8:00) — 500₽.
- 💳 Radisson Parking (Pilotov St., 18): 200₽/hour, day — 1,200₽.
- Hotels with parking:
- 🏨 Hampton by Hilton: parking for guests is free, for others - 300 RUB/day.
- 🛏️ Park Inn by Radisson: 500₽/day, but you can book a room for 2,000₽ and get parking as a gift.
- 👨💼 Service Parkopedia or Parking.ru — prices from 100₽/day on the outskirts.
- 📲 Telegram groups (for example, “Pulkovo Parking”) - they rent out spaces in their yards for 200–400₽/day.
- Park away from the airport (for 1–2 km). For example, on the street Tipanova or Pilot Ulyanin fined less frequently than Pulkovskoe highway.
- Don't leave your car overnight. Night traffic police patrols are especially vigilant.
- Use the application "Parking in St. Petersburg"to check the zone for restrictions.
- Don't park on lawns - even if there are other cars parked there. A fine of RUB 5,000 is guaranteed.
- Leave your contact number on your windshield (in case of evacuation). Sometimes this helps to avoid a fine.
The most profitable option for a trip for 1–3 days is parking at the hotel. For example, in Hampton by Hilton you can leave your car for a week for 2,100 rubles (if you don’t book a room), which is cheaper than the official airport parking (7,000 rubles for 7 days).
Restrictions on the height/dimensions of the car|Presence of security and video surveillance|Feedback on safety (on 2GIS or Yandex.Maps)|Money return conditions in case of force majeure|Distance to the terminal (on foot or by transfer)-->
How to avoid fines: 5 proven methods
If you still decide to park for free, follow these rules:
If you received a fine, check it on the website traffic police.rf. There is a 50% discount for the first 20 days. The towed car can be found through the service auto.mos.ru/evacuator (works for St. Petersburg too).
What to do if the car is towed?
1. Check the evacuation location on the website auto.mos.ru/evacuator or by phone 004 (for St. Petersburg).
2. Take your license, vehicle registration certificate and passport with you.
3. Pay the fine (1,500–3,000 RUR) and the cost of evacuation (from 3,000 RUR) on the spot or through the terminal.
4. If the car is damaged during evacuation, request an inspection report and photographs before loading.
5. Within 10 days, you can appeal the evacuation if it was illegal (for example, a parking sign was covered with branches).
Map of free parking near Pulkovo: current points
Below - interactive map with marked areas where drivers most often park for free. However, remember: the legality of these places is not guaranteed, and the situation can change at any time.
Legend:
- 🟢 Green marks - relatively safe zones (fines are rare).
- 🟡 Yellow marks - high risk of fine, but evacuation is unlikely.
- 🔴 Red marks - evacuated in 80% of cases.
📌 Examples of points:
- 🟢 St. Tipanova, 12 (parking near the Aviapark business center).
- 🟡 St. Pilotchika Pilyutov, 25 (yard of residential buildings, but without signs).
- 🔴 St. Kosmonavtov, 30 (lawn, fine 5,000₽).
🔗 Link to map: Yandex.Maps (Pulkovo) (turn on the “Parking” layer).
⚠️ Attention: The map is updated by users, but not an official source. Always check for signs and markings before parking!
Driver reviews: real experience of parking at Pulkovo
We analyzed reviews on the forums (Drive2, Auto Mail.ru) and in VKontakte groups. Here's what drivers say:
- ✅ “I was standing on the street. Tipanova 3 days - no problems. The main thing is not to leave the car in plain sight.” (Vladimir, Toyota Camry)
- ❌ “Left it on the lawn near Pulkovskoye Highway - a fine of 5,000 rubles arrived a week later.” (Alexey, Kia Rio)
- 💰 “Parked at the Hampton Hotel - 300₽/day, transfer to the terminal is free.” (Olga, Hyundai Solaris)
- 🚔 “We were evacuated from the yard to the street. Pilots. I had to pay 8,000 rubles (fine + storage).” (Dmitry, Renault Duster)
📊 Fines statistics (according to the traffic police for 2023):
- 78% of fines are for parking on the lawn.
- 15% - for exceeding time in paid parking.
- 7% - for parking in the area of sign 3.27.
The safest option is parking at the hotel or private parking. Saving 200–300 RUR/day is not worth the risk of a 5,000 RUR fine or evacuation.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about parking at Pulkovo
Can I park my car for a week for free?
No, this is not possible legally. Maximum - 15 minutes at the terminals or 2 hours at the Pulkovo shopping and entertainment complex. For long-term parking, use paid parking (from RUB 300/day) or private services.
What are the fines for parking on the lawn at Pulkovo?
Fine under Art. 8.42 Code of Administrative Offenses of St. Petersburg - 5 000₽. If the car interferes with traffic, they can evacuate it (another +5,000₽). You can pay with a 50% discount in the first 20 days.
Where is the cheapest paid parking near the airport?
Lowest prices at Parking Pulkovo (150₽/hour) and private parking on the street. Tipanova (200–300₽/day). It is also profitable to park at hotels - sometimes cheaper than in official parking lots.
Is it possible to park on Pilyutova Street?
On the street itself Pilyutova parking is prohibited (sign 3.27). However, in adjacent yards (for example, Pilyutova, 18k2) sometimes you can leave the car for 1–2 hours, but the risk of a fine is high.
What to do if you receive a fine for parking at Pulkovo?
1. Check the fine on the website traffic police.rf or gosuslugi.rf.
2. Pay in the first 20 days with a 50% discount.
3. If the fine is illegal (for example, the sign was covered), appeal it through traffic police.rf or court.