The Karelian Isthmus (ru: Карельский перешеек) is the northwestern part of Leningrad Oblast. Much of it was part of Finland until the Second World War.

Cities

• 1 Vyborg (Выборг)
• 2 Priozersk (Приозерск)
• 3 Kamennogorsk (Каменногорск)
• 4 Primorsk (Приморск)
• 5 Vysozk (Высоцк)
• 6 Roschino (Рощино)
• 7 Svetogorsk (Светогорск)

Get in

By train

All passenger trains between Finland and Russia pass through the Karelian Isthmus and stop in Vyborg. Local trains (elektrishkas) from St. Petersburg serve the region, St. Petersburg itself being one of Russia's most important transit hubs.

By road

It's likewise easy to get in by road; all buses and marshrutkas between St.Petersburg and southern Finland pass through the area and you're driving you will too.

By boat

In the summer there are cruises along the Saimaa Canal from Lappeenranta on the Finnish side to Vyborg. If you come and leave by boat and stay in Russia less than 72 hours you do so visa-free.

By plane

The closest major airport is in St.Petersburg.

See

• The city of Vyborg with medieval origins.
• Priozersk fortress.
• Lake Ladoga
• WW2 battle sites and memorials.