Travel to Russia: a practical guide to planning your trip today
Yes, you can still travel to Russia as a tourist. There are no direct flights from the EU, the US or the UK, foreign Visa and Mastercard cards don’t work there, and most passports need a visa. I’ll show you how to sort out each of these.
Before you book anything
What has changed for travel to Russia under sanctions
- Visae-Visa or consulate visaMost of Europe can get the 30-day e-Visa online. US, UK, Canadian and Australian passports need a consulate visa.
- Getting thereNo direct flights from the WestConnect in Istanbul, Dubai or Belgrade, or cross overland from Estonia, Latvia or Georgia.
- MoneyYour cards won’t work thereBring euros or dollars in cash, or set up a MIR card before you leave.
- InterneteSIM and VPN before you leaveSome apps are blocked and mobile Internet gets cut in places. Install everything at home, not on arrival.
- SafetyIs it safe to travel to Russia?What travelers who have just come back say, and the areas you’d better avoid.
- Send moneySending money to RussiaThe methods that work today to send money to family and friends.
Visa
Do I need a visa for Russia?
It depends on your passport. Citizens of 64 countries, including most of Europe, can apply online for the 30-day e-Visa, while US, UK, Canadian and Australian citizens need a regular visa from a consulate. Check the rules for your passport: there is a guide for every country.
Borders
How to get to Russia: flights and borders
With no direct flights from the EU, the US or the UK, you fly in via Istanbul, Dubai or Belgrade, or cross overland from Estonia, Latvia, Belarus or Georgia. Queues change every week and I follow them in each crossing’s Telegram groups.
Preparations
Plan your trip to Russia in 10 steps
You can arrange everything online. I start two or three months ahead; before step 1, check whether there are any restrictions.
Services
Services for traveling to Russia: what to book before you go
Visa, insurance, transport, accommodation and connectivity: you can book all of it from home with a foreign card, and it’s much easier to do it before you arrive.
e-Visa with expert helpYour documents checked
Invitation letterFor the regular visa
Medical insuranceRequired for the visa
Flights to RussiaWith a foreign card
Hotels and apartmentsBook from outside Russia
Train ticketsIn English, no VPN needed
Airport transferBooked before you land
Guided toursTours in English
eSIM for RussiaData as soon as you land
VPN for RussiaInstall it before you go
MIR cardPay like a local
Send money to RussiaNo crypto needed
Destinations
What to see in Russia: Moscow, St Petersburg and beyond
Almost everyone starts with Moscow and St Petersburg. If you have more time, look at the Russia itineraries for the number of days you have.
MoscowWhat to see, where to stay and how to get around
St PetersburgMuseums, canals and White Nights
Trans-SiberianHow to plan it step by step
Lake BaikalWhat to see between Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude
KazanWhat to see in Tatarstan’s capital
Golden RingHistoric towns near Moscow
Also: Kaliningrad · Sochi · how many days in Moscow and St Petersburg · from Moscow to St Petersburg
Experiences
What their trip to Russia was like: reader stories
Travelers who have just come back tell, in their own words, how they crossed the border, how they paid and what surprised them.
- 2.5 Hours at Passport Control, then Kazan to Vladivostok: Michael’s Trans-Siberian Chronicle
- From St Petersburg to Lake Baikal in 24 Days: Nicolas and Lara’s Chronicle
- Moscow to Vladivostok Non-Stop: Jérémie’s Trans-Siberian, from Estonia to China
- Moscow to Vladivostok Non-Stop: 7 Days on the Trans-Siberian, Guy’s Story
Hi, I’m Irena Domingo
I was born in Russia in 1974, in the Soviet era, and for 30 years I worked as a Russian teacher, translator and interpreter. I started this blog with one aim: to create the most complete guide to traveling in Russia.
My father is Russian, but I carry the surnames of my Spanish mother, who was also born in Russia, the daughter of Basque exiles from the Spanish Civil War.
What other travelers say
I found it very useful on my recent trip to Moscow and St Petersburg, especially given how unclear the information was after the international sanctions.
Alejandro Fernández · Spain
Thank you so much for creating such a well-organized and informative resource. I’ve just come back from Russia, and life there goes on as normal for Russians.
Kateryna G. · Spain
I am very grateful for the support you gave me for my trip to Russia (Moscow and St Petersburg); it was a wonderful experience.
Armando Díaz · Argentina
Russiable Community
Got questions? Ask in the forum
More than 400 members who travel to Russia or have ties to the country. Share experiences, get your questions answered and connect with other travelers.
Russiable Guide
The most complete guide to traveling to Russia
All the information, organized and up to date, to plan your trip after the sanctions, with what the blog’s readers have told me over more than 10 years.
Frequently asked questions about traveling to Russia
Can you travel to Russia now?
Yes. Russia is still open to tourists: you need a visa or e-Visa unless your passport is exempt, you have to fly via a third country or cross overland, and you should bring cash because foreign cards don’t work.
Do I need a visa for Russia from the US or the UK?
Yes. US, UK, Canadian and Australian citizens cannot use the e-Visa, so they need a regular visa from a Russian consulate or visa centre, usually with an invitation letter. Most Europeans can apply online for the 30-day e-Visa.
Are there direct flights to Russia from the US, the UK or the EU?
No. You fly via Istanbul, Dubai, Belgrade or other cities outside the EU, or cross a land border from Estonia, Latvia or Georgia.
Do Visa and Mastercard work in Russia?
Cards issued outside Russia do not work. Bring euros or dollars in cash to exchange there, or use a MIR card.
Is it safe to travel to Russia?
Moscow, St Petersburg and the usual tourist routes are running normally. Avoid the regions bordering Ukraine and check your government’s travel advice before you go.
Does the Internet work in Russia?
Yes, but some apps are blocked and mobile Internet is cut in some regions. Have an eSIM and a VPN installed before you leave home.
