Air Borders to Russia in 2026: Hubs, Airports and How to Enter by Plane

If you’re planning a trip to Russia from Europe, the United States or any other Western country, the first thing to figure out is how you’re going to get in. Flying is the most common option, but since March 2022 there are no direct flights: the airspace between the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom and Russia is closed in both directions. To fly to Moscow, St. Petersburg or any other Russian city, you have to make a stopover in a third country. The good news is that there are dozens of combinations that work, the main Russian airports operate normally, and entry procedures are straightforward.

On this page I’ll explain which hubs work for flying into Russia, which Russian airports are open to international flights, and what to expect on landing (passport control, biometrics, ruID, customs); if what you’re looking for is to compare prices and platforms to buy your ticket, jump straight to the guide on how to book flights to Russia.

Are there direct flights to Russia from Europe?

No. On 28 February 2022, the European Union closed its airspace to Russian aircraft via Regulation (EU) 2022/334, and Russia responded symmetrically. The measure is still in full force and applies to the 27 EU countries plus the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea, among others. If you fly from any of these countries, you must make at least one stopover in a third country.

The only European exception is Air Serbia, which maintains direct routes year-round from Belgrade to Moscow-Sheremetyevo, St. Petersburg-Pulkovo and Sochi. Belgrade is therefore the closest departure point within Europe for flying to Russia with just one connection.

The remaining active hubs are outside the European continent: Turkey, the South Caucasus countries, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Morocco, Egypt and Algeria. Each one has its own airlines, frequencies and quirks regarding transit, and the ticket price and total travel time vary significantly depending on which one you choose.

The transit hubs that lead to Russia

Here are the foreign airports from which you can fly directly to Russian cities in 2026. I’ll give you the rundown of each one with the airlines that operate, which Russian airports they serve, whether you need a transit visa, and what type of traveler each one suits best.

Istanbul (Turkey) – IST and SAW

It’s the world’s main hub for flying to Russia. Turkish Airlines operates several daily flights from Istanbul-IST to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Kazan and Mineralnye Vody, and also serves as a natural hub to combine with previous flights from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid, Rome, Amsterdam and most major European cities. Pegasus, the Turkish low-cost carrier, flies from Istanbul-Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) to Moscow-Vnukovo, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Kazan, Krasnodar, Mineralnye Vody, Grozny and Makhachkala. Sabiha is further from central Istanbul than the main airport and limits cabin baggage to 3 kg, but is usually €100–250 cheaper per leg.

Europeans and most Western travelers don’t need a transit visa in Turkey. If your stopover is more than 6 hours, Turkish Airlines offers a free stopover program that includes a hotel in Istanbul.

Belgrade (Serbia) – BEG

Air Serbia is the only continental European airline that maintains direct flights to Russia. It operates daily between Belgrade and Moscow-Sheremetyevo, with less frequent service to St. Petersburg-Pulkovo and Sochi. You can combine it with a cheap first flight from almost any European capital (London, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Amsterdam, Berlin, Zurich) into Belgrade.

It’s the most convenient option in terms of number of legs and schedules, and you don’t need a transit visa for Serbia (Europeans and most Western citizens can even enter Belgrade visa-free for up to 90 days, so a couple-day stopover is entirely doable). The downside is that prices are usually noticeably higher than via Istanbul: a London-Moscow with a Belgrade stopover starts at €700–900 round-trip.

Yerevan (Armenia) – EVN

FlyOne Armenia, Aeroflot (seasonal) and Shirak Avia connect Yerevan with Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Kazan and Yekaterinburg. The big advantage: Wizz Air has a base in Yerevan and flies direct from Milan, Rome, Venice, Dortmund, Vienna and Sofia. If you live in Italy, Germany, Austria or nearby, you can find complete combos to Moscow for €400–600 round-trip, making it the cheapest hub on this list.

Europeans and most Western travelers don’t need a visa to enter Armenia for up to 180 days, so transit is unrestricted. The airport is small and convenient, although connections with Europe are more limited than those of Istanbul.

Baku (Azerbaijan) – GYD

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) operates daily flights from Baku to Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kazan. It’s an alternative to the Armenian hub, especially if you find good prices from your European city to Baku. Europeans don’t need a transit visa if you stay in the international zone. If you want to leave the airport, Azerbaijan requires an e-Visa, which can be obtained online in just a few minutes.

Dubai (United Arab Emirates) – DXB

Emirates and FlyDubai are the two airlines that fly the most from Dubai to Russia, covering Moscow-Sheremetyevo, Moscow-Domodedovo, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Kazan and Yekaterinburg. The offer is very wide and the service quality is high, but prices are usually higher than those of the Turkish hubs. International transit zone without visa for Europeans.

Doha (Qatar) – DOH

Qatar Airways connects Doha with Moscow-Sheremetyevo daily. It’s one of the world’s best airlines in terms of product and onboard service, and the Doha stopover is well organized. The downside is that it only covers Moscow: if your destination is St. Petersburg, Sochi or another Russian city, you’ll have to combine with a domestic flight from Moscow. Transit without visa.

Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) – AUH

Etihad Airways operates daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Moscow-Sheremetyevo. It used to be one of the more expensive options, but in 2026 prices have dropped considerably and it’s sometimes cheaper than the Turkish alternatives, while keeping the Etihad product quality. Only covers Moscow directly. Transit without visa for Europeans.

Cairo and Hurghada (Egypt) – CAI / HRG

EgyptAir and Aeroflot connect Egypt with Moscow-Sheremetyevo. Air Cairo and Nesma Airlines add seasonal routes from Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh to Moscow and Kazan. The option is competitive on price if you find good flights to Cairo from major European cities, and lets you combine the trip with a tourist stopover of a few days. Transit without visa.

Casablanca (Morocco) – CMN

Royal Air Maroc operates direct flights between Casablanca and Moscow-Sheremetyevo year-round. It’s an alternative that’s often cheaper than the Turkish ones if you find a good price from Europe to Morocco. Checked baggage usually included. Transit without visa for Europeans.

Algiers (Algeria) – ALG

Air Algérie flies from Algiers to Moscow-Sheremetyevo year-round. It’s the most niche option, with fewer frequencies than the rest, but competitive on price if you live in a city with cheap flights to Algiers. Transit without visa in the international zone.

Practical summary: which hub should you choose?

• If you want the cheapest: Istanbul with Pegasus, or Yerevan combined with Wizz Air from Italy, Germany or Austria.
• If you want the most convenient: Belgrade with Air Serbia (just one stopover from Europe) or Istanbul with Turkish Airlines.
• If you want the most premium: Doha with Qatar Airways, Abu Dhabi with Etihad or Dubai with Emirates.
• If your destination isn’t Moscow: Istanbul offers the widest variety of Russian cities served (St. Petersburg, Sochi, Kazan, Mineralnye Vody, Krasnodar, Grozny, Makhachkala).
• If you value a tourist stopover: Istanbul, Belgrade or Cairo allow a few days’ visit without a visa.

You’ll find specific details on where to buy your ticket, which cards work on each platform and updated prices per route in the guide on how to book flights to Russia.

Russian airports open to international flights

After the airspace closure of February 2022, some airports in southern Russia (close to the border with Ukraine) suspended operations for security reasons. The situation in 2026 remains uneven: airports in central Russia, the Volga region, the Urals and the Russian Caucasus are fully operational, while eight southern airports remain closed pending authorization from the Ministry of Defense.

Open airports (the useful ones for tourists)

• Moscow-Sheremetyevo (SVO): the country’s main airport, Aeroflot’s hub. Receives flights from practically all the international hubs that connect to Russia. How to get from the airport to the center.
• Moscow-Domodedovo (DME): Moscow’s second airport. Emirates, S7, Ural Airlines and others operate here. How to get to the center from Domodedovo.
• Moscow-Vnukovo (VKO): Moscow’s third airport, base for Pobeda and Utair. Direct flights to Istanbul (Pegasus), Baku and Bishkek, among others. How to get from Vnukovo to the center.
• Moscow-Zhukovsky (ZIA): the farthest from the center, used by some low-cost carriers. How to get to Moscow from Zhukovsky.
• St. Petersburg-Pulkovo (LED): the main airport in the northwest. Receives Turkish Airlines, Air Serbia, Pegasus, FlyDubai and most hubs. Pulkovo: trip to the center.
• Sochi-Adler (AER): Black Sea airport, fully operational. Air Serbia, Etihad, FlyDubai and Turkish fly direct, plus a very active domestic hub. Sochi airport: how to get to the center and to Krasnaya Polyana.
• Kazan (KZN): capital of Tatarstan. Turkish Airlines, Etihad, FlyDubai, FlyOne Armenia and Pegasus.
• Yekaterinburg-Koltsovo (SVX): main airport of the Urals. Turkish, FlyDubai and connections with Central Asia.
• Krasnodar (KRR): reopened in 2024. Pegasus from Istanbul.
• Mineralnye Vody (MRV): Russian Caucasus, open. Pegasus and Aeroflot.

Southern airports closed since 2022

These eight airports are still not operating in 2026, pending authorization to reopen: Anapa, Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kursk, Lipetsk, Rostov-on-Don and Simferopol (in Crimea). If your final destination is one of these cities, the most practical option is to enter through Krasnodar or Mineralnye Vody and cover the rest by train, bus or domestic flight from Moscow.

Temporary disruptions and cancellations

During 2025 and 2026 there have been occasional events in which Sheremetyevo and Pulkovo have closed for one to three hours due to security alerts related to drones, generating cascading delays and, in some cases, cancellations. It’s a real possibility to keep in mind when planning your trip:

• Book long stopovers (more than 3 hours) if your flight to Moscow is the last connection of the day.
• If you’re going to make a Moscow-other Russian city connection on the same day, look for options with several hours of margin or split it over two days.
• Follow the Telegram channels with real-time information on airport status; most Russian airports have their own Telegram channel (use the automatic translator).
• Get travel insurance that covers delays and missed connections.

Procedures upon landing at a Russian airport

When you step off the plane, four steps await you: passport control (with mandatory biometrics since December 2024 at Moscow airports), baggage claim, customs control and exit to the arrivals hall. The specifics of arriving by air compared to land borders:

• The eVisa is valid for entering through all airports open to international flights (SVO, DME, VKO, ZIA, LED, AER, KZN, MRV, KRR, etc.). If you apply for the Russian eVisa, specify the corresponding airport as your point of entry.
• Without a visa (citizens of visa-exempt countries): you must register in the ruID app at least 72 hours before entry, upload your photo and details, and show the QR at the border. I explain it step by step in the electronic travel authorization guide.
• Mandatory biometrics since 1 December 2024 at Moscow airports (SVO, DME, VKO, ZIA) and at the Mashtakovo border crossing (Orenburg). Fingerprints and photo. Children under 6 and Belarusian citizens are exempt.
• Digital profile for foreigners: Russia is rolling out a mandatory digital profile for all foreign visitors, with or without a visa. I explain what it is and how it affects you in the digital profile guide.
• Cash: the limit is USD 10,000 (or equivalent). Above this you must declare it at customs. I explain the procedure in the guide to declaring cash when entering Russia.
• Phone and devices: border guards can search your phone at the border, although it’s not standard practice with tourists. I explain here what the law says and who they target.

If you want the full breakdown of what to expect from the moment you step off the plane until you leave the airport (passport control, baggage claim, customs, arrivals hall services, transport to the city), continue reading the complete guide to airport arrival procedures.

Air or land: which is best in each case?

If your visa allows it, comparing the air and land entry options makes sense: the savings can be significant and the journey itself can be part of the experience. Here’s my quick comparison aimed at someone leaving from London or any major European city:

In practice:

• Air is best if: you have little time or your destination is far from the western border (Sochi, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Mineralnye Vody, etc.).
• Land is best if: you enjoy slow travel, you’re heading to St. Petersburg, or you want to save as much as possible.

If the land option suits you, check out the guide to borders to Russia, where you’ll find detailed routes through Estonia, Latvia (bus from Tallinn or Riga), Norway, Kaliningrad, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Belarus.

How to buy your ticket (in brief)

The flight comparator that actually shows flights to Russia is Aviasales, the Russian equivalent of Skyscanner that aggregates more than 700 airlines. It works well both for routes with stopovers (London → Istanbul → Moscow) and for domestic flights (Moscow → Sochi).

Russian airlines don’t accept Visa or Mastercard cards issued outside Russia on their websites. Skyscanner, Momondo and Kayak removed Russia from their results after the 2022 sanctions, so don’t expect to find anything there. The full breakdown (current prices per route, search strategies and why to avoid platforms like Wingie, Turna or Ubfly) is in the guide on how to book flights to Russia.

Frequently Asked Questions