If you’re planning a land trip to Russia, it’s important to know that the land border between Finland and Russia remains indefinitely closed. Since December 2023, all border crossings have been shut down for passenger traffic, with no official reopening date in sight. This affects all usual crossings like Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra, or Raja-Jooseppi, making any road or bus journey from Finland impossible.
The closure doesn’t impact freight transport or flights, but it does affect individual travelers. This means you can’t enter Russia from Finland by land by car, bus, train, or on foot. If you had this route in mind, don’t worry: there are functional alternatives and legal ways to cross the Russian border in 2025.
Alternatives to the Finland-Russia Border
While Finland is no longer an option by road, there are other operational routes that allow you to cross into Russia by land, especially from Estonia, Lithuania, and Poland. There’s also a land border in the north with Norway, less traveled but technically open.
1. From Estonia: Narva, Koidula, or Luhamaa
Estonia has become the main land entry point to Russia. The most well-known crossing is Narva – Ivangorod, where you can cross on foot (vehicle crossing is restricted). For cars and buses, the Koidula and Luhamaa crossings are fully operational and open 24/7. It’s advisable to check queues or book a slot using the official GoSwift app.
2. From Lithuania to Kaliningrad
A very practical option is to enter Russia through Kaliningrad, the Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania. This is often a more interesting and, in many cases, quieter option. Although the route may be slightly longer, especially if Kaliningrad isn’t your final destination, it compensates with a less chaotic experience and its own tourist attractions like the Baltic beaches or the city of Kaliningrad.
3. From Poland to Kaliningrad
You can also travel to Kaliningrad from Poland. The Bezledy – Bagrationovsk and Grzechotki – Mamonovo crossings are operating normally. They are accessible by car and bus, especially if you’re traveling from cities like Gdańsk, Elbląg, or Warsaw.
4. From Norway: Arctic Border (Storskog – Borisoglebsk)
A less common but legally open route is to cross from Norway to Russia through the Arctic passage of Storskog – Borisoglebsk, near Kirkenes and Murmansk. While it’s far for most travelers, it can be an interesting option if you’re already exploring northern Scandinavia. Note that if you have an e-visa, you can’t cross through this border.
What if I don’t want to cross by land? Flights with Layovers
If you prefer to avoid land border crossings, the most convenient alternative is to fly to Russia with layovers. While there are no direct flights from the European Union, you can fly to Moscow, St. Petersburg, or Kaliningrad with layovers in:
- Istanbul (Turkish Airlines)
- Belgrade (Air Serbia)
- Doha (Qatar Airways)
- Dubai (Emirates / FlyDubai)
- Etc.
You can search for routes using the Russian flight search engine Aviasales, which indexes all currently available real routes to Russia.
Conclusion
Currently, crossing the border from Finland to Russia by land is not possible, and there are no signs of this situation changing in the near future. However, you can still travel to Russia by land from Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, or even Norway, or fly with layovers in countries with active connections.
Before traveling, ensure you have a valid visa or eVisa, your travel medical insurance for Russia, and enough cash or accepted means of payment in the country. If you’re well-informed and plan ahead, traveling to Russia remains entirely feasible. It’s just a matter of adjusting the route.
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