Bus to Saint Petersburg from Tallinn and Riga: Companies, Routes, Prices and Tickets

Taking a bus to Saint Petersburg from Tallinn or Riga is currently the most practical and affordable way to reach Russia overland from Europe. Since Finland closed its borders in 2023, the Baltic states have become the main gateway into the country by road. In this article I explain which companies operate in 2026, what routes they follow, how much tickets cost, how to buy them with a foreign card and what you need to know before boarding the bus.

Why take a bus to Saint Petersburg?

Since Finland closed its land borders with Russia in December 2023, the bus connection from Estonia and Latvia has become the main alternative for travellers wanting to enter Russia overland. The Helsinki–Saint Petersburg train (the Allegro) is no longer running either, so the bus is today virtually the only public land transport option into Russia from the European Union.

It has several advantages over flying with a layover:

• It’s cheaper. A flight to Tallinn or Riga with Ryanair or airBaltic can cost €50–150, and the bus ticket to Saint Petersburg between €30 and €60. Total: under €200 one way, compared to €750–900 for a flight with a stopover in Istanbul or Belgrade.
• No airport layovers. You fly direct to Tallinn or Riga and hop on the bus. No terminal changes or 4-hour waits in Istanbul.
• You can start with Saint Petersburg. Visit Saint Petersburg first, then travel to Moscow by high-speed or overnight train, and return the same way.

That said, the journey has its quirks: the border crossing can be long (between 1 and 7 hours depending on the route and the season), and there are customs restrictions worth knowing before you leave. I cover all of this throughout the article.

Bus companies operating in 2026

There are four main companies connecting the Baltic capitals with Saint Petersburg. Each has its own particularities regarding routes, prices and border crossing.

1. Lux Express

Lux Express is the best-known company. It’s Estonian, headquartered in Tallinn, and has been running international routes across the Baltics, Finland, Poland and Russia for years.

It operates two types of route to Saint Petersburg:

• Tallinn – Saint Petersburg via Narva (Narva–Ivangorod crossing). Passengers cross the border on foot: you get off the Estonian bus, walk through both checkpoints, and board another bus on the Russian side. The Narva border post is open from 07:00 to 23:00. It’s the most direct route but the foot crossing can be slow, especially in summer.

• Tallinn – Saint Petersburg via Luhamaa–Shumilkino. A direct route with no transfers: the bus crosses the border with passengers on board. It’s longer in kilometres but you avoid the foot crossing, which in high season can mean hours of difference.
• Riga – Saint Petersburg via Narva. The Riga route also passes through the Narva–Ivangorod crossing, with the same foot-crossing system. The total journey is about 10–11 hours.

Lux Express recommends allowing 6–7 hours for the Tallinn–Saint Petersburg journey, although during summer months it can take longer due to queues at the border.

Prices: between €30 and €60 per leg depending on the route, class and how far in advance you book. They offer two seat types: Economy and Lounge (more space, footrest).

Buses: modern, with wifi, power outlets at every seat, entertainment screens, a free coffee machine and an on-board toilet.

Buying tickets: directly at luxexpress.eu. You can pay with a Western Visa or MasterCard without any issues. They also have a mobile app (available on the App Store and Google Play).

2. Ecolines

Ecolines is a Latvian company headquartered in Riga. Not to be confused with Eurolines (which is a different company). It has a very wide network covering all three Baltic states, Poland, Russia and even Belarus.

Its main routes to Russia in 2026:

• Tallinn – Saint Petersburg. Since May 2025, Ecolines rerouted this service through the Luhamaa–Shumilkino crossing (in southeastern Estonia, via Pskov) instead of Narva. This means the bus crosses the border complete, without passengers having to get off and walk. The journey is somewhat longer (about 11 hours) but the crossing is smoother.
• Riga – Saint Petersburg. Direct route, about 10–11 hours.
• Saint Petersburg – Moscow. For those wanting to continue by bus (about 9–10 hours). Although for this leg I’d recommend the train — it’s faster and more comfortable.

Prices: similar to Lux Express. A Tallinn–Saint Petersburg ticket runs about €55–60. Riga–Saint Petersburg can be a bit cheaper.

Buses: comfortable, with wifi, 220V outlets, toilet, screen and free hot drinks (coffee, tea). Two pieces of luggage included.

Buying tickets: at ecolines.net. You can pay with a foreign card. They also have a loyalty programme that returns 15% of the ticket price as credit for future purchases.

3. Baltic Shuttle + SKSauto

Baltic Shuttle is a smaller Estonian company that operates exclusively the route between Estonia and Russia, in partnership with the Russian company SKSauto (which covers the leg within Russian territory).

In 2026 it operates the following routes:

• Tallinn – Pskov – Saint Petersburg via Koidula. Daily departure at 16:50 from Tallinn bus station, passing through Tartu and crossing the border at Koidula–Kunichina Gora (a vehicle-accessible checkpoint). In Pskov you transfer to an SKSauto bus that continues to Saint Petersburg (estimated arrival at 06:50). The ticket covers both legs.

• Tallinn – Saint Petersburg via Narva (Narva–Ivangorod crossing). Several daily departures. This line has been suspended at times by the company, so I recommend checking their website before travelling.

Key advantage: the Koidula route doesn’t require a foot crossing. The bus passes through the border with passengers on board, making it an excellent alternative when Narva is congested.

Prices: the most affordable option. A Tallinn–Saint Petersburg ticket runs about €30–47.

Buying tickets: at balticshuttle.ee. They accept Visa, MasterCard and PayPal.

4. Vissa (Riga – Luhamaa border)

Vissa is a family-run Latvian company with a different approach to the others. It doesn’t operate a regular bus line, but rather non-scheduled group trips between Riga and the Luhamaa border post (Estonia), under the EU Regulation on passenger transport.

Here’s how it works:

• Trips are organised on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, but only if a minimum group of 12 people is formed.
• The bus leaves at 06:00 from Riga bus station (Pragas iela 1, Platform 33) and arrives at the Luhamaa border post around 10:30.
• At Luhamaa, Vissa’s service ends. Passengers cross the border and continue on their own on the Russian side with another company (buses to Pskov and Saint Petersburg are available from the Shumilkino post).
• The return trip departs Luhamaa at 09:00 and arrives in Riga around 14:00.

Price: €60 per person (includes one piece of luggage up to 20 kg). 50% discount for children aged 5–12 and 10% for students and pensioners.

Booking: via their website vissareiss.lv or by Telegram/WhatsApp at +371 22474814. Payment is by bank transfer.

Who is it good for? Mainly those departing from Riga who want to avoid the long Narva queues. Vissa takes you directly to Luhamaa, where the crossing is usually much faster. The downside is that you need to sort out your own onward transport on the Russian side.

Which route to choose? Narva vs. Koidula vs. Luhamaa

This is probably the most important decision of the trip, and it can mean the difference between arriving in 6 hours or 14. I have a detailed article on the Estonia–Russia border crossing with real data from hundreds of travellers, but here’s the essentials:

Via Narva–Ivangorod (Lux Express standard route):

• It’s the shortest route by distance.
• But the crossing is on foot: you get off the bus, walk through Estonian and Russian checkpoints, and board another bus on the other side.
• In low season (September–April), waits are reasonable: between 30 minutes and 2 hours.
• In high season (May–August), it’s a different story: queues can reach 6–9 hours. On the worst days, travellers have reported waits of up to 12 hours.
• The Russian border post operates from 07:00 to 23:00. If you arrive outside those hours, you have to wait for it to open.

Via Koidula–Kunichina Gora (Baltic Shuttle, Ecolines on some routes):

• The bus crosses the border complete, without passengers getting off.
• The crossing is usually faster than at Narva.
• The route is longer (via Tartu and Pskov), but the total journey time can be shorter in summer because you skip hours of queuing.

Via Luhamaa–Shumilkino (Lux Express direct route, Ecolines, Vissa):

• Similar to Koidula: the bus crosses with passengers on board.
• Generally faster than Narva, although controls can be intense (phone inspection, interviews).
• Note: since 24 February 2026, the Luhamaa (and Koidula) crossing has a temporary night-time closure by decision of the Estonian authorities. The measure lasts three months. Check the updated schedule before travelling.

My recommendation: if you’re travelling in high season (May–August), choose a route via Koidula or Luhamaa. The extra distance is more than compensated for. In low season, Narva works well and is shorter by distance.

How to buy tickets

All companies allow online booking and, importantly, all accept Western credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard). This isn’t trivial when it comes to Russia, where most services only accept Russian MIR cards.

• Lux Express: luxexpress.eu — Visa, MasterCard. Also a mobile app.
• Ecolines: ecolines.net — Visa, MasterCard.
• Baltic Shuttle: balticshuttle.ee — Visa, MasterCard, PayPal.
• Vissa: vissareiss.lv — by bank transfer or payment at their Riga office.

I recommend buying tickets in advance, especially in summer when buses fill up. In low season there’s usually no availability issue, but it’s still more convenient to have your ticket sorted before arriving at the station.

Summary table: companies, routes and prices

This table summarises the options available. Prices are approximate and may vary depending on the season and how far in advance you book.

What to expect at the border when travelling by bus

If this is your first time crossing a land border into Russia, it helps to know what to expect. I have a very detailed article on the Estonia–Russia border crossing with real traveller data, but here are the key points that specifically affect bus passengers:

If your route goes through Narva (foot crossing):

• The bus drops you off on the Estonian side of the bridge. You get off with all your luggage.
• You pass the Estonian exit checkpoint (passport, possible luggage inspection).
• You walk across the bridge (about 300 metres).
• You pass the Russian entry checkpoint (passport, migration card, possible search).
• On the Russian side, you board another bus (from a Russian company like SKSauto) that takes you to Saint Petersburg.
• The combined ticket usually covers both legs, so you don’t need to buy another one.

If your route goes through Koidula or Luhamaa (staying on the bus):

• The bus stops at the Estonian border post. Officers either board the bus or passengers get off in a group for the check.
• Then the bus moves to the Russian post, where the process is repeated.
• You don’t need to carry your luggage: it stays in the hold.
• It’s much more comfortable, although the process can still take 1–2 hours.

To follow queues and waiting times in real time, I recommend checking the Telegram groups dedicated to Russia’s borders, where travellers share their experience as it happens.

Customs restrictions you should know about

Beyond passport control, there are a number of restrictions that directly affect what you can (and can’t) carry on the bus. Some are important:

Cash: the European Union has banned the export of euro banknotes to Russia since 2022. Although there’s an exception for personal use, the interpretation varies widely from country to country and from officer to officer. I have a full article on whether you can bring euros to Russia where I explain what the law and the courts say, and what alternatives exist to fund your trip. Read it before you go — this is one of the issues that causes the most problems at the borders.

Products banned for import into Russia: it’s prohibited to bring dairy and meat products from the EU (cheese, cold cuts, etc.) with limited exceptions. As of January 2026, Russia allows the import of meat and dairy products in sealed original packaging and ready to eat, up to 5 kg per person, excluding any product containing pork, and dairy produced in Hungary, Slovenia and the Netherlands.

Products banned for export from Russia to the EU: you can’t bring back alcohol above 22°, tobacco products or household appliances.

Items worth over €300: Russia prohibits the import of items whose value exceeds €300 per person.

Live plants: banned for import into Russia from the EU.

The new EES system: goodbye passport stamps

Since 10 April 2026, the European Union has implemented the Entry/Exit System (EES), an electronic system that replaces the traditional passport stamp. This affects you if you cross through Estonia:

• On your first crossing with the EES active, you’ll be asked for fingerprints and a facial image. It’s a one-time process that is stored electronically.
• Your passport will no longer be stamped. Entries and exits are recorded in the digital system.
• The system applies to all nationals of non-EU countries travelling for short stays (up to 90 days within 180 days), whether they need a visa or not.
• If you refuse to provide your biometric data, you will be denied entry to the Schengen area.

It’s possible that the process may be somewhat slower than usual during the first few months while the system is bedded in. Bear this in mind if you’re travelling right after the launch.

Luggage on the bus

Luggage allowances are fairly generous across all companies:

• Lux Express: one piece of hand luggage (max 6 kg) + one item in the hold. On routes to Russia, bicycles can also be carried if there’s space in the hold (at the driver’s discretion).
• Ecolines: two pieces of luggage free of charge.
• Baltic Shuttle: one piece of hand luggage (max 5 kg, 45×35×20 cm) + one item in the hold (max 30 kg, max 180 cm total dimensions). Extra luggage: €10 per piece.
• Vissa: one item up to 20 kg included. Extra luggage: 10% of the ticket price (€6). Animals are not permitted.

If you’re crossing at Narva (on foot), remember that you’ll have to carry all your luggage through the crossing. Pack light and manageable.

Practical tips for the journey

After collecting hundreds of experiences from travellers who have made this trip, these are the most repeated tips:

• Bring food and water. There are no cafés or shops in the border queue. The journey can stretch by several hours and you’ll be grateful.
• Portable phone charger. You’ll need your phone to follow Telegram updates, pass the time and, in some cases, for the electronic migration card.
• Appropriate clothing. If you’re crossing on foot at Narva, you’ll be outdoors whatever the weather. In winter temperatures can drop below -15°C with a wind chill of -30°C. In summer it rains frequently.
• Keep your visa accessible. Whether you’re entering with a regular visa or an eVisa, make sure you have it printed or on your phone.
• Sort out money before you leave. Your Visa and MasterCard won’t work in Russia. You need rubles or a T-Bank card. Read my guide on money for travelling to Russia and the guide on where to buy rubles before travelling.
• Internet in Russia. Your European roaming plan won’t work in Russia. The most practical option is to get a data eSIM. With Ubigi you can buy an eSIM for Russia from home and install it before you leave.
• Phone inspection. Some travellers report that border officers (both Estonian and Russian) may ask to check the contents of your phone: photos, messages, websites visited. It’s more common at the southern crossings (Koidula, Luhamaa) but can happen at any of them.
• Mandatory travel insurance. You need travel medical insurance to enter Russia, whether on a regular visa or an eVisa.

What if I’m departing from another Baltic country?

The routes I’ve described depart from Tallinn and Riga, the two main starting points. But if you’re in Vilnius (Lithuania), you have two options:

• Go to Riga first by bus (about 4 hours with Lux Express or Ecolines, from €6–15) and take the bus to Saint Petersburg from there.
• Go to Kaliningrad. From Lithuania you can enter Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave, which has its own land borders. I have a full guide to crossing into Kaliningrad from Poland or Lithuania.

If you prefer to travel in your own vehicle, I also have a guide to travelling to Russia by car, motorbike or motorhome with all the information on borders, insurance and documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions