Are you thinking about traveling to Russia this year? While it may seem complicated due to international sanctions and the political situation, the truth is that planning a trip to Russia right now is completely possible. You just need to understand what has changed and what can be taken care of before you arrive. In this guide, I’ll explain which procedures and services you can handle online from your home country to avoid complications and minimize the amount of cash you’ll need to carry.
1. Russian visa (electronic or traditional)
Visas for Russia are currently being issued as usual, both in their traditional form and as electronic visas (eVisas). If your country is eligible for the electronic visa, you’ll save yourself some paperwork. Otherwise, you’ll need an invitation letter and must go through the standard consular process.
What you can do from home:
More information on visas: https://russiable.com/visa-to-russia/
2. International flights and ground transportation
There are currently no direct flights between Russia and most EU countries, the UK, or the U.S. You’ll need to look for flights with a layover in countries like Serbia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Armenia, or the UAE. You can also fly to a city near the Russian border. A common option is to fly to Lithuania or Poland and enter Kaliningrad by land, which is more advisable than crossing directly from Estonia due to stricter cash controls. On the other hand, exiting Russia to Estonia usually involves fewer restrictions than entering from Estonia.
You can search and book flights to Russia using the
Guide to booking flights to Russia
3. Accommodation (no Booking, use Zenhotels)
Platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb do not work in Russia. The best option is to use
Book accommodation with Zenhotels
4. Train tickets in Russia (via third parties)
Although rzd.ru and tutu.ru don’t accept foreign cards, you can still buy tickets online through third parties like
Guide to buying train tickets in Russia
5. eSIM to have internet as soon as you land
Buying a physical SIM in Russia can be complicated for foreigners. I recommend getting an international eSIM before your trip. Holafly and esim.sm accept foreign cards, but differ in terms of coverage, data limits, and hotspot usage.
How to buy a SIM card for travel to Russia.
6. Airport transfers
You can book taxis online through platforms like
Your guide to transfers in Moscow and St. Petersburg
7. Exchange rubles in advance (or how to reduce cash needs)
To reduce the amount of cash you need to carry, you can use a foreign currency exchange service from your home country. Additionally, if you plan a longer stay or want more freedom to move around, you can apply for a Russian MIR card before your trip. It allows you to make payments in Russia like a local bank card.
Guide to exchanging rubles and getting a MIR card
8. Travel insurance and medical documentation
You can purchase the mandatory health insurance for traveling to Russia online from the Russian provider
Conclusion: While most foreign bank cards currently don’t work in Russia, it is absolutely possible to travel well-prepared by booking most services online in advance. The more you handle from home, the less cash you’ll need and the smoother your trip will be.
The most complete and up-to-date guide for traveling to Russia
If you found this article helpful, the Russiable Guide goes one step further than the blog.
Unlike individual blog articles, the guide brings together all practical information, organized step by step, with constantly updated data and additional content not published on the blog, specifically designed to help you plan a trip to Russia without mistakes or last-minute surprises.
It is available as an interactive web guide—always updated whenever changes occur—and also as a downloadable PDF of over 1,000 pages, with lifetime access to all updates.
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