How to Plan Your Trip to Russia from Home (and Avoid Carrying Cash)
By Irena Domingo
Updated on
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.
This is step 1 of my guide to planning a trip to Russia in 10 steps, where you’ll find everything else in order.
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 Aviasales platform, which accepts foreign credit cards. From there, you can also book domestic flights within Russia with airlines like Aeroflot or S7 Airlines.
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 Zenhotels, which allows you to pay from abroad using a foreign credit card. You can book hotels, apartments, and flexible reservations.
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 Russiantrain. They’re more expensive, but you can pay with an international card.
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. The one I recommend is Yesim, which accepts foreign cards.
How to buy a SIM card for travel to Russia.
6. Airport transfers
You can book taxis online through platforms like Intui Travel (with international prepayment). You can also use the Yandex Go app to request taxis on your phone once in Russia. It’s the most convenient, reliable, and affordable option within the country, although you’ll need internet access and either some cash or a local MIR card for payment.
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 Solidarity, which accepts foreign credit cards and issues the policy in just a few minutes. It’s valid for both traditional visas and electronic visas (eVisas).
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.
Was this useful? I'll tell you when something changes in Russia
One short email a month with what has changed for travellers (visas, payments, border crossings, apps), based on what readers report to me from Russia. More than 4,000 of us already. No spam: if you ever lose interest, unsubscribing is one click.
Irena DomingoAbout Me
I was born in Russia. I grew up between two worlds: my father was Russian, my mother Spanish — a descendant of the "Children of Russia", the Basque children evacuated to the USSR during the Spanish Civil War. I've worked as a translator, interpreter and Russian teacher for over 30 years, and since 2013 I've been writing this blog to help travellers discover Russia with practical, always up-to-date information. Author of the Russiable Guide. If this blog has helped you plan your trip, you can buy me a coffee ❤️.
How Many Days to Spend in Moscow and St. Petersburg? Tips for Planning Your Trip
Traveling to Russia with a travel agency or on your own? What is better?
Kaliningrad Border by Land from Poland or Lithuania: Open Crossings, Waiting Times and What’s Changed