Ernst Selin is 19, from Sweden, and travelled to Russia with a Russian friend in the summer of 2026 — a first big trip that took him from a ferry out of Stockholm all the way to Moscow, and home again through the Narva border. His account is short but full of the wide-eyed wonder of a first visit: the ten-hour wait at the border, the great monastery at Pechory, the palaces of St Petersburg and the sheer scale of Moscow. If you’re young, curious, and wondering whether to make the trip, Ernst’s chronicle is a lovely place to start. For two more accounts of the same land borders, see Michael’s crossing at Narva and Leo’s account on foot.
What follows is Ernst’s own story, in his words, with his own photos. I’ve kept it faithful to what he wrote and only smoothed the flow. Thank you, Ernst, for sharing it.
| Traveller | Ernst Selin |
| From | Sweden |
| Age | 19 |
| When | Late June to early July 2026 |
| Route | Stockholm → Tallinn by ferry → Koidula border → Pechory → St Petersburg → Moscow, home via Narva |
| Entry | eVisa (electronic visa) |
| Travelling with | A Russian friend, who acted as guide and interpreter |
Approximate route of Ernst’s trip. The dashed line is the leg outside Russia (Stockholm to Tallinn by ferry, then on to the Koidula border); the solid line is the journey inside Russia: Pechory, then St Petersburg, then Moscow, returning through Narva.
Getting there: a ferry, and a long wait at the border
I’m a 19-year-old traveller, and this is my journey to Russia. My friend, who is Russian, and I took a ferry from Stockholm that brought us across to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. The overnight crossing is a trip in itself — a cabin, a porthole, and the Baltic sliding past outside.
From Tallinn we made our way to the border at Koidula. We waited ten hours before getting into Russia, and that was down to all the interviews the FSB conducts. In my interview I told them about my family, how I live, and my purpose in Russia. If you’re planning your own crossing, it’s worth reading Irena’s detailed guide to the Estonia–Russia border at Narva, Koidula and Luhamaa before you go, so the waits and the questions don’t catch you by surprise.
The eVisa itself was straightforward. My friend was my guide throughout and helped me get around, which mattered because I couldn’t use the internet freely. I had to bring US dollars into Russia to change into rubles. I knew some Russian, but my friend helped me with the language too — having someone local with me made the whole thing far easier.
Pechory and on to St Petersburg
The first thing we saw was the great monastery at Pechory, close to the border, before taking the train onward to St Petersburg. People were very nice everywhere — even the guards and police. People asked me where I was from, and I felt honoured to be in Russia. I loved being there, seeing the astonishing buildings and the marvellous views.
St Petersburg in summer barely gets dark, and the light lingers on the water long into the evening. I spent a good while just walking the canals and bridges.
The palaces are every bit as overwhelming as you’d hope. Inside the Hermitage — the old Winter Palace — the Jordan Staircase alone is worth the trip.
If you’re planning a visit, Irena’s guide to the Hermitage and how to buy tickets is a big help.
Out of the centre, I took the trip to Peterhof, with its Grand Cascade tumbling down towards the sea — an unforgettable sight on a clear day.
Peterhof is easy to reach for the day; Irena explains the options in her guide on how to get to Peterhof. Back in town, the great squares open up one after another.
The night train to Moscow
Registration went well — no problem there. Then we took the night train to Moscow, and I was so impressed by the capital. The overnight train is a classic way to make the journey.
Moscow was safe everywhere I went, the architecture was amazing, and people seemed happy, getting on with life as usual. I especially loved Red Square and taking a boat along the Moscow river.
Inside the Kremlin walls, the Ivan the Great Bell Tower rises over the cathedral square.
I was surprised by how big everything was. There were fewer tourists from other countries than I expected — mostly Asian visitors — and I felt privileged to be there. The food is often cheap and tasty. And when you’re in Moscow, you simply have to take the metro: it’s always running, and the interiors are pretty spectacular.
Above ground, Moscow keeps switching registers on you — from the gleaming towers of Moscow City…
…to the grand Soviet-era ensemble at VDNKh, with its golden fountains and monumental statues.
For where to stay, I’d recommend the Gamma-Delta hotel at Izmailovo (part of the “Tvoy Hotel” group). It’s a bit outside the centre, but the room and the view were good.
The road home, through Narva
The trip wouldn’t have been the same without the help of my friend and his family. My way home was through Estonia again, but this time by the border at Narva. I was a little worried, because I had another interview, where they asked me questions about my friend and my family. But some of the guards had a sense of humour, and we ended up laughing together. I loved those moments of real contact with people — they feel meaningful and important.
After the Russian border I crossed Narva easily, with no inspection at all. I reached the airport by train and then flew home to Stockholm. It was one of the best trips of my life.
Have you travelled to Russia recently and want to share your own experience? Tell me about your trip here and I’ll publish it in this section, with your name or anonymously, whichever you prefer. You can also drop by the Russiable forum to ask questions or compare notes. Stories like Ernst’s are exactly what help other first-timers take the plunge.
