How to organize a trip to Russia ON YOUR OWN!
Want to see all the highlights without rushing? The key is preparation! We explain how you can plan a trip to Russia without travel agencies.
Step 1: Visa issues
First, find out whether you need a Russian visa. Today, citizens of 64 countries (including the EU, Japan, India and others) can quickly apply for an electronic visa on the official website. And citizens of many Latin American, African and Asian countries do not need a visa to enter Russia.
Remember that, if you do not need a visa, you must still register in the ‘RuID’ app three days before your trip.
Is your country not on these lists? Then, you will have to submit documents yourself (here we have compiled the main recommendations). The list of consulates in your country can be found on the Russian Foreign Ministry website.
Step 2: How to get there
You can enter Russia in a variety of ways: by plane, by train, by ferry or by private car – you need to choose the best option for you. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that, if you have an electronic visa, you must enter through designated border crossing points.
Find out more about entry methods here.
Within the country, you can travel by plane, train, bus or rental car. Find out how here.
Step 3: Booking accommodation
Even if you don't have a Russian bank card, you can find a hotel, apartment or lodging in various cities in advance.
For payment with foreign cards, you can use aggregators like ‘OneTwoTrip’, ‘Trip.com’ or ‘Zenhotels’.
You can also choose to pay in cash in rubles on arrival and search for accommodation in popular Russian databases that are available in different languages.
- ‘Ostrovok.ru’
- ‘Anywayanyday’
- ‘Otello’ – in Russian and English.
We wrote in detail about hotel booking here.
Step 4: Itinerary planning
Russia is vast and very diverse, so don't try to fit everything into one trip! Think about which season you want to visit and what to focus on: sightseeing cities, museums, theaters or nature?
In fall, you can see the colorful Altai Mountains and the ancient towns of the Russian North
In winter and early spring, go in search of the Northern Lights and explore ski resorts
And, in summer, discover the magic of white nights in St. Petersburg and Arkhangelsk and relax by the sea.
Routes that are fun at any time of the year:
- Moscow, St. Petersburg and the Golden Ring
- Million‑plus cities: Kazan, Samara, Yekaterinburg and others
- Travel along the Trans‑Siberian Railway
See more travel ideas on our website!
BONUS: Important details
Keep the migration card that you will be given at the border with you at all times until you leave Russia.
Get medical insurance that is valid in Russia.
Install a translator app for Russian. Or learn a few simple phrases in Russian (we have just created a free course)
We’ve also compiled and few useful articles that may come in handy when planning your trip:
