Getting into Russia advice

[Mr Custard]

I have applied for my visa, but is there anything else I need to apply for before hand so as to get me and the bike through the border posts? I shall be entering from Finland and leaving via Esonia.

 

[Micky]

Dunno about entering from Finland... we went in from Belarus. Two hours to get through, no probs. 40$ for bike insurance bought at the border... met with nothing but help, friendliness and handshakes.

Biggest help we had was the RAC translation (about £6) of the vehicle registration (V5) document, obtained before we went. This was the one document they were interested in... moreso than the passports. It helped no end!

All the best

Micky
www.adventure.gs

 

[markrich]

You can buy insurance at the border or better still get someone to get insurance for you in Russia and get it to you before you enter the country. It's cheaper that way. The Finnish-Russian border is usually a good one and fast Expect a couple of hours wait max. The Russian-Estonian border is not so fast. The border crossing at Narva is usually backed up and there is no desire on anyone's part, in my experience, to make it better but it's modern and you shouldn't have too many issues. You'll need to buy Estonian bike insurance at the border. They don't seem to accept 'green card' insurance from the rest of the EU yet.

When are you heading into Russia? How are you getting to Finland? Need an extra? ;-)

 

[fcasado]

You'll need to buy Estonian bike insurance at the border. They don't seem to accept 'green card' insurance from the rest of the EU yet.

AFAIK there is an agreement between ALL the 25 EU countries regarding insurance, therefore Estonia has to accept the insurance certificate, you don't even need a green card.

 

[fcasado]

Source:http://europa.eu.int/abc/travel/gettingthere/index_en.htm

Motor insurance

Wherever you are travelling in the EU your car insurance policy will automatically provide the minimum cover (third party liability) required by law. This also applies to Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. If you have comprehensive insurance at home, check that the cover extends to travelling in other countries. You may also want to consider vehicle breakdown insurance.

A green card is not obligatory when travelling in the EU but it serves as internationally recognised proof of insurance and it makes it easier to claim compensation if you have an accident. If you do not take a green card with you, you should carry your certificate of insurance. The green card system currently covers 44 countries and is managed by an association of insurers. Their website gives further details about the green card system and its objectives.

Your insurer can give you a European accident statement form, a standard document that makes it easier to make a declaration on the spot if you have an accident in another country.

EU rules make it easier for road accident victims outside their own country to get speedy compensation. This applies not only to accidents that happen in the EU but also to accidents between two EU parties in a country outside the EU belonging to the green card system. Further improvements were agreed in 2005 to make it easier for drivers to get and claim on insurance and to improve the protection of accident victims by setting higher minimum amounts for personal injury and damage to property.

 

[randel]

you definately do not need to worry about green card insurance in Estonia. It's accepted here already for long time. The last who didnt accept green card was Lithuania, but even they are accepting that for some years now.
Basically you can bring only your local insurance, but with green card everything should be more clear and understandable.
In case you need more info about Estonia, do not hesitate to ask.

greetings from Estonia,
randel

 

[Ted]

V5 translation

Hi Micky Do you have any details of who to contact at the RAC about the V5 translations. Have tried to get one but they say they don't do anything like that
Thanks.

 

[Micky]

Hi Ted

Girlfriend sorted out the paperwork... it was def. the RAC, you need to ask for an 'International Certificate for Motor Vehicles'

It cost us £5.50 and was the best five quids worth we spent. We asked for a Russian translation to be included, no extra cost, and was stuck in for us. It really helped through the borders.

If Charley and Ewan had had one it wouldn't have taken then forteen hours to get through one of the borders.

Hope this helps.......

 

[markrich]

My experience has always been before and after the Baltic states joined the EU, that the insurance certificates were not accepted at the border and I had to go to the small office nearby to buy insurance for one state or all three for about 25 euro.

If they have now got their act together, then that is great and I am pleased but it wasn't so last year :-(

Marky

 

[Mr Custard]

Thanks Guys for the tips

I've been told that west of the urals should be covered by my insurance which is due for renewal in a couple of weeks so I'll hopefully be able to confirm this but not holding my breath!

 

[dotcaf]

Hi,
The best place for all of this type of travel info to more unusual places is www.horizonsunlimited.com
You'll get first hand info from people who have been there recently.
Happy travels...

 

[Ted]

Hi Ted

Girlfriend sorted out the paperwork... it was def. the RAC, you need to ask for an 'International Certificate for Motor Vehicles'

It cost us £5.50 and was the best five quids worth we spent. We asked for a Russian translation to be included, no extra cost, and was stuck in for us. It really helped through the borders.

If Charley and Ewan had had one it wouldn't have taken then forteen hours to get through one of the borders.

Hope this helps.......

Hi Micky
After trying several departments in the Rac they say they have no idea what I am talking about They say the only thing they have is an international driving licence or carnet de passage so have given up with them. They no longer have shops you can go in and talk to some one
If you have any sort of form referance number or person to contact that would be great.

 

[johnnybravo]

seems like there's a few of us thinking about this. What about a carnet. Am I right in assuming that it's not necessary?

If anybody's interested I'm thinking about Germany, Czech Rep, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, St Petersburg, Fin, Swe, Den then home somehow - 4/5 weeks Jul/Aug this year (just a wish list at the moment).

Any thoughts, or takers?

How long to get a Russian visa?

Cheers,
Rob.

 

[markrich]

seems like there's a few of us thinking about this. What about a carnet. Am I right in assuming that it's not necessary?

If anybody's interested I'm thinking about Germany, Czech Rep, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, St Petersburg, Fin, Swe, Den then home somehow - 4/5 weeks Jul/Aug this year (just a wish list at the moment).

Any thoughts, or takers?

How long to get a Russian visa?

Cheers,
Rob.

I would steer clear of Belarus if I were you. Not the most friendly place in Europe and the authorities are very soviet. As for the rest, sounds good. A Russian visa takes about a week to get but you need an invitation before you can get a visa. Most travel firms will organise this for you as the invitation comes from the place of residence. A faxed copy from a Russian agency is just as good too but remember you have to register your arrival in Russia within a week at the local OVIR or hotel where you are staying. If you're going to St. Petersburg I could help you there with an invitation. Email me directly and I'll give you some contact details on how to get them. Used to help run my mates Travel business from Petersburg so know the ropes quite well.

marky

 

[fcasado]

How long to get a Russian visa?

Cheers,
Rob.

Just received a Special Delivery with SWMBO's passport, mine and the visas, it took 12 days, we did it through an agency though...

You have to register within 72hrs once you enter Russia...

 

[Mr Custard]

johny Bravo

we will be spending a week in St Petersberg 22nd - 28th July cos the girls have arranged to fly over and meet us. If you manage to get over there for around that time, let me know.

 

[johnnybravo]

we will be spending a week in St Petersberg 22nd - 28th July cos the girls have arranged to fly over and meet us. If you manage to get over there for around that time, let me know.

Thanks I will, although probably a bit early for me unless I go the other way round.

FCASADO, which agency did you use?

Marky, I haven't forgotten you - thanks for your offer. I'm still pouring through lonely planets trying to figure out what I really want to do, what might be nice if I get the time and what I can ditch. Anybody else got any thoughts on Belarus? Or indeed anywhere that should/shouldn't be visited?

Cheers, Rob

 

[Ted]

Anybody else got any thoughts on Belarus? Or indeed anywhere that should/shouldn't be visited?

Did a lot of talking to people and search on the net and without exeption all said Don't go any where near Belarus. Lots of reasons from just a dull country to ride through to stuff like very corrupt police and border guards, exessive paperwork and visa is a pig to sort out. Basically if you are just using it to get to somewhere else like Russia, Ukraine there are better more intresting routes. So I'm going through Latvia, but to St Petersburge may be Scandinavia is the more popular route or Poland Ukraine to Russia. No visas for ether of them

 

[markrich]

Petersburg from Helskini is a very fast modern route frequented by a lot of traffic. I remember the border systems were upgraded too some years back to allow faster processing. It's a good route. Better than the route from Narva in Estonia but perhaps they have fixed that one now. The road to Estonia certainly isn't as good.

Of course if one travels to Tallinn through the Baltics, Poland and Germany, then the ferries to Helskini take about an hour and run many times a day. It's even possible to take a hotel in Tallinn and visit Helsinki for dinner. They are that frequent. From Hesinki one can take the route east to Petersburg that way.

I might be in Petersburg myself in July. My friend is marrying his girlfriend there. Russian weddings are always good fun. Petersburg and suburbs in the summer is the best time of all. Very very long days, good hot weather and lots of pretty sights (and not just the girls)

Marky

 

[fcasado]

FCASADO, which agency did you use?

http://www.realrussia.co.uk

Not cheap but all I had to do was post the passports to the agency and wait...