Tour toRussia

[germacian]

Hello all, I'm thinking about a tour to Russia, I know that I will need a visa, but the problem is that I'm not sure when I will arrive or where I'm going to stay, And as far as I can tell the Russian government need that information. Is there such a thing as an open visa so that I can travel freely, and pick my destinations as I go.Would be very grateful for any info, from you well traveled people. Thank you Germacian

PS: I'm traveling from London

 

[Dainese Brave]

Hi there

I looked into doing this myself a few years ago..and is still a dream to do it one day

But as I remember you can get different types of visa, and the cost is subjective to which you choose.
The visas are regulated by the number of entries across the borders..

..i.e...a single entry visa will allow you to enter the country, stay a given time, then leave. And once across the border the visa is terminated.

...a multi entry visa will allow you to enter the country, stay, then leave and re-enter an allowed number of times, over an allowed period of time.

I think these are then put into two categories, business and transit(tourist).

You would obviously be on a tourist visa.

The tricky part is like you mention, you can not just enter without a forwarding address of your planned destination.
But I 'think' that you can book your first hotel as your place of staying, and then you can move around booking hotels on route, and when checking in your passport details are taken and this gives a record of your stay, and where-abouts...but this may not be strickly legitamate.

The other stumbling block is that on top of this, to gain entry into Russia you need to be 'nominated' or 'invited' into the country by a person or organisation.
If you were going on an organised trip this would be done by your travel agency, who would give your details, and itinery of your trip, and 'vouch' for you.

Obviously you don't have anyone to do this as you are going on a self-organised trip....but I was led to believe that there are agencies that will do this for you, at a price, if you give them your details and your hotel details (for your first place of stay).

I was also led to believe that the Russian authorities were not keen (did not allow?) free travel across the country, and that it had to be regulated, with knowing your destinations, routes, and places you plan to stay, with addresses, and confirmed bookings...but I was also led to believe that you could also do as I've said before...enter, and then move within the country so long as they had a record of where you are each night.

I hope this has been of help, and hope it hasn't put you off, or led you astray, as the information is a couple of years old and may well have changed.

It all seems a bit daunting...but it is not so different to travelling in most of Eastern Europe, as they always take your passport and record your destinations at each place you stay...but it is obviously less stringent, with hardly a need for visas nowadays...even in America now you have to give a place you are going to be staying on your entry boarding cards, and 'travelling' or 'not known' is not allowed.

I'm sure you have looked on the net, but there are a lot of tourist information sites, and travel sites, with a lot of information on what you need to know..and the Russian Embassy has a site that tells you all the different visas and requirements.

I always thought it was like most travel into the unknown...it all seems so much hard work, and daunting, and filled with red-tape....but when your feet are actually on the soil it all seems to be a lot of fuss over nothing.

As they say......'The hardest part of a long journey is the first step'.

Hope I've helped.


Good Luck

 

[(RIP) petcul]

Went through Russia last year as did many others.

It all depends on how long you want to stay. Single entry tourist visa is valid for one month so, so long as you have a rough idea about how long and when you go this might cover your trip. All you need is a letter of invitation and David Berghof of Stantours is very helpful.

http://www.stantours.com
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>

You don't need a hotel to get a visa but as soon as you arrive in Russia stay at a hotel that will register you. It's easier that trying to do it yourself.

If you need a visa for a longer period or more than one entry then you will need a business visa. David can help you with this as well.

DO NOT TRY TO GET A VISA ON THE ROAD. MANY RUSSIAN CONSULATES REFUSE AND EVEN IF THEY AGREE IT WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY BE MORE EXPENSIVE. SO GET YOUR VISA HERE.


Enjoy yourself.

 

[germacian]

Thanks very much for you help, I found the information very clear and concise, and to the point .All the red tape has not put me off at all,I'm looking forward to the challenge, and adventure I just needed a bit of advice, and you supplied it beautifully.Thanks again for your help.Germacian

 

[Micky]

I enjoyed Russia. We were stopped by the police four or five times a day, but always welcomed with a handshake, a salute and or tea

On the few occasions we had been caught speeding or crossing a white line we were again made welcome with no suggestion of having to pay a fine or whatever.

Possibly because we were a geriatric couple riding motorcycles, but at no time did we ever feel threatened or in danger.

If you're looking for a hotel when you ride in to town then flag down a motorcyclist. We did this on several occasions and were taken to the local bike club where our bikes were looked after, a hotel found, and an evening meal provided. In Novosibirsk were were give free accommodation in the bike clubs own private Russian House. As we left in a morning they would come to see us off, and phone up the bike club at our next destination who would then be waiting for us.

In Omsk they contacted the local TV station who came out and had us on the telly

I loved the country and its people

 

[Loiq]

I used realrussia.com they did all the letters of invitation etc. it's really easy you'll love it the place is massive and everyone was hammered most of the time.



I can't go this year cos I'm skint but I'm planning for 2011 unless I win the lottery, which reminds me....mental note to self "you stand more chance of winningif you buy a ticket..."

I mighteven auto-rail the bike via Berlin to Moscow cos that's a long way as well and I want to save some time on that bit.

 

[David Lee]

Russian National Tourist office in Piccadilly is good. Got me a visa in 24hrs.

Of course, you have to pay accordingly............

 

[germacian]

Again some great tips and advice, I heard that the police could be a bit tricky, but I guess a bit of common sense, and good manners should prevail.as in all foreign countries.Thank you people, Ive some brilliant tips to set me on my way.

 

[Dainese Brave]

I've obviously never been to Russia...but I love to tour Eastern Europe......so I would assume the police are pretty much as they are there....handle them with respect and you will be fine

Obviously it differs from country to country...in Romania I found them to be nothing more than cash generators, finding every excuse to stop you and get some cash out of you(most that I'm sure went in the back pocket!), and focused on the tourists and the locals alike.

....however the time I did get stopped for speeding through a village in Romania, the policeman seemed just happy to give me a grilling, his best stone-face scowl, and a telling off.......then waved me happily on my way

And just inside the Bosnia border I was stopped once....and he did me for speeding, with a fine, which I was happy to pay.....but he just kept reducing the fine.....until it really wasn't so much a fine, as a memento of the trip

Generally I find most Eastern Europeans very 'stoney' on first approach.....but inside lies a warmth and hospitality only dreamt about in Western society.

Good luck

 

[germacian]

I was in Moldovia last year, when i had my passport confiscated and driving documents, They off course wanted paying out. Well I was not in the mood for their little games, so I gave them such a hard time and told them to keep the documents . I just don't care, well they new that they were not getting any cash so the let me go. then I left the country in a hurry.

 

[Cole]

I think these are then put into two categories, business and transit(tourist).

You would obviously be on a tourist visa.

Actually, you are far better off applying for a multi entry business visa. You have to "create" a business purpose for going there, but it gives you infinitely more flexibility on the road.

I have had 12 x 1 year multi entry business visas back to back over the last 12 years and think travelling around Russia any other way is simply too restrictive.