Travel to Russia?

maman · 21 July 2018 at 11:53AM

Having done a number of city breaks, DH and I are thinking of trying Russia, probably spilt centre St Petersburg and Moscow.

Any advice? Tips?

Also, there was a lot of publicity during the World Cup about how visa regulations were relaxed for fans with tickets. What's the normal system?

gettingtheresometime · 21 July 2018 at 12:25PM

We looked to going to Russia but you had to go either to London or (I think) Manchester to apply for a visa in person.

Decided it was too much faff for a long weekend break and went elsewhere.

I've also been told tourists get charged a higher price for entry tickets but don't know if this is true or not.

richardw · 21 July 2018 at 2:36PM

I fancy Helsinki and across on the hydrofoil to St Petersburg trip.

DavidT67 · 21 July 2018 at 5:18PM

Yes there are tourist rates and national rates for museums such as the Hermitage, but given most locals earn a fraction of your income that's only fair.

Cruise ship passengers on escorted tours can visit St Petersburg visa-free, otherwise yes, now the World Cups done, you'll need to apply for a visa which involves a visit to London.

maman · 21 July 2018 at 6:55PM

Thanks for the responses.

Does the visa free thing apply to other organised tours or just cruise passengers?

gettingtheresometime · 21 July 2018 at 9:23PM

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/russia/entry-requirements

Reading this I remembered why it was such a faff !

phatbear · 21 July 2018 at 10:19PM

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

I've also been told tourists get charged a higher price for entry tickets but don't know if this is true or not.

Ive seen the same in prague, budapest, barcelona, ho chi minh etc etc

daveyjp · 21 July 2018 at 10:23PM

Having been to St Petersburg almost one year to the day ago all I'll say it was amazing in terms of things to see and do. You could spend a month there and not see everything.

However despite having lots of tourists it really wasn't tourist friendly. It is also not very Russian. It was designed to replicate Europe of St Peter the Great's time. You have Dutch canals, Parisian streets and buildings and a replica of St Peter's Church in Rome!!

To make the most I would say take a private guide who will get you to places quickly (its huge!) and navigate the inevitable language barrier.

blindman · 22 July 2018 at 7:22PM

daveyjp wrote: »

Having been to St Petersburg almost one year to the day ago all I'll say it was amazing in terms of things to see and do. You could spend a month there and not see everything.

Maybe 14 days max.

However despite having lots of tourists it really wasn't tourist friendly.

Really?

It is also not very Russian. It was designed to replicate Europe of St Peter the Great's time. You have Dutch canals, Parisian streets and buildings and a replica of St Peter's Church in Rome!!

Have to agree with this, more a European Capital except for the superb Church on the Saviour of spilled blood

To make the most I would say take a private guide who will get you to places quickly (its huge!) and navigate the inevitable language barrier.

This is MSE, no guide needed IMHO.:eek:

Spend at least 7 days on Moscow and similar in St Petersburg.

Visa is a PITA because as a first time visitor they need your fingerprints, so you need to visit their centres in either London, Manchester or Edinburgh (IIRC).

Cost is about £90 IIRC and the form is a bit long to fill in, but not too complex.

Not a weekend destination due to the above costs and faff and things to see and do.

Well worth visiting though.

Been to Moscow twice and did a Moscow-St Peterborough 14 day trip a year or so back.

They are tourist friendly.

Travel to Russia?

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