INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Tourism from the West to Russia took a major hit after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine
Flight bans, banking restrictions and a range of logistical hurdles, as well as overall geopolitical tensions, have made travel more
complicated and less appealing for many Western visitors
Even so, thousands of people from countries in Europe and North America still visit Russia each year, alongside growing numbers of tourists
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, most Western governments have strongly advised their citizens against traveling to Russia and
Similar advisories have been issued by countries including Canada, Britain, France and Germany.In contrast, countries like China, Brazil and
India do not issue comparable warnings
However, even countries generally seen as Russia-friendly, such as Serbia and Hungary, advise their citizens to exercise increased caution
While Russia is by and large not an active warzone, parts of the country, particularly in the south and west, experience regular drone and
missile strikes that have killed or injured people even far from the front lines
The overall risk in places like Moscow and St
Petersburg remains relatively low, but it is not completely absent.Tourists and costumed actors on Dvortsovaya Ploshchad in St
Alexander Demianchuk / TASSGetting a visaVisa requirements for travel to Russia vary depending on your citizenship
The most reliable source of information is your local Russian consulate or embassy, where you can find the most up-to-date guidance on how
Others may not require a visa at all
citizens, the application process remains largely unchanged, according to recent travelers who spoke to The Moscow Times
In some cases, wait times may even be shorter due to reduced demand for Russian visas in Western countries.Traveling to RussiaThe easiest
and most commonly recommended way to travel to Russia today is by flying through countries such as Turkey or the United Arab Emirates, with
onward connections to other major cities from Moscow or St
Due to airport closures that have been in place since early 2022, most airports in southern Russia remain inaccessible.Traveling by land,
such as taking a bus from Estonia or Lithuania to the Kaliningrad region and flying to mainland Russia from there, is possible and often
However, this option comes with additional challenges, including more extensive security screenings at the border as well as restrictions on
travelers compared to Domodedovo
Petersburg is also widely recommended
Travelers who spoke to The Moscow Times said security checks at Sheremetyevo and Pulkovo are usually less intensive than at Domodedovo,
where longer waits and more frequent questioning have been reported
That said, security checks at Sheremetyevo can still take a few hours.Interviews by border officers can appear random
Some travelers report being questioned nearly every time they cross the border, while others say they have never been questioned
Questions may include the purpose of your visit, your place of stay, your occupation and whether you have traveled to Ukraine.Border
officials also have the authority to request access to your mobile phone
While only a few travelers reported this happening, it is strongly advised not to carry sensitive information or any content related to
Though you have the right to refuse access to your device, doing so could result in being denied entry into the country.Moscow's
Sheremetyevo International Airport.Vasily Kuzmichenok / Moskva News AgencyBringing money into RussiaSince spring 2022, Visa and Mastercard
bank cards issued outside of Russia no longer function within the country
Chinese UnionPay cards issued by foreign banks, meanwhile, are still accepted in Russia
For short-term stays, the simplest and most reliable way to bring money into Russia is by carrying cash.However, travelers should be aware
of several important restrictions
The European Union has banned the transportation of euro banknotes into Russia via EU borders as part of sanctions introduced after the
not prohibit the import of euros
Regardless of currency, travelers are allowed to bring up to $10,000 (or equivalent) in cash without having to declare it.For those planning
a longer stay, opening a local bank account is recommended
Depositing your cash into a Russian account can make everyday transactions easier, as card and electronic payments are becoming more
ubiquitous.Exchanging foreign currency in major cities is generally straightforward, and some exchange offices offer competitive rates,
travelers told The Moscow Times
However, it is crucial to bring only clean, undamaged banknotes, they said
AgencyMobile phone serviceAccessing mobile phone service in Russia has become significantly more complicated for foreign nationals
As of July 2025, new regulations require foreigners who wish to sign mobile phone contracts to register with the Unified Biometric System
(UBS), a government-run database that collects biometric data.To do so, foreign citizens must visit a Sberbank branch to submit their
biometrics, which include a facial photo and a voice recording
They are also required to obtain a SNILS (the Russian equivalent of a U.S
Social Security number), register on the Gosuslugi public services portal and provide the IMEI number of their mobile device.To apply for a
foreigners can then visit a mobile service provider to buy a SIM card and phone plan.This process is lengthy and impractical for short-term
authorities may restrict some of these services in the future
Another option is to check whether your existing mobile provider offers roaming in Russia, though this is often expensive
One Italian traveler told The Moscow Times that his provider recently offered 15GB of data and limited calling in Russia for 30 euros per
month.Yaroslav Chingaev / Moskva News AgencyAccommodation and registrationWestern platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com are no longer
Russia has its own alternatives for short-term hotel and apartment bookings, with Ostrovok.ru and Sutochno.ru being the most widely used
arrival.As before, if you are staying at a hotel, the staff will handle your mandatory registration with the authorities, so no additional
However, if you are staying at a private address for several days, you will need to register yourself at a local branch of Moi
making it impossible to access them without a VPN
While many VPN services do still work in Russia, major providers have been blocked, so lesser-known VPNs can often be more reliable
one.Travelers are advised to download and set up their VPN before entering Russia, as access to VPN websites may also be restricted once
