Safe to Travel to Russia?

[JayFromTexas 69]

I am a US citizen and have been to Russia twice, most recently this past summer, which was well after the war in Ukraine started but before the mobilizations started. I am aware that the US State Department has Russia rated "Do Not Travel" and that there are risks involved with traveling there.

 

My question is, have any US citizens here had a firsthand, recent experience traveling to Russia? Is it too risky to travel there now?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Lynxyonok 316]

9 minutes ago, JayFromTexas said:

I am a US citizen and have been to Russia twice, most recently this past summer, which was well after the war in Ukraine started but before the mobilizations started. I am aware that the US State Department has Russia rated "Do Not Travel" and that there are risks involved with traveling there.

 

My question is, have any US citizens here had a firsthand, recent experience traveling to Russia? Is it too risky to travel there now?

 

Thanks in advance.

I was there for a week over New Year's. It's safe, but it helps to have command of the language as English-language signing isn't present in all places, and it's really important to have your beneficiary be present from your first to last moment on land - have her wait right after customs at the airport.

 

If you can share an itinerary, I can provide more suggestions.

 

 

[JayFromTexas 69]

Thank you for your recommendations and offer. She will be there from beginning to end.

 

I don't have an itinerary yet, but will likely fly through Istanbul on Turkish Airlines.

[millefleur 5,047]

35 minutes ago, JayFromTexas said:

I am a US citizen and have been to Russia twice, most recently this past summer, which was well after the war in Ukraine started but before the mobilizations started. I am aware that the US State Department has Russia rated "Do Not Travel" and that there are risks involved with traveling there.

The "do not travel" thing has been there ever since the US embassy in Moscow stopped being functional for US citizens. Basically in some emergency freak scenario, the embassy may not be able to provide you with consular assistance....that's basically the only drawback to visiting Russia as a US citizen.

Edited January 29, 2023 by millefleur

[Lynxyonok 316]

7 minutes ago, JayFromTexas said:

Thank you for your recommendations and offer. She will be there from beginning to end.

 

I don't have an itinerary yet, but will likely fly through Istanbul on Turkish Airlines.

Most Turkish planes land in Vnukovo airport late at night. They do have round-the-clock service, but be prepared for late arrival.

 

Taxi is the safest way to navigate. That said, she would have to order it through her phone apps.

 

Bring cash. Your cards would be useless.

 

As a matter of fact, be prepared and ask that she foots the bill for your entire trip as so much is tied to Russian phones, from subway to money transfers. You can simply hand her a stack of bills.

 

Speaking of.

 

Clean bills. Pristine bills. Not a spot. Not a crease.

Small bills. $20 and under.

 

Fifteen unpleasant minutes spent at your bank under weird looks of tellers will be worth it.

 

I thought I did a good job... and still, 25% of what I gave her was rejected in a Moscow bank.

Edited January 29, 2023 by Lynxyonok

[USAtoday 2]

2 hours ago, JayFromTexas said:

Thank you for your recommendations and offer. She will be there from beginning to end.

 

I don't have an itinerary yet, but will likely fly through Istanbul on Turkish Airlines.

Where about in Russia are you planning on going? If it's near St. Petersburg I'd recommend flying into Helsinki, Finland then taking a bus into Russia. I was there a few months ago and this was the cheapest and fastest way of getting into Russia. Also, it's not dangerous at all there's a lot of media hype meant to scare you away. When I was there everyone was nothing but friendly to me. 

[JayFromTexas 69]

2 minutes ago, USAtoday said:

Where about in Russia are you planning on going? If it's near St. Petersburg I'd recommend flying into Helsinki, Finland then taking a bus into Russia. I was there a few months ago and this was the cheapest and fastest way of getting into Russia. Also, it's not dangerous at all there's a lot of media hype meant to scare you away. When I was there everyone was nothing but friendly to me. 

I'm heading to Moscow. Wish I had a cheaper way there that didn't take 2 days.

[millefleur 5,047]

1 hour ago, USAtoday said:

Where about in Russia are you planning on going? If it's near St. Petersburg I'd recommend flying into Helsinki, Finland then taking a bus into Russia. I was there a few months ago and this was the cheapest and fastest way of getting into Russia. Also, it's not dangerous at all there's a lot of media hype meant to scare you away. When I was there everyone was nothing but friendly to me. 

How was the border crossing on the bus? I did that once and the border was horribly slow. Wondering if that's still the case.

 

Also: was this a large comfy charter style bus or a cramped minibus?

[USAtoday 2]

1 hour ago, millefleur said:

How was the border crossing on the bus? I did that once and the border was horribly slow. Wondering if that's still the case.

 

Also: was this a large comfy charter style bus or a cramped minibus?

It wasn't terribly long maybe 30-45 minutes long. I used a Lux Express so it was a large charter style bus with a bathroom. 

[Lynxyonok 316]

3 hours ago, JayFromTexas said:

I'm heading to Moscow. Wish I had a cheaper way there that didn't take 2 days.

Man. What is your itinerary? I've had brutal ones, but none that took 2 days.

 

Have you checked Air Serbia?

[JayFromTexas 69]

1 hour ago, Lynxyonok said:

Man. What is your itinerary? I've had brutal ones, but none that took 2 days.

 

Have you checked Air Serbia?

I don't have a 2 day itinerary. I was responding to the suggestion of bussing into Russia. I figured that would be a 2 day adventure.

[Lynxyonok 316]

On 1/29/2023 at 10:20 PM, JayFromTexas said:

I don't have a 2 day itinerary. I was responding to the suggestion of bussing into Russia. I figured that would be a 2 day adventure.

Ah, I see.

 

Just a thought: have you considered meeting her in Turkey? It's easy for Americans and it's rather easy for Russians too.

[JayFromTexas 69]

9 hours ago, Lynxyonok said:

Ah, I see.

 

Just a thought: have you considered meeting her in Turkey? It's easy for Americans and it's rather easy for Russians too.

We've considered it. We vacationed in Turkey last summer. Thanks for your input.