Practical information for planning a visit to Russia

Prepare the arrangements that can stop a trip from working: permission to enter, a real transport connection, payment accepted by the provider and a way to find your accommodation without a working data connection.

Documents and entry

Use the Russian MFA e-visa portal to check nationality eligibility and permitted crossing points, or contact the relevant Russian consulate about another visa category. The answer depends on your passport and purpose of travel. This website does not issue invitations, submit visa applications or collect passport details.

Read your own government's travel advice and the terms of your insurance before paying for reservations. Entry permission and insurance cover are separate requirements.

Transport reservations

Check the departure and arrival stations or airports by full name. Save the date, local departure time and boarding requirements from your actual booking. Include travel from the terminal to the accommodation instead of assuming that arrival in a city ends the journey.

For a late arrival, agree how to get the room key and what happens if the connection is delayed. Keep the property's working contact details with the reservation.

Payments

Ask each provider which payment method it accepts for your reservation and whether it will work with your particular bank or card. A payment logo on a general website is not confirmation that your transaction will succeed. Check the deposit, balance, currency and cancellation terms before committing.

Phone and offline records

Before purchasing mobile service, ask the provider about activation requirements, compatible devices and coverage for the exact area you plan to visit. Download your address, directions and transport documents while you have a connection.

Keep a separate record of essential contacts and reservation numbers. Do not leave your only copy of a document inside an account that requires a code sent to a phone you may not be able to use.

Day-to-day planning

For museums, use the venue's current information for the chosen date, admission product and entrance. For outdoor activities, confirm conditions locally and plan a return that does not depend on completing an ambitious route. Our official information directory lists starting points for further checks.