RUSSIA HOLIDAY ADVICE
Visas & permits
Most travelers to Russia require a valid visa covering the period of travel in Russia. In order to obtain a visa for Russia, it is essential to have a letter of invitation. Double check whether you or your tour company will apply for the letter of invitation for your tourist visa. In order to apply for the invitation, your tour guides will need an electronic scan of the photo page of your passport, and an indication of your travel plans within Russia by 120 days prior to the start of your trip.Additionally, Chukotka is considered a ‘frontier zone’ within Russia so you will need a special permit to visit. On entry, a guard will want to check your passport and documents and possibly take you aside for questioning. Don’t be daunted by this, it’s normal, so just be polite and patient.
Our Russia Vacations
Moscow to St Petersburg vacation in Russia
Fascinating history and architecture
Kamchatka vacations, small group tour
Explore Russia’s Kamchatka peninsula
Siberian Tiger & Amur Leopard tours in Russia
Track Siberian Tigers in the Russian winter wonderland
Chukotka and Wrangel Island cruise, Russia
Authentic Arctic Festival & wildlife including Polar Bears
Kamchatka and Chukotka wildlife cruises, Russia
Explore wild Kamchatka's volcanoes, fjords and wildlife
Trans Mongolian Eastbound, St Petersburg to Beijing
Overland from the Baltic Sea to the Chinese capital Beijing
Russia history and culture vacation
Explore Russian history and culture
Russia vacation, St Petersburg and Karelia
Multi-activity cultural trip to Northern Russia, tailor-made
Moscow and St-Petersburg vacation in Russia
The best of Russia in 12 days
Trans Siberian Railway vacation, Russian Summer
Remarkable Moscow to Vladivostok train journey, Tailor-Made
Moscow to St Petersburg vacation
See the Winter Palace and the Red Square
North Pole expedition cruise
The Ultimate Arctic Bucket List Expedition!
Trans Mongolian tour, departing Ulaanbaatar
Trans-Mongolian adventure Ulaanbaatar to St Petersburg
Russian High Arctic Cruise
The most remote regions of the Russian High Arctic.
Grand Trans Siberian rail tour
From the Pacific to the Baltic on the Trans-Siberian Railway
Naadam festival & Moscow vacation
Take in the Naadam Festival and the Trans Siberian Railway
Track leopards and tigers in Siberia
Track wild Siberian Tigers & photograph rare Amur Leopards
Christmas on the Trans Mongolian express
Christmas in Siberian Russia & celebrate New Year in Moscow
Kamchatka & the Commander Islands wildlife cruise
Grizzly bears, volcanoes, birds, wildlife & marine life
Trans Siberian rail journey, winter in Russia
From Moscow to Baikal, tailor-made
London to St Petersburg sailing tour
Classic sailing from London to St Petersburg via Gdansk
North Caucasus vacation in Russia
Epic journey from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea
Silk Road & Caucasus tour
Explore the secrets of Central Asia and the Caucasus
Trans Siberian 13 day tour, 18-35
Want an epic journey across three countries & 7 time zones?
Trans-Siberian and Mongolia tour, westbound
Travel across continents on the greatest train journeys
Winter Trans Siberian rail vacation
Siberian snowscapes from Vladivostok to St Petersburg
Sea of Okhotsk wildlife cruise, Russia
Rarely visited Okhotsk Sea - full of wildlife & history
Wrangel and Herald Islands expedition cruise
Diverse, abundant wildlife, dramatic and volcanic landscapes
North East passage cruise, Russia
Northeast Passage - travel the world's most famous sea route
Seeing the best of Lake Baikal
Staying safe
Tips on souvenir shopping
Advice on what to expect
Packing tips for the Russian far east
The weather can be changeable and it can drop in the Arctic particularly, so it is a good idea to bring warm layers. Do bear in mind that the ship is heated to a comfortable 18-20°C inside so it’s good to make sure that you have a pair of jeans or track pants, a couple of T-shirts and a longer layer to wear over the top. It’s important to ensure that you have all the camera gear that you need including spare batteries, chargers and memory cards. A neck gator (wraparound scarf) is perfect for plugging any draughty gaps. Sunscreen, sunglasses and a lip balm will protect your skin.”
Our top Russia Vacation
Moscow to St Petersburg vacation in Russia
Fascinating history and architecture
2021: 19 Jun, 3 Jul, 17 Jul, 31 Jul, 7 Aug, 14 Aug, 11 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 23 Oct
2022: 19 Mar, 26 Mar, 2 Apr, 9 Apr, 16 Apr, 23 Apr, 14 May, 21 May, 11 Jun, 18 Jun, 2 Jul, 9 Jul, 16 Jul, 23 Jul, 30 Jul, 6 Aug, 13 Aug, 20 Aug, 10 Sep, 17 Sep, 24 Sep, 1 Oct, 8 Oct, 15 Oct
HEALTH & SAFETY IN RUSSIA
HEALTH
SAFETY
TIPS FROM OUR TRAVELLERS IN RUSSIA
We have selected some of the most useful Russia travel tips that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your vacation - and the space inside your suitcase.


“Knowing a small amount of Russian goes a long way – might be worth making a handy guide to Cyrillic phonetics before you go.” – Owen Cawley
“Go with an open mind. Take cards and make sure you buy some vodka before you get on as you won’t have another chance. I think it is the people that make it, so chat to as many people as you can! Don’t be scared of buying food on the platform... It is so worth it!” – Heidi Hosgood on the Trans Mongolian Express
“Take warm clothes if you are going in the autumn and a mug and spoon for the train. Learn some Russian before you go and take maps of the train journey as these are a great way to start conversations.” – Sally Foote on the Trans Mongolian Express


“Read some online information on traveling the Trans Siberian Express. I got some good tips on what to take, what to eat, what type of bags to take – wheelie suitcase actually, plus small rucksack as train corridors are tight and steps to platforms steep, so you need to be able to manage your own stuff. Be prepared for some hard beds, but all linen and bedding was lovely. Be prepared for the toilets in China and along the way. They are not pretty, but you’ll manage and it’s all part of a real adventure.” – Rachel Guinee