Nord Cape - then Murmansk (Visa needed?)
 

Hello @all !

going to ride to Nord Cape end of July this year. Looking on a map, i found Murmansk (Russia) close enough to visit as well. Did anybody do the same, is it worth it ? Is a visa required ?

My routeplanning is going via olso to the west coast of Norway all the way North and then via Sweden or Finland back down. Any comments on which country use for the way south...?
Cheers,
Gijs

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Hi,
It is well worth it to ride over to Murmansk. You can do it easily in one day from Kirkenes. Road is very good. But you do need a Russian visa, which should be easy to get in Germany. No carnet for bike necessary. Contact the Russ. Embassy in Berlin and ask for details. From Murmansk you can go south to St. Petersburg on an excellent road. Can be done in two days easily. From St. Pete's you can ride up to Helsinki (in one day) and continue from there, or you can stay south of the Baltic and visit the Baltic states (my first choice). Enquire at their embassies about present visa requirements.

Hi Gijs,
it is possible to get one-or-two-day tourist visa in Kirkenes in a tourist office Bennet BTI, tel. ++/78-992-860, with booking 7-10 days in ahead, or you pay an extra charge. For more than two days obtain russian visa in their embassy in Germany. I was not there but on my way to NorthCape in summer 2001 that was one of basic ideas, so I get this info from a biker in Kirkenes.
Regards,
AnteK, XTZ 660

Thank you both for your very useful information!
Thats why I like this site so much :-))
Gijs

Gijs,
I did it last year, but in the reverse way (St Peter. Murmansk).
My stops:
- Petrozavordsk: to visit the Kijy island,
- Povenets: to see the bielomorcanal
- Bielomorsk
- Kem: to visit the Solovki islands
- Appati
- and Murmansk
But I agree with the above post, it can be done in 2 days. Great road.
then north cap and back home to Toulouse along the norvegian coastline.

AnteK I just tried the number ++/78-992-860 of this tourist office Bennet BTI, the number doesnt seem to exist... Could you help me out here...?
Cheers
gijs

Sorry, that is number I have ( dial first incoming Norway number ).
Regards,
AnteK

This site might be helpful:

http://www.grenseland.no/grenselandno/_en/

They provide you with visas from one day (USD 65) to 28 days (USD 134). They have downloadable visa forms and a lot of helpful information on their site.

If you haven't left already: Hope this is useful to you. And call me up in Oslo if you're passing by!

Kind regards

Indu

Are Murmansk and St Petersburg the only crossing points, or is it possible to cross the Finnish/Russian border anywhere in between?

baswacky