Kaliningrad - Curonian Spit, Russia - Lithuania Border

[eurasiaoverland]

Hi

I'm thinking of crossing Kaliningrad this summer, coming from Poland to Lithuania. For a long time I've fancied driving across the Curonian Spit border crossing. Has anyone reading this used this crossing?

I'd be there late August to early September time. Are there huge queues to cross as per other Russia / EU border crossings? Are vehicles freely allowed to cross?

Also, how frequent is the ferry on the Lithuanian side between the spit and the mainland?

Appreciate any info,

EO

[wickychicky]

Hi EO!

The crossing is a lovely, easy one! We did it last year in the other direction mid August. We were the only ones exiting the Lithuanian side and also the only ones at the Russian part and no one queuing in the direction you're going. Friendly staff both sides.

Beach access is easier from the Lithuanian side, if you're intending to sun yourself at all: the water was still pretty cold though.

The ferry runs really regularly, something like once an hour or every half an hour: it was something like 30€ for a 5 minute crossing: a nice cash cow for them :-)

Don't forget you'll need a Russian visa for Kaliningrad.

Enjoy!
Helen
www.wanderwheels.wordpress.com

[eurasiaoverland]

Hi Helen

That's just what I wanted to hear, thank you very much

I've little interest in sunbathing, maybe just finding a nice camping spot somewhere on the Russian side to enjoy the views, maybe a walk in some dunes / forest.

I'm on my way to Magadan so for sure I'll have a Russian visa, one year, multi-entry

Ferry sounds rather steep. Last year I was in northern Russia and found ferry crossing on a provincial road which was completely free!

Thanks and best of luck on your trips,

EO

[wickychicky]

EO, one more thing, I don't remember any campsites on the Russian side on the spit. The best one was nida, not far over the border.

[motoreiter]

I was in Nida two summers ago; I had been looking forward to a nice campsite nestled in the pines along the beach, but the one in Nida is large, crowded, and not on the beach. I ended up getting a room in town, but it is a very popular resort and it was very difficult to find even a single room for two nights--I would plan ahead if you intend to get a room. Not sure if you need to reserve at the campsite, but again, when I was there it was very crowded.

[simkelyte]

Originally Posted by eurasiaoverland

Hi

I'm thinking of crossing Kaliningrad this summer, coming from Poland to Lithuania. For a long time I've fancied driving across the Curonian Spit border crossing. Has anyone reading this used this crossing?

I'd be there late August to early September time. Are there huge queues to cross as per other Russia / EU border crossings? Are vehicles freely allowed to cross?

Also, how frequent is the ferry on the Lithuanian side between the spit and the mainland?

Appreciate any info,

EO

Ferry coming from Nida to Klaipeda every hour.

[AnTyx]

Originally Posted by wickychicky

Hi EO!
The ferry runs really regularly, something like once an hour or every half an hour: it was something like 30€ for a 5 minute crossing: a nice cash cow for them :-)

Really? I did it in June, it was 3 euros and change for me and the bike to go from Klaipeda to the spit, and I think free on the way back. But that was the one right across from Klaipeda, not the one going from Nida. I think it runs continuously until very late, as well, the local biker on the ferry said the last one was at like 2am.

[wickychicky]

Must have been the car making it expensive

[eurasiaoverland]

Originally Posted by motoreiter

I was in Nida two summers ago; I had been looking forward to a nice campsite nestled in the pines along the beach, but the one in Nida is large, crowded, and not on the beach. I ended up getting a room in town, but it is a very popular resort and it was very difficult to find even a single room for two nights--I would plan ahead if you intend to get a room. Not sure if you need to reserve at the campsite, but again, when I was there it was very crowded.

I'm hoping just to find a quiet spot and camp in my car. If not, will just push on and find somewhere in LT.

[AnTyx]

There are a few campgrounds along the road on the LT side, I believe, and if you go all the way north, you can camp in the dunes on the seaward side.