Visa, insurance and carnet for Russia (and baltics)
 

Hi there,

Just returned form my africa-trip, and right now planning a trip through the baltic states and Russia. It expect that the Baltics won't be a problem, but Russia a little bit more. Am I right?

My questions are:
- Do I need visa(s) and where can I get them?
- How do I import and export the bike? Do I need a carnet?
- Do I need seperate insurance or is the green card valid?

Hello

I've just returned from a trip through the baltic states and Russia.

Baltics were easy as you guessed. No Carnet or visa needed if you are a UK citizen (you don't say where you're from?)- just show up at the border and buy insurance there (about 20 euros for 2 weeks at each border) - quick and easy. I got there overland - not sure about shipping - perhaps you need to add a few more details of what you plan to do?

Russia was a bit more of a pain for me. I'm writing this as a UK citizen - so it might be easier/harder for other nationalities.

You need a visa (a tourist visa is fine for 1 month stay - anything more might need a business visa, which is probably more difficult to get). Try and get this well in advance of your trip (maybe 2 or 3 months before you plan to set-off?) - mine took ages to sort (I left it until the last minute) and the Russian embassy in London were refusing to issue any visas except the 24 hour turnaround ones - which are the most expensive. You need a letter of invitation in order to get a visa. You can get this from an agency or do a DIY job. The hostel in St Petersburg can issue a letter for you to do your own DIY job. When you enter Russia, you need to register within 3 days - otherwise you might get into trouble. I think this is usually done by the hotel you stay at, if flying there. For happy campers it's a bit more tricky. I got all my stuff done by Scotts Travel in London - they gave me an address of a hotel in St Petersburg to register at - from Latvia it's easy to get to St P in 3 days. Then I just went to the hotel and managed to get it stamped - although nobody spoke English so it was a bit tricky. Also my bike broke down during this 3 day period and I was scared of missing the deadline - but it all worked out OK in the end - St Peter is dodgy so make sure you park your bike in secure parking - but well worth visiting.

I got Russian insurance at the border (I think it would have been cheaper if I had paid in Roubles - but they accept dollars or euros) - it cost me about £50 for a month (I think I was ripped off, but I might be wrong) - I think there is a UK company who can provide insurance cover for all these places - which might be easier and cheaper - I think they are listed in the Russia Lonely Planet Guide - this also has good information about all the visa stuff.

Let me know if you want to know anything else - Russia is well worth touring - but I found it a bit scarey at first... I would also get my bike sorted before going there, as parts and things were hard to find and I'm told that shipping stuff in is difficult.

I hope this helps a bit...




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Fuzzy Duck
(I'm quackers about bikes)

Can I be cheeky and ask what you found initially scary in Russia?
Is it the general atmosphere of St.P,or do they have problems with street crime?

I'm merely curious,as I've never travelled to Russia!

No carnet de passage is needed for Russia, (at least for US-registerd motorcycles, as per the Canadian Automotive Association, in charge of issuing carnets for the entire North America).

They didnt ask carnet or insurance from me (turkish citizen) in 2002. So i guess either some procedures chanced, since insurance wasnt asked during police checks, or customs in Sochi has skipped it.

About parts i agree. I couldnt even find a link for the chain.

As for Russia and Petersburg, it was great! just dont leave your motorcyle in the street at night time, thats all.

Have Fun

Hello

Sorry NickG I've only just seen your posting about what's scarey about Russia.

This is a very interesting question - one I've pondered for hours on those long roads and lonely evenings camping under the stars gazing up at the heavens...

To be honest I think it has to do with perception - I got scared, because deep down I've always been a bit scared of the USSR (years of Western propoganda) - in actual fact I really didn't have anything to be scared of. OK I'd been on the road for a few weeks, travelling alone - it was a period of re-adjustment after months/years of intensive preparation and expectation. When I got to Russia I hit bad weather and the surroundings seemed quite different to Eastern europe and the Baltics. Mechanical and bureaucratic problems didn't help - also I was a bit run down and not really eating properly at the time. I was going a bit mad I think...

After a few days and meeting people in pleasant surroundings, all was well...

I'm looking forward to returning to Russia one day - it's a brilliant place - lots of friendly people (even the GAI were friendly with me!)

St Petersburg is a wonderful place - just make sure your bike is safe. Whilst I was there I got involved in a murder enquiry, but that's another story...

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Fuzzy Duck
(I'm quackers about bikes)

Hi, last July I´ve been in Russia (St. Petersbourg and Moscow) from Spain (trought Belgium , Netherland... and the Baltic countries). I say that the last decision to enter in Russia was in Latvia, after I tray to obtein the visa in the Russian Consulate. Just I put my Passport on the table and in english I explain the trip to the Consul and I was so lucky the he was a Motorclycle Guy!!!. He told what that he was envy cause his wife didn´t like bikes and if I wasn´t in a hurry I cold get the visa with the invitation in just 4 hours!! Unbelivebly. First:
-Much cheaper than in Spain. About 85 €.
-Easy to get it.
-Easy to get it even with the invitacion (of course from an russian agency).
I felt really rare in the middle of a russian office all in cirilic alphabet and people wathing me as the "loco" spanird on a bike.

The rest of the information you wanted is:
-Green card is valid except in Lethonia and Russia between 18-24 €.
-Medical Russian insurance, about 24 €.That was provided at the consulate, I supose you can get it at the border.

Get Lucky. If you want more information, you can e-mail me.

PD. Be careful with police, they are like flies.