Lake Baikal
 

Hi guys,

in 4 weeks time we will leave for a overland travel to Lake Baikal and returns.

Do you have any suggestion about crossing the Russian border ? I mean, is better crossing the border between Latavia and Russia or go trought Bielorus and after Russia. I read some report of traveller saying that the border between the Poland and Bielorus is a nightmare.

Someone has a suggestion ?

cheers :clap:

Marco

I suggest that you enter Russia from Latvia. Russia and Belorussia are in a customs union, and the documentation for your vehicle gets tricky when entering from Belorussia, because there is technically no customs post on the Russian/Belorussian border and so you don't get the Russian temporary import document that you normally get when you enter Russia. Which means you might have problems when you try to leave Russia.

A couple of caveats to what I said above:
1) I've not actually entered Russia from Belorussia so can't speak first hand, but have read of other people having the problem described above.

2) Maybe you wouldn't have a problem if you enter and leave Russia through Belorussia, because then you'd have whatever Belorussian documents you'd need to leave Belorussia.

Just back from Russia etc
I crossed Latvia into Russia, was very simple. Allow 2/3 hrs. On my return took 1.45mins.
I rode politely to front of car queue, Waited 20 minutes and was let into compound. You do passport and log book etc 30mins. Russia side, again a short slow queue. You fill in a A4 form twice. They register bike on system and put a bar code sticker on your copy of form. Don't loose this. I crossed in and out of Russia on my trip. The modern borders gave me another form, with bar code. The basic ones didn't.
When I left Russia, I handed over all the A4 forms. They new from their computer how many I had. It's very friendly,simple border formalities. On my way in I was helped by the most beautiful customs lady......which cheered my day. The forms on the internet I had printed off. Had changed 1st of May 15, they have the new ones.
Hope this helps.

This year I have crossed both boarders- Latvian in 1,5 hr and Belarus ( grodno) in 2,5hr.
That's the only difference.
No any issues when entering or leaving Russia nor custom nor passport control vice.

Yes, we also crossed Latvian border into Russia on 4th May. Didn't take long - despite Roynie discovering that his visa incorrectly identified him as female! :rofl: All remarkably good-humoured and helpful. We weren't clock-watching, but I'd say it was less than 2 hours.

Yes, avoid Poland. Our Russian friends were finding it almost impossible to get into Europe with motorcycles due to the political situation.

We used the A116/A13 crossing via Karsava. The only thing I would mention are that (depending on the model) some people may find that the their GPS units identify a small border crossing at Goliseva (on the Latvian side), not far from Karsava. This is a mistake. That border closed several years ago.

Also, again more relevant for people travelling into Russia, if you need currency and insurance, make sure you leave enough time to complete the border formalities. The insurance and currency booths close at 5pm and the fuel station does not take credit cards ...

Another option is to enter Russia through Ukraine. You can do this safely if you stay to the north of the country, avoiding the conflict zone. Travel through Kiev and head east from there to the border.

I passed through this border point twice last year.

You can't!!!!! Transit Ukraine. If you have a Ukrainian stamp or US stamp, Russia may refuse you entry. I was told when crossing Kazakhstan into Russia. Many Russians believe USA is wanting a war and about to start one. Ironic as MacDonalds is everywhere.
8th May 2015. I was held at Ukrainian border with Poland. Interviewed and they apologised for rejecting me from Ukraine and invited me back another time.
I Went north into Lithuanian, Latvia, Russia.
I bought my insurance at a 24 hrs booth 1km from border. I drove 20 km to a petrol station. Filled up and as it was now 7pm or later, I stayed in rooms above shop. 100 rubles to security man and he placed my bike under security camera's. .......food auctioneer. Clean rooms and I changed euro's with a truck driver.
If you know how much petrol you want, e.g. 8 litres of 95. Write it on a bit of paper. Pay up front on visa. Or give them 500 rubles and just say moto to full. They will hold cash, you get change afterwards......tip...If you fancy a coffee from machine. Indicate this before you fill up. Or you'll be only able to pay for petrol, then coffee etc a second time. You can often put food and drinks on petrol visa card bill. But let them know first.
Everyone wants to help, the big Yellow or Blue Brand of petrol station are more like BP Wildbean cafe. Often with free WiFi.

"May" being the operative word. I have heard from at least 2 people that used this border post without incident in the last few months.
There have been reports of additional delays and questioning of bikers by Ukrainian officials when entering the country from Russia/Belarus/Moldova around the time the Russian Night Wolves had planned a "Great Patriotic War" commemoration ride to Berlin. But I have heard of no foreigners that have been refused entry either way.

Of course the situation can change very rapidly, but if it were me I'd chance it on this route...

I hope the situation improves over the next few months, because I would really like to do Ukraine-Krim-Russia-Georgia next year on my way to Iran.

This sounds a bit ridiculous, and it would be helpful if you didn't claim with multiple exclamation points that you can't enter Russia from Ukraine or if you've been in the U.S. People are generally confused/concerned enough about entering Russia, you don't have to add to the problem... There are scheduled flights between the U.S./Ukraine and Russia--you think the Russians would allow such flights and then turn people away when they arrive, or turn away people crossing land borders?

Yes, this is ridiculous. Ukraine is not the problem. We were in Moscow in May and a number of Russian friends reported being turned back at the Polish border, thanks to the Night Wolves incident - but they had already ridden across the Ukraine. Foreigners do not have the same problems. But, frankly, I remember the Ukrainian border from our last visit, and I would choose the Latvian option for preference.

It was a problem to me on the 8th May :)
I was pulled out of the queue. All my panniers and camping gear were taken to a room. I had to unpack/repack. It wasn't a plesent 2 hrs, until a Army Captian took over.
I was moved to another compound. I was questioned and decided to show my picture's of previous trips, they understood I wasn't a covert wolf rider. That I just wanted to travel across Ukraine as a part of my trip. I gave them a list of my pre booked hotels, the Captian called her Commander. He listened as the officer put my case forward. After a while he called. Back, said I wasn't allowed to transit . That it was unsafe for me to transit Ukraine. He also told me he'd notify other crossings, in case I tried again. I was escorted by armed guards back to Poland. Passport unstamped, which I was told did me a favour. As they might not of let me cross Kazakhstan back into Russia.

I've tried to answer a post/question. With a recent experience. That's why I put the date, as due to the years of travelling experience on here. Up to date info, is the best info. So my advice for now is, go via Latvia.
Best regards David

Getting into Ukraine wasn't the slightest problem for myself and my gf on June 12, nor for a Polish AT rider and his wife who arrived at the border (with Slovakia) around the same time as us. We later crossed paths with 2 GS riders who apparently didn't have any issues either.

The border guards didn't even ask where we would be going after Ukraine. The only thing we had to unpack was our medi-kit to check what kinds of painkillers we were carrying. The biggest delay was them trying to figure out how to spell Husqvarna correctly.

So it sounds like the Ukrainians told you the Russians wouldn't let you in with a Ukrainian stamp? If so, it was probably because you would have had a Ukrainian entry stamp, but no exit stamp,which would look odd to anyone.

Anyway, it is good to hear your story, but i don't think we should generalize from it that you cant/shouldn't enter Russia from Ukraine.

Entering Russia via Belarus
 

Hi Folks,
we entered Russia via Belarus this June. Because they are in the customs union, we got all necessary papers at the Belarus border. As we entered Russia, we were astonished, because the Bordergards wont hve a close look at our passports. As we left Russia to Kazakstan, there was no trouble, all Papers were fine, only the the Russian Bordergard was surprised that Germans did not need a Visa for Kazakstan.

Hey dr Wolle, thanks, good to hear