Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Northern and Central Asia
Northern and Central Asia Topics specific to Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, China, Japan and Korea
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



Like Tree6Likes
  • 1 Post By eurasiaoverland
  • 2 Post By Moto Phoenix
  • 1 Post By eurasiaoverland
  • 2 Post By klausmong1

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 13 Oct 2019
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 20
Traveling thru Russia

Hello,

Just looking for some advice about traveling into Russia,

I have made plans to go to Norway Finland and Denmark next year and was hoping to go to St Petersburg and Moscow wiles I am on the road but a lot of people I talk to say they don't like to see UK registered bikes over there and the police harass you,

Can anyone shed more light on this for me please as I don't know what do now

Thank you in advance,

John
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Oct 2019
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Brunei
Posts: 935
Quote:
Originally Posted by John_mx View Post
Hello,

Just looking for some advice about traveling into Russia,

I have made plans to go to Norway Finland and Denmark next year and was hoping to go to St Petersburg and Moscow wiles I am on the road but a lot of people I talk to say they don't like to see UK registered bikes over there and the police harass you,

Can anyone shed more light on this for me please as I don't know what do now

Thank you in advance,

John
Sorry, but what you've heard is pretty much nonsense.

There is the odd cop in Russia who'll try to get some money from you (or anyone else), but these days it's largely a thing of the past - especially in the north-western part of the country. As for targeting UK bikes, total nonsense. How can they even see where your bike is from when you're riding towards them at a checkpoint?

EO
__________________
EurasiaOverland a memoir of one quarter of a million kilometres by road through all of the Former USSR, Western and Southern Asia.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Oct 2019
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Colchester, Essex
Posts: 81
That has not been my experience of traveling in Russia. I traveled there on my bike in 2012, people were most welcoming and I never had any bother from the police.
__________________
You look at where you're going and where you are and it never makes sense, but then you look back at where you've been and a pattern seems to emerge. (Pirsig)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Oct 2019
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 20
Hello,

Yes i was really looking forward to riding Russia and when i was told that i was a little bit disappointed,

I am glad that i have gotten you points on the matter

You recommend anything along the way?

John.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Oct 2019
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,045
You might get unlucky in Russia and get harassed. But you're much more likely to be fine.

From October of this year, many nationalities (although not UK or US) can get a free e-visa to cross into the St Petersburg region for up to 8 days, so there's really no excuse not to go from Estonia to Finland overland. SPB is absolutely worth a visit.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 Oct 2019
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Brunei
Posts: 935
Quote:
Originally Posted by John_mx View Post
Hello,

Yes i was really looking forward to riding Russia and when i was told that i was a little bit disappointed,

I am glad that i have gotten you points on the matter

You recommend anything along the way?

John.
I recommend going north into Karelia and heading into Finland from there. But on your first trip to Russia, I think you can just enjoy being somewhere quite different (more relaxed and much friendlier in my opinion) than other parts of Europe. Saint Petersburg is beautiful but the 'real' Russia is out in the countryside.

EO
__________________
EurasiaOverland a memoir of one quarter of a million kilometres by road through all of the Former USSR, Western and Southern Asia.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 16 Oct 2019
klausmong1's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Vienna
Posts: 723
Quote:
Originally Posted by John_mx View Post
but a lot of people I talk to say they don't like to see UK registered bikes over there and the police harass you,



John
Most stupid thing I heard for a long time.

I am sure that people told you which have never been in Russia
__________________
www.klausmotorreise.com
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 16 Oct 2019
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,045
Quote:
Originally Posted by eurasiaoverland View Post
I recommend going north into Karelia and heading into Finland from there.
Karelia is beautiful. But note that you'll need a full visa for it. The electronic visa for St Petersburg only covers Leningrad Oblast, with crossings between Narva in the south and Imatra in the north.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How to ship your bike to/from Russia - practical advice for adventure riders alex_nikonov Route Planning 27 19 Feb 2021 23:17
Traveling and Parking up in Russia daveandles Northern and Central Asia 4 9 Mar 2017 19:51
us citizens traveling to Russia john Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 5 1 Apr 2016 15:42
2015 - Heading east from Europe, add your itinerary / plans kim Travellers Seeking Travellers 190 5 Mar 2016 07:38
Real Russia visa agency. Beware, be very aware... chris Trip Paperwork 13 12 Apr 2014 16:12

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 20:21.