Way to Russia Talk Lounge

edmdas1 · Just Starting Joined: 07 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

OK,

I have read all the posts my small brain can handle on driving to Russia. I will be leaving in two weeks from London for Estonia on a motorcycle. I will be staying two nights with a family in Kaliningrad Oblast who have offered me a place to stay through my Lab assistant who is Ukrainian Russian.

The visa people screwed up and my motorcycle details are NOT on my invitation. Will this be a problem?

I have read you can get 3rd party insurance at petrol stations in Poland or at the boarder. Can anyone confirm this for Kaliningrad boarder and which would be better?

When I get to boarder is it best to pay for everything in Roubles or Euros’? I want to heed advice and use ATM card and not have to buy lots of Roubles before I get there.

If anyone can give me any advance info on things to do or avoid in Kaliningrad most welcome, Standfords selection was limited.

Lastly just so we know: I have ridden a motorcycle 8,000 miles across the USA alone, 2,000 miles across Saudi Arabia and travelled to many other places alone. I am a white male, long hair, beard, 40 and will be riding a 20 year old Yamaha motorcycle with rust, dirt and alarm fitted.

I only speak English a small amount of Arabic and American.

Advice welcome, Thanks

DITTRICH · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 8:42 pm Post subject:

Don't worry that your m/c isn't in your visa - it is not required. Coming in on a tourist visa should get you 30 days temporary import certificate. Read the section on travel to Russia about how to bring a vehicle into Russia. Don't know about insurance at this border but to be safe arrive during working hours during the week. ATM cards should be okay these days. Insurance will be paid in the currency of the country you buy it in not the currency of the country you are travelling to but there is likely to be flexibility here even if the fx rate isn't to your liking.
Rgds
Les

edmdas1 · Just Starting Joined: 07 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

Thanks for this, very reassuring, after Saudi I have a deep suspicion of any boarder crossings but this seems pretty straight forward.

I've got the importation bit printed with migration card stuff to have handy.

Really looking forward to my trip, thanks again.