Way to Russia Talk Lounge

guus · Just Starting Joined: 21 Nov 2007 Posts: 3

Hello,
I'm cycling trough Finland and would like to go trough Russia to Estonia, I read that the CAN provide transitvisa up to 72, but can you get one traveling with the bike? And if not,can you just travel by train trough Russia to Estonia by train and get a transit visa for that? I tried emailing the consulte in Helsinki before but the just don't respond so I hope you can tell me more about it.

Cheers,
Guus

overseas_expat · VIP Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 676 Location: Moscow

A transit visa is good for 3 days. Period.

Plus in order to get one you have to show proof of ongoing travel, i.e. an airline ticket with a not Russia destination. I think a transit visa will not work for you. You would probably have to get a tourist visa. Not cheap by any means but not so hard to get.

The train from Russia to Tallinn is Moscow only. Tallinn/Moscow, Moscow/Tallinn. That's it.

This guy mev, rode a bike from St. Petersburg to Vladivastok. Absolutely amazing. Maybe you should try to contact him.

http://www.waytorussia.net/TalkLounge/conversation9795.html

guus · Just Starting Joined: 21 Nov 2007 Posts: 3

But if I can get my hands on a transitvisa would that mean I can just visit Russia for 3 days and turn up at the border with my bike and if I leave within 72 hours does that give any problem? Does anywere on your visa say that you SHOULD leave the country by the means you showed to obtain it? Of is it just a transit visa and what I do with of how I obtain it does not matter als long as I leave the country with in 72 hours.
The reason I would do it because it a lot cheaper and I don't need a invation and to register (with is only if you do stay longer than 3 days, but that would make it expenive days). Let me know and thx for the fast reply.

Guus

overseas_expat · VIP Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 676 Location: Moscow

You're missing an important element here.

In order to get a transit visa you must show proof of onward travel.

On a bike for a couple of days peddling around you have no proof of anything. No airline or train ticket.

Read here about transit visas at bottom of page: http://waytorussia.net/RussianVisa/Types.html

I doubt that without PROOF of onward travel any Russian embassy/consulate would issue you a transit visa. Savvy?

guus · Just Starting Joined: 21 Nov 2007 Posts: 3

Hey,
I know if have to have proof to GET a visa but my question is if I do NEED to use that from of transport to leave the country. In short, I book a train ticket to trough Russia, get a visa with this and then just cross the border on my bike and leave with in 3 days and just fuck my train ticket. And this is just a example but what I would like to know is if this is possible/legal and I can actually cross the border with a form of transport with is not like to support a transitvisa and leave aswell. And do you for instans need this proof at the border aswell together with you transitvisa, because if you then want to leave the country that might be a problem. And asking the consulte in how best to trick the systeem does not seem as a good idea so that is why I'm really glad there is a site like this! Keep up te good work and hope you can help with the info because is not your "normal" question.

Guus

overseas_expat · VIP Joined: 11 Jan 2005 Posts: 676 Location: Moscow

Ah Guus, I like the way you think. It totally fits in with the Russian mentality, tell em what they want to hear and then go right ahead and do as you please.

Yes, what you propose could work. But it has its drawbacks, some serious drawbacks.

Problem: For some unforseen reason it takes you more than 72 hours to make the trip. This is bad. After 72 hours and 1 minute you are in the country illegally. Russian passport control has no tolerance for people in the country illegally. This could cost you big money in bribes, lots of time, and worse. They can hold you indefinately till things get fixed, and indefinately can be a long long time and during that intermission you are utterly without resources.

Problem: Buying the train/plane ticket as proof of onward travel will likely be more expensive than getting a tourist visa. And you're going to throw the ticket away. How smart does that sound?

Here's the deal: you mess with Russian passport control=you lose. They've got the upper hand in every situation.

Geez Guus, how much are you willing to risk for a 3 day bike trip? It's just not worth it.

Get_the_tourist_visa. Be legal and be happy.