Way to Russia Talk Lounge

Mr Purves · Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 1:10 am Post subject:

Oops! I have just realised that the answers to just about all the above questions are on the section listed as Transportation on this site. Sorry. Should have checked that first!

Anyway, my wife has been asking if I can find out from you what the procedure at the border crossing is like. Are we likely to be asked to get all the luggage out? Will the cases need to be looked in? I dare say that if the officials are like those at Pulkovo airport, they'll be fairly efficient, and just be doing their job...!

Thanks again Les,

Michael

DITTRICH · Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 11:21 am Post subject:

Dear Michael

Car documents - well spotted Wink

Your wife should not be concerned about the border crossing. When I crossed in and out, all I had to do was open up the back of the estate and they had a quick look - lifted up a few boxes, asked a few questions.
None of the empty-your-car-completely kind of thing. So your partner should not be too concerned about people examining her 'trousiki' in the 'n'th degree of detail Laughing

And I was on my own and had no real idea of what to expect. The fact that you will have 2 young kids with you means that they will probably want to move you along as quickly as possible - this was what I found (on my return journey). One thing, though, you will all have to present your 'faces' to passport control. Based on your route, you are likely to cross at the Valimaa (main) border crossing and I have no reason to believe it is anything different to Nuijamaa (the one I used) - just busier.

On costs, well a hotel stay cost me about £50-£70 DB&B and fuel - diesel - 40mpg - filling up in cheaper countries - including 2x 10l plastic cannisters from halfords - kept costs low - one way £250 . So I stayed 3 nights in Hotels - so costs £210 + £250 + bridge tolls £50 + tunnel £110 = £610 for 4.5 days for 1 person. Even adding in servicing costs for the car its less than your ferries - however, it takes longer - actually not that much longer as I needed 1 extra day to get to Moscow. If I had had a co-driver, the journey could have been done in 3 days as the car is built like a tank and will happily cruise at 80mph all day - eg London to Linkoping, Sweden in 18 hours 1,120 miles.
Of course, with a small family, this kind of progress is not possible. My return journey with my wife and 5yr old took 8 days including 1.5days rest in Stockholm. We stayed at the Scandic Sergel Plaza, very expensive because cheaper rooms weren't available but right in the centre - and they had their own underground car park. If you stop in Stockholm, may I suggest a walk around the 'old town' gammlastan and a visit to the 'Vasa' warship.

One of the inevitable things about going in a car is that your relatives will load you up with jars of pickled this and that from the dacha. I had no problems with these going into Finland from Russia.

About the questions, don't feel guilty. Just post your experiences here afterwards to help others.

Rgds

Les

DITTRICH · Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 11:47 am Post subject: Mobiles and Credit Cards

You should purchase a roaming sim which works all over europe. Its cheaper than ordinary roaming - search the internet. Also better in russia to purchase a russian network sim. Roaming is never cheap but this keeps cost to a minimum.

Credit cards. Phone your card provider and ask them to 'mark' your cards so that they are 'open' for the countries you are visiting especially Russia. This way, declined transactions should not happen. Remember to get them unmarked on your return! Note that you should understand from your card provider what the consequences are of 'marking' your card. I have had in the past 1 or 2 problems with declined transactions abroad (even though the cards and limits were okay), though in fairness, the sums in volved were **big**.

Rgds

Les

Mr Purves · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 1:13 am Post subject:

I have noted all your suggestions once again Les.
Can you tell me: did you choose the more Northerly crossing because it was quieter, or because it was more direct to your route? I've done a route map plan via the internet and it seems, unless I'm mistaken, that going via Nuijamaa would add about 50kms to our journey. I'm sure you can see where I'm going here. If it's very much quieter (and therefore quicker) to cross here, then it's 50 kms extra that would be highly recommended. I'll certainly bear that in mind.

I hadn't thought about sim cards. That's a good idea, as I do recall about a year ago we were there, and I made a few calls back to the UK via mobile, and got quite a shock when the bill came in! When we went at Easter this year, I just left the mobile here...
I'll make a diary note to inform the credit card company, though I did buy a video player last year for my sister in law in a large supermarket, using Mastercard, without problems. Certainly it's much easier to get cash from ATMs now than the first time I went in 2000.

You are certainly right about the jars of pickled cucumbers etc!! My wife has bemoaned the fact that she can't get decent ones here from the supermarkets for the last 5 years or so, so I'm sure that when her mum gets wind of the fact that we will be able to take a few home made jars in the car, she'll have loads ready for us! The number of times we have brought huge quantities of dried mushrooms home on the plane- I'm amazed we have never been stopped!

Thanks again for your great advice!
I'm already looking forward to writing a report for the site after we've been!!

Michael

DITTRICH · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 10:53 am Post subject:

You are right, I used Nuijamaa because it was closer to Lappenranta where I stayed in a hotel. You should be okay with Valimaa, though it will be busier.
Safe Journey
Les

DITTRICH · Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 2:18 pm Post subject: Insurance Payout

The russian insurance company 'PECO' ("reso") just paid out 38,000 roubles on my insurance claim against the truck driver who smashed my tailgate! Only took 2.5 months! The system can be beaten!
Regards
Les

Gray Cloud · Frequent Guest Joined: 10 Nov 2005 Posts: 12

Just out of interest does the insurance you buy for Russia cover the Vehicle regardless of driver or will I need to buy two lots as there will be two of us taking it in turns to drive?
Gray

DITTRICH · Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 9:18 pm Post subject:

The insurance is for the CAR, not the driver. Insurance is based purely on the time period and power of the engine AFAIK for third party (compulsory) policies. Its not worth getting a comprehensive policy IMHO. However, I did play the system and win this time.
Rgds
Les

Mr Purves · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2005 12:21 am Post subject: Second ferry booked.

A small update on our planning to drive to St Petersburg next summer. Have today had confirmation of our booking for the ferry between Stockholm and Helsinki via Silja Line ferries. Looking at the information about the boat, it looks like it will be a superb part of the overall trip.

FrS · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:00 pm Post subject: by car to russia

we will go by camper(motorhome) to russia in july-august 2006.
now's anybody campsides in Russia or where it is possible?
we will cross the border from latvia to moskou. can I there get any problems?

DITTRICH · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 11:43 am Post subject:

FrS
Sorry, I do not have direct experience of the roads and border crossing from Latvia to Moscow, though maybe in future years I will try this route. About camping, I also don't know as I prefer to stay in hotels OR rent houses - eg in Rostov Veliki, close to the Kremlin by the Lake, its possible to rent half the upper floor of a house (6 people for 600 RBL per night if I remember correctly). I assume you will be visiting uglich, rostov velikii, yaroslav, kostroma, suzdal, vladimir, pereslav zaleski, tutaev - all nice places.
Rgds
Les

jsphillips · Just Starting Joined: 07 Jan 2006 Posts: 2

Hi

Les, it looks like you've set yourself up for years of giving great travel advice.

A friend and I are travelling by van to St Petersburg in May to study Russian at the St Petersburg State University.

Basically, we decided to go by car because we have a bunch of stuff we'd like to take with us (ie computers, speakers and little bits of furniture). We decided it would be much cheaper (and more fun) to do a road trip rather than to freight it over there.

Does anyone know if we'll run into trouble trying to import a car temporarily when we are obviously studying for about 12 months? (also, another question that doesn't quite belong here but kind of relates to this situation: I don't know if a student visa is multiple entry or not, anyone know off hand?)

Les, you mentioned in that various people offered to buy your vehicle in Russia. Is selling your vehicle easily done? (I don't really need a car once we're in St Petersburg and would love to get rid of it after a week or so.)

Does anyone know if bringing in computers and the like will pose a problem with customs. I have been to Russia before and notice the customs declaration is only needed for US$3,000+ (if memory serves me). Our stuff won't be worth nearly that much so can't foresee a problem. If anyone thinks this is a little naive please let me know.

Many thanks
Julian

tripchik · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 3:12 pm Post subject:

jsphillips

DITTRICH · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2006 11:24 am Post subject: Cars and Russia

Dear Julian

I do not advise trying to permanently import and sell a car in Russia. You will never make any money doing this because the people who do this professionally know all sorts of ways of keeping the costs down Razz

which are not available to yourselves. The administration will kill you, believe me.

Having said this, I think that temporarily importing a cheap car (ie one that you can afford to lose) is reasonable. It will allow you to see much more of Russia. There is nothing to beat a car for convenience.

As per previous posts on this subject, you will need to extend the temporary import certificate of your vehicle. You need to check how long the t.i.c. can be extended for (I suspect 12m but may be 6m - another poster - 'quaal' - has done this for a long period in moscow - see his posts). So you need to register your visa (for the whole 12m) and then head off to customs (in StP - address on this website somewhere in transport section). Note that the t.i.c. can only be extended to the shorter of your registration date (on your migration card) and visa expiry date. This is the critical requirement in your case and if the t.i.c. can only be extended <12m then it will require trip to Finland and back again to repeat the process before the paperwork expires. All the other requirements - just read the other posts.

there are some other pointers about taking cars to Russia that are worth noting...

1 Security
Your car should have an alarm system and immobiliser. I suggest a RHD car with UK plates. storing cars in an avtostayanka (carpark) will cost maximum maybe £2 per night. It buys piece of mind. Though 'quaal' was parking his car outside his moscow apartment on the street apparently perfectly safely. I did consider buying a nice chunky wheelclamp for my merc but at £140 for a good one I decided to go without. I parked in carparks for £2 per night in moscow.
2 Costs of your escapade
Russian insurance - depends on the BHP of the car. I try to get some old rates from my trip for you and the contact details at the Finland border. Wait a few days. My insurance 130bhp for 6 weeks 40euro IIRC.
Obviously european cover and maybe breakdown cover. Russia may be joining the green card system in 2006 or 2007 . Check this out as it will save buying a separate russian insurance policy.
Channel crossing, oresund/storebelt(?) bridge tolls, fuel, hotels. The ridges are about £30 one way. Hotels/food - your choice. I prefer eurotunnel because it may be a little more expensive, but if you travel at wierd times, its relatively cheaper. At the other end 5mins to get on the motorway. Try to get to France in the evening and share driving throughout the night - roads clear - easier to navigate. I started calais 8pm and made Sweden by 11am next day - driving by myself. i recommend sweden finland route for you as the more direct route requires more border crossings and is less safe. In scandinavia most people speak at least a little english. You can take ferries across North Sea from Newcastle-Bergen and Stockholm-Helsinki but this is cheating IMHO - and Newcastle-Bergen expensive in high season - DFDS seaways. Stockholm-Helsinki/Turrku (Viking line / Silja line and others) is cheap but needs booking up - cheap because alcohol duty fee sales subsidise ferry costs - booze expensive in scandinavia.
3 The t.i.c. costs are structured according to the customs value of the car. try to take a car worth less than us$5,000 . The merc was valued at US$7,500 . They have a little book to look things up in. if you bought it for less, I suspect they won't listen.
4 Your car will need to be serviced t some point, so choice of car is important, as is availability of spare parts. I would choose a car that is used on the continent - something german or french is probably best. Bear in mind that spares are likely to be expensive, but labour much cheaper. In the last resort, since you are near the border, it might be easier to get the car serviced in Lappeenranta in Finland - if it needs anything doing to it. Take a diesel car - my preference - something older and simpler - modern stuff with loads of electrics steer clear of this.
If you're there in the winter, then your ar will need to be prepared so it will function in -X degrees centigrade. Liquids, tires etc.

Summary
Cost it all out and go for it if you an afford it.
I would definely recommend a car if you are confident enough as you will be able to travel about so much more. Russian driving and roads can be a bit of a nightmare, but at least in my own car, I'm the one making the decisions and holding the steering wheel Wink

Regards

Les

PS computers - just put them on the customs declaration - personal items - serial #'s - no big deal.

Woland's Advocate · Frequent Guest Joined: 09 Jul 2008 Posts: 10

Interesting to see that you took a W124 Merc.

I can pick between the RHD Alfa Romeo 156 GTA that I took last time and which survived central Moscow unscathed and untouched for 10 months, or my subsequently-acquired LHD W124 Merc E500. Nominally, the Merc seems more sensible being LHD and more "Moscow", but I reckon that a LHD Merc 500 (however old) is still more theftable than a RHD Alfa (however new), regardless of foreign plates. So am thinking of taking the Alfa again.