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oc631
Just Starting
Joined: 28 Sep 2006
Posts: 9
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 Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:20 pm Post subject: Tourist Auto Visa? |
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| Has anyone applied and received one of these visas? I applied for a tourist visa, and I intended on renting a car, but now I'm told I should have applied for a Auto Tourist Visa. Is a Auto Tourist Visa more difficult to attain? |
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nikir
Frequent Guest
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 54
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| Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 12:32 am Post subject: |
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| Haven't heard of that one. I was on a private visa and hired a car in St Petersburg a month ago and all I needed was my Australian drivers licence and an international driving permit which you need to get if you are going to drive in a country where English is not the official language. |
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oc631
Just Starting
Joined: 28 Sep 2006
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 1:54 am Post subject: |
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I've got my international driving permit. Has anyone else rented a car in Moscow with a regular tourist visa? Any problems?
Thanks |
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overseas_expat
VIP
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 741
Location: Moscow
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| Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:58 am Post subject: |
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If you're bound and determined to rent a car here....well, go ahead. But it certainly can't be recommended.
Do you read Russian? There is no English on road signs here. Have you studied Russian traffic sign symbols? You should, they don't look much like the ones in the west.
And then there is the little issue of Russian drivers  oh_my_god. They ignore lane markers, back up on the freeway, drive on the sidewalks, never use turn signals, and are generally erratic and undisciplined and just nuts.
Then there is the issue of the utterly corrupt traffic militsia whose favorite target is foreigners. Foreigners have money and they want it. You'll be doling out rubles incessantly.
Why oh why would you want to rent a car here? |
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nikir
Frequent Guest
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 54
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| Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 10:38 am Post subject: |
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I was leaving it to him to find out the fun stuff. All the above is true and wise advice. Public transport is cheap and usually reliable so unless there is a special need to drive take notice and don't.  |
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Kesha
Talk Show Host
Joined: 26 Sep 2005
Posts: 258
Location: Terrapin Station
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| Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 12:31 am Post subject: |
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| Of course if you can drive in Moscow, I'm confident you can drive anywhere in the world! |
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oc631
Just Starting
Joined: 28 Sep 2006
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 1:12 am Post subject: |
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Expat,
You are the voice of logic and reason and I don't take what you say lightly. I will be in Russia for a total of 5 days and having a car will help me make the most of my time there as opposed to waiting for trains and buses. From what I am told train and bus tickets from Moscow are limited, and they do sell out, which would force me to wait for the next available seat whenever that may be. The taxi fare from the airport to the train station and back is about $50.00 U.S. each way which would pay for two days of me renting a car. A bus to the train station is a option but then again I run the chance of full buses and further delays. I am not rich but I am the type that would pay a little extra for a direct flight as opposed to a cheaper one with connections and the possibility of delays.
I enjoy the power of having a car and getting off the regular tourist route which public transportation would limit me to. Driving the back roads and seeing rural life to me is better then any museum. Russian drivers can't be any worse then those I've shared the road with in Nicaragua, Ecuador, or Indonesia. Twenty-four hours after leaving Russia I will be renting a motorcycle in Hanoi. I just want to know what my legal rights and responsiblities are as a driver in Russia and I'll go from there. Thanks for your response. |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 1:33 am Post subject: |
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| Russian Drivers and roads are worse. Wait until you hit traffic, and the delays caused by rail road crossings...suit yourself but take heed here with what you read-it's no joke! |
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camarks
Moderator
Joined: 30 Sep 2005
Posts: 333
Location: Richmond, VA USA
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| Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 2:30 am Post subject: |
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| oc631 wrote: | Expat,
You are the voice of logic and reason and I don't take what you say lightly. I will be in Russia for a total of 5 days and having a car will help me make the most of my time there as opposed to waiting for trains and buses. From what I am told train and bus tickets from Moscow are limited, and they do sell out, which would force me to wait for the next available seat whenever that may be... |
I have never rented a car or driven in Moscow or anywhere else in Russia. However, I believe much of what I quoted above is incorrect (except for Expat being the voice of reason). I have never been unable to get the bus I wanted, and while I did have to take my second choice on trains between Moscow and St. Petersburg a couple of times, it was never more than 10 - 15 minutes difference. I have, however, experienced severe traffic delays in taxis and other automobiles around Moscow and in other Russian cities. The road conditions and habits of the local drivers make travel on the roads less than enjoyable as a passenger. I think that the stress of driving and navigating would only increase the misery and that all this would far outweigh any concerns about the public transportation. I would not consider renting a car, even after seven trips to Russia and being fairly familiar with the lay of the land and the language. For your short stay, the best way to get around is the metro and trains. Familiarize yourself with the alphabet and it will be a piece of cake. |
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wu687
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 18 Jul 2003
Posts: 199
Location: Victoria BC, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 2:38 am Post subject: |
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| Also what about parking a rented car at the sights that you want to visit - not an easy task. |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 2:39 am Post subject: |
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| not to mention the rip offs! It's best not to drive over there |
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nikir
Frequent Guest
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 54
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| Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 3:02 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | The taxi fare from the airport to the train station and back is about $50.00 U.S. |
You don't have to use taxis. From SVO you can get a bus to the metro and from Domodedevo there is a train right into the airport which will either take you to the Paveletski or sometimes right to Leningradski stations. From there you can go anywhere. |
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overseas_expat
VIP
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Posts: 741
Location: Moscow
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| Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:04 am Post subject: |
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Brilliant oc631. Every single poster on this thread has told you the same thing "don't do it!" and you blithely ignore all of our advise. Some people only learn the hard way.
As for your inquiry about the laws and your *rights*.....hahahaha. You don't have any. Dude I don't know what you're thinking, but this is Russia, you can check you civil and legal rights at the door when you enter. This is particularly true for foreigners who don't speak Russian. And 100% true for foreigners on the road.
So why did you bother to ask when you have no intention of listening to what we have to say? Just blunder on, do it your way, and best of luck to ya. |
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surfguy
Lounge Wizard
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 6979
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| Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:24 am Post subject: |
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| Wait till he gets in an accident and the other driver takes off or takes his money and then he has nothing left to pay off the militsia...there's a hard lesson learned. It's crazy over there driving. |
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mediashark
Moderator
Joined: 04 Nov 2004
Posts: 1599
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| Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 8:30 am Post subject: |
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If you really need a car, try hiring a driver with a car instead of going it alone. Mistakes and misunderstands on the road can prove expensive when you are forced to line someone elses' pockets.
If you are concerned about wasting time--consider taking the metro during peak hours if you are traveling within the city. Yes, it is crowded and get a little nuts underground, but above ground on the words you could be stuck for hours.
However, having mentioned that you have driven in worse places, Moscow is nothing. My friends who drive here have driven in Indonesia and Camobodia--Moscow is easy compared to that. |
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