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Bulletguy
Frequent Guest
Joined: 21 Mar 2009
Posts: 16
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 Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 2:47 am Post subject: |
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| DITTRICH wrote: | As an extra question, when approximately would this trip take place? For 2009 I depart around 30/07 returning 31/08 . I plan 3 days London>Frankfurt-am-Oder>Kaunas>Dimitrov 3,065km. Maybe too fast for your motorhome? Your green card may well extend into Russia if UK insurance companies change their forms in time. I mention this only as a possibility. You are welcome to ask any advice.
Les |
I'm looking to take the month of July from work but would be starting from Calais as i want to re-visit Peenemunde (on the Baltic coast) and Berlin, both places of which i went to last year, but had only a few days before i had to return to the UK. |
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Bulletguy
Frequent Guest
Joined: 21 Mar 2009
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 3:23 am Post subject: Re: Motorhome Camping |
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| DITTRICH wrote: | Dear Bulletguy,
Your desire to bring your motorhome to Russia is admirable and provided you are used to muddling through in order to get to an end result, you should be okay. My 2c, perhaps put more diplomatically than others is as follows:- |
Maybe i might just take a 'change of direction' and carry on up the Baltic coast to Latvia and Lithuania instead!! There is a huge choice of camping facilities all along the Baltic coast.
I was thinking of visiting there anyway, then i got pouring over my maps and saw Moscow is not so far away....and then started searching more 'info' via the internet.....which in turn led me to this site.
I drove many different types of roads in Poland travelling from the border with Czech, eastward across Poland to Ukraine, then headed back into Poland to drive far north west up to the Baltic and Peenemunde, then down to Berlin and eventually back to the UK.
I found the driving in Poland no problem, on both main roads or tiny roads through more rural areas. Worst i've experienced are in Belgium and Italy.....oh....and London!! 
Yes lots of the roads in Poland are pretty rough going and my van took a fair bit of punishment. A local Polish guy i shared good conversation with one evening laughed when i grumbled about the state of the roads and said, "you have to remember Hitlers tanks drove along these roads and wrecked them......he didn't get his tanks into your country!!"
My vehicle insurance may prove a problem and may well be the deciding factor as to whether or not i do go to Russia. I have to check with them exactly what countries i am covered for.
I really appreciate your comments/suggestions though i'm afraid i know no-one who speaks any Russian. I've personally never found the 'language barrier' a problem in countries i've travelled. When driving down to Dachau last year on the autobahn i 'lost' braking (master cylinder had gone), and i limped off into the nearest town and found myself up a side street. Basically i was 'up shite creek'! I spoke in my very poor German to the first chap who came along, asking if he could direct me to a Garage, when he suddenly said "och ya can speak in english to me for christs sake.....i'm a bloody scot!" He was from Glasgow but moved to live near Munich in the '70's! Fluent in German of course and he helped me locate a Ford garage. |
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DITTRICH
WayToRussified
Joined: 13 Jun 2004
Posts: 429
Location: London UK
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| Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 1:30 pm Post subject: |
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Russia IS now part of the Green Card scheme. However, your insurers had better update their "green card" to show Russia written on it. Russians can quite happily buy green card insurance in Russia and travel to europe since last month. For Russia only third party insurance is all one ever gets. Comprehensive insurance would be expensive except from a Russian insurance company and even then getting money out of that company would be very very difficult in the event of a claim.
My 2 cars are worth not more than EUR4000 each and so if they get smashed, its not such a big deal.
I don't think insurance would be a problem.
Handling visa registration outside of the hotels systems and extending the import documents requires russian skills (unless you hire a good translator/guide to help you) and money - you could pay the people who register your visa to help - better a russian man who will understand car issues better. Put it this way hotels are supposed to register you only for the time you are actually there. You would need to register at a private address and this requries the cooperation of the owner of the apartment who has to fill loads of forms at the post office - both when you arrive and when you leave. Main point is to get them to do the leaving bit or it will screw up the "system". Once registered at an address you can extend the car import docs beyond 10 working days. Basically, you will lose 1 - 2 days solving these "problems". Although you are registered at an "address" you could be physically anywhere you like (so long as its not another hotel where they will register you automatically and then you'd be in 2 places at once).
So in order to visit, you have to really WANT to visit. The registration system and car system are a real pain but that's life. Part of the consequences of living in such a LARGE country where the object of the rules is to separate those who can afford to disregard them from those who can't.
I'm a little disappointed though - I think you would have made it - although it would have taken you longer. I only enquired about dates because I might have been able to help you across the Russian Border when I crossed myself. Regards
Les |
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vox16
Just Starting
Joined: 14 Apr 2010
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 1:14 am Post subject: |
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| DITTRICH wrote: |
My 2 cars are worth not more than EUR4000 each and so if they get smashed, its not such a big deal. |
The problem, however, may be with proving to customs on the way back that the car actually got smashed (and utilized properly) and not sold without being custom-cleared. |
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gaijin
Lounge Lizard
Joined: 03 Oct 2007
Posts: 155
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| Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 8:42 am Post subject: |
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| vox16 wrote: |
The problem, however, may be with proving to customs on the way back that the car actually got smashed (and utilized properly) and not sold without being custom-cleared. |
Absolutely true. If you don't bring back your car to the border you will be in trouble. At least you will need documents proving that your car was crashed... You really don't want that to happen because the value of the car will not be the problem at all. |
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chrisrein
Frequent Guest
Joined: 19 Nov 2006
Posts: 41
Location: Netherlands
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| Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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1. Off course it is very easy to understand and speak Russian language when you travel in Russia, but it is not impossible without. I was twice with my own car in Russia (older Opel car because of no-comprehensive insurance) and I managed to pass the border without speaking/understanding the Russian language. However, the first time a German helped me a lot (Riga - Moscow highway bordercrossing), without him it would have been very difficult. Going back to the EU is more easy. The second time (last year) I knew a little bit how to pass the border, but the ideas at this border crossing (Kiev - Moscow highway) were a little bit different from the other border. But we managed to pass all customs properly.
2. I appears to be very important to registrate, but I never had any questions when leaving the border about the registrations, but I did not stay every night in a registrated place. How important is it still to register every night?
3. I was allowed to stay 14 days in Russia with my car (and in 2006 it was allowed to drive for 30 days), instead of the 10 days mentioned above. What is the actual number of days you are allowed without extending the permit?
4. The baltic states are great for camping, maybe it is possible for you to travel to Piter from Estonia without the campervan?
Good luck with the preparations of your camping trip!
5. I am interested in knowing more about Belarussia. Does anyone have more information on the possibility of travelling to and into Belarus, any websites like WTR? |
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Bulletguy
Frequent Guest
Joined: 21 Mar 2009
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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| DITTRICH wrote: | The registration system and car system are a real pain but that's life. Part of the consequences of living in such a LARGE country where the object of the rules is to separate those who can afford to disregard them from those who can't.
I'm a little disappointed though - I think you would have made it - although it would have taken you longer. I only enquired about dates because I might have been able to help you across the Russian Border when I crossed myself. Regards
Les |
Oh i'm not totally giving up on the idea....i'm not that easily put off! Officialdom and 'red tape' only serve to make me 'dig my heels in' more!
As a UK national with a full UK passport, i get more hassle from Customs coming back into my own damn country than someone who isn't resident in the UK!
I've met with challenges in other countries of which i had never been to before, or spoke the language. Possibly the most un-nerving is to break down. As a person driving alone that is not a very pleasant experience! |
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Bulletguy
Frequent Guest
Joined: 21 Mar 2009
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 8:08 pm Post subject: |
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| chrisrein wrote: | The baltic states are great for camping, maybe it is possible for you to travel to Piter from Estonia without the campervan?
Good luck with the preparations of your camping trip! |
Having travelled a small part right on the Baltic coast i couldn't agree more with you.
They really are well set up to cater for tourists that travel, by means of motorhomes or any other. I may well travel further north to see more of the coast.
Czech is also amazingly good to travel. I even found camping sites in small remote villages.
Being made to feel welcome means you will go back to that country. |
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stanj
Frequent Guest
Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 41
Location: St Petersburg Russia
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| Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:56 pm Post subject: |
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Bulletguy
With a name like that you will have no problem in Russia
I don't know anything about the ex-pat posting above but he was definitely reporting a lot that was not true, apparently in order to scare you.
Registration is much easier now and not even your responsibility. If you don't even register there is no fine like the old days when it was 600Rubles. Your sponsor is responsible for your registration. If you did register it is easy at most post offices. Sending in the form is the end of it for you, you will not even get a reply, you tear off a side of the form and that is your proof of registration...no big deal. When you leave no one will even ask for it or if you try to give it to a passport control officer, they will just hand it back without looking at it.
There are many areas to camp, as in tents or mini-cabins or tent cabins, not RVs,, the country is empty so there is unlimited places to get away from crowds. The safest ones are towards the north and the least safe are generally to the south. Roads are not great but fast improving in some regions, driving has improved dramatically in the last 5 years, I suspect because average people are buying new cars on credit and driving as before is not good for the budget. Road deaths have dropped in 1/2 since 2004. Russia is not quite a rough and woolly as not many years ago, in fact in larger cities you might wish to see a few less super malls and mega shopping centers and more rustic quaintness.
Getting the van in will require a few documents, one being a title that clearly shows only you as the owner, no financed cars with a bank name attached. You need insurance but that is getting easier also. Even if your green card does not show Russia, buying insurance is relatively cheap in Russia. For Americans used to $1000 a month health insurance that covers everything except what you need, paying $280 a year for better coverage including house calls it is a demonstration of how much more reasonable it is here in Russia. For longer stays you will need to get a safety inspection, do that in a large city as soon as possible to be able to keep the van on the road for the duration of your visit. A 90 business visa would be a good choice.
Even learning just the Cyrillic Alphabet will do amazing things for your getting around, reading signs by sounding the letter sounds out for example. An AMAZING number of young people are conversational with English, if lost ask a teenager or younger. Speaking English will end up making you more friends than if you spoke Russian, so many people have taken English in school yet had little practice except watching movies or knowing song lyrics, that a large portion of people you meet will want to hang out with you to practice English.
I would advice sticking to a major city for a few days possibly with the help of English speakers to learn as much as you can about how things are done, getting the van inspected etc. One thing to consider is staying in the Western regions were there are many pristine area but reasonable driving distances. Do you have any idea of how big Russia is? There is better service by rails than by roads, primarily because it is so gigantic. In places you will drive for days between villages with few services. The distance between Moscow and SPb is a mere hop of 8 hours, but they are close together compared to most cities where distance is measured in days, not km. Why not explore a little closer like Karelia where there are 60,000 lakes (two of which are the largest in Europe)and beautiful scenery yet is still a reasonable distance from a major city.
Sounds like a great adventure. Doable with patience. |
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DITTRICH
WayToRussified
Joined: 13 Jun 2004
Posts: 429
Location: London UK
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| Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:48 pm Post subject: |
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| vox16 wrote: | | DITTRICH wrote: |
My 2 cars are worth not more than EUR4000 each and so if they get smashed, its not such a big deal. |
The problem, however, may be with proving to customs on the way back that the car actually got smashed (and utilized properly) and not sold without being custom-cleared. |
Provided you have a copy of the POLICE REPORT then it should not be a problem. At least 4 years ago I had to go through this whole business and I am sure that with the appropriate police documentation and maybe also insurance documentation that they wouldn't have a problem with it.
Strangely enough, the Russian Police and Customs aren't the complete a$$holes people make them out to be. They can be quite reasonable, especially if you speak to them in russian (as a foreigner).
Just my experience of course.
Les
PS stanj - great practical post - keep it up! |
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Bulletguy
Frequent Guest
Joined: 21 Mar 2009
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:59 pm Post subject: |
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| stanj wrote: | | I don't know anything about the ex-pat posting above but he was definitely reporting a lot that was not true, apparently in order to scare you. |
I formed that impression pretty early on. For reasons best known only to himself, he does not appear to approve of people who travel!
When i'm told that "if i speak no Russian i don't have a snowballs hell in chance of doing anything because there is NO ENGLISH in Russia"...then i am somewhat amused at just why/how so many posts on this thread are written in pretty damn good english! If nobody in Russia could speak any english....they certainly would not be able to write it! But i'm not that daft and know there are some Russian people able to speak english.
| stanj wrote: |
Even learning just the Cyrillic Alphabet will do amazing things for your getting around, reading signs by sounding the letter sounds out for example. An AMAZING number of young people are conversational with English, if lost ask a teenager or younger. Speaking English will end up making you more friends than if you spoke Russian, so many people have taken English in school yet had little practice except watching movies or knowing song lyrics, that a large portion of people you meet will want to hang out with you to practice English.
I would advice sticking to a major city for a few days possibly with the help of English speakers to learn as much as you can about how things are done, getting the van inspected etc. One thing to consider is staying in the Western regions were there are many pristine area but reasonable driving distances. Do you have any idea of how big Russia is? There is better service by rails than by roads, primarily because it is so gigantic. In places you will drive for days between villages with few services. The distance between Moscow and SPb is a mere hop of 8 hours, but they are close together compared to most cities where distance is measured in days, not km. Why not explore a little closer like Karelia where there are 60,000 lakes (two of which are the largest in Europe)and beautiful scenery yet is still a reasonable distance from a major city.
Sounds like a great adventure. Doable with patience. |
Yes i realise the geographical size of Russia means it is impossible for me to see much more than say a little bit of Moscow, and the country from there back to the border. I only have four (maybe five) weeks maximum plus i am wanting to spend time re-visiting Berlin. I will look at the areas you mention.
I used to drive between Bern Switzerland and the UK regularly, a distance of 600 miles (965kms) often in one day, but that was fifteen years ago and i'm not getting younger!
Worst case scenario for me is vehicle breakdown anywhere remote. As a single person driving alone i've had that experience and it is not very pleasant! I now also rely a lot on satnav which makes driving solo much easier than having to keep stopping to look at a map. Unfortunately it seems i cannot get a download for my satnav to cover Russia.
Many thanks for you informative post and i will take note of points you have made. |
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DITTRICH
WayToRussified
Joined: 13 Jun 2004
Posts: 429
Location: London UK
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| Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 5:59 pm Post subject: |
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chrisrein
The 10 days is 10 working days.
So you could arrive on saturday morning and leave on friday evening 2 weeks later without breaking the rules and get 14 days (2we+5wd+2we+5wd)=14d.
I've not tried to overstay yet!
I have tried to argue every time to get a permit at the border for the whole of my stay (30 days) but they don't ever listen.
However the process to extend the permit is getting quicker and easier.
Now the Russians have joined the green card scheme.
Now registration is easier.
Back 10 years ago all these things were a complete pain in a$$.
Progress!!
Les |
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DITTRICH
WayToRussified
Joined: 13 Jun 2004
Posts: 429
Location: London UK
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| Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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bulletguy
what make/model of satnav do you possess?
I may be able to point you in the right direction.
Les |
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Bulletguy
Frequent Guest
Joined: 21 Mar 2009
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:18 am Post subject: |
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| DITTRICH wrote: | bulletguy
what make/model of satnav do you possess?
I may be able to point you in the right direction.
Les |
Tom Tom Go700. Ive got full western and East europe mapping but the east doesn't extend to Russia. |
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DITTRICH
WayToRussified
Joined: 13 Jun 2004
Posts: 429
Location: London UK
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| Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 7:12 pm Post subject: |
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http://www.tomtom.com/products/maps.php?ID=468&Category=0&Lid=32
TomTom are selling in Russia...they must have maps.
I saw on one forum that someone claimed their "eastern europe" map suite contained russia even though it was not explicitly mentioned.
I'd call them and get them to confirm before buying.
Les |
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