| Author |
Message |
cliffo
Just Starting
Joined: 29 Sep 2003
Posts: 4
Location: Newcastle, Australia
|
 Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2003 3:25 am Post subject: Wanting to Visit Russia 2004 |
 |
|
Hi People,
I'm heading to Europe in March 2004 for an extended backpacking trip. Russia is somewhere I've wanted to go for many years so is definitely on my 'to visit' list.
I think i'm starting to understand the whole Visa process thing but as my trip is not going to be planed I'm worried about how to organise my Visa. I'm from Australia and since I don't know exactly when i'll be wanting to visit Russia I can't really arrange my Visa before i go.
Is it possible to get a Visa for Russia whilst I am in Europe, say in Germany or France? I guess I'd probably want to be in Russia for up to 2 weeks and would book the accomodation via internet whilst in Europe.
Also what the best way to get to Russia? At this stage i'm considering entering from Finland as i will have a Eurorail pass and that would allow me to avoid paying for transit visas. Is this a viable option?
Sorry for all the questions but I am determined to go to Russia and would like to kow the best way to go about it.
Thankyou all in advance,
cliffo |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
waytorussia
Frequent Guest
Joined: 17 Mar 2010
Posts: 14
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2003 1:22 pm Post subject: visa |
|
|
| You cannot get visa in Germany and in France it may be hard (because you will not have a permit of stay in those countries). However, as far as I know, it is possible to get a Russian visa for a national of any country in Eastern Europe (Czekh) and Baltics (Estonia). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cliffo
Just Starting
Joined: 29 Sep 2003
Posts: 4
Location: Newcastle, Australia
|
| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2003 1:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for the info - I will look into my options. maybe getting one in Estonia might be the way to go.
Do you know if there is anyway to organise a visa in Australia before i go without knowing exactly when i will arrive in Russia?
cheers,
cliffo |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
UsualSuspect
WayToRussified
Joined: 08 May 2003
Posts: 324
Location: The Land of Oz
|
| Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2003 12:58 pm Post subject: Visa in Oz |
|
|
Cliffo,
Just about impossible mate! Have a read of www.sydneyrussianconsulate.com
Essentially, for a tourist visa you must have pre-booked accommodation, air tickets and an itinerary plus a letter of invitation. Given it sounds like you can't supply that, I'd say you wouldn't get one.
Take dmitri's advice about applying over there. Make sure you take some mug shots etc with you.
Some things to think about also concern "how fast do you want it"? The Visa itself can be expedited by coughing up serious dollars (List price in OZ is $450.00 for two day turn around). The same can be said for various Visa support doco's and stuff, particularly over there. You might want to investigate a post-restante service over in the EU while you are there, or an Internet Cafe with printers attached!!
As for Eurrail, it's been too many years since I used one. I would check very thoroughly whether a Finland -> Russia train is on the list. I know for a fact there is no such thing as a "RussRail(?)" pass, but tickets on the whole are inexpensive once inside Russia.
Enjoy, and good for you for starting plotting and scheming early!!
Regards
UsualSuspect (Canberra, BTW) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cliffo
Just Starting
Joined: 29 Sep 2003
Posts: 4
Location: Newcastle, Australia
|
| Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2003 5:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
UsualSuspect,
I think applying whilst over there will be the way to go. I've heard i can also apply in Latvia or Lithuania. I'd say Estonia would be the best option though, being right next to Russia + no visa required for Estonia if i've read correctly.
I'll definitely be using internet cafes all throughout my trip - just makes things soo much easier. As for Eurail, it doesn't cover Finland to Russia, but it does cover my travels all the way up to Finland, so that way i can go from Finland into Estonia (by ferry i assume??) organise my accommodation + visa and other documents, then take a train into Russia. Time won't be a big issue for me as i plan to be travelling for many months so if i need to wait a week then that should be fine. On the other hand if i'm impatient I can always hand over the big $$.
Seems easy in theory, time will tell how easy it is in practice. Does what i've planned seem a feasable option?
Thanks for all the advice and help
cliffo |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
UsualSuspect
WayToRussified
Joined: 08 May 2003
Posts: 324
Location: The Land of Oz
|
| Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2003 12:52 pm Post subject: Plans |
|
|
Cliffo,
Sounds ok, although you may want to consider going Estonia -> St Pete, go to Moscow and via St Pete get to Helsinki and take off from there. I can't tell you anything about ferries from Finland/Estonia.
Double entries may kill you sometimes, and I can't remember which of the Baltic states let's Aussies in sans need for a Visa. Try a Google search!.
Regards
UsualSuspect |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cliffo
Just Starting
Joined: 29 Sep 2003
Posts: 4
Location: Newcastle, Australia
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2003 2:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
Again thanks for the info. Aussie's don't need a visa for Estonia so i'm thinking that will be the place to arrange everything.
The travel path you mentioned seems like the way to do it. I'll have to check the train situation but i think i saw that there's an overnight train going from Moscow to Helsinki..takes quite a while but hey thats all part of the travel experience.
So i guess i'll do the way you mention, start St Pete, on to Moscow then back track through to Helsinki and make my way back down through Western Europe. Gonna be one hell of an expidition but what an experience it will be...can't wait.
cheers,
cliffo |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
