Russia Travel Guide

Overview and Things to Consider

Getting into Russia as a Western traveler in 2026 takes work. Visa rules are complex and getting stricter, and relations are tense over the Ukraine conflict. Many Western airlines no longer fly there, and the tourism infrastructure still exists but is disrupted. This guide reflects things as of 2026.

If you do go, Moscow is monumental, from the Kremlin to St. Basil's Cathedral. St. Petersburg's Hermitage Museum ranks with the best museums anywhere. The country runs from Europe to Asia, and the regions feel very different. Plan the visa months ahead.

Getting There and Around

Visa rules are complex and vary by nationality, and Western travelers get extra scrutiny. Airlines from many Western countries have stopped flying there; flights from Asia continue. Getting a regular visa requires a Russian sponsor (hotel or tour company) and advance planning - expect 2 - 3 months minimum. EU citizens are among 64 nationalities that can instead apply online for an e-visa that needs no invitation, is issued within 4 calendar days and covers stays of up to 30 days. US and UK citizens aren't on that list.

Once you're in, trains cover the long distances, the Trans-Siberian Railway most famously. Buses are less developed, and flights cost more. City metros are efficient. Distances are huge, so plan around them.

What's Changed Since 2016

Since 2016 things have gotten much worse for Western tourists. Visas are harder to get, Western carriers stopped flying in and relations are badly strained. Sanctions have changed prices and what's available. The tourist infrastructure is still there, with disruptions.

Some Western apps don't work, and VPNs are monitored. Banking and currency exchange are complicated. The tourism industry has adjusted to fewer Western visitors, and domestic tourism is doing well while international travel stays hard.

Ideas to Consider for Your Visit

Moscow's Kremlin is the big one, its walls, cathedrals and monuments all built on a monumental scale. St. Basil's Cathedral and Red Square are famous for good reason. In St. Petersburg, the Hermitage Museum is one of the world's great museums.

St. Petersburg feels European, and its canals are beautiful. The Winter Palace is a highlight. The Trans-Siberian Railway lives up to its legend. Lake Baikal, the deepest and oldest freshwater lake in the world, is beautiful.

Russian food is hearty, built on borscht, pelmeni and black bread. Caviar is available but expensive. Vodka is a real part of the culture. Food is affordable but uneven, and restaurants in the major cities are good.

Realities to Be Aware Of

The visa takes time and paperwork. You'll fly in from Asia or through neutral countries. Many Western apps don't work. Sanctions make currency exchange complicated, and accommodation has to be booked through Russian agencies.

English is less common than in Western Europe, so you'll need Russian. Tourists are generally safe, but political tensions are real and Western travelers may meet suspicion or restrictions. Some services won't take foreign payment methods, and photography is restricted in certain areas.

If Russia Is Part of a Longer Trip

Visas and geopolitics make Russia hard to combine with Western Europe. The Trans-Siberian Railway is a trip of its own, and adding other regions takes a lot of time. Eastern European countries are separate entry points.

Give Moscow and St. Petersburg a week at least. The Trans-Siberian Railway needs 5 - 7 days minimum, and seeing more of the country takes 2 - 3 weeks minimum.

Yearly Things to Consider

May through September offer mild weather and accessibility. June through August are warm and popular. April and October are mild but less pleasant. November through March are cold and sometimes extremely cold - winter temperatures plunge far below freezing.

Winter means snow and cold-weather activities, so bring proper gear, and the Arctic regions are the real thing. Far north, summer brings the midnight sun. Lake Baikal is open for swimming and hiking in summer. Winter ice formations are something to see.

Ideas for Itineraries

Five Days: Moscow Essential

Day 1: Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, Kremlin. Day 2: Hermitage Museum equivalent (State Historical Museum). Days 3 - 5: Neighborhoods, restaurants, metro stations as monuments.

Eight Days: Moscow and St. Petersburg

Days 1 - 4: Moscow. Night train to St. Petersburg. Days 5 - 8: Hermitage, Winter Palace, canal walks.

Seven Days: Trans-Siberian Experience

Days 1 - 2: Moscow. Days 3 - 7: Trans-Siberian Railway journey east - experience the train journey itself.

Two Weeks: Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Beyond

Days 1 - 4: Moscow. Days 5 - 8: St. Petersburg. Days 9 - 14: Trans-Siberian Railway or flight to eastern regions like Lake Baikal or Vladivostok.