How to travel across Russia: A guide for foreign tourists

By train

Russia has one of the largest railroad networks in the world: For example, by train, you can get from Moscow to Vladivostok in a whole week without any connections! And it's also convenient that trains stop in small settlements and you can rest or chat with fellow travelers while on your journey. Plus, it's usually cheaper than flying via plane. 

We’ve put together some examples of train trips between cities that are within a few hours of each other: Moscow-St. Petersburg (4 hours on the high-speed 'Sapsan' train, 8 hours on an overnight train), Perm-Yekaterinburg (5 hours), Tyumen-Tobolsk (4 hours). 

How to buy a ticket:

- On the Russian Railways website (https://eng.rzd.ru/en/9446) (payment by Russian debit/credit card only). 

- At the ticket office at the station (payment in cash or Russian debit/credit card).

By plane

Airplanes are the best choice for quick journeys between remote regions and regions that are difficult or impossible to reach by land. 

For example, you can fly from Moscow to Kamchatka (8-9 hours flight time), from Sochi to Murmansk (5.5 hours) or from St. Petersburg to Krasnoyarsk (5 hours). 

As a general rule, it’s always better to buy airplane tickets in advance, as they are quickly sold out for popular destinations.

How to buy a ticket:

- Via apps and on aggregator websites (for example, Aviasales and OneTwoTrip accept most international bank cards)

- On the websites and apps of Russian carriers (Aeroflot, S7 and others). They also, however, still only accept Russian debit/credit cards.

- At airport ticket offices (payment by cash or Russian debit/credit card).

By intercity buses

Buses are an extremely affordable way to get to small towns and villages, where there is no rail or air service. Again, in most cases, it is better to book or buy tickets in advance, although you can usually buy one on the spot prior to your departure. 

For example, if you want to see the famous Olkhon Island on Lake Baikal, you will have to get there by bus from Irkutsk (and, if you go in summer, in the middle of the trip, you will be forced to take a ferry. All this takes about 5-6 hours). Or, you can go from Moscow to Suzdal (4 hours) or from Kazan to Yoshkar-Ola (6-7 hours).

How to buy a ticket:

- On the websites and apps of aggregators (Busfor, Tutu, OneTwoTrip). They accept both Russian and some foreign debit/credit cards.

- At bus stations (payment by cash or Russian debit/credit cards).

By commuter trains

This option is suitable for traveling within the region you are in. For example, the easiest way to get from St. Petersburg to Vyborg (2 hours) or from Kaliningrad to Zelenogradsk (45 minutes) is by commuter train. 

How to buy a ticket:

- At the station in the terminal or at the ticket office. You do not need to book in advance. Payment by cash or Russian debit/credit card. Train companies in all regions have their own websites and apps, but, again, you can only pay with cash or a Russian debit/credit card. 

By renting a car

If you like to drive and don't want to depend on transportation, you can rent a car. Many major cities popular with tourists have their own rental services. 

For example, it is convenient to drive around the Golden Ring or from Moscow to the Nikola-Lenivets art park. Carsharing, which is also now available in many cities, is suitable for short rentals. From the pluses – as a rule, parking even in a paid zone for such a car will be free!

How to rent a car:

- In Moscow, St. Petersburg and Sochi – Yandex.Drive, City Drive (also in Yekaterinburg and Nizhny Novgorod); Belka Car (also in Kaliningrad), Delimobil (in English, lots of Russian cities). A car can be booked online, but a Russian debit/credit card is required.  

- At Moscow airports Domodedovo, Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo and in St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo Airport, you will find international car rental services, such as Europcar, Rentmotors and REX Rent services. 

- In many cities, there are local rental services, which allow you to leave a deposit in cash. You can usually find them at airports.