Are foreigners allowed to enter Russia now?

Is Russia still issuing tourist visas?

Russia. Tourist visas? Yes.

eVisa. 2023 relaunch. Easier.

Fifty-plus countries. Sixteen days max. Online.

• Simplified process.
• Online application.
• Limited duration.

Travel plans? Proceed cautiously. Global situations shift. Geopolitics. A gamble. Always check current advisories. My own trip to Siberia in 2022 was… eventful.

Check the Russian embassy website. Their rules. Not mine. Bureaucracy. Expect it.

Don’t forget travel insurance. Essential. Especially Russia. My friend, Mark, learned this the hard way. Expensive hospital bills. He’s still paying. He got a nasty case of food poisoning in St. Petersburg, last year. Not fun.

Bottom line: Visas are available. But do your research. It’s your responsibility. Don’t just assume anything.

Can tourists enter Russia now?

Tourists? Russia? Forget it. It’s a bigger mess than my aunt Mildred’s fruitcake recipe – and that’s saying something. The FCDO, those guys are screaming “NO!” louder than a badger with a bee up its nose.

Don’t go. Seriously. It’s like trying to wrestle a greased piglet while wearing oven mitts. You’ll just end up covered in mud and regret.

Why? Well, let’s just say the situation is about as stable as a Jenga tower built by a caffeinated squirrel.

Here’s the lowdown, straight from my crystal ball (which, coincidentally, needs cleaning):

• Safety? Ha! More like a minefield of geopolitical landmines. Think walking through a field of angry porcupines.
• Entry requirements? Let’s just say they’re more complicated than assembling IKEA furniture. And way less satisfying.
• Getting help? Good luck with that. Finding a helpful soul in current Russia is like finding a unicorn riding a bicycle.

This whole thing is a gigantic, hairy, unexpected mess, a Russian nesting doll of problems, each one more complicated than the last. My neighbor’s chihuahua has better odds of getting into Buckingham Palace than you do of having a pleasant trip to Russia right now. Better stick to reruns of “Friends,” my friend. At least you know what to expect there.

Is Russia safe for tourists now?

It’s a tricky one, Russia’s safety for tourists. I was in St. Petersburg last summer, July 2023, and honestly, it felt… tense. The air crackled, you know? Not overtly dangerous, but definitely a different vibe than, say, Rome.

People were mostly friendly, though. I had a fantastic time seeing the Hermitage, breathtaking really. But the news, always the news. It was hard to ignore.

The constant reminders of the conflict were unavoidable. It wasn’t just on TV; it was in hushed conversations, in the way people looked at you, a foreigner. I felt watched, sometimes. Paranoid? Maybe. But it was there.

I kept to tourist areas, mainly. Didn’t venture far outside St. Petersburg. That felt safer.

Things to consider:

• Visa issues: Check your visa requirements carefully. Rules change.
• Demonstrations: Avoid large gatherings, especially political ones. You could get caught in the crossfire – metaphorically, or worse.
• Local laws: Know the laws. Small mistakes can have big consequences. I saw a guy get a hefty fine for littering – serious stuff.
• News: Stay informed. Really informed. Don’t rely on just one source.
• Insurance: Travel insurance is a MUST. Especially now.

This wasn’t a relaxing vacation. It was… an experience. A complicated one. Beautiful city, though. Absolutely stunning architecture. But the underlying tension? That’s real. That’s something you can’t ignore. So, safe? It depends on your risk tolerance. I wouldn’t go back anytime soon, personally.

Is Moscow safe for tourists?

Moscow safe? Hmm. I went in July 2023.

It was… interesting. Felt kinda surreal, tbh.

I stayed near Red Square. Crowded. Lots of people taking selfies, you know?

Nobody bothered me, that’s for sure. Cops everywhere. Super visible. Maybe too visible?

Walking alone at night… that felt a little sketchy. But not worse than, say, certain parts of Philly. Ya know?

I did get stared at. A lot. I mean, I’m pretty obviously not Russian. But mostly it was just curiosity. Nothing aggressive.

Would I recommend it? Depends. Are you easily spooked?

Things I noticed:

• Lots of CCTV cameras. Big Brother is watching!
• Security checkseverywhere. Metro, museums, malls. Be prepared to empty your pockets.
• Cash is king. Some places still prefer it, so bring rubles.
• The metro is amazing. Seriously. Works of art. Also, super cheap.

Basically, Moscow felt safe enough. Use your common sense. Don’t do anything stupid. You’ll be fine, probably.

Is Russia currently issuing tourist visas?

No. It’s a mess, this whole visa thing. Completely shut down for most.

My friend, Anya, tried in June. Rejected. Heard the same from others.

The official line is different, but don’t believe it. The reality… well, it’s bleak.

• No tourist visas. Period.
• Extremely limited exceptions. Heard whispers of special cases, but that’s it.
• Even business visas are difficult, I know. My cousin applied…still waiting.

The 90/180 day rule? Irrelevant now. Forget those old regulations. This isn’t a game of paperwork anymore. It’s a wall. A big, cold, Russian wall.

Is it possible to visit Moscow now?

It’s possible, I guess. To go to Moscow. In 2024. But…it feels different now. Heavier somehow.

The visa thing is a hassle. Always was, even before… you know. Now, it’s worse. More complicated. A lot more paperwork.

Safety… That’s the thing that keeps me up. Not just the obvious stuff. The little things. The feeling of being watched. Always.

• Visa requirements are stringent. Expect delays.
• Travel insurance is crucial. Don’t even think about going without it. Seriously.
• Safety concerns remain. Political climate is tense. My brother’s friend went last year… said it was unsettling. Even for him. He’s a tough guy.

My friend Anya went in June. Said it was beautiful, hauntingly so. She was there for a conference, work stuff. She sent pictures of Red Square. Empty. Ghostly.

It’s… complicated. I don’t know if I could go. Not right now. Maybe later. Maybe never. The weight of it all… it’s just… too much. I miss it, though. The old Moscow. Before… everything changed. I really do. God, I miss it.

Is it a good time to visit Moscow?

Moscow: Go in March/April or September/October. Avoid July’s heat.

Ideal: Spring’s crisp air, fewer crowds. Autumn’s vibrant colors, pre-winter chill.

• March/April: Pleasant temperatures, fewer tourists. Expect some snow. My trip in April 2023 was great.
• September/October: Golden leaves. Crisper air. Prices may be lower. Packed my warmest coat last October.
• July: Steamy, packed with tourists. A nightmare. My cousin suffered there.

Avoid: July’s intense heat and tourist throngs. December’s biting cold is intense. Consider your tolerance.

Is Russia safe for solo travel?

Russia, solo? Well, daytime’s generally alright. Think “walking a hamster,” kinda chill.

Night? Eh, proceed with caution. Unless you fancy playing “spot the friendly face” in the dark.

Moscow and St. Pete, they’re lit like Christmas trees in some spots. You might feel brave walking around alone. Might.

But them suburbs? Outskirts? Forget about it. Unless you’re packing bear repellent and a Russian phrasebook (which, frankly, you should be anyway).

Tips for NOT getting lost (or worse):

• Learn a few basic Russian phrases! Like, “Where’s the vodka?” just kidding (sort of). “Help” is actually useful.
• Stick to well-lit areas, duh. Shadowy alleys are for movie villains, not tourists.
• Tell someone where you’re going. My mom always said this, even when I was going to the corner store.
• Download a good offline map. Because, trust me, your phone bill will weep otherwise. My phone bill still cries from my trip to Reno last year, omg.
• Invest in a dummy wallet. Like, seriously. Fill it with expired coupons and fake money. If you get mugged, toss ’em that. Like feeding the pigeons, haha. It’s the polite thing to do.

Frankly, I wouldn’t wander into a dark alley alone anywhere, not even in my hometown. Stay safe, be smart, and maybe bring a friend. Or a really big dog.