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Russia Travel Guide: Immersive Journeys from Red Square to the Russian Far East

Intro to Russia Travel Guide

Russia spans two continents and eleven time zones — a land of imperial opulence, Soviet legacy, natural extremes, and complex cultural identity. From the grandeur of Moscow’s cathedrals to the icy serenity of Lake Baikal, Russia rewards the curious traveler with a mix of history, wilderness, and unexpected warmth.

Start planning your journey with this complete Russia Travel Guide — featuring top places to visit, travel cost tips, the best time to go, and unforgettable experiences across Europe’s eastern edge and Asia’s western frontier.

Continent: Eurasia (spanning Europe and Asia)
Country: Russia (Russian Federation)
Area: ~17,098,242 km² — largest country in the world
Population: ~144 million (2024)
Density: ~8.4 people/km² (heavily concentrated in western Russia)
Capital: Moscow
Regions/Subregions: Central Russia, Siberia, Far East, Ural Mountains, Volga, Northwest, Caucasus
Language(s): Russian (official); over 100 minority languages spoken
Currency: Russian Ruble (RUB)
Time Zone(s): GMT+2 to GMT+12 (11 time zones total)
Airports: SVO (Moscow Sheremetyevo), DME (Domodedovo), LED (St. Petersburg), VKO (Vnukovo), SVX (Yekaterinburg), KHV (Khabarovsk)
Climate: Mostly continental — long cold winters, short summers; subarctic and tundra in the north
Known For: Red Square, Trans-Siberian Railway, Lake Baikal, Hermitage Museum, Russian Orthodox churches, literature, ballet, and tsarist history

Visa required for most nationalities (U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, EU)
eVisa available for select countries and regions (e.g., St. Petersburg, Far East)
Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond intended stay
Visitors must register with local authorities within 7 days of arrival
Official info: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Visa Info

Required: None
Recommended: Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus, COVID-19
Tick-borne encephalitis is a concern in forested rural areas (Siberia, Ural)
Healthcare is limited outside of major cities — carry travel insurance with medical coverage
Travel health updates — get coverage here
Stay Informed with Official Updates: World Health Organization – International Travel and Health | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Global Travel Health

Travel restrictions and advisories may be in effect due to geopolitical tensions — check your government’s guidance
Security risks in North Caucasus region — avoid Chechnya, Dagestan, and Ingushetia
Surveillance: Foreign visitors may be monitored
Stay Informed with Official Updates: US Travel Advisory | UK Foreign Travel Advice

New Year Holiday: January 1–6
Orthodox Christmas: January 7
Defender of the Fatherland Day: February 23
Victory Day: May 9
Russia Day: June 12
Offices may close for extended periods around major holidays.

Currency: Russian Ruble (RUB); cash is preferred outside cities
Cards: Visa and Mastercard issued abroad may not work due to sanctions — use local MIR cards where accepted
ATMs: Available in cities; bring extra cash for rural areas
Tipping: 5–10% appreciated but not required
Duty-Free: Up to 3L alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and gifts worth under €10,000

SVO – Sheremetyevo (Moscow): Main international gateway
DME – Domodedovo, VKO – Vnukovo: Serve Moscow area
LED – Pulkovo (St. Petersburg): Northern capital access
Others: SVX (Yekaterinburg), KHV (Khabarovsk), OVB (Novosibirsk), VVO (Vladivostok)
Domestic routes span 9,000+ km from west to Far East

Trains: Extensive network — includes famous Trans-Siberian Railway
Metro: Moscow and St. Petersburg metros are fast, affordable, and ornate
Domestic Flights: Recommended for long distances; Aeroflot and other regional airlines operate
Buses & Marshrutkas: Common in towns and suburbs
Car Rentals: Roads well-developed in the west, rougher in Siberia — signage in Cyrillic

SIM Cards: MTS, Beeline, Megafon — passport required to purchase
Coverage: Good in cities, limited in rural/siberian zones
Wi-Fi: Common in cafés, hotels, airports; speeds vary
VPN Use: Advised to access some international websites and apps

Drinking Age: 18
Cannabis: Illegal
Dress Code: Modest dress required in churches; no shorts in government buildings
LGBTQ+ Status: Expression restricted; public LGBTQ+ advocacy may face legal penalties
Behavior: Respect authority and avoid political discussion in public

Emergency Numbers:
Police: 102
Ambulance: 103
Fire: 101
Hospitals: International clinics available in Moscow, St. Petersburg; limited options elsewhere
Embassy Assistance: Carry consulate contacts and register your trip with your government if available

Winter (Dec–Feb): Bitterly cold — –10 to –30°C (14 to –22°F) in Siberia
Spring (Mar–May): Cold to mild — 0 to 15°C (32–59°F)
Summer (Jun–Aug): Warm in the west — 20–30°C (68–86°F); cooler in Siberia
Autumn (Sep–Nov): Cool and crisp — 5–15°C (41–59°F), early snow in the north
Best time to visit: May to September
Weather Forecast

Russia by Region – Where to Go

Russia’s vast size means travelers often choose by region, from the classic Golden Ring to the wilds of Siberia or the Pacific coast.

Moscow & the Central Region

Political heart and architectural showpiece of the Russian Federation.

Moscow: Red Square, the Kremlin, world-class metro, and modern culture.
Suzdal & Vladimir: Part of the Golden Ring, offering fairytale churches and countryside.
Sergiev Posad: Russia’s spiritual capital with blue-domed monasteries.

Saint Petersburg & Northwest Russia

The country’s artistic and imperial soul.

Saint Petersburg: Canals, palaces, and museums in a European-feeling city.
Peterhof & Tsarskoye Selo: Extravagant tsarist summer estates.
Karelia: Lakes, wooden churches, and northern wilderness.

Siberia & Lake Baikal

Untamed nature and Indigenous cultures.

Irkutsk: Gateway to Baikal and Siberian city life.
Lake Baikal: Oldest and deepest freshwater lake on Earth.
Altai Mountains: A trekking paradise of rivers, peaks, and legends.

Far East Russia

The edge of Asia with wildlife, volcanoes, and few tourists.

Vladivostok: Naval port and Pacific-facing city with seafood and history.
Kamchatka Peninsula: Volcanoes, bears, geysers, and remote treks.
Sakhalin Island: Unique blend of Russian and East Asian influence.

Southern Russia & the Caucasus

Mountains, beaches, and distinct cultures.

Sochi: Black Sea resort and Olympic city.
Krasnodar & Rostov-on-Don: Warm weather, food culture, and Cossack heritage.
Caucasus Mountains: Mount Elbrus and multiethnic republics like Dagestan.

Top Places to Visit in Russia

Here are the most rewarding places to visit in Russia, across different landscapes and themes.

Cultural & Historic Icons

Moscow: Visit Red Square, Lenin’s Mausoleum, and St. Basil’s Cathedral.
Saint Petersburg: Admire the Hermitage Museum and Church on the Spilled Blood.
Suzdal: Time-travel through onion domes and wooden architecture.

Natural Marvels

Lake Baikal: Swim, hike, or dog sled across this UNESCO-listed wonder.
Kamchatka: Volcanic trekking, hot springs, and heli-skiing.
Altai Republic: Sacred peaks and pristine rivers.

Coastal Cities & Remote Routes

Vladivostok: Final stop on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Sochi: Combine beaches, mountains, and spas.
Murmansk: Northern Lights and Arctic exploration.

How to Choose Where to Go in Russia

Russia’s size requires strategic planning — here’s how to pick regions based on interest.

For First-Time Visitors: Moscow and Saint Petersburg for history and ease
For Nature & Adventure: Choose Siberia, Baikal, or the Altai Mountains
For Off-the-Grid Travel: Explore the Russian Far East or Kamchatka
For Cultural Depth: Add the Golden Ring or the Caucasus
Efficient Pairings: Moscow + Saint Petersburg (5–8 days) or Moscow + Baikal + Altai (10–14 days)

How to Get Around Russia

Domestic travel in Russia is vast but well connected.

Trains: The Trans-Siberian connects Moscow to Vladivostok; high-speed Sapsan runs between major cities.
Domestic Flights: Best for long distances (Baikal, Kamchatka, Sochi).
Metro Systems: Moscow and Saint Petersburg have efficient and beautiful subways.
Marshrutkas (Minibuses): Useful in smaller towns and remote areas.
Car Rental: Practical in rural areas, especially in the south or Altai region.

Travel Budget & Costs in Russia

The travel cost in Russia varies by region and travel style, but offers good value compared to Western Europe.

Budget: $40–60/day — hostels, metro, local eateries
Mid-Range: $80–150/day — hotels, guided tours, internal flights
Luxury: $200+/day — upscale hotels, business-class trains, private guides

Sample Costs:

Moscow–St. Petersburg train: ~$40–80
Metro ride: ~$0.80
Entry to the Hermitage: ~$10
Trans-Siberian train (7 days): $500–1,200 depending on class
Dinner for two: $25–50 in cities

Best Time to Visit Russia

Seasons transform Russia dramatically — timing is everything.

Summer (Jun–Aug): Best weather, White Nights in St. Petersburg, festivals
Autumn (Sep–Oct): Fewer crowds, colorful foliage
Winter (Nov–Feb): Cold but magical — think snowy Red Square, ice festivals
Spring (Mar–May): Thaw season, museums reopen, less tourist traffic

The best time to visit Russia depends on your tolerance for cold and desire for outdoor vs. cultural travel.

Must-See Experiences in Russia

These are the most unforgettable things to do in Russia — from high culture to high adventure.

Ride the Trans-Siberian Railway across 8 time zones
Admire Fabergé eggs and imperial jewels in Saint Petersburg
Watch ballet at the Bolshoi or Mariinsky Theatre
Trek volcanoes and soak in hot springs in Kamchatka
Dog sled or ice skate across frozen Lake Baikal
Hike in the Altai Mountains, where Russia meets Mongolia
Sail down the Volga River through ancient towns
Attend a village banya (steam bath) and traditional feast

Discover the essence of Russia — from sacred rituals and mountain landscapes to vibrant markets and serene lakeside escapes.

Best Travel Itineraries in Russia

Here are three sample itineraries to help structure your adventure.

7-Day Highlights Tour

Moscow → Saint Petersburg (via high-speed train)

Kremlin, Hermitage, Red Square, ballet, and canals

10-Day Cultural + Nature Combo

Moscow → Golden Ring → Irkutsk → Lake Baikal

Mix history and the natural world

2-Week Trans-Siberian Journey

Moscow → Yekaterinburg → Novosibirsk → Irkutsk → Vladivostok

Epic rail journey across continents

Local Cuisine & Culinary Experiences

Russian food is hearty and regional — perfect for cold winters and celebratory tables.

What to Try

Borscht: Beetroot soup with sour cream
Pelmeni: Dumplings filled with meat or mushrooms
Blini: Thin pancakes topped with jam, sour cream, or caviar
Beef Stroganoff: Creamy mushroom sauce over beef
Kvass & Kompot: Fermented and fruit-based local drinks

Culinary Tips

Try a “zakuski” table: Russian appetizers served with vodka
Visit Soviet-style canteens or upscale farm-to-table cafés
Sample caviar and smoked fish on the Volga or in Kamchatka
Book a cooking class in Moscow or Irkutsk for pelmeni-making

Travel Safety & Cultural Etiquette in Russia

Respect for local customs and awareness of regulations go a long way.

Visa Required: Most nationalities need a visa — apply well in advance
Carry ID: You may be asked to show passport by police
Dress Smartly: Especially in cities — Russians tend to dress well
Public Decorum: Avoid loud voices or political discussions
Respect Local Traditions: Remove hats in churches; be punctual for appointments