Yes, you can travel to Russia in 2026 – and hundreds of thousands of international visitors do every year. But it is not a destination you should turn up to unprepared: cards issued abroad don’t work, there are no direct flights from Europe or North America, and the visa rules depend heavily on your passport. This guide gives you the honest short version of everything that matters, with links to detailed guides on each topic.
Visas: easier than you think (for most passports)
Citizens of 64 countries – including the entire EU, India, China, Türkiye, Mexico and most of Southeast Asia – can apply for Russia’s unified e-visa entirely online. It costs 52 USD, is processed within 4 calendar days, is valid for 120 days and allows a stay of up to 30 days. You apply only through the official portal evisa.kdmid.ru; no invitation or hotel booking is required, but travel medical insurance for the whole stay is.
Travellers from the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are not eligible for the e-visa. You need a classic tourist visa, which starts with a visa invitation letter (tourist voucher) – a routine document we arrange for our guests. Citizens of the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China, Brazil, South Korea, Thailand and many other countries need no visa at all for tourist stays.
Full details, country by country: Russian visa guide 2026 →
Money: your cards will not work
This is the single most important practical fact: Visa and Mastercard issued outside Russia do not work in Russia, and neither do Apple Pay or Google Pay. Travellers manage with roubles in cash, by prepaying hotels through platforms such as Ostrovok or Trip.com, or by opening a local Mir card on arrival. It sounds daunting, but with a little planning it is a solved problem – and on a guided tour almost everything is prepaid anyway. Read the full breakdown: How to pay in Russia →
Getting there: one stop, not zero
There are currently no direct flights between Russia and the EU, US or UK – but around 60 airlines still fly to Russia, so one comfortable connection gets you there. The workhorse routes are Istanbul (Turkish Airlines, the biggest single link to Moscow), Dubai (Emirates and flydubai, about 5.5 hours to Moscow), Doha (Qatar Airways) and Belgrade (Air Serbia, the closest one-stop option within Europe). From the Gulf and much of Asia there are plentiful direct flights. Routes, timings and connection tips: Flights to Russia →
When to go
Russia is genuinely a year-round destination, but the character of a trip changes completely with the season. June and July bring the famous White Nights to St Petersburg; September wraps the Golden Ring in autumn colour; and a proper Russian winter – frost, snow-covered domes, steaming banyas – is an experience in itself rather than something to avoid. Month-by-month advice: Best time to visit Russia →
Staying connected
Most foreign eSIMs and roaming plans work poorly or not at all in Russia, so the practical solution is a local SIM card, bought with your passport at an official carrier store – a 15-minute errand that costs a few euros. Wi-Fi is widespread and fast in cities. Details and step-by-step: SIM cards & eSIM in Russia →
Is it safe?
The honest answer has two parts: day-to-day life in Moscow, St Petersburg and other tourist cities is calm and orderly, with low street crime – and at the same time, several Western governments formally advise against travel to Russia, which has real consequences for insurance and consular support. Both facts matter, and how they weigh up depends partly on your nationality. We look at it properly, without spin: Is it safe to travel to Russia? →
Arrival formalities in 2026
- Registration: hotels register foreign guests automatically within one working day – you don’t need to do anything. In private accommodation, your host must register you within 7 working days.
- Biometrics: all four Moscow airports photograph and fingerprint arriving foreigners (children under 6 exempt). It adds a few minutes, nothing more.
- ruID app: travellers entering visa-free are strongly advised to pre-register at least 72 hours before arrival via the “Gosuslugi ruID” app. This does not apply to visa or e-visa holders. The rules around this scheme are still evolving, so check the current status shortly before you travel.
All travel guides
Browse Russia tours 2026 →