hello,
we will be crossing the Russian-Estonian border at Narva in 2 weeks,
does anyone have any recent information about the time needed crossing from Russia into Estonia.
I have heard that it could take up to 10 hours, or is this just for cars and can you pass the line on a bike?
thanks,
Mark

I now live in Tallinn, but have yet to cross that border. The only foreign person I personally know to have done it is Hubert Kriegel, after he left us and headed East last July. He said it was a breeze!!

Thetimelessride - Hubert Kriegel

He too said that it was quick by bike. I think the queues are likely to be long for freight traffic, but I can't imagine it would take 10 hours for private individuals.

Otherwise there are other points to cross at.
Possibly less well equipped than the Narva favourite, but more picturesque to reach, such as the crossing at Petsori, east of the Estonian town of Võru.

I have not heard of any experiences of this crossing but the Setomaa county landscape is far nicer and intersting to travel through than the Narva highway... unless you don't like gravel roads... the more minor roads there will be gravel.

I don't know your itinerary but despite being small, Estonia doesn't deserve to be rushed through outright: it has some very pleasant, if not grand, gems to see and experience. So if you haven't planned to, but can spare a few days, take a little detour through Eestimaa!

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We crossed there in December 2008. It took us about 45 min in total, and that included waiting around for the insurance lady for about 10 min. It was easy and straight forward. The EU customs did a quick check of the car and that was it.

The insurance they sell on the Estonian side of the border is only valid for Estonia, ie not green card (at the time we went through) You might be able to get the green card insurance on the Russian side

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As an EU Passport holder on an EU registered bike-

Narva - Ivangorod
Took me about an hour on a bike. I had already bought RUS insurance in Narva. The Tourist Office directed me to one of a list of Agencies they had.
EST exit control. Looked at my EU passport and EU vehicle Registration document.
RUS Passport control - fill in Migration card and show with Passport. Passport and Card stamped and given back to you. Keep both with you at all times. Give card back on exit from RUS.
RUS Customs - fill Customs Declaration form in duplicate (English version available). They then they took a brief look into bike panniers. Them they gave me a vehicle Temporary Import Certificate with one Customs Declaration suitably stamped. You need this at all times for Roads Police checks and to give back on exit from RUS.
RUS police/military check point - inspect Passport stamp, Migration Card and Vehicle Certificate.
Then you are free to go as far as the Pacific! Cheap fuel within 100 metres.

Ivangorod - Narva
Took about 20 minutes.
RUS Passport control - they take back the Migration card and stamp your passport.
RUS Customs - they take back the Customs Declaration. They checked this to the bike registration number.
EST Customs - asked what had I bought and they looked at EU Vehicle Registration document.
EST Passport control - look at Passport.
Then you are free to go as far as the Atlantic!

Always go (slowly) to head of queues on bikes. I have never been challenged in 10 road border crossings between Russia and Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Sometimes drivers have waved me forward.
Someone I know was once stopped by a car driver - he said "Geneva Convention grants exemption from queuing for Diplomats, Mail Services and 2 wheelers". Total bunkum, but sounded good and the driver apologised!!!

This is the best EU/RUS border for time and queues as there is little freight traffic. The Latvia border on the Riga/Moscow road sometimes has 10 kilometers of queuing trucks and a kilometer of cars. Even riding to the top of queues it has always taken me at least 4 hours to enter RUS. Coming out is far quicker.

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hello guys,
thank you for your quick replies.
I guess the 10 hour waiting stories were more "bears on the road" than true.
so the Narva border it will be,
regards,
Mark

Since posting above, I have again crossed into Russia from Narva and noted two new changes in procedure -

1. In July the town of Narva introduced a compulsory Queue/Line Ticket system (and charge!) before getting to the border. On entering the town follow the signed route, turning right just after a filling station (the straight on direct route is no good as you miss the Ticket issuing place). 300m after turning right there is a concrete fenced compound on the left - just inside an office sells the Queue Ticket. They copy the Vehicle Registration Document and your Passport and give you a Ticket. 30EEK plus a photocopy charge of 5EEK. Then follow the signed route to the border where you present the Ticket at the first barrier, queueing on the right beforehand if necessary.

2. Russian Customs no longer issue Temporary Import Certificates (the small pink form with a green border). Instead they just stamp one of the Customs Declartion forms, affix a sticker printed with vehicle details and a bar-code.
That is all. You keep this Declaration Form with the vehicle at all times and surrender it to Russian Customs on exiting Russia.
They assured me the Declaration Form is acceptable to the ДПС (Roads Police) although I have not had to put it to the test. YET!!

Insurance can be easily bought once inside Russia from several shops in the first few 100metres - look for 'Страхоьая' on signs. Cars cost is based on HP - for 3 months my 1798cc Ford cost 2,850 rouble about GBP50. Any driver covered who has my written permission.

Last Thursday, late on a miserable wet and windy afternoon the whole process took under an hour.

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It's fine with them!

Routine documents stop. A very brief look, and he said 'Good Luck'. In English.
That seemed a strange wish, as I was only going home from shopping at the local supermarket!
But to him I was a foreigner in foreign registered car with an unusually short 'personal' registration number. So he was just being curious and polite.
It's good to note last years edict to ДПС to stop harassing foreigners has finally reached street level.

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