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Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 15 Jul 2004
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entering russia
hello all,starting to organise a trip accross russia anybody got any advice on where to enter heard finland is straight forward ,hopefully wanted to go through holland, germany,into the chezch republic ,poland into belarus and then russia.then over to vladivostock or magadan.heard you can get from vladivostock to seattle in the states, or from magadan to anchorage. has any one done any of these trips any info would be gratefull recieved.thanks paul
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  #2  
Old 1 Feb 2010
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Hi Paul. Did you do your trip??

I am currently organising a Charity ride to Belarus, then on to Red Square and back to England. I too hope to go through Holland, Germany, Czech Rep. Poland, Belarus and Russia.
If you did do this trip I would be more than grateful for any advice you may have. And if you have any favorite sights along the way then please do share!

Thanks for your time, Alex.
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  #3  
Old 1 Feb 2010
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Alex, for the Russia info you might want to try the Northern Asia section ... that's where all the Russia stuff is. Probably why there are no replies in 6 years on the original post too.

As for the European side of things, getting to the Belarus border is all in the EU, and all in the Schengen zone, so the only border you will see before that is the UK - France one.

Belarus and Russia both need a visa and insurance (which you can buy at the border). Belarus and Russia both recognise Green Card insurance, so if you can get that of your insurer you will save time and money at borders.

Other than that its pretty straight forward.
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  #4  
Old 2 Feb 2010
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does green card work for far eastern Russia
Hi Colebatch,
do you know if the green card insurance extends to eastern Russia, we are planning on entering at Sakhalin from Japan.Ideally I would like to get my bike insurance from here in Australia before we set off but don't know if this is possible.

Simon R
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  #5  
Old 5 Feb 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Simon R View Post
Hi Colebatch,
do you know if the green card insurance extends to eastern Russia, we are planning on entering at Sakhalin from Japan.Ideally I would like to get my bike insurance from here in Australia before we set off but don't know if this is possible.

Simon R
Russia is Russia mate ... one country, one customs and insurance regime.

As far I as I know Australia is not party to the "green card" insurance program that links all of Europe (except Kosovo), so I am guessing its gonna be tough finding an insurance company there (in oz) to issue you with a green card.

No big deal. Either they have an insurance booth at the port you enter, and you get the insurance .... or they dont and you have to get in a city you pass by later.
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  #6  
Old 14 Feb 2010
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hello!

we toke a trip around lake Ladoga last summer. Entering Russia was 2 hours of burocracy, only dokumets needed was visa, passport, customs declarance and greencard/register documents for the car! Your "normal" insurance is valid all trip ( if your insurance company is not having restriktions)

Coming back was ½ hour in Russia border and 2min in Finnish bordercontrol.

Avoid times between 11-13 cause many hotels reservations run out and the there is line building att border. best time before 10 or after 15 a clock!

cheers

--Jan--
Last edited by lacrits68; 14 Feb 2010 at 10:42. Reason: bad spelling
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  #7  
Old 27 Feb 2010
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Hi, i am attempting a similiar trip over summer, just wondering if anyone has any recent experience in crossing the ukraine - russia border - has the new political situation changed anything or is it still possible to do (i dont have a carnet..),
cheers,
Rib
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  #8  
Old 27 Feb 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by colebatch View Post
Belarus and Russia both need a visa and insurance (which you can buy at the border). Belarus and Russia both recognise Green Card insurance, so if you can get that of your insurer you will save time and money at borders.
Can you really buy a Russia visa at the border?
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Old 27 Feb 2010
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Originally Posted by riderbob View Post
Can you really buy a Russia visa at the border?
NO!
I think you misread the caveat as qualifying the sentence, sooner than its preceeding word.

Visas must be applied for through an Embassy. Don't even waste time and fuel going anywhere near a border if you are using a passport that needs a visa and you have not already got one.

It is just the Insurance that can be bought at various shops and offices either side of the border.
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Old 27 Feb 2010
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Can you really buy a Russia visa at the border?
hello!

probably not cause the passport had to been sent to consulate/consul and it came back with visa&hologram "glued" to passport!

So visa is not a "piece-of-paper". Better to find out in advance!

cheers

jan
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  #11  
Old 27 Feb 2010
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Originally Posted by Rob21 View Post
...just wondering if anyone has any recent experience in crossing the ukraine - russia border
I crossed a couple of times last summer, no problem. I seriously doubt that anything has changed since then.
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  #12  
Old 28 Feb 2010
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I thought as much. I've been to Russia many times but always flying in.
Thanks,

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony P View Post
NO!
I think you misread the caveat as qualifying the sentence, sooner than its preceeding word.

Visas must be applied for through an Embassy. Don't even waste time and fuel going anywhere near a border if you are using a passport that needs a visa and you have not already got one.

It is just the Insurance that can be bought at various shops and offices either side of the border.
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  #13  
Old 28 Feb 2010
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Only thing I should point out is a Ukrainian visa issue--when you enter Ukraine get a tourist visa rather than a transit visa, which requires you to exit at a specific border point which you designate when you enter the country...
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Old 28 Feb 2010
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Originally Posted by motoreiter View Post
Only thing I should point out is a Ukrainian visa issue--when you enter Ukraine get a tourist visa rather than a transit visa, which requires you to exit at a specific border point which you designate when you enter the country...
This would not apply for UK Passport holders who do not require a Visa for Ukraine. Other Passport holders should check.

Russia, however, does have border crossing points that are only available for 'locals' (ie. passport holders of the two countries only). Non-locals must use International border crossing points - which are generally the main 'E' numbered routes and larger main roads.
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Old 28 Feb 2010
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Originally Posted by Tony P View Post
This would not apply for UK Passport holders who do not require a Visa for Ukraine. Other Passport holders should check.
Tony I suspect that Americans and Brits are treated the same--we acquire a visa at the border, and I had to specify if I wanted a tourist or transit visa. I guessed "transit" visa, didn't leave from the correct border crossing, and had a bit of hassle when I left. Are Brits treated differently?
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