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  #1  
Old 7 Jul 2007
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St Petersburg
I will be in Estonia in August and am interested in nipping over to St Petersburg for a couple of days. I have decided not to take the bike (shock, horror!) and am looking for information about organised trips from Estonia to St Petersburg. Hopefully one where they also help with visas etc. - I have left it too late to do anything much myself now as I'm off in a week's time.
Does anybody have any information on tour companies, contacts etc. that might be able to help? Has anybody done the same/similar?

Thanks
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  #2  
Old 8 Jul 2007
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Russian Visa
Spooky,

Ill also be in Estonia in August too on my bike from London. I will be going through the Russian enclave of Kalingrad Oblisk on my way.

It takes over seven days to get a visa, you'll need a tourist one and an invitation letter. Some tour operators will arrange it for you, but it depends on where you live?

Read this website carefully;

http://www.waytorussia.net/

It cost me 90GBP for my visa through an agent and I had to get the bike details included, except in true Russian style they got left off which means lots more hassle for me as it’s too late to get it changed.

At boarder you'll need migration card which has to be stamped by the OVIR office if you stay for more than a few days.

Better get a move on, I recommend you use an agent it costs more but saves so much stress, the website above has an extensive list of agents across the globe and a helpful forum page with loads of advice,

Good luck happy riding.
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  #3  
Old 9 Jul 2007
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Thanks for the link.
Looks as though I may have left it too late but will see what I can do.

Let me know what it's like in case I don't get there!
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  #4  
Old 9 Jul 2007
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Thumbs up !
Spookier!

I too will be going up to Tallin, Estonia in late July -early August, then down to France as usual. I wanted to go to St Pete's but for a couple of days the visa hassle was too much. As far as I know even an organised trip needs an invitation and a visa. Its about £80 total I think.

I will keep an eye open for you anyway......
I will be rolling around parts of Estonia with two biker/HUBBer friends I met in Rumania, on the road to Turkey.

Good roads to you anyway
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  #5  
Old 9 Jul 2007
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Originally Posted by Caminando View Post
Spookier!

I too will be going up to Tallin, Estonia in late July -early August, then down to France as usual. I wanted to go to St Pete's but for a couple of days the visa hassle was too much. As far as I know even an organised trip needs an invitation and a visa. Its all about £80 + I think. You can nip over to Finland on the ferry but you may be too late for Russia and all their greedy bureaucracy.

I will keep an eye open for you anyway......Belgium, Holland, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia. Then reverse - but to Czech Rep, Germany, France. Camping/cheapo hotels and University accommodation.

I will be rolling around parts of Estonia with two biker/HUBBer friends I met in Rumania, on the road to Turkey. I believe they are on the Estonian community and will help you if you wish. They are good people.

Me - P reg Silver/Red Africa Twin, alloy boxes.

Good roads to you anyway
.................................................. ....
Last edited by Caminando; 9 Jul 2007 at 15:20.
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  #6  
Old 9 Jul 2007
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Thanks for the help.
Looks like we're all going the same places - sometimes at the same times!
Might see you on the road somewhere ..... we're about as obvious as a pair of blue Tigers can be!! (Embarrassing as we look very 'his and hers' !)

Keep it shiny side up :-)
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  #7  
Old 9 Jul 2007
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Plates
I assume we are all on UK plates?

Mines a XJ900F, very old. Ill be on Vormsi for 11 days doing some science stuff from the 31st, then off through Finland, Sweden etc. It’s a if we cross paths,

Lets exchange impressions on return, Ill be doing a webpage so Ill post link.

And too much hassle for a Russian visa? That’s the fun of it, beating the system which tries to stop us. Try Saudi Arabia if you think Russia is too much hassle.

Que posts on which country has worst motorcycle related bureaucracy…

Have fun folks J
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  #8  
Old 10 Jul 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by edmdas View Post
I assume we are all on UK plates?

Mines a XJ900F, very old. Ill be on Vormsi for 11 days doing some science stuff from the 31st, then off through Finland, Sweden etc. It’s a if we cross paths,

Lets exchange impressions on return, Ill be doing a webpage so Ill post link.

And too much hassle for a Russian visa? That’s the fun of it, beating the system which tries to stop us. Try Saudi Arabia if you think Russia is too much hassle.

Que posts on which country has worst motorcycle related bureaucracy…

Have fun folks J
Well, for a couple of days in St Pete's, £80-£90 is a ripoff. You can always overcome their paperwork if you throw money at them! I hear they may relax their visa procedure as they are losing too much money.

I like Ken Livingstone's slogan when he was a progressive politician -

"Can't Pay - Won't Pay!"

ATB!
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  #9  
Old 10 Jul 2007
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Rip off?
Actually its about 45GBP if you have a day to waste hanging out at the embassy, so 90GBP seemed a bargin. I may eat my words once I get to the boarder as they may find all kinds of reasons to add cost to my entry. Also I will be staying with a family, always a better way to visit, so no Hotel / camp bill to pick up. Although they don't speak English so this will be fun cause I can't speak Russian.

I am sure the cost is putting a lot of people off going to Russia and looking at Energy price predictions we may all give up travelling soon
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  #10  
Old 10 Jul 2007
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Thumbs up Enjoy!
I'm sure you will have a great time.

I WILL go to Russia one day but I'll want more time in the country to justify the visa costs.
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