Hi All,

Im looking at planning a trip to Finland for an international rally in june 2008.

I did Sweden this year, so my leg outward is going to be

Netherlands
Germany
Sweden
Ferry from Stockholm to Finland

My return leg is going to be

Finland
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania

Now here is a question, there appears to be a coastal road starting in

Klaipeda

and going to Gdansk

It looks like it goes thru part of russia? I hope I make sense and is this route possible

Cheers
Will

You will need a visa to go along the costal spit as it passes through Russia (Kaliningrad).
It's not a problem though because you can go through the gap between Belarus and the Russian enclave at the southern end of Lithuania and into Poland.
We did this two years ago. Give me a shout if you need further info.
Cheers
Paul

Thanks for the reply Paul,

I really think doing the coastal split is worth it (ive googled it on google maps and it looks lovley !).

Does it go all the way ? I know you have to get what looks like a short ferry trip at the the start.

How hard is it to get a visa (dont intend on staying just transiting thru)

Cheers
Will

I'm not an authority on Kaliningrad but I believe that you can go about half the way along the spit before you reach the Russian border. I would imagine that the visa costs would be prohibitive (unless you're minted!) for transit. Try realrussia.co.uk
Cheers
Paul

Thanks again Paul,

Ive just looked at the website and didnt realise its quite expensive (just as a transit route).

Looks like its back to the drawing board/map !!

Cheers
Will

Hi Will,
We crossed on a minor crossing point between Alytus and Augustow south of Kaunas. We were waved to the front of the queue by the border officials - all very friendly.
Enjoy your trip.
Cheers.
Paul

I took the same route into Latvia crossing the border north of Augustov, Poland. It avoids the Visa and possibly a legnthy border crossing. During the same trip we crossed from Latvia, east of Rezekne, into Russia. The border crossing took 3 hours. The ride from Kaunas to Augustov, while not coastal, is very pretty and the Lithuanian roads are in great condition...Poland...no so good. Jon

Hi Jon

thanks for the reply,

Russia is def off for this trip ( I cannot justify a visa for a short visit)

Im still planning the return leg.

Estonia down towards Poland. Do you have any GPS co-ords for the best border crossings? Are they all the same ? ie no visa requirements ?

Cheers
Will

Will, I need to check my GPS log. The border between Poland and Latvia is only about 40+ miles or so. If I remember, there was only one major crossing and another one just east. I'll check and let you know which route it was. BTW, we were in and out of Russia in 4 days....2 in StP and 2 in Moscow. It was a blast!

Will, it was A5 north from Suwalki. We overnighted in Augustow and headed north through Suwalki towards Kaunas. The crossing is rural, but there were only a few cars when we passed through. One of the Latvia agents was a little strange. He saw the Russian Visa in our Passports. He smiled at us...said, "Russia?" Then he pointed his finger at us and said, "bang, bang". We were never quite sure what he meant.

Will/Geordie
I did this by bike this summer on my way back from Russia via Est/Lat/Lit.

There is a regular ferry crossing across the lagoon from Klaipeda to the Curoniun Spit, taking 10 to 15 minutes. From memory, it cost about $2 (or 1 GBP) for me and the bike.

Shortly after is an entry toll into the 'nature reserve' - again about $2.

Half way down the spit is the border with Russia (Kaliningrad) where you need all the usual Russsia documentation, insurance, Visas etc and 120 Roubles ($5). Kaliningrad is just as much Russsia as the separate, bigger bit, that goes to the Pacific - except people smile more! No doubt the influence of it's Prussian past and returning German claimants.

The spit is an interesting and beautiful strip of land, sometimes less than a kilometre wide. It is all designated a Natural Park - the first in Russia. A fairly wild sea coast of sand dunes to the west and on the east a tranquil lagoon with decreasing salinity as you go south. The Lithuanian section appears better managed with Nature Trails, Activity Centres, holiday village/fishing port etc. The Russian section is more wild and natural - except for the inevitable DPS (Roads Police) checks and speed traps!

The rest of Kaliningrad region was flat and rather boring - rather like the flat coatal areas of west Flanders, Belgium. Kaliningrad city was modern and fairly lively. I left Kallingrad into Poland to the south of Bagratiovska.

I have no knowledge of the costal spit to the south into Poland (but I will consult my maps for roads etc when I get home from Russia at the end of this week).

Without Russian Visas etc, you can cannot enter Kaliningrad region but you can cross directly between Poland and Lithuania further inland. You can also still enter and travel the northern half of the Curonian spit from Klaipeda but you will have to go back that way. This keeps you in the EU for all documentation, insurance and visa purposes (all now in Schengen area, if not an EU citizen).

Enjoy - I did.

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