Roadtrip through Russia

[hellopieter]

We are planning to drive from Ukraine to Vladivostok in our troopy camper this year or the next. We are an elderly couple but capable of looking after ourselves. We need advise on Russian visa's and general on the planned trip. Email vrolijkispieter@gmail.com.

[Tony P]

Virtual repeat of my response to your original query on Sahara Forum thread - now disappeared:-

Russia Visas can only be applied for in your 'home' country or in another country if you can show Residency Rights in that country - i.e. not just visiting/touring.

Visa requirements and cost varies depending on your passport country. For specific info look at the website of the Russian Embassy in the country where you would be applying. There are commercial agencies who can deal with everything including obtaining Letters of Invitation.

ADVICE: Make sure your Russia visa is for sufficient time - inluding a margin for delay.
Russia is Russia - delays are a natural way of life!
Visas cannot be extended or renewed and if you are not out of Russia by the expiry date you will get serious problems including further delays, fines and possible refusal of future visas.
Whatever the reason for your delay, you (but not necessarily your vehicle) must still leave within time and to apply for another visa you must go back to your home country!

[Sambor]

Almost true. Russia is Russia so there are exceptions. We have got transit visa in Almaty...

[hellopieter]

Both Tony an Sambor,
Thanks very much for your advise, I'm delving into you links right now.
My best wishes,
Pieter

[Tony P]

Originally Posted by Sambor

Almost true. Russia is Russia so there are exceptions. We have got transit visa in Almaty...

Transit Visas are usually for 3 days only.
They are primarily intended for people leaving the 'air-side' areas of an airport while changing international flights or rail journeys originating and ending outside Russia, but crossing some Russian territory with or without stopping.

They are possible for Road travellers.

If travelling by road or rail a Transit Visa can be obtained for a MAXIMUM possible period of up to 10 days.

The period of any Transit Visa over 3 days is calculated on the direct distance of your route on the basis of 500km per day.

Again - not much scope for delay!

[hellopieter]

Tony,

We are not particularly frightened off the BAM road as per your description. We have been on the road for 6 years and have seen some. This road looks more attractive than 10.000 km concrete highway. What interests us, would this road cause major problems for our troopy, especially the river crossings with or without bridges?
Your opinion is highly valued!
Pieter

[ilesmark]

Jesus - you'll have some fun doing the BAM road in a Landrover! I have met Tony P a couple of times, and had a very interesting photo session the second one - he showed me a video of some Polish guys doing the BAM (or at least part of it) in a Discovery.

Re Russian visas - my suggestion would be to shop around a few embassies/consulates and see if you can get a visa from outside SA if this is a issue. Am willing to be corrected as it was 2008, but certainly at that time I had the following experience:-

Russia visa - getting in Bangkok - Lonely Planet travel forum