great news, congrats, thanks for the update. Five hours at the Russian border, wow, I've never had to spend more than a couple, things must be really backed up. Which border crossing was it?

Enjoy August in Russia, very jealous!

thanks
 

Yep pretty hectic, it was the crossing between Kharkiv and Belgorod, a lot of Ukrainians visiting relatives in the summer months in Russia - my plan is to really see as much as I can now, I think I owe it to all the adventurers that are stuck!!

Yikes, I hope to use that crossing next year on my way to Georgia...sure hope it doesn't take 7 hours!

Are you on a bike? If so, did you cut to the front of the line? That has been "traditionally" accepted/expected but not sure if practices are changing these days...

Hey, great news, congratulations. The world's greatest wilderness is at your feet! Don't stay in St. P too long!!!

@motorieter: the Kharkiv - Belgorod crossing is a major one and therefore more likely to be busy. If things are back open as normal next year, there are lots of other, quieter border crossings you can use. I crossed at Veliky Pisarivka - Grayvoron during the early part of the 2014 conflict and I was the only person at the crossing. Three years ago I crossed at the most easterly Russia - Ukraine crossing which is under government control and open to foreigners at Bugayevka - Prosyane. Also pretty quiet although it takes you through northern Luhansk region which must be one of the most neglected corners of Europe, pretty much the worst roads I have ever seen. But hardly any queues!

haha thanks a lot, yes I will make sure I don't get tapped in the city!!!

Thanks, I think you might have mentioned that one a while ago when I was asking about it. I basically want to cross at one of the more southernly crossings since I'll be heading down to Georgia, and am eager to avoid crowds at the border, so thanks for the tip (again).

A couple years back I spent 7hr on Uzbek border, and truck drivers were waiting there 3-5 days. Good thing I was on the bike and could cut the line. They caught someone trying to smuggle a kilo of heroin in the tire, so people were taking wheels off by one and carrying them to X-ray machine. Tajik seasonal workers coming home to see family had it especially bad, YMMV.

cutting the line!!!
 

sorry didn't see this post, I have my bike strapped on the back of my defender so was a good boy and stayed in line - in the past 10 weeks I have not seen another foreign bike or car, turkey, Ukraine or Russia - its lonely out here!!!

I forgot that you are in a car...a bit harder to cut in line! Where are you now? Are your Russian friends still accompanying you to Magadan on motos?

still in St Petersburg
 

I am just getting some last minute repairs in Saint Petersburg, and waiting for my friend to arrive from Mauritius - then we will head out, one on the bike and one in the Land Rover - we swop riding and driving to keep it interesting; no my Russian friends pulled out, but some may join up later on the trip if they can.

Russian Land Borders
 

Hi All

Im looking for some assistance or advice as I presently have my Toyota Landcruiser in Russia and I'm looking to relocate it from Russia into any EU country. I was planning to do this at the end of May 2022 and was looking at Estonia as a possible land border crossing.

Has anybody got any relevant Border information if this is possible at present??

Regards
Ray

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/latest-on-c...uly-15/2629689

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The Estonian land border is open, and has been the entire time - it was used during the restrictions by Russians going on holiday because they could buy a short package to a resort spa in the Narva area, and that would qualify for a "medical" exit permission in Russia.

And since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it has been one of the few borders through which Ukrainian civilians from occupied territories and those deported to filtration camps in Russia can escape back to the West. (Estonia like many other EU countries, is visa-free for Ukrainians and gives them a one-year residence/work permit on the spot.)

So yes, for a non-Russian citizen exiting over the land border, Narva or the two checkpoints south of Lake Peipus have always been an option, and continue to be so.