Russia Travel Guide 2025 - Best Destinations, Tips & Itineraries

Planning a trip to Russia in 2026? It's very doable — but it works differently from most destinations: you need the right visa, you can't rely on Western bank cards, and some land borders are closed. This guide pulls everything together: whether you can go, how to get there, the visa and money basics, and where to go once you arrive.

Can you travel to Russia right now?

Yes — tourism continues and the main cities are running normally for visitors. Check your own government's travel advisory before booking, follow local laws, and plan around the practicalities below. Most difficulties travellers hit are logistical (visas, payments, flights), not on-the-ground.

How to get to Russia

There are few or no direct flights from Western Europe or North America, so most travellers connect through hubs such as Istanbul, Dubai, Yerevan or Belgrade to Moscow or St Petersburg. By land, the Finland-Russia border is closed; some Baltic crossings and the Kaliningrad route from Lithuania remain options but are restricted — verify before relying on them. Flying is the most reliable way in.

Visas: what you need

Almost every visitor needs a visa. Many nationalities can use the simple online e-visa (single entry, up to 30 days); others — including US, UK and Canadian citizens — need a consular visa. Check which applies to your passport before you book.

Money: cash is king

Foreign Visa and Mastercard do not work in Russia. Bring euros or dollars to exchange for rubles, and read our guide to paying in Moscow as a tourist. A Russian MIR card helps if you can get one; foreign UnionPay is unreliable.

Getting around

Cities have excellent, cheap public transport — see the Moscow Metro guide — and Yandex Go is the local ride-hailing app (pay the driver in cash). For intercity travel, trains are comfortable; book via an authorised agent if you have a foreign card.

Where to go: top destinations

• Moscow — Red Square, the Kremlin, the metro's palace-like stations and world-class museums.
• St Petersburg — the Hermitage, imperial palaces and canals; a separate leg, about four hours by fast train.
• The Golden Ring — medieval towns near Moscow; see our Golden Ring guide and day trips from Moscow.

Sample 7-day itinerary

A classic first trip: 3-4 days in Moscow (Kremlin, Red Square, the metro, a day trip to Sergiev Posad), then the fast train to St Petersburg for three days (Hermitage, Peterhof, the canals). Add a Golden Ring town if you have more time.

What should I budget for a trip to Russia?

Russia is inexpensive for foreign visitors once you're there: cheap public transport, affordable food and good-value hotels outside the very top tier. Your biggest fixed costs are flights (often via a hub) and the visa. Carry enough cash, since topping up with a foreign card isn't possible.

Is it safe to travel to Russia in 2026?

The main tourist cities operate normally, but check your government's current travel advisory before you go, get travel insurance that actually covers Russia, and follow local laws. Most travellers' difficulties are practical — visas, payments and flights — rather than safety on the ground.