Is it safe to visit Russia?

Are you wondering is it safe to visit Russia right now? Is solo female travel in Russia doable? Is it dangerous to travel to Russia? Are Russian’s friendly to “Brown” people?

I recently returned from my first trip to Russia and whenever I tell people about my experience as a female solo traveler in Russia, the first question I get is: Is Russia safe for tourists? Were you not scared to travel in Russia alone?

Most people perceive Russia as a dark underworld rife with criminal activities (Thanks Hollywood!). The truth is, these stereotypes are a myth and even if it is happening, you probably won’t even notice. Foreigners who take the appropriate precautions usually enjoy a crime-free stay in the country.

Why visit Russia?

Russia is like a museum with vast mountains, deserts, beaches, geyser fields, heritage sites, palaces, icy lakes, stunning art, and architecture.

Like any country you visit, the question you need to ask is: “Which areas in Russia are tourist-friendly”. There are many things to do in Russia after all Russia is the largest country in the world.

Unless you have a lot of time, I wouldn’t recommend visiting Russia without an itinerary, even if it’s not a day to day plan, the least you should do is make a list of places to visit in Russia and how to get there so you can have some kind of idea of what to expect.

 

Do I need a visa to visit Russia

Russia is visa-free for 30 days for citizens of:

• Argentina, Armenia, and Azerbaijan
• Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, and Brunei
• Chile, Colombia, Cuba, and Croatia
• The Dominican Republic
• Hong Kong
• Iceland and Israel
• Kazakhstan and the Kirghiz Republic
• Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, and Mozambique
• Nicaragua
• Panama and Paraguay
• Serbia and South Africa
• Thailand and Tajikistan
• Ukraine, Uruguay, and Uzbekistan
• Venezuela

If you need to apply for a visa, Learn more about the application process on the Russian government website.

Places to Visit in Russia

Is Moscow safe for tourists?

The capital city of Russia, Moscow is famous for its ballet, nightlife, onion-shaped domes of historic churches fill the skyline.

Most international travelers arrive or depart from Moscow, the city is a great start or end to your Russia visit.

With many things to do in Moscow, the city is a dream destination for theatergoers, art enthusiasts, and Architecture fanatics.

Walking through the streets of Moscow is like traveling through time. If you’re not much of a walker, experience the magnificent Moscow Metro.

It is the largest (total of 200 stations) and oldest (opened in 1935) underground railway system in the world.

The stations are remarkably beautiful. With their grandiose architecture, intricate mosaics, and dramatic sculptures, it has turned many metro stations into picturesque tourist attractions.

Is St Petersburg Safe

St. Petersburg was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great. He wanted not just a port and a navy on the Baltic Sea, but also a city that looked European and lived in accordance with European standards. St. Petersburg enjoyed the status of capital for a little over 200 years.

In 1918, Vladimir Lenin moved the capital back to Moscow. After his death in 1924, the city was renamed Leningrad.

After the Soviet Union’s collapse, it was once again renamed St. Petersburg. Current Russian President Vladimir Putin hails from St. Petersburg and pays special attention to his hometown.

Today’s St. Petersburg is the second-largest city in Russia with 44 islands that are connected by over 300 bridges.

The city is also known as the county’s cultural capital. It has a different vibe than Moscow and was my favorite city in Russia.

Is Sochi safe to travel

From Olympic sightseeing to swimming in the Black Sea and gambling. Russia’s Riviera has so much to offer for a City only founded in 1838 (the youngest city in Russia).

Sochi is the second longest city in the world stretching for 145 kilometers along the shores of the Black Sea near the Caucasus Mountains. It’s also the largest resort city in Russia.

Known to most at the location of the 2014 XXII Olympic Winter Games and XI Paralympic Winter Games. Winter Olympic Games in Sochi were the only one in history which were held in a subtropical climate.

Sochi is a Black Sea resort with a perfect combination of mountains and beaches. Great for skiing in winter and sunbathing in summer.

Kazan

Kazan is the capital of Tatarstan and has a very distinctly different culture than other Russian cities.

Like every Russian city, Kazan has a rich history. It is one of the largest political, economic, educational, industrial, commercial, and tourist centers in Russia.

The largest river of Eastern Europe – Volga river, flows through Tatarstan.

The city was founded as an advanced post in the northern part of Volgian Bulgaria more than a thousand years ago. In the XIII-XIV centuries, it became the main political and commercial center of the Golden Horde.

Today Kazan is one of 15 Russian cities with a population of more than 1 million. There are more than 115 nationalities living in Kazan.

It’s definitely one city to stop if you go on the Trans-Siberian Railway!

Lake Baikal

Are you planning on visiting Lake Baikal? Known as the “Galapagos of Russia” because of its exceptional biodiversity and importance to evolutionary science.

The age, isolation, and deep oxygenated water of Lake Baikal have resulted in one of the world’s richest freshwater ecosystems.

Things to know about Lake Baikal

1. Lake Baikal is the oldest lake in the world. It and the surrounding mountains were formed by the Earth’s crust fracturing and moving.
2. It’s home to approximately 1,700 to 1,800 endemic plant and animal species.
3. In 1996 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Russia has a total of 28 heritage sites)
4. Lake Baikal is the clearest lake in the world.
5. Lake Baikal holds 20% of all freshwater on the planet.
6. More than 300 streams and rivers feed into Lake Baikal
7. The earth under Lake Baikal is heated And the heat source is unknown.
8. The large freshwater seal indigenous to Lake Baikal called a “Nerpa”.
9. There are more than thirty rocky islands in Lake Baikal. One of them is the world’s second-largest island in a lake, Olkhon.
10. Lake Baikal has about 100 gas (“mud”) volcanoes.

Lake Baikal Stats

Volume: 5,521 cubic miles of water (23,013 cubic km)
Maximum depth: 5,387 feet (1,642 meters).
Average depth: 2,442 feet (744 m)
Surface area: 12,248 square miles (31,722 square km)
Length: 397 miles (640 km)
Maximum width: 49 miles (79.5 km)
Average width: 29 miles (47 km)
Minimum width: 16 miles (25 km)
Coastline area: 1,300 miles (2,100 km)

How to get to Lake Baikal

Lake Baikal is located in south-central Russia near the Mongolian border. The three main points of access to Baikal are Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude and Slyudyanka.

Lake Baikal is reachable by car, plane or train.

This is the fastest way to get there is by flight from major Russian cities (such as Moscow, Ekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Vladivostok, etc.) to Irkutsk or Ulan-Ude, which are located within a close reach to Lake Baikal (Irkutsk: 65 km and Ulan-Ude: 250 km).

The flight from Moscow to Irkutsk takes about 6 hours and flights from Moscow to Ulan-Ude take about 7 hours.

You can also get there using the Trans-Siberian railway. The train from Beijing will take 2 days. The train from Vladivostok will take 2.5 days. Trains arrive at the main Irkutsk railway station located in close proximity to the city center. To get to Lake Baikal, you need to go to the main bus station (it takes 10 min by public transport to get there from the railway station).

Generally, it costs from €150 one way for the 3rd class (common carriage) to about €250-€300 one way for the 2nd class (4-berth coupe).

If you opt to drive, which I don’t recommend due to the distance and road conditions. Only two roads lead to Lake Baikal:

• M55L (also called Baikal Highway) from Irkutsk to Listvyanka
• R-438 from Ulan-Ude to Gremyachinsk and then along the shore up to Ust-Barguzin.

Best time to visit Lake Baikal

Russian Winter is probably the best time of year to visit Lake Baikal.

The lake’s surface is frozen solid and the temperatures are subzero. At the same time, the air is dry and the skies are surprisingly sunny.

The lake usually melts in May or June and will be frozen again by the end of October. For fewer crowds and more unique tours visit in winter.

Is the Trans Siberian Railway safe?

What is the Trans Siberian Railway?

Also known as Transsib – The Trans Siberian Railway is the longest railway in the world (about 9300 km). The best time to go is between May and September, though it’s cheaper during winter. The journey can be broken into sections with overnight stays in hotels in different parts of the country.

How long does the Trans Siberian Railway take?

This train journey is the longest you can make on a single train: the longest of the three trans-Siberian routes, between Moscow and Vladivostok, covers 9,258km (6,152 miles) and takes seven days.

Trans Siberian express cost

Reservations are required for all trains, so you cannot decide to hop off one and catch another without the necessary ticket.

For a one-way journey by service train to Vladivostok, allow £500 in second class and £800 for first-class, including food. Both routes to China cost £600–£830 respectively, including food.

Is Russia Safe for Solo Female Travelers

Is it safe to visit Russia alone? Russia is not dangerous for solo female travelers. Before the 2017 World Cup, the country introduced tourist police who speak English and have a high presence around the center of Moscow this gives a feeling of greater security.

As a woman, you will face much of the same street harassment and aggressive behavior you’d find in many other countries.

If you’re a minority (Black / African descendant) you will get a bit of stare and random people asking for pictures. I’m never offended as I understand that most people don’t get the opportunity to travel, learn more about the world, and meet different people.

As a solo female though, one thing to keep in mind when visiting Russia is your alcohol intake. In the land of great vodka, it can be easy to overdo it. The last thing you want though is to be stumbling alone back to your hotel a little too drunk.

If you are taking an overnight train or hoping to experience the Trans-Siberian railroad, you might need to plan a bit more as well. Unless you want to book an expensive train car all to yourself, you will likely be sharing a car with other travelers. As a solo female, see if you might book the “platzkarta” (open-air seats/ beds). It’s the safest for solo female travelers in Russia as you’re not stuck in a room with strangers with the door closed and it’s also the cheapest option!

Solo female travel can be exciting and scary, here are the best solo travel quotes to motivate you!

Russia Packing List for Females

• In cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg women love to dress up and are rarely seen without make-up and high heels. But I highly suggest that you save your high heels for the evenings especially if you’ll be walking all day.
• Although you are allowed to wear anything you want, sportswear like leggings and yoga pants are not really appropriate and you will stand out as a tourist because locals dress up EVERYDAY. Opt for Jeans, Shorts or Dresses and comfortable walking shoes.
• Due to the cold weather in Russia, women usually wear leggings under their skirts and pants and don’t see them as a form of pants.
• Russia is fairly conservative, and if you choose to wear bright colors – particularly in the winter months you will stand out as a tourist.
• Churches will refuse entry if shoulders and knees are uncovered. Always cover your head with a scarf, and cover-up bare arms by wearing a jacket and legs by wearing long dresses or skirts. Men aren’t allowed to wear shorts inside churches.
• Fur in Russia is popular, acceptable, and affordable.
• In winter it’s advisable to wear boots with soft rubber soles because medium soles get hard in the freezing cold. Make sure that your boots have large spaces between the tracks, or the snow will get stuck in them and make them very slippery.
• In winter always pack gloves, scarf, and hat and/or earmuffs. A furry lining or trim will keep you even cozier.

Female Personal Safety Gadgets for Russia

Don’t you wish we lived in a world where the possibility of being assaulted, violated, or even murdered wasn’t one of the things to take into consideration when traveling or even just living in your own country? Here are some personal safety gadgets for solo female travelers in Russia:

• Phone Lanyard: A phone sling where I can attach it to my belt/waist/bag so that I don’t drop/lose it (I’d die if anything happens to my phone!) Buy the black one. The elastic is stronger!
• Not your typical money belt: I chose this one and agree with the reviews that the material feels stronger. It’s also moisture-wicking and comfortable to wear! I know some similar products already have zippers but this one feels like it holds better but has no zippers. and acts like Spanx!
• The double-ended S-biner lock: With thousands of claims filed annually for lost items, you need a lock that can turn most handbags into thief-proof!
• Pacsafe Bra Pouch: Ideal to keep your money, IDs, and credit cards safe from pickpockets and thieves. The turn-and-snap connector clasp design is different from comparable products, easy to use, and prevents the pouch from unsnapping accidentally.
• Pacsafe Cash Belt: It’s metal-free-ish so you can wear it through security without setting off alarms! It holds cash AND your pants up. I love mine!
• Portable Door Jammer: Use a door barricade in an Airbnb or hotel to be able to lock yourself in a room.

Safety Tips for Traveling in Russia

Be mindful and ask security if you are allowed to take pictures of certain buildings. Download the Google Translate app with offline Russian translations as the majority of people in Russia don’t speak English. For the best apps, maps, public transport, read this checklist for visiting Russia for the first time.

Are these Russian Stereotypes True or False

Russia is always cold. False, While it does get cold in winter, Russians usually get to see all four seasons. I was visiting in Summer and the temperature was between 25 – 30 degrees Celsius every day. Keep in mind that the Russian winter is long and lasts five to six months a year. So plan your trip accordingly.

Russians are unfriendly and never smile. False, I found Russians to be friendly and always willing to help even when there was a language barrier. In other parts of the world, smiling is a way of expressing friendliness to people around you. In Russia, smiling is reserved for showing affection among loved ones, reacting to something funny, or during times of genuine enjoyment.

Russian women are beautiful. True, When I arrived in Moscow, I was amazed by how many beautiful women there are. Everyone has stylish outfits, complete with beautiful bags, fine jewelry, and flawless makeup, nails, and hair. From the street cleaners to ladies in nightclubs. Personal grooming is important to Russian women.

Russians only drink vodka. False, Russians drink any drink. Although Vodka is believed to have been first produced in Russia at the end of the 9^th century. The oldest known vodka distillery opened two hundred years later in the town of Khylnovsk. Some claim Vodka originates from Poland, some say it’s Russia, Though its origins remain uncertain, the name ”vodka” originates from the Slavic word for water – Voda (вода). When in Moscow, a visit to the Vodka Museum is a must!

Russian food is bland. True and False. Personally, I found Russian food to be bland. I’m South African and our food has Indian influences (we love spicy food), so your preference might be different. The best food is from Uzbek and Georgian restaurants, which can be found in every city in Russia.

Bears are Russia’s national animal. True, Russia‘s national animal is the brown bear, with the world’s largest population living within its borders. The popularity of the bear started in the 16th century when bears were kept as pets and exchanged as gifts (mostly by wealthy people). Since then bears have been known as a symbol of Russia.

In fact, a lot of Russian products make use of a bear symbol on their packaging. However, bears are not kept as pets. In 2017, Moscow banned the private ownership of bears.

Is it safe to travel to Russia right now?

Yes! There has never been a better time to plan a trip to Russia than it is now.

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AMAZING Russia Travel Guides

• Things to know before visiting Russia for the first time
• 35 FUN Things to do in Moscow

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Best Travel Insurance for Russia Travel

Use travel insurance while visiting Russia so you are covered for theft and medical expenses. There are a lot of adventurous activities to do in Russia, and it’s best to have peace of mind while drinking vodka, hiking, and swimming in the amazing beaches.

 

 

Find out why I recommend World Nomads, check out my World Nomads Insurance review.

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