How to Travel to Wartime Russia in 2024: Finances, Visas, and Border Interrogations

[@stevestone4346]

I felt much safer in St Petersburg than I did in London where I have lived all my life.

[@-SUM1-]

Same here.

[@khole15]

I wonder why

[@gaetanomaximus8650]

And the difference is even more significant compared to ANY major American city, which are now almost universally crime-infested sh*t-holes.

[@Timbojones0123]

@@khole15 Why?

[@khole15]

@@Timbojones0123 Lack of muslim immigrants

[@palandi]

thanks for the tips, JT. I'm applying for a long-term student visa and expect to travel in autumn. fingers crossed, hope to have a pint with you!

[@EvgenyUskov]

the author of this video hates Russia and Russian people (because he is against the Russian president)

[@madcat789]

Did you ever make it?

[@kojurovai]

It is interesting for me, even as a Russian, what difficulties foreign tourists may face. Russia is always glad to have guests, so we are looking forward to everyone in our wonderful country ☺️❤️

[@ion282]

"russia is always glad to have guests", yeah you love letting ukraining in your soil because you invaded them!

[@bfmtrooper5454]

Myself and my friends really want to visit and it's very difficult. We aren't worried about the war as we want to visit Moscow. It's tough to get there as you have to take multiple flights, you can't get the Ruble here in the UK and because visa isn't accepted there its er...a struggle to say the least heh

[@ion282]

@@bfmtrooper5454 so visiting a country that just invades 3 countries in the past 20 years, giving money for them for purpuse is not a problem?

[@bfmtrooper5454]

@@ion282 have you visited Turkey? France? The US? UK? China? India? Yknow...there's alot of countries that do this sort of thing, some for even worse reasons than russia. Why should I restrict myself based on that?

[@ion282]

@@bfmtrooper5454 i live in france. I visited UK, Canada european countries and New Zeland. However you try to compare different things. In this century, which country invaded 3 countries and ANNEXED it with an imperialist goal? And maybe because of the morality no? Russia is a great country, great landscape. However, visiting it atm is a support of their imperialism in my opinion.

[@widjoh]

Thank you so much, Jonny for informative information about visiting Russia these days. I knew a few things before, due to my interest in visiing Russia, and a few things were new to me. Especially, I appreciated your advice about which websites to visit for searhcing flights and hotels. Thank you again, and I wish you a nice weekend!

[@BramptonAnglican]

Hoping peace can return and we all can just get along.

[@gogaonzhezhora8640]

Peace is fine. But how do your countries intend to pay for the killed russian children? We cerainly don't want your money.

[@therealamon]

@@gogaonzhezhora8640peace takes time theres dead on both sides of thus war putin straight up should have thought before invading, nato was of course going to step in and i understand that russia is upset and rightfully so that NATO is now near their doorstep but possibly relations will become better soon with USA and Russia because of trump

[@arindaabdul6053]

Apart from Western propagandas, Russia is the safest country to call home

[@lwtnwhr]

As a Russian I think Belarus is much safer, tbh

[@tj90-m8f]

Thanks for your video Jonny 👍 Greetings from Barcelona

[@Takh1]

great video, my business visa for Russia just ran out yesterday, and now looking to get another multi-entry 1-year letter of invitation and I'm shocked by now expensive it is now.

[@vondagrubb4623]

What places did u go?

[@stuartofblyth]

Very useful, Jonny - thank you. I'd already found Ostrovok. I'm contemplating driving from the UK to Lithuania, crossing into Belarus then on to Russia itself. I've been assured by the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service that two Lithuania/Belarus crossings are open to vehicles.

[@RRaymer]

NO NO NO. You are not allowed to cross the Belarus/Russian border as a foreign national - Directly from the state - 'The Russian government states that there are no legal grounds for foreigners (including British nationals) to cross the Russia-Belarus state land border including by road, bus or rail'

[@vs351]

You chose a quite complicated way I would say. Mind that crossing Russian - Belorussian border by car or train is prohibited for the third countrie's citizens. It is possible only by plain even if you have a Russian visa. Whereas returning back from Russia to EU through Belarus you must obtain a Belorussian visa....It had better to chose Latvia or Estonia border crossing points to Russia directly on my take. Or from Gdansk (Poland) -to Kaliningrad (Russia) and by plane to Russia furtherly.

[@Andrey_Bodrey75]

The commentators above are telling you correctly. Only citizens of these countries can cross the land border between Belarus and Russia, citizens of third countries can only get from Belarus to Russia by plane!

[@stuartofblyth]

I'm very grateful for all the information. Thank you, everyone. I can't go by plane, it has to be by car.

[@alexanderrepin1103]

@@stuartofblyth Тогда Вам лучше рассмотреть вариант доехать до Калининграда на автомобиле, а оттуда погрузить машину на паром и плыть в Санкт-Петербург. Или въехать в России прямо из Европы.

[@marvinacuno679]

thanks for the tips, esp to the "hotel app"! i'm planning to visit russia this year.

[@Alex365497697]

Another great video, Jonny

[@vecchio1066]

Thanks, informative and to the point.

[@Martin-z5p4o]

Great video. Thanks for this. Can you please list the websites mentioned when you post videos. This will be a great help.

[@buddhasdisciple4935]

Wholesome information dear Jonny, keep it up 👍

[@fireflyrobert]

The EU have mandated that you cannot take any Euros from EU to Russia and they sometimes check at border point. In fact you can take more than $10,000 cash into Russia - you just have to declare it on entry and you may be asked about provenance of the money.

[@Thomas.Deverell]

Thanks very much for the useful information. You made me want visit Moscow.

[@ekaterinasmirnova179]

Дорогие друзья! От всей души поздравляю вас с наступающим Новым годом!🎄 Желаю вам удачи, успехов, крепкого здоровья, счастья, любви и благополучия.🌟 Пусть этот Новый год принесёт вам много радости и приятных моментов. 😇Пусть он будет наполнен яркими впечатлениями и новыми достижениями. С наилучшими пожеланиями, Санкт-Петербург, Россия.🇷🇺

[@legion1791]

Thank you so much!

[@isabellajanelee]

This is just what I wanted . Thank you. 🙏🇷🇺

[@weetbix4497]

Is Russia still in need of international English teachers? It's my native language, and while my background at university is in law, I wouldn't mind completing an additional qualification like TEFL.

[@-SUM1-]

They absolutely are.

[@juliap.5375]

Few years ago English became first obligatory foreign language in each school (before only some schools had english). So yep, popularity of English only grew.

[@IrinaSazandrishvili]

Hi Jonny, I like the content you create, and I hope your channel grows a lot. It is interesting to know what difficulties/questions foreign people might have when visiting Russia. About interviews and interrogations. I think they have become particularly scrutinising after Feb 2022. 😢Even though I am a Russian citizen(I am half Russian, half Georgian, with a Georgian family name), when I went to visit my family after 2,5 years of absence in May 2024(I've been living in Japan since 2019) , I was asked a lot of questions at the passport control and subsequently interrogated in a room(they wrote down the series number of my phone, but didn't check messages, photo etc). It was a bit shocking for me cause it had never happened before, and it made me feel really sad. Well, I assume this is our life in 2024...😔

[@marycooch7075]

I'm British and my son lives in St P with his Russian wife and their daughter - I was interviewed at length when I used to do the helsinki - st Petersburg coach route and also a couple of time when I switched to the Istanbul airport route. (I have a multi entry family visa, close relative of a Russian citizen) It freaked me out the first time (although it was great pratice for my Russian speaking exam prep!) They were always polite and explained it's nothing personal -just following the rules. The time before last (I go every two months) they took my fingerprints and some 'mug shots' from all angles and the last time wasn't so slow , so fingers crossed. My son came back to the Uk for a holiday with his Russian family this summer and on their return, his wife and daughter went straight through and he was detained for 2 hours and interviewed etc.. they are always polite and tell you it is nothing personal; just following the rules. We've got to the stage now, doing it so often, that we just factor in another couple of hours on top of the actual journey to take into account the border control. If you have the right paperwork and a legitimate reason to get in, they are always going to let you in - you just need patience.

[@ЕгорЕгоров-о1р]

вы поймите , сейчас у России очень много "доброжелатилей" и это вынужденная мера

[@cabracove]

3 year visa is easy to get in the US, took less than 2 weeks. You can get a MIR debit card at the airport.

[@SR-September]

It’s safer in Russia than in England, USA and Europe

[@fairbewerten2006]

You are free to move to russia, if your not allready there..

[@alext3810]

Nice try Comrad. You're comparing countries and continent. If you say Moscow safer than NYC maybe yes

[@ExponentialAwareness]

@@alext3810 ​​⁠ Russia is the size of continent (spans two), and has several different varying regions. Break out of your own idiocracy and see what’s actually happening. As a whole, Russia is far more safe than North America, South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Russia, is far more safe than nearly all European Countries and the US, early all Central American Countries, and nearly all South American countries. There, now it’s countries to countries and continents to continents. Can you now get past that nonsense and see the truth. No. No you can’t.

[@alext3810]

@@ExponentialAwareness you are just repeating the same narrative with the same words. No arguments, nothing. I'm from Russia by the way and I travel a lot.

[@amjadsulieman1148]

💯

[@marycooch7075]

I've been visiting family in St Petersburg every couple of months since 2016 with no changes since March 2022 except that I now have to use different routes - and I agree with everything Jonny says re travel, money and visas. People are always amazed I even dare to go - and I am always sad others don't feel able to travel- people who visited before but who have stopped, or people who would like to visit but think it's not Ok to. Thanks for this helpful video!.

[@smksg42]

In the past you could exchange at every corner, but now there are only a few exchanges left. Moscow and large cities still have a few but it is not as easy as in the past. Hotels which are in a international chain are just 100 bucks more, directly book and avoid western chains. Some hotels take even cards from the west and offer a MIR card, i only know because I stayed at a Hotel in the center and they send me offers. Best is to getting in a middle Asia country a bank account and you can pay both way. A MIR card you get even in a European country. With the bank accounts in place you can exchange when it is best, because the exchange rate is much moving. I have no account in Russia, all countries in the information exchange i avoid opening an account.

[@sabflash]

Thank you for the video Just one question : all the hotels are accepting to book a room with a payment at the check in? Payment at the hotel can be made in cash without any problem?

[@alexanderrepin1103]

Я не встречал отеля, который отказался бы принять наличные. В любом случае, это не будет большой проблемой.

[@juliap.5375]

1. In most cases you can pay during check-in. But some rooms (I guess expensive/popular) can ask you for small pre-paid online (e.g 10%). You see this when reserve room. 2. Yep, hotels accept cash. Everyone accept cash actually, even some online shops with delivery to your home.

[@BartBart22]

You mention time being a, or maybe only the, disadvantage to going overland via Poland or the Baltics but how much time are we really talking about and what if your travel plans/desires include seeing Tallinn, Riga or Kaliningrad and what are the cost savings? I've got to think that traveling from Canada and side visits aside that you'd spend hours of unpleasant time in airports flying via Turkey or the Emirates while traveling by bus you'd be more likely to meet locals and you would see the country side even if only from the bus/train window.

[@paaljankov38]

Tallinn-Saint-Petersburg takes about 7 houres depending on the Estonian border control ! In Russian side it goes fast to and from!

[@Jack-qr2iy]

Recommend any websites where I can buy Russian flights with a visa Mastercard? I want to fly from Kaliningrad to Saint Petersburg

[@gogaonzhezhora8640]

Only Russian issued Visa will work for that.

[@andysm1964]

Interesting info...one question,what about medical cover whilst in Russian federation. would western medical insurance cover?

[@алексейлавров-э5х]

она у нас бесплатная

[@Whoisthere-z1m]

The MHI policy is issued free of charge for a foreign citizen and has the following features: the MHI policy is valid only until the end of the calendar year, regardless of when it is issued

[@andysm1964]

​@@Whoisthere-z1m thanks for info guys

[@k1ssulja]

Emergency medical care is provided to all foreign citizens without exception free of charge in case of sudden acute conditions, as well as exacerbation of chronic diseases that pose a threat to life. Planned medical care is provided to foreigners on a paid basis.

[@andysm1964]

@@k1ssulja thank you guys,all of you getting back to me on this question.You have all been so helpful and informative..oh heck! i Pray things get back to normal ,soon, so many good friends in Russia i would love to see again

[@alexandrosnaoum1318]

I was recently with e-visa, even through I was not interrogated, they hold my passport for around an hour. I would say that the worst of this is the no talk/information on what is going on. They just take your passport, make a wave to go there and then.... nothing. One thing that people may need to keep in mind is that with normal visa after enter the country you need to visit police to register while with e-visa probably(?) that doesn't needed.

[@BritishChef436]

I personally use the Estonia route to get to Russia. Yes, you can wait a ridiculous amount of hours to cross the border. But a flight will cost you £80 there and back. To go the Turkey route, you would be looking at about £500.

[@gavinjames1145]

I thought that all land borders between the EU and Russia had been closed. It's reassuring to know that some are now open.

[@BritishChef436]

@gavinjames1145 Estonia has always been open. Can't say for how much longer. But for now, it's open. I will be going tomorrow. The only negative about the Estonia border is the extremely long queue

[@gavinjames1145]

@@BritishChef436 Do you take a coach across the border, like they used to go between Poland and Kaliningrad, or do you catch a coach or bus after crossing the border? I guess it's a pretty direct route to St Petersburg?

[@BritishChef436]

@gavinjames1145 So I actually take a coach from Tallinn to Narva. And my girlfriend meets me on the other side. You can not take a coach through anymore. The bride is closed for now. But you can catch a connecting coach at the Russian border to Saint Petersburg

[@gavinjames1145]

@@BritishChef436 That's really useful to know, thanks! Хорошего путешествия!

[@joshi5252]

would I have an issue if I have dual citizenship to Ecuador and USA? I was born in the USA. I’d just enter with my Ecuadorian passport?

[@glenbolton]

what is the name and address of that money exchange in St Petersburg, many thanks

[@vondagrubb4623]

It makes sense to fly most of the way to another country and then rest up, since it could take several hours just to cross the border into Russia.

[@11nehabansal]

Besides Moscow and St. Petersburg are any other cities ok to visit in 2025?

[@sonotu8510]

please tell us how easy is to get visa?

[@ПосольствоРусскихПисателей]

Its very easy.

[@sonotu8510]

@@ПосольствоРусскихПисателей i have german and persian passport . thanks

[@ПосольствоРусскихПисателей]

​@@sonotu8510you can appy Evisa online.

[@peterliggett5233]

How would someone get pension money from the United States if you are dependent on this while living in Russia??

[@aussiebloke51]

Can you still travel on the Allegro from Helsinki to St Petersburg? I aways found that to be the simplest visa checking process.

[@natalievictormedia]

What's the second accommodation website?

[@IamJohnKelly]

Where to Find Programming and Cybersecurity Opportunities

[@ПосольствоРусскихПисателей]

Well done

[@gabrielamedrano6866]

Chinese bank cards are accepted (Foreigner living in China) planning to travel to Russia soon.

[@gottwy1366]

Do you know If I am going to be in trouble when I have ukrainian stamps in my passport, and also if I don't speak russian and enter through Narva - Ivangorod

[@ЕгорЕгоров-о1р]

проверять вас будут дольше ,смотря с какой целью вы были на Украине и как давно

[@margaretscialdone1772]

Make sure the cash you bring is clean with no marks whatsoever. The banks will not exchange bills with marks.

[@marycooch7075]

YES! This is 100% true, speaking from experience.

[@derekhuffman585]

Russia is an amazing country. What's annoying is everyone from western countries that go to Russia are jumping on the bandwagon of making a KZbin channel to talk about it. There is a new one every day.

[@alexandriashown5745]

As a Russian, I am very grateful to people who create channels and talk about our country. Because this is the only way for foreigners to learn the real truth about our country, because Western media call our country a real hell on earth)

[@DarkRuins]

im american and got accused of having narcotics on the russian border, i turned it into a party and made friends with the officers, they gave me tea and actually lost track of time, we had such a friendly conversation. theres nothing to be afraid of!

[@wireless78borg]

🤡

[@punk7723]

so you used the drugs with the border guards and had a quality time

[@KilianLoyn4089]

​@@wireless78borg🤕

[@jophoenix3919]

If you are Caucasian, our country fears we will want to migrate to a Country that likes Caucasians, either Christian or Muslim, who both have centers, and they mix too; it depends on what You want, not the state! Safe, clean, and good education! Russia goes by attraction not promotion

[@bobbysmith5514]

How do you get a job if you don't speak Russian?

[@KilianLoyn4089]

Используйте онлайн переводчик. 😊

[@deniserothwell6325]

I am Aussie and can’t get travel I source to go to Russia

[@mattcooper2243]

I'm Aussie, Just got back I went to BKK and BKK has direct flights each day to Russia

[@deniserothwell6325]

@ Oh my error I meant I can’t get travel insurance. Rang up a whole lot of companies and nothing they won’t insure travel to Russia. Other issue is the Swift system doesn’t work over there so I can’t book places to stay. I know Emirates flies there so no issue getting there.

[@mattcooper2243]

@@deniserothwell6325 I used a local Russian Insurance for my time there through Sovcombank, you can book places to stay fairly simple and pay on arrival. Fresh $100 USD bills take them straight to the Sberbank and open an account you can exchange them and get a card so you can pay for anything in the country

[@johnh9805]

Beware, aa with many things this chap says, its not as easy as exchanging dollars or Euros for rubles at Russian banks. They play all sorts of games to avoid exchanging them, claiming perfectly good currency is defective in some way, even claiming brand new currency is too shiny. Good luck trying to exchange anything that looks like it was in circulation or old style 100 dollars. The reality is that there is nothing wrong with your currency they just have a hidden policy to reject exchanging currency and are looking for ways to scam you. I am done with their games and travel to Russia.

[@ВолкЧерный-р8ь]

а на каком языке тебя допрашивали, на русском или на английском?)

[@jameshunter7980]

Ukrainian

[@alexandriashown5745]

Your question is very funny and offensive, if a person does not speak Russian, do you really think that he will be interrogated in Russian?)

[@tanyaroberson9629]

Where are all the people, 120,000+ evacuated in Kursk going to live? What city in Russia are they going to?

[@Whoisthere-z1m]

There was no evacuation from Kursk, only from border areas

[@tanyaroberson9629]

@@Whoisthere-z1m Isn't Sudzha Kursk?

[@Whoisthere-z1m]

@@tanyaroberson9629 Sudzha is a village in a small region, and Kursk is a city, a regional center

[@Whoisthere-z1m]

@@tanyaroberson9629 Distance between Sudzha and Kursk 150 kilometers

[@tanyaroberson9629]

@@Whoisthere-z1m So where are all those people from Sudzha going to go?

[@алексейлавров-э5х]

давно тебя смотрю. морда лица шире хабаровского края стала . плохо Россия влияет на тебя. санкции бдин

[@erdemtabdanov6399]

Lol! :D

[@jameshunter7980]

get busier....too much time on your hands

[@KilianLoyn4089]

Моя страна проводит СВО, странно что находятся некоторые иностранцы которые не боятся к нам ехать. 😄

[@markchimmy]

What is SVO? Thank you.

[@EvgenyUskov]

don't not you viscerally hate Russia? why are you there? you hate Russia, right?

[@evaskjerd]

????

[@EvgenyUskov]

@@evaskjerd Jonny Tickle literally hates Russia and Russians: he is against fulfillment of the article 65 of the Russian Constitution (the article which lists all subjects of the Russian Federation)

[@UAVTVideoTeam-qi3pj]

not everyone does. there's nothing wrong with liking russia just like you westerners celebrate your dictators

[@eliyasara9786]

@@UAVTVideoTeam-qi3pj dictators?

[@RussianLanguageFamily]

Hey guys! I’m organising a tour to Russia in 2025 so if you want to join, let me know 🫶🏻

[@zenjitoo9639]

This is amazing, can we talk more over email or instagram, I'd really like your assistance to get into the country. 18 years old from Australia. Just love travel especially to these less popular (from Western Point of view) countries. Willing to pay. Let me know ❤