Requirements for travel to Russia and Mongolia (page 2 of 5)

"Pskov, or, due to the unified Belarusian-Russian visa, at Šalčininkai, i.e., Vilnius-Lida."

Hi Esantirulo, I’ve crossed the Russia/Latvia border twice before to re-enter Europe. I didn’t notice any issues, but some comments on other platforms aren’t very flattering.

I’ve heard the border post near Vardo is open?

The Belarusian border is also known for very long waits and some unfriendly customs officers—thorough searches, etc. (it depends on individual behavior, though). I plan to bring clothes, glasses, and school supplies for Mongolia since this time I’ll be in a 4x4 instead of on a motorcycle. Anyway!

Registering in advance to cross the Terehova or Grebneva border with the electronic registration system ERRS puts me off a bit, but apparently, it reduces waiting times.

"Starting from 15 October 2025, the Electronic Queue Reservation System (ERRS) begins operating in Latvia – www.lvrobeza.lv and www.lvborder.lv. The ERRS ensures pre-registration of vehicles in the queue for crossing the external land border of Latvia toward the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus." Do you know the maximum amount of euros we can take out? Yeah, I knew about the bills—I’ve already had some notes refused for that reason.

Hi Lapagaille, Thanks for the info on the amount of currency we can bring. I’ll be under the limit, then.

Back in 2019, my insurance covered Russia, but things have changed. For those who’ve crossed the border recently—can insurance be purchased when entering Russian territory? (Like at the customs office?)

Just in case, if any of you have some rubles left to sell—just enough to reach a bank or book a room—I’d be happy to exchange emails via PM. I’m leaving on April 10th.

3-month multi-entry tourist visas.

A practical point that could be important is the ability to connect to your online banking, especially for online purchases with a non-Russian bank card.

If your bank uses SMS codes for verification, you’ll need to be able to send/receive SMS on the number linked to your account.

In my case, authentication/confirmation is done entirely online, via a pop-up window after being redirected from the purchase site, or of course on the bank’s main website if you log into your account.

You might need to handle remote banking tasks, pay a forgotten bill, or something similar.

-- Here’s a concrete example from my experience in late October. Ten days of vacation. Ticket from Oslo to Riga, then a bus to Pskov. I hadn’t bought a return ticket because I had no fixed plan and could’ve ended up in Saint Petersburg or Murmansk at some point. When I finally decided to buy a return ticket (Tallinn-Oslo), I launched ProtonVPN on my phone to get an IP outside Russia. Because my bank blocks Russian IPs. But this time, for the first time since 2022, the VPN—and other providers—was blocked. The VPN block in Saint Petersburg was at the protocol level, not just targeting known VPN IP ranges. Before, I’d been able to use a VPN in Vladimir and Tver, but not in SPb this time.

It’s frustrating: you need to use your card to buy a flight ticket, but your bank (and thus the 3D Secure portal) blocks Russian IPs, while Russia blocks the VPN protocol where you are. There’s a solution, but I didn’t have time (like setting up a personal VPN server disguised as something else, accessed without the VPN protocol, or a remote desktop VNC server, etc.).

The ticket was with Norwegian, where I have an account and the option to pay via direct withdrawal from my bank account, bypassing the bank’s 3D Secure portal. Surprise! Norwegian’s site, which hadn’t done this a few months earlier, now also blocked Russian IPs.

I messaged my sister on Telegram to give her my Norwegian account details so she could buy the ticket for me.

After that, when I got back, I rented a low-end server for 10 € to set up a Linux system with a disguised VPN server and a VNC server.

I’ve crossed the Russia/Latvia border twice in the past to re-enter Europe. I didn’t notice any major hassles, but some comments on other platforms aren’t exactly glowing.

In my experience, it was Latvia→Russia, on the Riga-Moscow highway at the Terehova checkpoint. The Latvian protocol was downright Kafkaesque compared to Finland’s. Four hours to get to the Russian side, on a line of cars that would’ve taken an hour in Finland.

I heard the border post near Vardø is open?

Storskog-Borisoglebsk, meaning just past Kirkenes—not Vardø. Yes, it’s operating normally as usual. Summer hours: 09:00 - 16:00. Only for paper visa holders, no e-visa, but that’s your case since you’ve got a 3-month multi-entry visa. Up until around 2015, I used to drive the 20 hours from Oslo via Östersund-Luleå-Inari—it’s doable, but with today’s fuel prices This crossing is the most laid-back and relaxed, though.

The Belarusian border is also known for very long waits and some hostility from customs—thorough searches, etc.

The one toward Lida after Vilnius sees less traffic than Terespol-Brest. There are also Telegram channels that provide real-time updates to help you gauge the situation.

Pre-registering to cross the Terehova or Grebneva border with Latvia’s electronic queue system (ERRS) feels a bit off-putting, but supposedly it cuts down on wait times.

"Starting from 15 October 2025, the Electronic queue reservation system (ERRS) begins to operate in Latvia – www.lvrobeza.lv and www.lvborder.lv.

If it actually works on the ground like they describe, it’s clearly the way to go.

On the Russian side, no matter the checkpoint, you might have an interview with an FSB officer in an office after filling out a form. If that happens, they’ll flip through your phone and check your social media accounts. They might press you on the purpose of your trip.

Hi there, Yes, you can often find them at gas stations (petrol) just after the border. From what I remember, it's a maximum of 3 months. Best regards, Patrick

Hi Esantiro, Thanks for this info. I’ve had a setback with prepping my vehicle, so my departure’s been pushed back to August. But there’s a silver lining in all these mechanical issues: the season’ll be much nicer by then. Thanks everyone, see you soon! Thierry

Thanks for the info! So, exchange 400 € multiple times at different places?

Hello, If you're registered (migration card), there’s no problem—they check the address and registration. You don’t necessarily need to switch banks to exchange money; you can do it in several transactions or visit branches of banks offering good rates, which are sometimes just a few hundred meters apart. A bank with competitive exchange rates is Energostransbank, but it seems their branches are only in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kaliningrad. Currently, the euro/ruble exchange rate as of 15-05-2026 is 84.71 rubles per euro, and the Russian Central Bank rate is 84.289 rubles per euro. It fluctuates constantly. Best regards, Patrick

This applies to Russians as well

Thanks Patrick, I’ll be heading back to Russia in July. Can’t wait!

I'm heading back to Russia at the end of June. First time through Grebneva—3 days of waiting in 2024. Second time via Georgia and Vladikavkaz on the Russian side—only 3 hours of waiting in June. I’ve always found insurance, great exchange rates, and a Russian SIM card right after the border, all at very good prices. The whole trip by motorcycle, never had a problem, no checks, affordable prices, and lovely people.

Hello, It's no longer possible to buy SIM cards in Russia without a somewhat cumbersome administrative process. Best regards, Patrick

I'm heading back to Russia at the end of June .../... really good exchange rate

Just so you know, the EU doesn’t want people bringing currencies from the zone into Russia. Bring crisp US dollars.

It’s way less of a hassle to go through Georgia in every respect—currency and everything else... you’ve been warned... ...when I broke down in Vladikavkaz, I made friends at a little garage... and they don’t just fix bikes... screw the administrative red tape. 😏

Hi Jean, Except this time I won’t be on a motorcycle. Of course, going through Georgia is easier—the EU with its red tape and mistakes always makes everything more complicated. How’s your trip going?

I'm leaving on the 19th or 20th, Treviso, Sremska Mitrovica, Silivri, Samsun, Batumi, Vladikavkaz. Then I want to enter Crimea via the Kerch Bridge, a stop in Mariupol, and straight north to Saint Petersburg where I’ll stay for 12 to 15 days. I love that city... Next year, Lake Baikal if all goes well, still solo.

Hi there, You won’t be going through the strait. That’s no longer possible. I’m leaving France on July 11th. Entering Russia around July 20th. Toyota Land Cruiser "prepped for travel" and IMAT registration (just in case). Watch out on the road from Vladikavkaz to Pyatigorsk—cops there can be pretty mercenary, to put it mildly. Safe travels.

Then I want to enter Crimea via the Kerch Bridge, a stop in Mariupol, and straight north to Saint Petersburg

Watch out for drones, Jean 😎

Can you share your sources about access to Crimea? I couldn’t find anything on the topic—it’d be a huge letdown... I’m not heading south, so we might cross paths. I’ll be in Russia until the 25th, and if I manage to get into Crimea, you’re on the hook for drinks! No backsies! 😏

Looks like KERCH is still operational, even with reduced traffic. The article is dated today. https://militarnyi.com/en/news/russians-alternative-bypass-bridges-crimea/