Foreshadowing this article I’d (Ivory) like to mention that when I visited Russia it was during the FIFIA world cup. The Russia I experienced may not be the same as what someone traveling now may experience. Yet, two points of view that made me decide to write this is:
- There’s a good chance the next time anyone goes to Russia it’s going to be vastly different because of the war in Ukraine.
- There are still useful insights to be given about this country from my visits that will benefit anyone wanting to go there in the future.
Now that we have established this lets get into it.
What I cover
- Visas
- Not an easy place to travel:
- Language barrier
- Accomodation
- Transport
- Public facilities & travel apps
- Why go to Russia?
- A question to you
Visas
The tourist visa is notoriously difficult and expensive to attain when comparing it to other western country visas. *Remember the parts of Russia where most tourists go are technically in Europe, so this is why I see it as a western country. It’s the only country in the world which spans across two continents.
So when considering a trip to ‘Mother Russia’ as the locals call it, a good place to begin is figuring out what is required in order for you to do so.
Not an easy place to travel
From my experience as well as others who I met while in the country, the facilities and accessibility of the country is no way near as set up for the average backpacker or tourists as any other country I’ve been to in Europe. This comes in the form of language barriers, accommodation, transport, public facilities and travel apps.
Language Barrier
This is not a country that speaks English. In fact there can be a sense of disdain for English in parts of the country. Within the main two cities of Moscow and St Petersburg you have much less to worry about. Both cities are set up for travelers, and with anyone within the tourism industry there is a strong likelihood of them knowing English. However for the rest of the country my strong suggestion is to pick up and learn as much Russkiji (Russian) as possible. In my time there I learnt as much as possible and this was not only interesting and enjoyable but came in very handy in many situations.
Accomodation
When it comes to looking into accommodation there is one main piece of information that is important to know. Most hostels, even within the big cities, are full of permanent residence. My guess is due to the budget travel industry being very minimal, most facilities that offer budget accommodation are majoritively seeking permanent residences for their income.
Not to stereotype in any way, however, it should be mentioned that the overwhelming majority of permanent residents living in hostels are men between the ages of 30 – 60, so the working class. Expect mess, lots of cigarettes, alcohol, and a certain intimidation factor. I don’t mention these things to put anyone off traveling here, but merely to prepare you.
Another invaluable piece of knowledge to be aware of is that in my experience the majority of accommodations did not have any signs or labels on buildings or doors. So download offline maps and find information outlining clearly where the location is. This will save you a lot of stress.
Transport
One of, if not the best option to move around the country is via train. This is a very large country and it can take days to go between cities. Better than being stuck to a seat on a bus is the sleeper trains that offer beds, cabins, and separate dining car or carriage. On the train you can also have some great interactions with locals while watching the change in landscapes outside.
If the distance isn’t as far then buses are a good option, and some of the major companies run there. Finding coach stops can however be as difficult as finding accommodation, so practice in Russkij and ask around to be sure you’re in the right spot.
While there I also hitchhiked a number of times. I always felt safe and I met some really interesting people through these experiences.
Public Facilities and Travel Apps
Public facilities like toilets, wifi, and water stations are difficult to come across in the majority of Russia. Download offline language apps, maps, and any travel information you can when setting out from the big cities. It’s not easy but the more prepared you are for where you’re going and how you’re getting around will again better prepare you.
Why go to Russia?
Well for starters it’s a very underrated country in every way.
The people in Russia are incredibly hospitable and kind. I received lots of help from strangers that showed me the stereotypical angry, vodka drinking Russian is very wrong. For one thing they preferred to drink beer, and another they were definitely not angry. The mature aged locals were generous on trains with food, drinks, and knowledge, and the younger generation is very artistic, fun, and keen to join the rest of western society in culture and idealisms.
The history that’s held within Russia is tantalizing, and for even sporting fans places like the war museum in Volgograd become a must stop visit. The different architecture in juxtaposing towns shape the era’s past and differences between regions. There is a real wealth of knowledge and understanding that comes out of seeing the places first hand.
I’m sure there are an infinite number of reasons that anyone can find to visit this richly diverse country. I’d urge anyone looking to experience the world in not just its bright lights and pretty colours to venture here. It’s definitely not Paris or Rome, it’s raw and imperfect. There’s something special about that.
A question for you
If you’d like to know more about specific destinations within Russia please let us know and we’ll bring out another article in the future. But for now I hope these tips will help you in a country that will definitely get you eyebrow raises when you tell people you’ve been there.
