Travel to Russia — everything you need to know
When to go to Russia?
- May – Sep — Fine season : White nights in Saint Petersburg in June, short but pleasant summer in Moscow, ideal for Lake Baikal.
- Dec – Feb — Russian winter : Russia under the snow, ice rinks and Christmas markets, a unique atmosphere despite the extreme cold.
Weather in Russia
Check the weather city by city, starting with Moscow.
- Moscou: daytime highs from -4 to 25 °C depending on the season, 59 mm of rain per month on average.
- Saint-Pétersbourg: daytime highs from -2 to 24 °C depending on the season, 56 mm of rain per month on average.
What to do in Russia?
Russia is the largest country in the world, spanning eleven time zones and offering exceptional diversity of landscapes and cultures, from the golden palaces of Saint Petersburg to the wild shores of Lake Baikal. Its great cities fascinate with the richness of their tsarist and Soviet heritage, world-class museums and a dynamic food and arts scene. ⚠️ Due to the conflict in Ukraine and international sanctions, travel to Russia has been strongly discouraged by most Western governments and logistically very difficult since 2022.
Moscou
Moscow is the quintessential Russian megalopolis, the country's political and economic capital, where the medieval Kremlin stands alongside the skyscrapers of the International Business Centre. Red Square, one of the most famous in the world, brings together Saint Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum and GUM, the vast imperial shopping arcade. Moscow's metro stations, veritable underground palaces adorned with marble and frescoes, are worth the trip on their own.
Highlights : Moscow Kremlin — UNESCO-listed medieval fortress, Saint Basil's Cathedral — masterpiece of Russian architecture, Moscow Metro — palatial stations from the 1930s–1950s, Tretyakov Gallery — the largest collection of Russian art in the world.
Saint-Pétersbourg
Saint Petersburg is Russia's artistic and architectural showcase, founded by Peter the Great in 1703 on the banks of the Neva as a 'window on Europe'. The Hermitage Museum, housed in the Winter Palace, holds one of the largest art collections in the world with over three million works. The white nights of June, when the sun barely sets, give the city an incomparable magical atmosphere.
Highlights : Hermitage Museum — one of the largest museums in the world, in the Winter Palace, Peterhof — imperial palace and gardens with monumental fountains, Saint Isaac's Cathedral — golden dome towering over the city, Nevsky Prospect — 4.5 km main avenue.
Lake Baikal
Lake Baikal is the deepest and oldest lake in the world, UNESCO-listed, holding on its own 20% of the world's unfrozen fresh water reserves. In winter, its frozen surface lets you walk for dozens of kilometres over uniquely crystal-clear ice. In summer, its shores welcome hikers and boaters amid breathtaking taiga and mountain landscapes.
Highlights : Olkhon Island — the lake's largest island, a shamanic heartland, Listvyanka — picturesque village on Baikal's western shore, Circum-Baikal Railway — historic line running along the lake, Cape Burkhan — Buryat sacred rock on Olkhon.
Trans-Siberian Railway
The Trans-Siberian is the most legendary railway journey in the world, linking Moscow to Vladivostok over 9,288 km across seven time zones, Siberian plains, taiga and the shores of Baikal. The full journey takes about 7 days, but many travellers break it up with stops in Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk or Ulan-Ude to discover Siberia's cultural diversity. An incomparable human and geographical adventure.
Highlights : Trans-Siberian Moscow–Vladivostok — a 9,288 km railway journey, Trans-Mongolian — variant via Ulaanbaatar and Beijing, Irkutsk — gateway to Lake Baikal, Yekaterinburg — Ural city, Europe-Asia border.
Sochi & the Caucasus
A seaside resort on the Black Sea, Sochi is also the gateway to the Western Caucasus and its snow-capped peaks. Host of the 2014 Winter Olympics, it combines beaches, palm trees and modern ski resorts. The surrounding UNESCO-listed national parks offer gorges, waterfalls and forests.
Highlights : Rosa Khutor — Olympic resort, Sochi National Park, Sochi seafront, Mount Fisht & Oshten, Agur — gorges and waterfalls.
Travel budget for Russia
Russia used to be an affordable destination for European travellers, but international sanctions since 2022 have drastically complicated payments and access to cash on the ground. The ruble has fluctuated sharply.
- Backpacker : 45–70 €/j — Hostel, local food, metro, a few museums.
- Comfort : 90–160 €/j — 3★ hotel, decent restaurants, ballet, premium museums.
Practical tips for travelling to Russia
- Flight from Paris : Direct flights suspended since March 2022. Connecting flights possible via Istanbul, Dubai, Doha or Belgrade. Expect 8–12h of travel.
- Visa : Visa required for French citizens. Procedures have become more complex since 2022. Official invitations often required. Check with the Russian embassy.
- Currency : Russian ruble (RUB). European Visa/Mastercard cards no longer work in Russia. Bring cash in dollars or euros to exchange locally.
- Language : Russian. Learning the basics of the Cyrillic alphabet is essential. Little English spoken outside international hotels in Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
- Electricity : Type C/F, 230V. Same standard as Western Europe.
- Health : No mandatory vaccines. Healthcare system quality varies. Repatriation insurance essential. Western medications sometimes hard to find.
- Current restrictions : Most Western governments have formally advised against all travel to Russia since 2022. Economic sanctions, risk of arbitrary detention for Western nationals, closure of European airspace.
- Connectivity : Internet available but censored (VPN needed). Western social networks (Instagram, Facebook) blocked. A local SIM is recommended for getting around.
Compare Russia with other destinations