GOING TO RUSSIA VIA FINLAND
Before going to Russia you will need a TOURIST VISA. Tourist visas are issued to tourists who have booked accommodation in Russia for non-business reasons. Typically this is issued for a maximum of 30 days. You can get a TOURIST VISA only by making an official reservations for accommodation during your stay in Russia. To apply for a Russian Tourist Visa at the Russian Consulate You need to have a visa support letter (invitation) from a Russian Tourist Company or Hotel (Note! Booking made by HIhostels.com-reservation system is not enough for You to get the Visa from the Russian consulate). Hostelling International Finland can help You to make such a reservation to St. Petersburg. At St. Petersburg hostels they can also make reservations to Moscow hostels. Hostels are a cheap and secure way to stay in Russia. All the hostels have a wide range of activities they can offer You.
More information available at www.russia-hostelling.ru (Youth Hostels Association of Russia) and www.ryh.ru (St. Petersburg International Hostel).
HOW TO MAKE A RESERVATION!
We can make reservations only for those who already are in Finland (Helsinki) and can come to our office to pay for the reservation in cash or by credit card. Otherwise it is better to contact a travel agency specialized in travelling to Russia in Your own country.
We will fax the reservation form (FAX RESERVATION VOUCHER) to St. Petersburg (our partners there: St. Petersburg International Hostel or Hostel Metro Tour).
After receiving the confirmation (visa support) from the hostel (can take up to 24 hours) You will need to go to the Russian Consulate in Helsinki for a TOURIST VISA. It takes normally 5 working days to get the visa.
Russian Consulate, Vuorimiehenkatu 6, 00140 Helsinki. Tel. +358-(0)9-661 449. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 09:00-12:00.
To make a reservation for You we need following information:
- Client's full legal name, citizenship
- birthdate
- passport number
- expiration of passport
- date of entry to Russia
- how many nights You like to stay at which hostel
- date of exit from Russia
- cities in Russia to be visited
- do You have a Hostelling International card
- do You need a VISA SUPPORT.
This information we need from everyone travelling to Russia.
WHAT DO I PAY FOR THE RESERVATION?
- First night's accommodation incl. breakfast at St. Petersburg hostel; 01.03.2008-31.10.2008 the price is 19 Euros for YHA-members / 21 Euros for non-members + 25 Euros for Visa support.
- TOTAL price at our office: 44 Euros for YHA-members / 46 Euros for non members + 10 Euros for fax/administrative fee. Following nights You will pay in St.Petersburg: 19 Euros for YHA-members / 21 Euros for non members.
- For information on the prices of Hostel Metro Tour, please contact the Hostelling International Finland office.
WHAT DO I NEED TO TAKE TO THE RUSSIAN CONSULATE?
You will need
- the Confirmed FAX RESERVATION VOUCHER (You get this from our office)
- a completed Consulate Questionnaire (You can get from our office or at the Consulate)
- passport size photo
- Your passport
- Visa processing normally takes 5 working days, but if You pay an extra fee, faster processing is possible. TOURIST VISA costs EURO 35 + an extra fee depending on Your nationality.
- Please note that all the former Soviet Republics now issue their own visas, most of these visas you can purchase at their borders. If you leave Russia for another former Soviet Republic and want to re-enter Russia You will need a new visa.
VISA REGISTRATION IN RUSSIA
In case You stay longer than 3 days in Russia, You should register Your visa within 3 working days after arriving in Russia to avoid late registration fees.
Hostels in St. Petersburg can only register visas that were issued with their visa support. The company or organization that invited You to Russia is responsible for Your registration, and no other company can register Your visa without an extra fee (about USD30) or they may not be able to do it at all. This also means that your hostel in St. Petersburg can not register visas issued by another company. Ask about registration when You arrive at the hostel.
HOW TO GET TO RUSSIA?
From Helsinki You can go by train, bus or plane to St.Petersburg. Tickets can be bought at Helsinki Railway station and Helsinki Bus station.
There are 2 trains daily to St.Petersburg (Pietari) and one to Moscow (Moskova), more information: www.vr.fi. Buses go several times daily, more information: www.matkahuolto.com and www.pohjolanliikenne.fi. We recommend an early departure from Helsinki. This way You will arrive by daylight at St. Petersburg.
CAN I GO TO MOSCOW?
St.Petersburg hostels can arrange hostel accommodation in Moscow and other cities in Russia. St.Petersburg hostels can also help You arrange e.g. train tickets for all Your destinations. Please let them know as early as possible in case You want to do so.
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?
Remember to bring Your confirmed FAX RESERVATION VOUCHER to the hostel.
There are plenty of good inexpensive restaurants in St.Petersburg. The hostel can help You with restaurant reservations.
Traveller's cheques can sometimes be difficult to cash and the charge is normally 3-4% of the value of the cheque.
Do not change money on the street. The difference between the street rate and the bank rate is not that huge and it is not worth the risk. Change only small amount at a time because the rouble is devaluating fast.
Hostelling International Finland can recommend You to change money at Forex Money Exchange Offices in Helsinki: www.forex.fi
You can change money also on the train from Helsinki to St. Petersburg. The rate is quite good there.
Keep all Your money and valuables hidden underneath Your clothing. Waist bags can be easily opened without You knowing it.
Bring prescription medicines and any personal items that You think You will need.
Do not drink tab water in Russia. Bottled water can be bought everywhere.
Be prepared for a GREAT ADVENTURE!