can i drive to Russia???? (1 Viewer)

do1977

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hi there to all has any one driven in to Russia or Romania or around the countrys??
i was thinking of doing a trip there soo and has anyone got any info on what it is like there is it safe and what the people are like???
and the countrys on the way i wold drive into to get there

thanks
 
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pappajohn

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there is a thread somewhere on here about it but its not an easy task and i wouldnt do it.
definately not for the faint hearted as its not too safe.

if i can find the thread ill put a link to it.

PS.... heres one link to a russia thread.....a few useful links in the thread as well

Link Removed
 
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scotjimland

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Never been there, but from what I've read.. ... lovely people.. but a dangerous country to travel alone.. especially in an expensive van that shouts out 'we're rich'

jim

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Wildman

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So Bulletguy wants to go and so does upmarket hippy so that makes three of you, you got a convoy.
 

pappajohn

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Never been there, but from what I've read.. ... lovely people.. but a dangerous country to travel alone.. especially in an expensive van that shouts out 'we're rich'

jim

as someone said in a previous thread....even a 15 year old transit home build is a posh limosine to most russians:Sad:
 

Sundowners

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upmarkethippy has been to Russia twice (and Libya) in his 130, IT DOES NOT LOOK POSH but a Land Rover is not seen the same as a posh motorhome. If you really want to visit these countries keep the paint work very plain and maybe drab. anywhere away from Holland Germany etc. you will find that an advantage !!!!!!
Nigel
 

superk

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Yes you can drive to Russia in your motorhome but it's best to go in an organised group. There are a number of companies that run motorhome group tours Perestroika Tours for example Link Removed regularly go to Russia and you don't need a special vehicle. There are other companies that specialise in Russia.

:Smile:
Keith

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ginge61

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hi ye you can but you need a good van thats not going to fall apart in russia have done the route through to moscow overland and via helsinki st petesburg roads are not the best romania is or was something the same used to do this in a truck and that used to take a bashing plus not recomended to go on your own r if you got no mec abbilty look at it carefully
 

Henryhymer

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Only travelled around Russia and some other post soviet countries with work and had an armed police guard or local person with me most of the time. If you do go then make sure you have bribery money with you for the traffic police (as recommended to me by state police). The roads are absolutely awful in many places with the biggest pot holes I have ever seen. Most cars carry a ball of string in the boot to tie on any bits that fall off going over the bumps. The countryside is really spectacular and beautiful in places and the cities, towns and villages are fascinating. However corruption is everywhere so beware. I did ask in Russia about the possibility of taking my then old campervan. I thought at first they didn't understand what I was saying but it became clear they understood but just thought I was totally mad! Motorhoming is not a local past time. They advised that if I really wanted to drive in Russia then to not go alone and stay in hotels with secure car parks.
Having said all of that the people generally are really lovely and welcome tourists coming to their country. If you do want to travel there then there is a french group who specialise in travel through post soviet countries and China The Silk Route Motorcaravan Club so they may be worth a go. I think they organise trips but also support people who want to organise their own travel.
Cheers

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Wildman

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I think you will find Cheyne (Upmarkethippy) is organising trips to both Russia, and Libya why not give him a shout, his Landrover is the perfect support vehicle for the trip.
 

weymard

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As I wrote in old thread, I went to Russia in summer 2007 with my dodge ram and a camper (demountable), I left from Cherbourg to Saint-Petersbourg across Baltic countries, after I went to Moscow and finish in Perm Oural, return by south Russia, Ukraine, Slovakia, Tchequie and Germany. We had no problem, security was real, on the road we slept in secure park (25 rubles average the night) or in little villages. The people were very nice, charming. In Russia and Ukraine we had accumulator problems and each time many people helped us without monney ! Just for to speak with us !
If you read the French langage go to weymard I tell our journey.
The big problem is the bad roads in Russia, but they work to rebuild it !! You need to well prepare your MH. People are very friendly, and now they see a lot of MH, specially around Saint-Petersbourg. As me you can go alone, very secure. For eventual mechanical issues, all big cities have the European brands dealers, and in the "desert between cities" all Russians know how to do !!::bigsmile:::bigsmile:
 

savantuk

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I have travelled extensively in the 'former' soviet bloc countries, including Russia. I have never once found myself concerned for the safety of my wife and I. I found the Russians in particular to be friendly, wherever and whenever encountered, and also extremely helpful.

Roads in Russia proper, can be, and mostly are appalling, unless you are within the boundaries of the larger towns and cities, where some can be as good as major routes in major European cities.

The police seem to be efficient and omnipresent. They have a reputation for being very thorough.

Apart from the difficulties of taking a large and fairly 'fragile' vehicle cross country to Russia, I would have no hesitation. There are probably mor camsite in Russia than in any other countries. They are great campers!

Best place to try Russian camping is in the Russian 'oblast' of Kalinigrad, which is on the Baltic coast. It's a beautiful place, and easily reached by driving through Poland, on decent roads.

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J

johnandcarol

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I considered Russia myself once, but decided there are many other countries to visit before taking th plunge with that one. As a taster, you could try Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, Poland, visiting those countries will prepare you for an eventual trip to Russia.
 

Zozzer

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My brother drove to Moscow in his articulated truck during the days of communism.
He said it was the most beatifull country he had ever been to, but was the most
difficult to nagivate in. He always said it was very safe in those days as the people
were not to make contact with westerners. He also said, he would NOT go back
since the fall of communism as it is now considered extremely dangerous.

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Bulletguy

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hi there to all has any one driven in to Russia or Romania or around the countrys??
i was thinking of doing a trip there soo and has anyone got any info on what it is like there is it safe and what the people are like???
and the countrys on the way i wold drive into to get there

thanks
This may help you decide.....

Russia Travel Forums - Moscow, St. Petersburg, Trans-Siberian discussions, Russian visa and transportation advice.

Wildman is right, i did want to try visiting Russia then gave up on that and looked at Belarus instead, which is the place to go if you still hanker after visiting the last bastion of communism (KGB still operate in Belarus).

However, gaining entry is not quite so simple as some will have you believe. A Visa is required for Russia as also the same for Belarus. Then there is the matter of 'registration' and 'invitation' which asks for the address of the 'inviting party' which of course would normally be an Hotel. But as a traveller in a motorhome, you cannot state an address as you are not staying in one place only. In other words, the state want to know exactly where you are and what you are doing.

The other thing to get your head around is the use of the cyrillic alphabet where many road signs are in a totally incomprehensible language to most of us.

Link Removed

I gave up trying to get any sense from the Belarussian Consulate in London who were extremely rude and each time i asked to speak with a guy i had been told to contact by the Embassy, the reply was simply "he's busy"....then banged the phone down on me!

Good Luck!!
 

drs

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We done some of Romania and Bulgaria last year both are beautiful. We only encountered one potential pickpocket but other than that the people were friendly. We had a small problem finding campsites but ended up using 24hr petrol stations or truck stops which were fine. We wild camped on a couple of occasions we were moved on by the police once as they explained that it was dangerous there. I will go back again when I get the time as it's a fair drive. You will need a fairly robust van as many of the roads are pretty grim. Go for it you won't regret it.
 

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