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|hitch = from {{average}} to {{very good}}<rating country='ru' />|BW = RU

'''Russia''' is the largest country on Earth, and is a fantastic country for hitch hiking. There It is well ingrained within the country's culture, and it is a large number of active hitchhikersmuch more comfortable way to see the country, but compared to taking the train. Despite the total number popularity of the population it's not that muchhitch hiking compared to other countries, people will still be surprised by what you are doing. Especially if you are (and look like) a foreigner. It is a great country possible to hitchhike. Some drivers expect moneycover vast distances per day when hitching, greater than 1000 km if you are lucky, but most of them not. Distances like 1000km/day are ok to hitch sticking to generally only when using major M roads (marked M on the map, i.e. M6)in Western Russia or Siberia through Trans-siberian railway mainline.  == Roads ==Do not expect them all M roads to necessary be autobanns! dual carriageways – sometimes even a major road is a narrow lane , unpaved muddy patch. Generally speaking, the further East you go, the worse the road condition gets. But even on main connections in less remote areas, for example from Moscow to Kazan, the road is not always in good shape in connection with a beaten-up pavementthe huge traffic, travelling will take much more time than in Western Europe. There are real motorways, though, marked with a green sign of an autobann autobahn same as in Europe. Officially pedestrians Standards are prohibited improving too; there is an ongoing policy of funding the rebuilding many roads in such Russia, which will bring standards to a much higher level. In spite of the country's size, there are very few roads, there is little ambiguity in where you could be going, when hitching from a given location. In areas but about 50 km from cities you may just stay on the road and you will get rides with high success which other cities the roads go to. === Maps ===In mostly all bigger book stores in most cases you Russia one can find the [http://www.allmaps.ru/avto_km_stolb/russia/ Автоатлас России] (''Auto Atlas Russia'') which is perfect for hitchhiking Russia. Including gas stations, DPS stations, even traffic lights along main roads. The atlas also includes city maps and maps of Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and the Baltic states as well. Price is 377 RUB (July 2009). Also, there are maps almost completely presenting full infrastructure of some cities including public transportation system at [http://www.2gis.ru/ 2gis.ru]. November, 1st 2009 there were 22 cities: Астрахань, Барнаул, Бийск, Екатеринбург, Иркутск, Казань, Кемерово ,Красноярск ,Курган, Нижневартовск, Нижний Новгород, Новокузнецк, Новосибирск, Одесса, Омск, Пермь, Самара, Тольятти, Томск, Тюмень, Уфа, Челябинск. U can use on-line version or download installer and use maps off-line. Also there is opportunity to use 2gis on Windows Mobile platform and even on usual cellphone with Java MIDP-2 engine (needs internet access). A more modern alternative is Maps.me, as it has offline maps and shows gas stations. (Most platforms) Another alternative Application to MapsMe is Yandex Maps. It's like Russian Goole maps. You can download offline maps there and find every address or public transport.(July 2019) == Hitching ==Also, there is a possibility to get a lift even by talking to drivers on gas stations. You will not be misunderstood but since there are almost no highways and you can point your thumb anywhere, wasting time on a gas station waiting for cars is not preferred unless there is heavy raining, or the spot is bad etc. If there are two of you one can hitch on the road and the other one ask people on nearby gas station; that really might bring you a 8lift faster. But the “default” method of hitchhiking in Russia is still thumbing on the roadside. If you don't speak the language, thumbing is better -lane M4 speedway near Moscowas people will just drive towards your direction and you can join them. Do not write places names on cardboards – nobody in this country cares to read them. Or, if you still want to use the paper, write a region number instead of the name (see below for a list of reg numbers). Because you can get dropped off and immediately hitch onwards on nearly all roads in Russia, using a sign is never necessary and in fact the community recommends against it. Again, in spite of the country's size, there are very few roads, there is little ambiguity in where you could be going, when hitching from a given location. You must take a raincoat (it sometimes rains in summer and very often in autumn), good shoes, a warm jumper for summer (the winter starts in October), some cash (and not credit cards or cheques), perhaps a tent with cars crossing 4 lines a sleeping bag. === Trains, Boats, etc ===taken from a post on squattheplanet forum: "In Siberia, it is apparently common and easy (and ALLOWED) to hitch-hiking on cargo ships and freight trains, in the unit. Trains are not manifested ahead of time, but instead are done on a day-to pick -day basis (CHAOS?!). This means that you show upat the 'yard' (really only a load/unload with a siding or two), and ask the workers or security for the engineer/brakeman lounge. Sometmes the security will hassle you, but if you simply explain that you are a traveler, it's totally allowed! So, ask around, find a train going your way, find out when it leaves, and ask if you can hop on. You ride in the unit, which while heated (Siberia is fucking cold), has no toilet, so don't drink too much, and take a pregame dump. Ride to where you're going, simple as that! Also, every yard has a cafe for the workers, and food is apparently wicked cheap.Boat-hitching is apparently similar. Ask around, get permission, get on, and go! The road police might chase only significant problem would be the language barrier, but people are absolutely THRILLED to meet travelers, especially ones from foreign lands (remember, Russia is HUGE).Additionally, it's possible to stay for a night at monasteries all over Russia. If you want to stay longer, they will usually ask you away to help out with chores. I REALLY want to try this!" == Language ==Hitchhiking in Russian is called ''автостоп'' (avtostop). It literally means “car stopping”, and also check your ID is basically the only word understood as hitching (i.e. travelling by getting lifts for free). A more colloquial word for it is "попутка" (poputka). When people ask you anywhere in Russia: "куда ты едешь?" (Kuda TjIE edesh?)[where are you going to?] you should answer: "я еду автостопом" (ya yedu avtostopom), then they will ask you another question and this time you say the name of the meanwhilecity. It might be better and more polite to ask "Вы могли бы подкинуть меня в направлении ..." (Vy mogli by podkinut menya v napravlenii ...) but , which means "Could you give me a lift in most cases they just do the direction of ...". Level of speaking English is rather low especially among people older than 40 and even not careall young people speak it with a sufficient level.Count about 5 You might ought to learn Cyrillic script for your own convenience. It is quite simple for a person familiar with English or Greek alphabet and is learnable in 2-3 days . People, their friendliness and mentality differ much from [[Moscow]] to [[Novosibirsk]]part of Russia they are from (there are many national republics and indigenous nations), and also from the type of town (for example, notorious "monogorod" - monotowns) and by their social status.

Russian roads In spite of popular belief about the dangers of Russia, and perceived problems with the police, as a hitch hiker you will more than likely have no problems in the country. Police will usually not bother you at all, especially when they know you are a foreigner (except at the border - that is another matter). You should also avoid drunk people and people who look aпgressive or look like "[[:wiki:ru:гопник|gopniks]]". and as long as you take the usual precautions, you will not among find yourself in danger from any person - the safest on Earthcold however, in winter time, is a much bigger issue.Being offered copious amounts of alcohol can also be a problem!

Russians like to drink vodkaSome consider Russian roads are not among the safest on Earth; this might or might not be true. And some The concentrartion of them dashing driving is higher than in Europe. Many drivers and their passengers do not fasten their belts outside cities, but you always may do it for yourself. Its common knowledge Russians like to drink vodka in their cars. Be aware of drunken drivers, but at least on trunk roads (transsiberian there are you will unlikely meet a drunken driver unless you go deep into some village area; driving drunk is heavily penalized in Russia so many [[police]] checkpoints) and drivers majority of people don't want to run the risk of getting caught drunk. Then againif there is at least a single police checkpoint on the road (on all the major roads, Russians who own a car there are not very probably to be the worst alcoholics and drinking and driving is heavily penalized in Russiamany). In generalBut, just do not jump into in case you encounter a car with a drunken driver (you will know by smelling if you are so unlucky to meet inside – wave him away and wait for a sober one) and you will be fine.

To increase your safety If the area feels unsafe you might want to hitchhike from police post to police post. The police posts situated on all highways with intervals of about 100 km. These posts, commonly called "ДПС" (Post DPS), are good places to hitchhike since cars will drive by slowly, and police is always close. Local hitchhikers swear on these police posts. You can also ask the police officers to help you get a ride which really might work.Be prepared to be asked for your ID or even run a cell-phone check (verification that your cell is not in the stolen cells database), though. The southern provinces of Russian Caucasus like [[Dagestan]], [[Chechnya]] (worldwide most victims), [[Ingushetia]], [[North Ossetia]] and [[Kabardino-Balkaria]] have problems with terrorists and land-mines and it could be very dangerous for travelling there for both foreigner and for Russian from Central Russia. These areas better be avoided. Small towns might have a small chance of being a little dangerous if the person differs much from locals, especially in the night. Villages and big town are completely safe. === Girls and solo-hitching === Many Russian girls do hitch alone, and still scary stories seldom hit the news lines. It does not at all mean that the country is free of perverts, and almost all of the solo-travelers (not necessarily girls) will tell you accounts of some sexual harassment they have encountered while hitching. 99% of such encounters end OK with nothing more serious then words but if you do not want to be asked for sex – or to hold a camera while somebody is masturbating – consider finding a travel buddy.Somehow, Russians are still very amused by foreigners, and many report that solo traveling even extremely long distances, like Central and Eastern Russia, for a foreign girl who speaks some Russian is absolutely safe since she is treated like someone ‘from the outside’ by virtually everyone. Keep in mind that being a foreigner you are somewhat protected from some issues that Russian hitchhikers face on the roads. == The Ultimate Guide to a €35 Russian Visa without an Agency for Most EU Citizens (except UK, Ireland and Croatia, among others) ==

Especially ''Most Russian embassies in the southern provinces [[Dagestan]]EU don't require you to submit an application through a visa center/travel agent or to complete any additional steps, [[Chechnya]] (worldwide most victims), [[Ingushetia]], [[North Ossetia]] and [[Kabardino-Balkaria]] have problems with landminesbut it's very important to check the respective embassy's website for their particular requirements.''

===Girls and solo1. Get an appointment at the respective embassy of your choice. This is the biggest hassle of the entire process as appointments are usually booked out for at least two months ahead... You'll find a link to the online appointment booking system on the embassy's website -hitchihg===it'll look something like http://paris.kdmid.ru/queue-en/. Record the appointment details.

Many Russian girls do hitch alone2. Two weeks or so before your appointment, book accommodation through this [http://www.saint-petersburg.com/russian-visa/free-visa-support/ website]'s affiliate link to Booking.com. They give free tourist invitations to anyone who books using their affiliate link - it's important to follow the link to Booking.com from their website. As it's Booking.com, you can give them a fake credit card (using a fake CC number generator of course) and still scary stories seldom hit you don't actually have to stay at the news linesplaces or pay for them in advance. It does not at all mean that But you do need the country is free of pervertsreservations. Alternatively, and almost all of you could also get an invitation through the solo-travellers many websites which offer it for as low as €10 (not necessarily gilslook up Fortuna Travel) - but the steps above will tell get you stories of some sexual harrassment they have encountered while hitchingone for free. 99% ''Recent reports seem to suggest that the agency is getting wary of such encounters end OK with nothing more serious then words but suspicious free visa support request, so if you do not want 're going to be asked Russia for sex – or to hold a camera while somebody is masturbating – consider finding longer than a travel buddy.Somehowweek, Russians are still very amused by foreigners, and many report that travelling even extremely long distances, like Central and Eastern Russia, for a foreign girl who speaks some Russian is absolutely safe since she is treated like someone you'from re probably better off coughing up the outside€10.'' by virtually everyone. Keep in mind that being a foreigner you are somewhat protected from some issues that Russian hitchhikers face on the roads.

===Police and formalities===Police in Russia just loves 3. Once you've managed to check IDs and successfully book accommodation through Booking.com, fill out this [https://www.saint-petersburg.com/russian-visa/free-visa-support/request/ form]. They should send you can get a hell lot scans of troubles if your papers are not in order (being asked for a bribe is the least). You do have invitation to have your passpport with the visa and other papers you get while crossing the border handye-mail. A good idea is to put them in some transparent waterproof bag – the immigration card is absolutely soviet style, and will not survive even the light rainingPrint those out.

Also3a. If you need a visa for over 30 days, then you have to get a "Business" visa instead of a tourist visa. It's Russia still does , so white lies are not have a freedom out of movementthe ordinary here... That applies to both natives and foreigners; officiallyTo get a business visa, you have 'll need a more expensive invitation (usually between €45-80), but the visa fee remains the same and the same visa support companies issue these. For visas up to register in 3 180 days while staying in any city, villagea simple stamped letter over email is enough, etcbut this really depends on the embassy. PracticallyFor a 1-year visa(although it's valid for a year, villages and towns should one entry can only be neglected90 days), you'd need a formal invitation initiated by the company via the Russian Migration Service, but please do register once which is much more expensive and can take up to a month. 4. Fill out this [https://visa.kdmid.ru/PetitionChoice.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 form] exactly as you've filled out the previous form. This is the official Russian form which you arrive 'll submit to the embassy. Print it. Sign it. Glue a big city passport photo onto it (especially Moscow3.5x4.5cm size). 5. Get travel insurance which has at least €30, unless you are planning to stay for less then 3 days000 cover. Print a confirmation. Keep in mind that any hostel or hotel you stay in will normally do it for If you; even if you are staying at some friend's re good enough with photoshop you might ask can give them for help toosomething legit looking. You'll also probably need this at the Russian border.If you do not plan 6. Go to stay the embassy for a long time just have some strong evidence that you have just arrivedyour appointment with all the paperwork (printout of the invitation, the official Russian form with your signature and photos and confirmation of insurance). Pay them €35. Wait for the visa. 7. Buy a hamburger Have fun in Russia! IMPORTANT: Every embassy and keep every nationality is different! Check the receipt embassy website before leaving some handy town or city you pass by (but make sure following these steps as there is may be extra requirements not covered here! === E-Visa ===Starting from July 1, 2019 people from many countries can get electronic visa to enter the [[Far Eastern Federal District]] and the place's name on it)[[Kaliningrad Oblast]]. The train or bus tickets are the best means to persuade the police you are not hanging around Ste-visa is free and lasts only for eight days.Petersburg Rules for half a year already, so you might take a short ride these visas can be found on a local train from time to time to have a set of tickets marking your waythe official website [https://evisa.kdmid.ru/].

* [[MoscowSamara]]* [[Irkutsk]]* [[Murmansk]]

* [[St. PetersburgRostov-on-Don]]* [[Sochi]]* [[Ufa]]* [[Ulan-Ude]]* [[Voronezh]]

== Border Crossing ===== Count about 5 days from [[GeorgiaMoscow]] ===The border is now closed, and entering the country via territories in question might be extremely dangerous or even fatal (even if the territories themselves, like to [[AbhasiaNovosibirsk]], are safe). The advice is to go to [[Turkey]] or to [[Azerbaijan]] first and then about 18 days from Moscow to [[GeorgiaVladivostok]].

=== [[Azerbaijan]] Number plates ===Russian number plates contain a region code, that indicates the origin of the car and possibly the drivers destination.You will need can write it on a special premission to be allowed to cross the bordercardboard instead of a place name and use while thumbing. Don't try to cross the border illegalSee [[Russian plate numbers]] for a list.

==External links ==* [http://010-vladok.reitsma.ru/ Story about hitchhiking from Rotterdam to Vladivostok] {{en}}* [http://no-planes.de/?p=76/ Story about hitchhiking from Hamburg to Lake Baikal] {{en}}*[Latviahttp://youarealltourists.blogspot.de/search/label/Siberia Stories about hitchhiking around remote Siberian regions]{{en}}* [http://hike.ru/ Russian hitchhiking website]==={{ru}}It* [http://www.bpclub.ru/index.php Russian backpacker & hitchhiker's no problem (at least for EU passport holders) to walk over the checkpoints forum] {{ru}}* [http://avp.travel.ru/ Academy of Free Travel, Moscow based hitchhiking club] {{ru}}* [http://vpiska.livejournal.com Livejournal 'Vpiska' community], mostly {{ru}} but {{en}} speakers are also welcome* [http://ru_autostop.livejournal.com Russian] hitchhiking communities. {{ru}}, but you can ask questions and get replies in Latvia to Russia{{en}}* [http://takemeeast.blogspot.com/search/label/russia Hitchhiking in the Russian far east] {{en}}

==Nomadwiki & Trashwiki =[[Ukraine]]===The country is Russia's eternal 'native brother' and, despite all the political mess that constantly happenes between the two states, [[Ukraine]] is one of the countries that is very easy to enter from Russia (Russians do not even need a foreign passport to enter it, as well as for [[Belarus]]). Make sure that the border crossing is working before attempting to use it. The big gate on the M2/E95 road ([[Moscow]] to [[Kharkiv]]) can be passed by foot, which is very convenient because you do not have to wait in the line of the cars and you wont make your driver wait for you in case you have any delayes with your passport. You will have to leave the car before all the checkpoints begin, though, or you will be considered a car passenger by the border police.ee

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