Difference between revisions of "Russia"

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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
 
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
  
==[[Sleeping]]==
+
== Sleeping ==
 
Unfortunately, Russia is still lacking a hostels network. You can find several hostels in Moscow and in St. Perersburg, and they are gradually spreading over the country; but as for now, in almost any city nothing of the kind is available.
 
Unfortunately, Russia is still lacking a hostels network. You can find several hostels in Moscow and in St. Perersburg, and they are gradually spreading over the country; but as for now, in almost any city nothing of the kind is available.
 
To find both accomodation and company, you can use [http://hospitalityclub.org:Hospitality Club], [http://couchsurfing.org:CouchSurfing] and Russian+Ukranian+Belorussian Livejournal community [http://vpiska.livejournal.com:Vpiska]. The official language of the latter is Russian but you can use English as well (ask other members to translate your post to Russian in the end of your message if you like). Just post the name of the locations you are planning to stay in, or your route, the dates of your possible arrival, the number of your party, some information about you and your cell# and be waiting.
 
To find both accomodation and company, you can use [http://hospitalityclub.org:Hospitality Club], [http://couchsurfing.org:CouchSurfing] and Russian+Ukranian+Belorussian Livejournal community [http://vpiska.livejournal.com:Vpiska]. The official language of the latter is Russian but you can use English as well (ask other members to translate your post to Russian in the end of your message if you like). Just post the name of the locations you are planning to stay in, or your route, the dates of your possible arrival, the number of your party, some information about you and your cell# and be waiting.

Revision as of 04:34, 9 August 2009

Flag of Russia Russia
Information
Language: Russian
Capital: Moscow
Population: 145,274,019
Currency: Ruble (RUB)
Hitchability: from Average.png (average) to Verygood.png (very good)
Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots

Russia is the largest country on Earth. There is a large number of active hitchhikers, but compared to the total number of the population it's not that much. It is a great country to hitchhike. Some drivers expect money, but most of them not. Distances like 1000km/day are ok to hitch sticking to major roads (marked M on the map, i.e. M6). Do not expect them to necessary be autobanns! – sometimes even a major road is a narrow lane with a beaten-up pavement. There are real motorways, though, marked with a green sign of an autobann same as in Europe. Officially pedestrians are prohibited in such areas but in most cases you can get a lift even on a 8-lane M4 speedway near Moscow, with cars crossing 4 lines to pick you up. The road police might chase you away (and also check your ID in the meanwhile) but in most cases they just do not care. Count about 5 days from Moscow to Novosibirsk.

Safety

Sigurdas hitch-hiking towards Murmansk from St. Petersburg. Winter 2001.

Russian roads are not among the safest on Earth.

Russians like to drink vodka. And some of them like to drink vodka in their cars. Be aware of drunken drivers, but at least on trunk roads (transsiberian there are so many police checkpoints) and drivers don't want to run the risk of getting caught drunk. Then again, Russians who own a car are not very probably to be the worst alcoholics and drinking and driving is heavily penalized in Russia. In general, just do not jump into a car with a drunken driver (you will know by smelling if you are so unlucky to meet one) and you will be fine.

Lucysd 200 km from Mongolia

To increase your safety 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 Post DPS, are good places to hitchhike since cars will drive by slowly, and police is always close. You can also ask the police officers to help you get a ride which really might work.

Especially the southern provinces Dagestan, Chechnya (worldwide most victims), Ingushetia, North Ossetia and Kabardino-Balkaria have problems with landmines.

Girls and solo-hitchihg

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-travellers (not necessarily gils) will tell you stories of some sexual harrassment 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 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 '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.

Police and formalities

Police in Russia just loves to check IDs and you can get a hell lot of troubles if your papers are not in order (being asked for a bribe is the least). You do have to have your passpport with the visa and other papers you get while crossing the border handy. 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 raining.

Also, Russia still does not have a freedom of movement. That applies to both natives and foreigners; officially, you have to register in 3 days while staying in any city, village, etc. Practically, villages and towns should be neglected, but please do register once you arrive to a big city (especially Moscow), unless you are planning to stay for less then 3 days. Keep in mind that any hostel or hotel you stay in will normally do it for you; even if you are staying at some friend's you might ask them for help too. If you do not plan to stay for a long time just have some strong evidence that you have just arrived. Buy a hamburger and keep the receipt before leaving some handy town or city you pass by (but make sure there is the place's name on it). The train or bus tickets are the best means to persuade the police you are not hanging around St.Petersburg for half a year already, so you might take a short ride on a local train from time to time to have a set of tickets marking your way.

Cities

Border Crossing

Georgia

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 Abhasia, are safe). The advice is to go to Turkey or to Azerbaijan first and then to Georgia.

Azerbaijan

You will need a special premission to be allowed to cross the border. Don't try to cross the border illegal.

Latvia

It's no problem (at least for EU passport holders) to walk over the checkpoints in Latvia to Russia.

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

Sleeping

Unfortunately, Russia is still lacking a hostels network. You can find several hostels in Moscow and in St. Perersburg, and they are gradually spreading over the country; but as for now, in almost any city nothing of the kind is available. To find both accomodation and company, you can use Club, [1] and Russian+Ukranian+Belorussian Livejournal community [2]. The official language of the latter is Russian but you can use English as well (ask other members to translate your post to Russian in the end of your message if you like). Just post the name of the locations you are planning to stay in, or your route, the dates of your possible arrival, the number of your party, some information about you and your cell# and be waiting.

External links