Terehova-Zasitino border crossing
Terehova-Zasitino border crossing
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| <map lat="56.362598927269" lng="28.183288574091" zoom="11" view="0" float="right" /> | |
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| Countries: |  Latvia |  Russia
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| Type: | Road |
| Motorway: | E 22 |
The Terehova-Zasitino border crossing joins Latvia at the settlement of Terehova (near Zilupe) and Russia at the village of Zasitino (near Sebezh). This border crossing is the main road from Riga towards Moscow as well as the best way for drivers going from Europe to Moscow if they avoid Belarus for mainly visa reasons.
Walking across this border is no problem. Make sure you got a Russian or Schengen visa when entering one of the two countries. Waiting lines of trucks can be up to several kilometers at times, so don't hesitate to walk the last kilometers towards the checkpoint.
Guards at both sides usually seem to be quite friendly if approaching them in a foreign tongue other than the local ones.
- Entering Russia
Just 10 meters behind the last control post a small parking area is located which is your best spot to catch cars. All drivers stop just in front of you to get out of the car and do the last control check, which means they see you and you have a chance to talk to them. Also at night there's light.
Walking about 1km further you'll find three service stations, a restaurant with a cash machine and secured parking for lorries - all 24/7 -, which might be useful if it's too cold, you're there at night (=no traffic) or in the morning, when all parking trucks are starting their engines eastwards. Though many seem to go also south through Belarus, so watch out where you get in. There will be many local Latvians who might stop for you, but they only go to the fourth petrol station another kilometer further, where petrol is slightly cheaper. There's nothing else around, but at daytime it could be a chance to hitch short distances to move forward anyway.
- Entering Latvia
Traffic is extremely low here, and contains mostly locals crossing borders for cigarettes and petrol. Also here best chances are just behind the last control checkpoint, though light installments are not as good on this side for night hitchhiking. Try to hitch at least towards the exit of Zilupe, though there it's also not as good to hitch. TIR truck drivers might be your best bet. If you don't get one out of here, catch anything to Rezekne, from there traffic increases in direction of Lithuania and Riga.
Experiences
Platschi stood here several times at night (both directions) and in all cases didn't manage to see anything moving until daylight came up. As soon as it gets light, it's also recommended to hitch short distances, which might be more effective as after about 40 km the road from Pskov joins in, where more traffic can be expected towards Moscow. Get out at crossings or petrol stations along the way and be patient. The trip to Moscow can take you about 7 to 10 hours from here.
