Thread: Entering Russia via Estonia

I am a British Citizen with a British Passport. I want to go to Saint-Petersburg, but fly to Tallinn in Estonia, then get a train or bus into Russia, to Peter.

On my Visa form, I have to state a point of entry. What do I put?

Since I've only flown to Russia before, I have just had to put Domodedovo or Sherementovo on point of entry.

Your point of entry is the town on the border i believe. Which I think is Narva.


There is no train from Tallinn to Petersburg, so bus it is!

Originally Posted by drew881

Your point of entry is the town on the border i believe. Which I think is Narva.


There is no train from Tallinn to Petersburg, so bus it is!

I'm pretty sure there is a train option --or at least there was a year and a half ago. I was also warned that the bus route is notorious for accidents, especially in winter. Just a heads up...

Oh yeh, on the map I can Narva. Thanks for the info. I was thinking of bus anyway, cos it's cheaper. I'm not worried about accidents, and I'm going in the early autumn anyway.

Narva's on the Estonian side. You probably need to write "Ivan Gorod" there. But I wouldn't really know.

Originally Posted by TATY

Oh yeh, on the map I can Narva. Thanks for the info. I was thinking of bus anyway, cos it's cheaper. I'm not worried about accidents, and I'm going in the early autumn anyway.

Yeah, that's probably the case; I seem to remember some people going and saying it was like a 15-20 US$ difference in cost? But it was also more comfortable -- hehe; something about rank smells and a couple of the girls being hit on by some drunk guys (which of course could happen just as easily on a train). Anyway, that exhausts my knowledge of the subject, so I'll shut up now.

The bus is quite a bit cheaper than the train and you get all sorts of extras for your discount fare. Exhaust fumes mixed with the fragrance of the unwashed, topped off by the aromas of beer and sausage (and the windows are sealed shut).
Frequent stops for militsia document checks and bus stops in every small town help ease the motion sickness caused by the bumps in the poorly maintained roads. And the drivers stop every few hours to smoke which provides toilet opportunities along the side of the road (bring your own potty paper and don't be shy!)
Yes Sir, bus travel in Russia is definately a bargain educational experience!

Originally Posted by JB

The bus is quite a bit cheaper than the train and you get all sorts of extras for your discount fare. Exhaust fumes mixed with the fragrance of the unwashed, topped off by the aromas of beer and sausage (and the windows are sealed shut).
Frequent stops for militsia document checks and bus stops in every small town help ease the motion sickness caused by the bumps in the poorly maintained roads. And the drivers stop every few hours to smoke which provides toilet opportunities along the side of the road (bring your own potty paper and don't be shy!)
Yes Sir, bus travel in Russia is definately a bargain educational experience!

Hehe. Yeah, I forgot when our group took a chartered bus for a trip an hour and half or so out. It wreaked of fuel so much that we had to take a 10 minute break of just standing in the fresh air (which of course turned into a smoke break for those so inclined -- pumping just as filthy stuff back into their lungs!).

But again, out of fairness, the trains are sealed shut and, especially in winter, they become banyas on wheels -- SO HOT. I assure you, it has its own unique aroma of fish, sweat, feet, and smoke...

So why are you going, anyway, TATY. Just vacationing? Tallin(n) is supposed to be an awesome city...Are you spending time there, or just flying there b/c of the budget airfare options?

The only trains that have sealed windows are the ones with an air conditioning/ climate control system which is very comfortable except when the train is stopped at a station (and the system also stops). Many trains have windows that open. Also trains have the advantage of space to walk around and get away from unpleasant smells.