Low-Cost Travel Options How to Fly to Russia After International Sanctions

Introduction

If you are looking for affordable ways to travel to Russia, especially after the international sanctions due to the conflict with Ukraine, this article will provide you with various low-cost travel options. Whether you are planning to visit Moscow, St. Petersburg, or other cities in Russia, you can choose between flying or taking a bus. In this article, we will explore these options in detail.

Can You Travel to Russia by Plane?

Yes, it is still possible to travel to Russia by plane, despite the international sanctions. However, direct connections between Russia and countries like the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, and South Korea have been suspended. Russian airlines such as Aeroflot or S7 Airlines do not operate flights from these countries.

To travel to Russia, you have two options:

1. Use air connections through third countries that have direct flights to Russia, such as Turkey, Serbia, Morocco, Armenia, or Uzbekistan.
2. Take a flight to a country near the Russian border, such as Finland, Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania, and then take a bus to St. Petersburg.

Whether you have a traditional visa or an e-visa, many airlines and bus companies accept Western debit or credit cards for payment, including Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, JCB, and American Express.

Before we delve into the details, here are some recommendations to help you find the best prices:

1. Book your ticket at least 2-3 months in advance. Prices tend to increase as the departure date approaches, so booking early can save you money.
2. Consider traveling during the off-peak season and on weekdays. July and August are high season months, so prices are generally higher. Flights on weekdays or Saturdays are often cheaper than those on Fridays or Sundays.
3. Use a flight comparison website. There are many options available for traveling to Russia with stopovers. Flight comparators like Momondo, Skyscanner, WeGo, and OneTwoTrip can help you find the best connections and prices.

Flights with Stopovers to Moscow and Other Russian Cities

If you are looking to travel to Moscow or other Russian cities, you can choose flights with stopovers in countries that have direct connections to Russia. Here are some options:

Option 1: Flights from Europe

While the European Union has closed its airspace to Russia, Serbia, a non-EU and non-Schengen country, offers direct flights to Moscow. Air Serbia operates these flights from Belgrade airport. You can book a flight from major European capitals like Paris, London, Amsterdam, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, or Zurich to Moscow with a stopover in Belgrade. However, these flights are usually expensive, with prices exceeding 900 euros for a round-trip ticket.

Option 2: Flights from Turkey

Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines offer flights to Russia via Istanbul, Turkey. Turkish Airlines has the most extensive flight network to Russian cities, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi, Kazan, Irkutsk, and more. Prices for a round-trip ticket from a European city to Moscow with a stopover in Istanbul can start at 750 euros.

Pegasus Airlines, a low-cost Turkish airline, also operates flights to Moscow, St. Petersburg, Grozny, Kazan, Krasnodar, Makhachkala, and Mineralnye Vody. Flights from Istanbul with Pegasus Airlines can be slightly cheaper, with prices starting at around 600 euros for a round-trip ticket.

Option 3: Flights from the Caucasus

If you are in Italy, Germany, Austria, or Bulgaria, you can consider flying with Wizz Air to Yerevan, Armenia. From Yerevan, you can then take a flight to Moscow with Fly Arna or Fly One. The total cost for a round-trip journey from Europe to Moscow via Yerevan is approximately 400 euros.

Option 4: Flights from North Africa

Flying through a North African country like Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, or Algeria is another option. Royal Air Maroc offers flights via Casablanca, Morocco, while EgyptAir operates flights via Cairo, Egypt. Prices for these flights can vary, so it’s best to check the airline’s website for accurate pricing information.

Option 5: Flights from the Persian Gulf

Flights through the Persian Gulf, particularly via Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (Etihad Airways), or Doha, Qatar (Qatar Airways), are also available. However, these routes are more expensive, with prices starting at 1,500-2,000 euros for a round-trip ticket.

Option 6: Flights from Asia

Flying to Russia via Asia is another viable option. Companies like China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Aeroflot, and S7 Airlines offer direct and affordable flights from Beijing to Moscow. Prices for round-trip tickets on these routes can range from 300 to 400 euros.

Flights Near the Russian Border and Bus to St. Petersburg

If you are planning to visit St. Petersburg and Moscow, flying to a country near the Russian border and then taking a bus to St. Petersburg can be a cost-effective option. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Take a Flight to Finland, Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania

Several airlines, including Finnair, KLM, Air Baltic, and Air France, offer flights from Europe and the United States to Finland and the Baltic republics. Round-trip flights to Helsinki from major European capitals typically cost around 200 euros, while flights from the United States or Canada can cost around 600 euros.

Low-cost airlines like Ryanair also provide flights to Helsinki, Lappeenranta, Tampere, Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius, Kaunas, and other cities. For example, a flight from Milan to Lappeenranta with Ryanair can cost around 50 euros, with Lappeenranta being approximately three hours away from St. Petersburg.

Step 2: Take a Bus to St. Petersburg (or Vyborg)

Once you arrive in Finland or the Baltic republics, you can take a bus to St. Petersburg. This option is often more affordable than flying directly to Russia and allows you to avoid airport stopovers. After visiting St. Petersburg, you can then take a high-speed or overnight train to Moscow.

Here are some bus companies that operate routes to St. Petersburg:

1. LuxExpress: An Estonian company based in Tallinn, LuxExpress offers multiple daily departures to St. Petersburg from Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga, and other Baltic cities. Tickets can be purchased online or at the bus station, with prices starting at approximately 90 euros for a one-way trip from Helsinki to St. Petersburg.

2. Ecolines: Based in Riga, Latvia, Ecolines provides similar connections to LuxExpress. They also operate routes from Tallinn to Minsk in Belarus. Ticket prices are comparable to LuxExpress.

3. Baltic Shuttle: A low-cost Estonian company, Baltic Shuttle offers routes between Estonia and Russia, including St. Petersburg and Pskov. Tickets are more affordable, with prices starting at around 30 euros for a trip from Tallinn to St. Petersburg.

4. Sovavto: A St. Petersburg-based company, Sovavto operates daily routes between Finland and Russia, including St. Petersburg and Vyborg. They have seven destinations in Finland, including Helsinki, Lappeenranta, and Vaalimaa. Ticket prices are cheaper than LuxExpress or Ecolines, with a one-way trip from Helsinki to St. Petersburg costing approximately 48 euros.

Please note that there is currently no rail service with the Allegro train or ferry service between Helsinki and St. Petersburg due to the COVID-19 pandemic and international sanctions. However, train services within Russia are operating normally.

In Summary

If you are traveling to Russia for tourism and plan to visit both Moscow and St. Petersburg, the most cost-effective option is to take a direct flight to Finland or one of the Baltic republics and then take a bus to St. Petersburg. From there, you can continue your journey to Moscow by high-speed or overnight train. This option eliminates the need for expensive plane stopovers and allows for a comfortable and affordable travel experience.

If you are only visiting Moscow or other Russian cities, you can consider flights with stopovers in Serbia, Turkey, Morocco, or Armenia. Remember to book your flights in advance, avoid long stopovers, and use flight comparison websites to find the best connections and prices.

If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please leave them in the comments below.

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