Russia Travel Guide

Russia sprawls across eleven time zones and defies easy summary. Moscow and St. Petersburg are the main entry points: one a capital of relentless energy and contradictions, the other a carefully planned imperial city. Both are expensive by regional standards and require navigation of visa paperwork.

Beyond the two capitals, Russia opens up to vastness—Siberia, the Urals, the far east. Transport between cities is long and exhausting. Distances here aren't just geographical; they're cultural and psychological. You'll spend time on trains. You'll meet deeply reserved locals who warm with vodka and conversation.

Political tensions, visa complexity, and limited infrastructure outside major cities mean Russia demands more planning than most destinations. It's worth it, but go with realistic expectations and flexibility.

Highlights

1. Moscow's historic centre — Red Square, the Kremlin, and St. Basil's Cathedral—the visual heart of Soviet power.
2. St. Petersburg palaces — The State Hermitage and Catherine Palace rival European rivals. Imperial excess on the Gulf of Finland.
3. Trans-Siberian Railway — Multi-day overland epic through taiga, steppe, and mountains. Slow travel redefined.
4. Siberian wilderness — Vast, sparsely populated forests and lakes. Few travellers venture here; fewer still return unchanged.
5. Soviet-era architecture — Brutalist monuments and socialist realism scattered across cities. Photography gold for industrial aesthetics.
6. Russian hospitality — Reserved strangers become generous hosts once you're invited in. Meals and conversation are serious business.