Information about obtaining Russia Visas
Tucan Travel can help you obtain your visa
Russia Booking Form
Arranging a Visa for Russia
A visa is required by all travellers to enter Russia and applications can only be lodged 3 months or less before your departure. Although your visa is your responsibility, Tucan Travel need to issue you with an invitation letter before you apply for the visa. The invitation letter lists your arrival and departure dates from Russia, and any extra nights you have booked before or after the tour, so all your arrangements should be made before applying for the letter, as any changes will require a new application and a new fee. You can obtain your visa invitation letter by providing us with all the information requested on our Russia Visa Booking Form.
Please note:
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months after you finish the tour.
- You will also need to provide details of the city/country where you will process your visa application.
- The invitation letter is date specific so your exact arrival and departure details are required on the booking form before we can apply for your invitation letter. We need to know if you have booked extra pre/post tour hotel nights, so that we can add this to your invitation letter.
- Any additional nights pre or post tour accommodation in Russia should be booked with Tucan Travel, otherwise you must apply directly to your hotel for a separate invitation letter.
- When filling out the booking form, please be careful not to write outside the lines and please be careful to print neatly in CAPITALS in black ink pen.
- Once we receive this information we will liaise with our local Russian operator and obtain the hotel and voucher confirmation we need to issue your invitation letter, as required by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- After forwarding the invitation letter to you, it is then your responsibility to organise your visa with the Russian embassy. We will provide you with a visa authorisation letter and service voucher to enable you to arrange your Russian visa. Please consult your tour dossier for further information.
- Your visa, when issued, will list entry and exit dates, including pre or post accommodation you may have organised, so that it why it is very important that everything has been booked before you apply for the invitation letter/visa.
- Upon arrival into St Petersburg, the hotel will register visas as per Government regulations, this will be done at a cost of roughly US$5.50 and is to be paid for by the clients.
- We discourage bookings less than 28 days before travel as the time frame given by the embassy can be unpredictable depending on demand, so the sooner you know your dates the better. However, if you are applying for a visa within 28 days of your departure, we would advise you to use a visa agency to obtain your visa, although as previously noted, you can expect to pay more for this service.
Please note: we charge an administration fee of £22, €26, CHF39, US$35, C$39 A$47 or NZ$58 per invitation letter. You are welcome to use an agency to obtain your visa but please be aware that you will still require an invitation letter from us and the fee will still apply. Any changes made after the letter is issued will require a new application to be made and a new fee to be paid.
Validating your visa on arrival
According to government regulations you must validate your visa within 72 hours of arrival in Russia. Your hotel will register your visa for a small fee at reception. You will need to register your visa at each city that you visit in Russia.
Administration fees last updated 4 November 2009.
Russia Trains
On group tours travelling by train in Russia we use 2nd class carriages, which sleep four to a cabin. This is two bunk beds with loads of luggage storage, individual reading lights (so bring a book or two), and a small table to rest your drinks and Russian vodka. Clean bedding is provided on the train, and there is usually a western and squat style toilet in each carriage. Please note these toilets are locked before coming into the stations so timing is everything. There is a dining cart (trolley) on the train, however we advise you to take your own food in case they run out. Hot water is also available on the train so you can make your own hot drinks. The scenery is very beautiful and diverse, and the train is a great way for you to try to learn some local language from the Russians, or sample the local vodka.
Please check the Latest News before you travel in case of changes to your itinerary.
