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russia
Question:
> But not to panic if you get pulled over. The cop will say that you > committed a traffic infraction and then say that "we can take care of > this on the spot" (the going rate to "take care of" a ticket in Moscow > is $25 USD). > Maryanne > …who has never driven in Moscow and doesn’t plan to!
So then how did you know about the "going rate"? — Weiyun [Remove the obvious for replies]
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> But not to panic if you get pulled over. The cop will say that you > committed a traffic infraction and then say that "we can take care of > this on the spot" (the going rate to "take care of" a ticket in Moscow > is $25 USD). > Maryanne > …who has never driven in Moscow and doesn’t plan to! > So then how did you know about the "going rate"?
I assume, like most frequent visitors to Russia, she has been with a driver who tips. Michael
Response:
>> That said, Russia can be a challenging place to drive and >you might prefer to hire a driver as well as a car! But if you want to >drive yourself, feel free. Bring several IDLs with you in case the traffic >police stop you and ask to take your license. >Bring alot of small denomination cash for bribes,
And here’s me organizing a lot of small denomination cash for bribes, sorry I mean tips, for my forthcoming visit to a North American country. Now should I start tipping when I get to the immigration counter or will the pilot expect a little show of appreciation? 
Response:
>in case the traffic police stop you They can spot a foreign driver a mile away….(especially the cars driven by non-citizens that have special color license plates). But not to panic if you get pulled over. The cop will say that you committed a traffic infraction and then say that "we can take care of this on the spot" (the going rate to "take care of" a ticket in Moscow is $25 USD). Maryanne …who has never driven in Moscow and doesn’t plan to!
Response:
hey – I said I was going on second hand info. The provider of the info didn’t have to worry since he had a family vehicle there
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> That isn’t true. > A simple visit to a major rental company web site would show that. > Funny thing, I checked out Hertz. No automatics… > Michael > speaking of Russia – I was told by a frequent visitor that they don’t have > car rentals. Any truth to this? How would you get around? (I want to go > to Palehk and it’s a 2 day drive)
Response:
> That said, Russia can be a challenging place to drive and >you might prefer to hire a driver as well as a car! But if you want to >drive yourself, feel free. Bring several IDLs with you in case the traffic >police stop you and ask to take your license.
Bring alot of small denomination cash for bribes, and a set of replacement shocks.
Response:
speaking of Russia – I was told by a frequent visitor that they don’t have car rentals. Any truth to this? How would you get around? (I want to go to Palehk and it’s a 2 day drive)
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > "I am considering a RTW voyage including Russia and maybe you’ve considered the > difficulty of getting a Russian visa. Have you overcome this hurdle? > My travel plans are sort of vague and I don’t really want to get locked in to a > schedule, so how does one get a Russian visa with this kind of plan?" > I didn’t think it was just a matter of paying $100 or so to an embassy or > consular officer. My impression from what the embassy has posted on the www is > that you must have considerably detailed paperwork identifying the hotel you’ll > be staying in, your exact itinerary, and much other information. Is this > incorrect? Or does it really matter where you are coming from (in the USA)? > John
Response:
You do NOT have to follow a specific itinerary on a tourist visa. You just list the cities you want to visit. So, just set the maximum starting and end date, and travel somewhere between them. Make sure you register the visa within 3 days. Michael – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > "I am considering a RTW voyage including Russia and maybe you’ve considered the > difficulty of getting a Russian visa. Have you overcome this hurdle? > My travel plans are sort of vague and I don’t really want to get locked in to a > schedule, so how does one get a Russian visa with this kind of plan?" > I didn’t think it was just a matter of paying $100 or so to an embassy or > consular officer. My impression from what the embassy has posted on the www is > that you must have considerably detailed paperwork identifying the hotel you’ll > be staying in, your exact itinerary, and much other information. Is this > incorrect? Or does it really matter where you are coming from (in the USA)? > John
Response:
That isn’t true. A simple visit to a major rental company web site would show that. Funny thing, I checked out Hertz. No automatics… Michael – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > speaking of Russia – I was told by a frequent visitor that they don’t have > car rentals. Any truth to this? How would you get around? (I want to go > to Palehk and it’s a 2 day drive)
Response:
"I am considering a RTW voyage including Russia and maybe you’ve considered the difficulty of getting a Russian visa. Have you overcome this hurdle? My travel plans are sort of vague and I don’t really want to get locked in to a schedule, so how does one get a Russian visa with this kind of plan?" I didn’t think it was just a matter of paying $100 or so to an embassy or consular officer. My impression from what the embassy has posted on the www is that you must have considerably detailed paperwork identifying the hotel you’ll be staying in, your exact itinerary, and much other information. Is this incorrect? Or does it really matter where you are coming from (in the USA)? John
Response:
> >Lastly, be sure to carry your > >passport wherever you go in > >Russia. >That is VERY important! I saw 2 Moscow cops stop (what appeared to be a >Chechen-looking guy) at the Okhotny Rad Metro station and they were >checking his papers and passport. I also saw an increased police >presence of foot cops walking around (especially in the Manezh shopping >center, the Novy Arbat area, and around hotels.
But things have apparently improved — when I went there, in 1975, they took our passports as we boarded the Aeroflot flight in JFK and we didn’t see them again till we stopped at LHR on the way back, two weeks later. Very strange feeling, walking around as an alien (and a very obvious one to boot) with no passport…
Response:
>i think you are referring to MIR Corp That’s it!!
Response:
>We have a consulate here in >Seattle. I have had visas procesed thru them and they are _very_ fast! There is a large tour company based in Seattle that I once used (can’t remember their name offhand) that does a lot of Russia tour business, I can reccommed them.
Response:
I have had no problems with San Francisco either, but the original poster didn’t mention where he was This time will be easier for me as I don’t need an invitation. My wife just sends a note and a copy of her Russian passport with my application. Michael – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > >We have a consulate here in > >Seattle. > I have had visas procesed thru them and they are _very_ fast! There is > a large tour company based in Seattle that I once used (can’t remember > their name offhand) that does a lot of Russia tour business, I can > reccommed them.
Response:
>There is >a large tour company based in Seattle that I once used (can’t remember >their name offhand) that does a lot of Russia tour business, I can >reccommed them.
i think you are referring to MIR Corp (www.mircorp.com) friendly, extensive people. dealt with them earlier in the month, although plans have changed and won;t be booking with them.
Response:
>Lastly, be sure to carry your >passport wherever you go in >Russia. That is VERY important! I saw 2 Moscow cops stop (what appeared to be a Chechen-looking guy) at the Okhotny Rad Metro station and they were checking his papers and passport. I also saw an increased police presence of foot cops walking around (especially in the Manezh shopping center, the Novy Arbat area, and around hotels.
Response:
if one were to take the trans-siberian railroad starting in moscow, what’s the best way to return to WAS? via vladivostok or beijing?
Response:
i suppose i’m also asking for best routes here. would a RTW ticket be useful here? or 2 one-ways?
Response:
What city in Russia? What city are you coming from? Why would you need a RTW (Round the world) ticket? Michael – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > i suppose i’m also asking for best routes here. would a RTW ticket be useful > here? or 2 one-ways?
Response:
>What city in Russia? >What city are you coming from? >Why would you need a RTW (Round the world) ticket?
we will be visiting moscow/st petersburg and then taking the trans-siberian railroad departing from vladivostok (VVK). OR, flying to vladivostok and out of moscow or st-pete. a round the world ticket would make sense since we would be travelling from IAD to either SVO or VVK, on land between the two, and then back home across the other ocean, essentially circumnavigating the globe, or around the world. korean air is the only carrier from VVK outside of aeroflot and other domestic russian airlines, so it looks like seoul will be the place to go. will one way tickets be best? the prices are a bit steep. thanks again in advance
Response:
RTW generally works best if you are hopping from city to city. Your trip is simply an open jaw from IAD to SVO, VVK to back to IAD. I would price it multiple ways. I know you can sometimes get no too bad one way SU fares to SVO. But I don’t know about from IAD. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->What city in Russia? >What city are you coming from? >Why would you need a RTW (Round the world) ticket? > we will be visiting moscow/st petersburg and then taking the trans-siberian > railroad departing from vladivostok (VVK). > OR, flying to vladivostok and out of moscow or st-pete. > a round the world ticket would make sense since we would be travelling from IAD > to either SVO or VVK, on land between the two, and then back home across the > other ocean, essentially circumnavigating the globe, or around the world. > korean air is the only carrier from VVK outside of aeroflot and other domestic > russian airlines, so it looks like seoul will be the place to go. > will one way tickets be best? the prices are a bit steep. > thanks again in advance
Response:
>a round the world ticket would make sense since we would be travelling from >IAD >to either SVO or VVK, on land between the two, and then back home across >the >other ocean, essentially circumnavigating the globe, or around the world.
Is there still an overnight ferry from Vladivostok to Japan? If so, that’d increase your options for the airlines/alliances you could use to fly RTW. -Erik
Response:
I am considering a RTW voyage including Russia and maybe you’ve considered the difficulty of getting a Russian visa. Have you overcome this hurdle? My travel plans are sort of vague and I don’t really want to get locked in to a schedule, so how does one get a Russian visa with this kind of plan? John
Response:
depends on where you are – We have a consulate here in Seattle. A visit with the requisite $100 (IIRC) and you go on your merry way with a visa.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I am considering a RTW voyage including Russia and maybe you’ve considered the > difficulty of getting a Russian visa. Have you overcome this hurdle? > My travel plans are sort of vague and I don’t really want to get locked in to a > schedule, so how does one get a Russian visa with this kind of plan? > John
Response:
Where are you? Why would it be difficult to get a visa? A good hotel will send you a tourist invitation or for a few dollars, an agency can get you an invitation. Then you send the invitation with $70-300 ($70 is 2 week turnaround, $300 is same day, they have other rates in between), a copy of your passport, the application form, and 3 passport pictures to the nearest Russian consulate. Michael – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I am considering a RTW voyage including Russia and maybe you’ve considered the > difficulty of getting a Russian visa. Have you overcome this hurdle? > My travel plans are sort of vague and I don’t really want to get locked in to a > schedule, so how does one get a Russian visa with this kind of plan? > John