Can you travel to Russia in 2027? In 2026, we continued to run tours and welcome international visitors, including people returning to explore a different part of the country. If you’re thinking about a trip in 2027, here’s what we saw this year and what we’d suggest checking before you book.
Who travelled with us in 2026?
One of this year’s groups was a party of 14 from the United States. Groups of that size are less common these days, but we still arrange trips for people travelling together. We also ran our scheduled group tours, where solo travellers, couples and friends booked separately and came together for the same itinerary.
We welcomed guests from Europe, North America, Latin America, the Middle East, India and elsewhere in Asia, as well as Australia and New Zealand. It was especially good to see familiar faces. Some guests who had travelled with us before returned to discover a region they hadn’t visited on their first trip.
Many people also travel independently for personal reasons. They might be visiting family, spending time with a partner or catching up with friends in different parts of Russia. For trips like these, we can help with a Russian visa, book accommodation in Russia, or arrange transfers and rail tickets.
What was the visa process like?
Our travellers generally had a straightforward experience with visas in 2026. We didn’t see an unusual increase in scrutiny in the applications we helped with. Some passport holders qualify for visa-free entry, while citizens of many EU countries and other eligible countries can apply for a Russian e-visa. Other travellers may need a standard visa. Check the rules for your passport and itinerary before booking, including whether your intended border crossing accepts an e-visa. We can help with visa arrangements if you’re unsure where to start.
A brief note on Ukraine
We are deeply saddened by the ongoing war in Ukraine and the suffering it continues to cause. It is a tragedy, and we fully understand why it raises questions and concerns for anyone considering a trip to Russia.
Russia continues to admit tourists who meet its entry requirements. The UK and US governments advise against travel to Russia, but their advisories are not travel bans. We operate our tours well away from the conflict zone. See the section below for more on safety and the practicalities of travelling.
Practical safety tips for your trip
Across the destinations where we operated tours in 2026, no safety incidents were reported to us on our city breaks, Russian river cruises, Trans-Siberian journeys or adventure holidays. Our tours covered Moscow and St Petersburg as well as regional destinations such as Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk and Vladivostok. Our team travels to Russia regularly and stays in close contact with local partners, friends and family. On our own visits, we’ve generally felt comfortable exploring city centres, including after dark, and visiting the main sights.
Before you travel. Check what your insurance policy covers in Russia. If you decide to travel, we can help arrange travel medical insurance. Airspace restrictions can delay, divert or cancel flights at short notice. Allow extra time for connections and check for updates from your airline before you leave.
While you’re there. Use common sense and stay aware of your surroundings. Keep valuables secure in busy places, carry only the cash you need for the day, and plan how you’ll get back to your accommodation in the evening. Avoid political discussions and demonstrations, and follow instructions from local authorities and security staff.
If you need help. Save emergency contacts where you can access them offline. If you’re travelling with Go Russia, keep our 24-hour support number handy. Our team can answer itinerary questions before you leave, and our local guides and representatives can help during the trip.
Government travel advice. Our observations reflect firsthand experience in the places where we operate. The UK Foreign Office and the US State Department advise against travel to Russia. We still recommend reading the latest travel advice from the foreign ministry or equivalent authority in your country of residence before booking, so you have a fuller picture of the risks and can make an informed decision.
What our travellers say
One of the best ways to get a feel for a trip with us is to hear from people who have already travelled with Go Russia. You can read what our customers say about their experiences on Tripadvisor, Trustpilot and Google. You can also join our Go Russia travel group on Facebook to ask questions about your trip and read comments from other travellers.
Thinking about a trip in 2027?
If you’re weighing up a first visit, returning to explore another region or planning to see someone close to you, tell us where you’d like to go and when. We can talk through scheduled group departures, private itineraries or individual arrangements such as accommodation, transfers and rail tickets, so you can decide what fits your plans.