Last update: 01/22/2022
Russia has restricted travel from many international countries, but citizens and residents of the UK, Tanzania, Turkey, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Maldives, Egypt, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, Cuba, Serbia, Japan, Seychelles, Ethiopia, Vietnam, India, Qatar, Finland, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Greece, Singapore, Venezuela, Germany, Syria, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Iceland, Malta, Mexico, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Austria, Hungary, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Morocco, Croatia, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Jordan, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, the USA, Albania, France, the Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Bahrain, and Moldova are allowed to enter Russia right now.
Is Russia Open for Tourists? – Latest Russia Travel Restrictions
International travelers must present a medical certificate for a negative PCR test result that was obtained within three days before arrival in Russia. They must also complete this form and have travel medical insurance for the duration of their stay in Russia.
Travelers who arrive from Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan must present their negative PCR test results via the COVID-19 Free Travel app.
Russian citizens must complete this form before departure and then take a PCR test within three calendar days of their arrival in Russia. They will have to quarantine until they receive a negative test result. Russian citizens do not have to undergo testing if they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 in the last six months.
Can I travel to Russia right now?
You can travel to Russia from many countries right now. Below is a map of all the countries that can visit Russia at the moment.
Russia - EN
- Russia
- Countries allowed to travel to Russia
Travelers from these countries can enter Russia with restrictions
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Russia travel ban is in place for these countries
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Only Russian citizens, Russian residents, family members of Russian citizens, diplomats, and certain other exceptions may enter Russia from these countries. You can find a full list of categories of foreign nationals who can enter Russia here.
Russia COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements
Russia’s entry requirements for international travelers are rather straightforward.
Foreign travelers must present a medical certificate for a negative PCR test result that was obtained within three days before arrival in Russia. The test certificate should be in either Russian or English.
Travelers from Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan must present their negative PCR test results via the COVID-19 Free Travel app.
International travelers must also complete this form and have travel medical insurance that covers them for the duration of their stay in Russia. Travelers from the UK must self-isolate for 14 days from their arrival in Russia.
Russia COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements
Russian citizens must complete this form before departure and take a PCR test within three calendar days of their arrival in Russia. They will have to quarantine until they receive a negative test result. However, Russian citizens do not have to undergo testing if they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 in the last six months.
COVID-19 vaccine to travel to Russia
Russian citizens who have been vaccinated in the last 12 months or who have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months are exempt from getting tested on arrival in Russia.
Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to Russia?
All travelers must take a PCR test in order to enter Russia.
International travelers must present a medical certificate for a negative PCR test result that was obtained within 3 days before arrival in Russia. The certificate should be in English or Russian, and the validity of the test certificate is calculated starting from the date the sample was collected.
The certificate must have the traveler’s name and date of birth, the exact date and time the sample was collected, the test that was used (PCR), the result (negative), and the name and seal of the issuing organization.
If the certificate cannot be submitted in English or Russian, a certificate in the official language of the country where the sample was collected is acceptable if it is accompanied by a Russian translation that has been certified by a consular official of the Russian Federation. Travelers will not be allowed to board their flights without a medical certificate.
Travelers from Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan must present their negative PCR test results via the COVID-19 Free Travel app.
Unvaccinated Russian citizens must get tested within 3 calendar days of arrival in Russia and quarantine until they receive a negative result.
Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Russia?
There is a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Russia for unvaccinated Russian citizens, who must take a PCR test within 3 calendar days of their arrival in Russia and quarantine until they receive a negative result.
Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Russia?
Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Russia
All international travelers must have travel medical insurance that covers them for the duration of their stay in Russia.
The insurance policy must indicate the geographical area of coverage (either worldwide, Russian Federation, or Europe, which includes Russia) and contain the date, stamp, and signature of the insurer; the policy number; the insured person’s full name; the address and contact details of the insurer; and the list of medical services and medical transport including repatriation.
The recommended minimum coverage is $35,000. Travelers can select their own insurance company. More information on insurance requirements is available here.
Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit Russia
A great option for travel medical insurance with COVID-19 coverage is Heymondo. Their policies include well over $35,000 worth of medical coverage since the most basic plan provides $250,000 worth of medical coverage. Their policies also include medical transport and repatriation, so Heymondo easily meets Russia’s insurance requirements.
You can even save 5% on Heymondo insurance with the discount link below.
Other travel restrictions for Russia during COVID-19
Russia has a few other travel restrictions in place:
- All travelers must complete this form.
- Travelers from Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan must download the COVID-19 Free Travel app.
- Russian citizens must complete this form before departure.
- All travelers will undergo health screenings that include temperature checks on arrival in Russia.
- Face masks are required in all public areas.
- Travelers must follow social distancing guidelines of 1.5 to 2 meters.
- You may need a tourist visa to visit Russia. Check if you need one below.
What’s open in Russia
Many businesses in Russia are open, although different regions may have different restrictions, so be sure to check what the restrictions are for the region where you are staying. Many hotels, attractions, restaurants, and airports are open.
Hotels that are open in Russia
Many hotels and accommodations are open in Russia, so you should be able to find a great place to stay if you visit right now. If you’re looking for accommodation, these are the ones where we recommend staying:
- Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow
- Four Seasons Hotel Moscow
- Moscow Marriott Grand Hotel
- Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg
- Lotte Hotel St. Petersburg
- Helvetia Hotel St. Petersburg
Guests should wear masks and gloves in all public areas and abide by social distancing guidelines.
Attractions that are open and tours that are operating in Russia
Many attractions, such as museums, are open and tours are operating. These are some of our favorite things you can currently do in Russia:
- Basil’s Cathedral and Red Square
- 2-Hour Private Kremlin Tour
- 5-Hour Luxury River Cruise with Dining Option in Moscow
- Moscow: Small Group Metro Tour
- Petersburg: Hermitage Museum Guided Tour
- Petersburg: Swan Lake Ballet Admission Ticket
- Petersburg: Raising Drawbridges Night Boat Tour
Visitors must wear masks and gloves. They should keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters away from others.
More information on attraction regulations is available here.
Restaurants that are open in Russia
Want to try borscht, blini, or pirozhki? Many restaurants in Russia are currently open for diners to eat delicious Russian food. However, certain regions may have imposed curfews for restaurant opening hours, so be sure to check the regulation for the region you are in.
Restaurants that are open in Russia
Customers should wear masks and gloves, except when they are eating and drinking, and keep at least 1.5 meters away from others.
More details on restaurant regulations can be found here.
Airports that are open in Russia
Russia’s three largest international airports, Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Vnukovo, all of which are located in Moscow, are open.
Travelers must wear masks and keep a 1.5- to 2-meter distance away from others. On arrival in Russia, travelers will undergo health screenings that include temperature checks.
Where to get a PCR test in Russia – COVID-19 testing in Russia
Your country may require you to take a PCR test in order to fly back home. If you need to get a PCR test in Russia, you can find information on testing here (in Russian) and here (in English).
Russia reopening its borders to tourists – F.A.Q.
Check out these FAQs related to Russia reopening for tourists and let us know if you have any other questions in the comments below.
Can I travel to Russia right now?
Yes, you can currently travel to Russia if you are entering from the UK, Tanzania, Turkey, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Maldives, Egypt, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, Cuba, Serbia, Japan, Seychelles, Ethiopia, Vietnam, India, Qatar, Finland, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Greece, Singapore, Venezuela, Germany, Syria, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Iceland, Malta, Mexico, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Austria, Hungary, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Morocco, Croatia, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Jordan, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, the USA, Albania, France, the Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Bahrain, or Moldova.
Is it safe to travel to Russia during the COVID-19 pandemic?
There are currently 550,000+ active cases and 180,000+ deaths due to COVID-19 in Russia as of today. The CDC classifies travel to Russia as “Level 3 – High Risk.” If you have a pre-existing condition or any health condition that could increase your chances of serious illness, do not travel to Russia. Additionally, if you are unvaccinated, you should reconsider traveling to Russia.
Is there a travel ban in Russia?
Yes, travelers from countries that are not on this list cannot enter Russia other than for these exceptions.
Is quarantine required to visit Russia?
Yes, unvaccinated Russian citizens must quarantine until they receive a negative result from the PCR test they must take within 3 days of arriving in Russia.
Do you need a PCR COVID-19 test to travel to Russia?
Yes, all international travelers must have a medical certificate for a negative PCR test result that was obtained within 3 days before arrival in Russia.
Is there a curfew in place?
No, there is currently no curfew in Russia.
Are there restrictions on intercity or interregional travel?
Yes, some regions may require tourists to show proof of vaccination. Generally, only vaccines that are registered in the Russian Federation (not Moderna, Pfizer, or Johnson & Johnson) are considered acceptable.
Are hotels open in Russia?
Yes, many hotels in Russia are open.
Are airports open in Russia?
Yes, Russia’s three largest airports, all located in Moscow, are open.
Are restaurants open in Russia?
Yes, many restaurants in Russia are open.
Are attractions open and tours operating in Russia?
Yes, many attractions are open and tours are operating.
Is Russia open to American tourists?
Yes, American tourists can currently travel to Russia.
Is Russia open to Canadian tourists?
No, Canadians cannot currently enter Russia for tourism.
Sources
We will update this guide on Russia reopening to tourism with any new developments. If you need more information on travel to Russia, you can check these official sources:
- US Embassy Updates on COVID-19 in Russia
- CDC Travel Recommendations for Russia
- General Russia Travel Advisory
- Aeroflot COVID-19 Information in English
- Information for Visitors to Russia from Russia’s Federal Agency for Tourism in English
- Form for Russian Citizens to Register Before Travel
- Labs for PCR Testing in Russian
