visit russia advert

#Luxury travel
#Unusual Moscow
#Jewish Heritage
#Russian traditions

#Saint Petersburg
#Photospots

The capital city with a thousand options

The city you will fall in love

The popular tourist route with the network of ancient towns north-east of Moscow

#Golden Ring

Read our articles and discover Russia’s tourist attractions, ways to learn its traditions and culture, top activities and interesting places, world-famous museums and hidden gems, and much more that’ll inspire you to come and see Russia.

These are some of our hand-picked tours and itineraries that will let you get the most out of your trip to Russia. Choose one of ready programs or customize it and create your own trip!

9 excursions

4 excursions

6 excursions

3 excursions

Practical information for your trip to Russia

Share the best of Russia on our networks

We use cookies to improve your experience on our Website, tailor content, and measure advertising. By continuing to use our Website, you accept our Privacy Policy .

Your request has been sent successfully! Our travel expert will contact you shortly.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

How to Visit Russia as an American

Luxy Images / Getty Images

While U.S. citizens are welcomed with visas on arrival to 184 countries around the world, Russia isn’t one of them. American citizens need to obtain a Russian tourist visa before they’re allowed to depart for the country.

There is one loophole, at least for now: cruise passengers are allowed to visit Russia without a tourist visa for up to 72 hours, presuming they follow a rigid set of rules.

If you’re an American looking to plan a trip to Russia, here are your travel options.

How to Get a Russian Tourist Visa

Americans looking to visit Russia on tourist visas have two options, a single-entry visa for $113 or a multiple entry visa for $273 dollars. It’s recommended to apply for Russia travel visas 30 to 90 days before departure, but procrastinators can typically pay extra to have visa applications expedited.

The first step in getting a visa to visit Russia is securing a formal invitation. This is easier than it sounds. The Petr Hotel in St. Petersburg, Russia , for example, offers guests visa invitation letters instantly online for a $16 fee. Many hotels, tour operators and travel agents provide similar services.

Once you’ve got your invitation letter, you’ll need to fill out an online Russia tourist visa application , but prepare yourself. The application asks for a detailed log of your past decade of travel abroad as well as for information about your schooling, parents, occupation, and involvement with professional or other organizations. If you’re an avid traveler it might take you awhile.

After completing your application, you'll need to submit it through a visa processing company and pay the required fees. Travisa , CIBT Visas , and Allied Passport & Visa are among the companies you can use. For Travisa, processing fees start at $164, but that’s in addition to the visa fee itself.

You will need to send in your physical passport and two passport size photos as part of the process. If approved, your passport will be returned to you with a full-page Russian tourist visa.

Getting a visa to visit Russia can be a good way to avoid the crowds that often accompany large cruise ships and to have more time and freedom to explore on your terms. Lines at the Hermitage Museum and other sites are noticeably shorter once the cruise ships have pulled out of town, leaving a more authentic feeling in St. Petersburg. If you’re looking to visit Moscow and St. Petersburg , you’ll want more than 72 hours and will be best served by having a Russian tourist visa.

Take a Visa-Free Cruise to Russia

Passengers visiting Russia on cruise ships or via ferry services are allowed to stay in the country for up to 72 hours without a visa. This option limits both your time and independence in Russia.

If you’re on a major cruise line that’s making a stop in St. Petersburg, you’ll need to buy a shore excursion from the operator or book a city tour with a local company. You will need to remain with your tour group the entire time you’re on land, so kiss that casual wandering goodbye.

If you opt for the St. Peter Line ferry from Helsinki, you’ll have a little more freedom but not much. You’ll have to either sleep on the ferry or at one of a number of pre-approved hotels. You’ll also need to take the company’s sightseeing bus tour, something that’ll eat into the precious little time you’ll actually have on land.

And while you won’t need a tourist visa, you’ll still have to go through Russian customs, which can be an experience.

It’s worth keeping in mind the St. Peter Line ferry is no luxury cruise ship. Rooms are small and basic, with the most budget-friendly options coming in at around $230, not including extras like the required shore tour, an extra $30 per person. There are restaurants, bars, and a dance club on board, but ships sailing this route look like they’re straight out of the 1990s.

This option will save you visa fees and the hassle of applying for a Russia travel visa, but there is a cost. Ferry schedules typically have passengers arriving in St. Petersburg around 9 a.m. after an overnight journey from Helsinki and departing two days later around 7 p.m., giving visitors a scant 58 hours to explore a sprawling metropolitan area that was Russia's imperial capital for two centuries and remains its cultural capital.

How to Go to Russia – How Do I Get to Russia?

8 Scandinavian Cruises for Any Time Frame

How to Travel to Cuba If You Are an American

Vital Information for the First-Time Visitor to Thailand

Moscow - Russian Rivers and Waterways Port of Call

Travel to Africa and the Middle East: A Reopening Timeline, Country by Country

St. Petersburg, Russia

How to Cross the Border From San Diego to Tijuana, Mexico

How to Travel From London to Paris by Train, Bus, Plane, and Car

How to Get a Visa for Business Travel to China

Visa Requirements for Myanmar

How to Travel to Russia on a Budget

Russia Packing List

10 Must-Visit Palaces and Castles in Russia

Russia Travel Basics and Tips

These Countries Are Inviting US Citizens to Live and Work Remotely

+7 (495) 818-96-58

SEARCH ENGINE MARKETING
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
INFLUENCER MARKETING
GAME INFLUENCER MARKETING
MOBILE APP MARKETING
TELEVISION ADVERTISING
RADIO ADVERTISING
PRESS ADVERTISING
OUT OF HOME ADVERTISING
PUBLIC RELATIONS
MARKETING IN CIS
EVENT MARKETING
MARKETING RESEARCH
MEDIA MONITORING
TRAVEL SOLUTIONS
GAME DEVELOPERS
REAL ESTATE
OUR GEOGRAPHY
SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION
PAID SEARCH MARKETING
PAID SOCIAL MARKETING
TARGET ADVERTISING
DISPLAY ADVERTISING
EMAIL MARKETING
B2B DIGITAL MARKETING
PRESS CONFERENCES
MEDIA RELATIONS
TRADE FAIR & EVENT COMMUNICATION
DATA SOURCING
DATA HYGIENE
MAIL DIRECT
TELEMARKETING
BTL SERVICE
HIGH TECH + IT
ADVERTISING AND MARKETING AGENCIES
CAR INDUSTRY
MOBILE APPS DEVELOPERS
RETAILERS AND CONSUMER GOODS COMPANIES

Blog about successful marketing strategies in russia

Distinctive Ads of 2021

DIGITAL MARKETING

Share this Post

When promoting a brand name in the Russian market, foreign brands face a lot of questions:

Do they need to localize the advert or to make an original one?
What does the Russian audience like?
Should the video be short or long?
What characters and how should be used for advertising in Russia?

And many more. There is much to be discussed on the issue, but, as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. RMAA Agency experts presented a list of the most memorable advert videos in the Russian market where one can see what characters and what creative approach was appreciated by the modern Russian audience in 2021.

Isn't it a movie preview?

Today, goods delivery is one of primary topics emphasized in advertising by many brands. An ambitious Hollywood-style video about Ozon flash-like delivery seamlessly blends good visuals, voicework, and humor. As many commented, they want to watch such an ad till the end and share it with friends. That is why the video rightly made our list of Russian distinctive ads in 2021.

'I'm trying to hear something else... But there's still Deadpool before my eyes'

Yandex.Zen impressed us with an original approach to their advertising video. However, the tricky part is not about a green character against a green background, but about his voice. Russian-speaking viewers perfectly know this voice of Pyotr Glants, a Russian voice actor, associated with Deadpool. Although a certain carelessness and easiness of the green man resemble Deadpool, too, this is the voicework that was essential in this ad. That is why the video took the fancy of viewers and our experts and got on the list of 'Distinctive Ads of 2021'.

If it isn't Bruce Willis!

In 2021, MegaFon made a series of advertising videos featuring the actor Bruce Willis and Azamat Musagaliev, a Russian comedian. However, it's not all that simple. The American actor did not take part in the production—we only see a computer model of Bruce Willis in the ad. But you must admit that it is very complicated to distinguish an ad character from its original version. Anyway, the ad also catches with its humor, so it is worth a spot on our list.

#StillBigMac or #NotBigMac

If Alexander Gudkov appears in your ad for the Russian market, one could say that it is already 50% of success. What if there are two Gudkovs in the ad? Then it is just doomed to success. 'An ad that you want to watch again', 'One of those ads that you do not want to miss', 'The ad that I intentionally looked for to watch all the way through'—a music battle of Gudkov with himself by McDonalds Russia well deserves the spot on the list of the most distinctive ads of 2021.

Freedom of desire and expression

Vivienne Sabó launched an advertising campaign to support the introduction of a new waterproof mascara. In the video, the stardom of Dances, a popular project in Russia, presented 'a sex fantasy in a subway car'. A beauty blogger Goar Avetisyan made herself into an avatar of the promo. Courage, audacity, modernity, and use of fresh faces are reasons why the ad by Vivienne Sabó gets on our list.

Feel the magic of the moment

Everyone is looking forward to the ad of this very brand before the New Year. It does not matter if you drink Coca Cola or not, but their New Year videos create such a fabulous effect of the upcoming holidays and magic that you feel like sharing them. Yes, this is a localized ad and not one specifically shot for the Russian market, but when it is so sustainable, the audience of any country will definitely like it. This year, Coca-Cola reminds us that true magic is not gifts, but special moments that we want to share and spend together.

Join 2,000+ of your Peers!

Get our latest articles delivered to your email inbox and get our exclusive White Paper "Digital Marketing in Russia. Finding your customers on the internet" for FREE!

Russian Digital Market Overview 2023

More about effective digital marketing strategies in the russian market.

Download for FREE

Ready to partner with the specialists in Russian marketing and advertising?

About the Author

Head of Digital, editor-in-chief of the RMAA Agency Blog

PROUD MEMBER OF

WHITE PAPERS
MEDIA BUYING & PLANING

We use cookies to improve your personal online experience.

To complete the subscription process, please click the link in the email we just sent you.

0, text: error()">

Let's fight boredom together!

Become a member

0, text: error(), css: errorCssClass">

Password reminder

Please provide your email address and we will send your password shortly.

If there's a Bored Panda account associated with , you'll receive an email with instructions.

If you don't receive an email, please check your spam inbox, or enter your email address again .

Please enter your email to complete registration

Activate to continue

Your account is not active. We have sent an email to the address you provided with an activation link. Check your inbox, and click on the link to activate your account.

Relationships

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here .

Partnership
Success stories
--> -->