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Russia: Visiting in 2023

Tourists and Business Travelers Visiting Russia in 2023. Here Is What You Will Find There

By Dr. James Pearce

I’ve been traveling to Russia for over a decade. I’ve got familial ties here and have lived in three different Russian cities . It’s a country impossible to understand without visiting, and its vastness and diversity offer something for everyone. But last February, everything changed.

After the war in Ukraine broke out in February 2022, Western boycotts were announced and airline and travel companies suspended their operations in Russia.

It was cut off from SWIFT, the international payment system, and most foreign bank cards no longer work here unless your bank or country uses Russia’s own payment system, MIR.

Overall, the number of foreign tourists in 2022 fell by 90%, and for the few still going to Russia, the trip is a costly headache. Most visitors in 2022 went for work, family reasons or to study.

Harming Reputations

Put simply, many westerners don’t want traveling to Russia to harm their reputation, personally or professionally. I argue that it shouldn’t. Travel should bring people together and not be based on political views.

Moreover, Russia is the world’s largest country spanning nine time zones and bordering fourteen other countries, from Norway to North Korea, across Europe, Central Asia and all the way to the Far East. We ignore and misunderstand it at our peril.

More Visitors from the Middle East and India to Russia

Although tourism from the West fell, travelers from the Middle East and India actually increased along with domestic tourism. China is also expected to post big numbers this year now that it has reopened.

Of course, this won’t make up for the fall in western tourists, and important to note is that few of these countries have condemned Russia’s actions or joined the sanctions. In fact, business is operating as normal – and in some instances strengthening and helping Russia to get around western sanctions.

Unlike before, one must now either fly to Russia from a third country (like Turkiye, UAE, or Armenia ), hop on a bus in Tallinn, or train from Helsinki, which both go to St. Petersburg. It’s also possible to travel by car from a neighboring country with an open border, like Georgia. Each option gives you the chance to explore another part of the world en route you wouldn’t otherwise see.

Russia by Bus

If going by bus, one usually takes you to the border, and another will pick you up on the Russian side. On average, the trip takes a total of 7-9 hours, not including border crossing and customs time. About half a dozen buses go daily, and it’s certainly the cheapest way in (as little as £35).

The trains are also relatively frequent, and the journey is shorter, at about 3 hours 30 mins. Tickets are upwards from 100 Euros, however. Flights will vary depending on the airline company, route you take, and location you book from. Turning your VPN on can help you get a cheaper ticket.

Last summer, one German couple chose the bus for their first trip to Russia. It might have seemed like an odd time to go, but not to them. ‘Why not?!’ they said. ‘It’s still a fascinating country. Our friends came recently, and had only good things to say.’

Many travelers report long lines and additional questions at the border. Some I spoke to were waiting for three hours, whereas others got through in fifteen minutes with no questions.

The only real danger here is missing your bus on the other side. Depending on the schedule, the drivers don’t always wait if you get stuck in a long line. In which case, you need to hope another bus is due soon or arrange alternative transport.

Flying through Turkiye to Russia

I chose to fly through Turkiye onto Yekaterinburg in the Ural region, where Tsar Nicholas II and his family were murdered by the Bolsheviks in 1918.

In place of the house where they were murdered now stands a Church in their honor. The flight was full both ways.

Istanbul is also significant in Russia’s history and the modern geopolitical climate. Almost 100 years ago, after the Bolsheviks came to power, hundreds of thousands left Russia through Constantinople never to return. As one journalist recently put it, Constantinople is where history and Russian exile begin.

Turkiye is Full of Russians

On almost every street corner one can hear the Russian language now. As one of the few places Russian citizens can still travel visa-free, hotels are frequently full of Russian guests. There are also plenty of Russian businesses also popping up and new employees or nomad workers in the city’s various cafes and bars.

When I landed in Yekaterinburg, I got through the border in maybe twenty minutes and answered only basic questions. It seems individual experiences are precisely that.

One change from before was the amount of cash I took with me. Most foreigners will have to take enough to last their trip, and either exchange it in a third country or one of a select few Russian banks.

You can still take up to $10,000 in cash, but a new law stipulates that you cannot take any foreign currency totaling more than $10,000 out of Russia.

If you have relatives or a Russian bank account, you can transfer money using Koronapay, Unistream, or Contact. Crypto is also used.

Russian Life Carries On

Despite the war in Ukraine, Russian life appears to be carrying on largely as normal. The appearance of pro-war propaganda is the only visible difference at first and even small towns have been affected. In Suzdal, an ancient and picturesque city adorned with wooden churches and monasteries northeast of Moscow, its many tourists can now buy matryoshka dolls with the letters Z, V and O – symbols of the military operation.

Storefronts that stood vacant after Western brands left are filling up again. Western products have been quickly replaced with domestic equivalents, and the agricultural industry has done extremely well in the last year.

Restaurants, bars, and theaters are all full as well, but what is immediately noticeable are prices; they have gone through the roof. Friends and relatives all speak of how much more expensive things are, although utility bills remain low.

In fact, most people I spoke to were worried about the rising costs, but generally said their standard of living has been unaffected.

One huge difference is the ability to travel abroad. It’s now much harder for Russians as visas are more expensive, have stricter requirements, and paying for them is more complicated. Many without the means are instead opting for domestic travel.

More Day Trips for Russians

City breaks and day trips to nearby historic towns and resorts along the Caspian Sea are becoming increasingly popular, and even Soviet sanatoriums are getting more visitors.

Agro-tourism has been gaining momentum in recent years, and so have ‘rest houses’ (cottages in the countryside for rent), but the prices are comparatively steep.

Another difference is accessing the internet. Every Russian person now has a VPN on their devices. Roskomnadzor , which regulates Russia’s internet, blocked many foreign websites and social media in response to the western sanctions.

Anyone traveling should download one before their departure, and there is no shortage of free options. They do, however, slow down your connection speed.

Despite a variety of boycotts, importing goods through third-country ‘hubs’ is easy. Tech products in particular are very sought after, and can be purchased via Turkiye, China, and Central Asia – as can clothes. However, movies and books are more complicated as releasing them without permission from the copyright holder is illegal.

Not because they don’t care or feel guilt. Rather, it is a coping mechanism. Public discussion of the war is practically prohibited and the ‘spreading of false information’ carries lengthy prison sentences.

For visitors, most trips to the country remain trouble free and the locals are only too happy to greet foreign tourists. Your trip also doesn’t need to be seen as an endorsement of the war or the Russian government, much the same as visiting any other authoritarian country wouldn’t.

The German couple also had advice for those unsure about traveling: ‘travel is like having children. There’s never a good time and always an excuse not to. If you wait for the right time, you’ll never do something.’

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3 thoughts on “ Russia: Visiting in 2023 ”

Good Day, my wife is Russian and I plan to go visit her family with her. May I ask what passport you traveled with? I have a USA passport and am only reading info put out by the US govt. about possible aggression towards Americans. Can you provide any first hand insight? Many Thanks.

Hi Richard, we have the same questions with my partner, I’m Russian, he is American, in 2021 in August we traveled together to Russia without any issues at all. He still has his 3years visa and now we are planning to travel to Russia together as well. I’ll highly appreciate if you tell me how would be your trip.

nice..supporting the economy of the country which is killing innocent people. well done!

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Hello there,

I hope this post won’t be removed as it’s not easy to find information that are not influenced by political reasons or even personal opinions.

I am a French male citizen.

I consider travelling Russia in October, taking the Trans Siberian from Vladivostok to Moscow or St Petersbourg and stopping in a few cities in between.

I read what most of the western embassies wrote concerning the situation there and even emailed them but their answers don’t really help.

So I want to rely to people who live in Russia or really know the current situation there.

Do you think it is safe travelling the country soon ? Of course avoiding the border line with Ukraine.

Should I avoid Moscow or any other city on the Trans Siberian line ?

I also have another question in regards to withdrawing cash.

Can I use my French Visa bank card to take money out at Russian atm ?

Thank you to the people who will answer this.

13 replies to this topic

One the biggest obstacles is the use of bank cards in Russia your French card will not work, so if you want to use a bank card you're looking at setting up a Russian bank account, not impossible although this will be possibley your biggest headache

Even here you're still going to receive advice from those who a political views and personal opinions influence the information they share.

I can't think of anywhere along your route where you should have a problem, however outside of Moscow or Sr Petersburg you'll be lucky to find many who speak English.

As a solo traveller security particularly on the train is something that could be be an issue because despite the claims of some here Russia isn't crime free.

Weather shouldn't be too cold and don't expect to see any snow, no for most of your journey you'll just be looking at a lot trees.

Thank you X3496BQmichaeld for your reply.

I guess opening an account in Russia with a tourist visa is a struggle :)

Can I actually open one with a tourist visa and no residency in Russia (or just an invoice from hotel) ?

My second option as I will be travelling China before is to withdraw a sufficient amount of Chinese money before and change it once I get to Russia. Can that work ?

Ok for the English along the road, I might use a translator then.

Would you say that there is a lot of crimes happening on trans Siberian ?

Nature, animals and trees along the ride are completely fine ahah

It is possible to open a bank account while being a tourist simply by producing your passport however I've only heard of this being done in Moscow not Vladivostok which is a world away. Have a look at the website of Sberbank they'll be information regarding opening an account. Russia isn't as cheap a place to visit as you may think, so you may need more cash than you planned for.

You can use euros to exchange for roubles so I don't see any reason why you'd need to buy Chinese currency but if you're concerned then it shouldn't be a problem.

I wouldn't say the TransSiberian is a crime hot spot just that you need to be aware Russia is far from crime free.

There should be no shortage of videos on YouTube regarding this journey obviously they're going to be before the war.

Hi Olivier C, we are surely not crime free, but pretty safe, and Moscow safer than Paris :)

You need cash to pay, or get a Russian bank card. Tinkoff.ru is an online bank, known to have support in English, you fill in questionaaire, and a courier delivers you a card to your location, checking your physical passport. We are easy the n opening bank accounts, this is fast and easy. Card will ease your life here significantly. SIM with lots of data for online translation is a good idea as well.

As evisa seems to start working, there is also a rumor to offer tourists getting a Russian card right at the border points, this might materialize before you travel.

Happy travels!

Big thanks to you for your answer :)

I personally have found the recent drone attacks on Russia - and the explosions and fires in Moscow - very concerning. The government’s handling of these attacks make me feel very unsafe. Many of my friends and family are scared about the unpredictability.

Thank you for your answer.

I will probably skip Moscow and will go from Vladivostok to one city before Moscow with the Trans Siberian train

I haven't been to Montpellier but spent quite a few vacations in Nice.

My impression is that Moscow is generally as safe as Nice downtown and definitely more cheerful than the northern parts of Nice.

As the Transsiberian goes, I visited lately a few cities:

Tiumen and Tobolsk just one month ago, now writing reviews on various places of interest there;

Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk and Irkutsk with Lake Baikal - last year.

If you have any particular questions, you are welcome.

Concerning Moscow and drones - well, ice rain happens, too, and it's not safe either.

#8 thank you for your reply.

I love the comparison with France. Actually I only lived one year in Montpellier in 2022.

I think i know what you mean with the north suburbs of Nice : )

I'd like to have a real natural or traditional experience with Siberia.

Could you recommend me any place like a traditional village or national park, nature, that I could go to and would have accommodation (Not camping).

A place that would only be a few hours bus or train from any Siberian city (Vladivostok, Irkutsk, Novosibirsk or Krasnoyarsk ).

Also I was thinking of going there during falls, do you think it's better to got there in winter to really experience Siberia ?

Thank your for advising me.

Well, the only village I had been to is Listvianka - look up here, there must be quite a few reviews on TripAdvisor.

It's on the shore of the Baikal Lake, about 1 - 2 hours from Irkutsk by bus. I was there once in October. Lovely landscape with Dahurian larch trees!

Winter will be nice, too - just keep in mind it may be minus 20 - 30 C.

There are railway trips, too. I think they are very expensive!

But you can take a look:

https://www.rzd.ru/ru/10419/page/103290?id=19233&ysclid=llaq5kguhs112767206#

Use online translation, I have no idea why Russian Railways cannot translate the text.

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Is it possible to come to Russia in 2023?

Feb 10, 2023

Yes, it is possible to come to Russia. In this post we will explain to you possibilities and how to do the necessary steps to get to Russia.  

About Safety

Although there are a lot of governments that advice not to visit Russia as it would not be safe, this is not completely true. Visiting Russia is possible, and most of all, the biggest part of Russia is safe to travel. You better don’t visit some regions, like the border between Russia and Ukraine but a region like Altai Republic is absolutely safe. In general the attitude of Russian people didn’t change towards foreigners. They are still very interested in where you are from, why you visit their country and what places you want to see.

Getting a visa

At this moment you can apply for a business or tourist visa in your country, Russia is still granting business, tourist and privates visa’s to foreigners. You need a few documents of course for that. Your passport, a health insurance declaration, an application form with photo’s (you can fill it in here ) and an invitation-letter from an official tour-operator like us. Since end of last year there are some changes in the visa’s, but we will write another post about that. If you have any questions about it, just contact us.

Travel to Russia

The next question is, how to get there. Of course, due to the sanctions there are some issues that you should be aware of. From most countries you can’t simply book a direct flight as it used to be. But there are some possibilities for you. Well known routes are flying via Turkey (Istanbul), Dubai, Kazakhstan and Serbia or via Finland (Helsinki) and then continue to cross the border between Finland and Russia by bus or taxi to go to St. Petersburg. Another route is via Gdansk (Poland) and then cross the border between Poland and Russia by bus/taxi to go to Kaliningrad. From Kaliningrad there are many domestic flights.

Maybe you noticed that some routes fly to a place outside Russia to continue by bus/taxi, that is because it is not easy to book a flight to Russia or a domestic flight inside Russia directly. If you book a trip with us, we can assist you in purchasing the tickets necessary to come to us.

Travel in Russia

First of all, you can’t use your foreign bank or credit-card, so you have to bring cash money to exchange that in a bank to rubbles. The maximum amount to bring into Russia per person is 10.000 dollars. Have a look which bank has the best rates because between banks there can be a big difference.

Before it was easy to use sites like booking.com or Airbnb.com to book accommodation. This is not possible anymore at the moment. But, as with many things, Russians found substitutes and moved to other sites like ostrovok.ru. It is easy to book and most accommodations you can pay when you arrive. Also many accommodations have free cancellation policies.

To save you some (actually it can be a lot) of money it is recommended to buy a Russian sim-card for your phone. If you stay in a hotel your whole trip, maybe you can use the Wifi there, but when you move around a lot it is easier to have your own sim-card. For a small amount of money you can buy it in a shop and use it for the time you are in Russia. Please be aware that depending on where you go, the preferent provider can be different as they are not available everywhere. Again, if you are travelling with us, we can organize this before your arrival and you don’t even have to go to the shop, just insert the sim-card and start using it.

So what does all this mean, well, it is very well possible to come to Russia and to have a great trip, or visit family and friends. There are some things to pay attention to but with some effort they are easily to overcome. As usual we can assist with all the necessary things when you book with us.

See you soon!

24 Comments

Hi, Can you please help me get health insurance and invitation visa to Russia? I am amazed on how hard to get this document and I speak, write and read Russian. I have been searching every website and no one able to provide this letter of invitation.

Paul, please sent an email to [email protected]

Hi Paul, not sure if you have found it yet. But the Russian consulate in Australia directed me to an Armenian company – RGS. It worked perfectly and I was able to get my Russian health insurance through them, no problem. Hope that helps.

I went visit in rasiya

Great article thank you for the factual and useful information. Actually, I’ve travelled to Russia twice since March last year. My wife is Russian so that makes it easier. But logistically I had no trouble coming from Australia. People I speak with in Australia are very curious as to what it’s like in Russia at the moment. And I am happy to tell them all the positive stories, similar to what you said in the article. Already looking forward to my next trip to beautiful Russia and especially hoping to visit Altai sometime!

Hi, Dennis . Thanks for all the information. Wondering what flights fly to Russia from Australia? I want to travel to Sochi and Moscow Cheers Nav

Thank you so much for this infomation. It is difficult to find information since the sanctions have been imposed. I am wanting to travel to Russia in Sept/Oct of 2023 and specifically to travel on the Trans Siberian. Can you tell me when you think it might be open to the part through Mongolia to Beijing. Thank you so much Bev. Canada

Hi Bev, Sorry but we only organize trips in Altai, we really don’t know the situation regarding the Transiberian Express.

I am in the same boat as you. let me know if you are able to find any information.

Is it possible to make a full day To St. Petersburg from Moscow. I am planing one week trip in Moscow.

Hi Isaura, we only organize trips in Altai, if you need info about Moscow & St. Petersburg please visit Tstours.ru, they are specialised in both cities and speak fluently English.

Can someone give me some more info or details to go to russia? My girlfriend is russian, but i wanna go to moscow!! Someone got some tips or helpfully info?

Hi Dyonbeauchampet, please sent an email to [email protected] with your specific questions, from where you want to come to Russia and when? regards, Kaichitravel.

Did you find more information? I’m in the same boat 🙂

Hi, please sent an email to [email protected] with your questions. We will try to answer all your questions. Regards Kaichitravel.

Hi Is it possible to travel by road from Baku to Makhachkala and vise-versa, Dagestan oblast

Hi, we are sorry, but we only organise tours in Altai. Maybe some toher tour-organiser in DAgestan knows this. regards Kaichitravel

Hey Laura can I bring € instead of $ to change in Russia

Hi, yes you can.

Visa Updates:

Russia now granted fast and online E Visa applications for 52 countries. No more need for Tourist or Business Visas

https://electronic-visa.kdmid.ru/index_en.html

Hi Lisa, you are right the e-visa are available since 1 august, but please check if your country is on the list for that. And keep in mind that an e-visa is only valid for 16 days, so if you want to stay longer, you still need an invitation letter and regular visa. Regards Kaichitravel

Is it possible for UK citizens to visit Russia? I was there in 2018 & really enjoyed it.

Hi, yes that is possible. You cannot use the e-visa but you can apply for a regular tourist visa. If you want a invitation letter from us, please write an email to [email protected]

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The dos and don'ts of visiting Russia for the first time

Sep 24, 2021 • 6 min read

These top tips can help you make the most of your visit to Russia © MarinaDa / Shutterstock

The world’s largest country beguiles and fascinates with its world-class art, epic landscapes and multifaceted society. You may also find that perseverance  and a sense of humour will go a long way in enriching your first-time Russian travel experience. From the things you absolutely must do before you travel to the things we recommend that you steer clear of once you're there, here are some top tips for avoiding common pitfalls when visiting  Russia .

DO apply for a visa early and register on arrival

Visas must be applied for in advance by all visitors. How you do that varies depending on your nationality and where in Russia you are traveling to. Travelers from many countries, including the UK and US, need to apply in-person at an embassy or consulate and provide biometric data. An e-visa may be an option for passport-holders from 52 countries, which include many EU travelers, as well as those from China, India, Japan, Singapore, and some Middle Eastern countries. However these are temporarily suspended due to COVID-19.  Check with your local Russian embassy or consulate for confirmation, or get up-to-date information here . 

You can apply at the last moment, but it may cost you a fortune. Start the application process at least a month before your trip and consider using a specialist travel agency to arrange visas and make key transport bookings. Every visitor to Russia should have their visa registered within seven days of arrival, excluding weekends and public holidays. The obligation to register is with your hotel or hostel, or landlord, friend or family if you’re staying in a private residence. Also keep in mind that your visa entry and exit dates will be written according to European calendar convention (day/month/year) as opposed to the American style, so don't get mixed up or over-stay your visa. 

DO check the events calendar

During major holidays – the first week in January (between New Year’s Day and Orthodox Christmas) and the first week or two of May (around Labour Day, or May Day, and Victory Day) – Moscow and St Petersburg empty out. Despite this, both cities are festive during these times, with parades, concerts and other events, but museums and other institutions may have shortened hours or be shut altogether. May to September is the best time to visit St Petersburg but mid-June is when the city is irresistible, with the White Nights revelry at its peak.

DO dress up for a night out

We can’t guarantee you’ll make it past Moscow’s "face control" (the term comes from clubs trying to "save face" by only letting in patrons who meet their image standards) but you can better your chances of getting in to the top clubs by making a sartorial effort – high heels and skirts for women, all black for men. Russians also make an effort when they go to the theater or a posh restaurant – you should do likewise to fit in.

DO learn the Cyrillic alphabet

Making an effort to familiarize yourself with the Cyrillic alphabet repays tenfold. It will help you decode street and metro signs, maps, timetables and menus, even if you don't know many Russian phrases. While digital tools like the Russian Metro app  and Google Translate make it easier than ever to visit countries where you don't speak or read the language, brushing up beforehand can reduce frustration and endear you to the locals.

Rideshare options such as Taxovichkoff and Yandex Taxi upended the taxi industry in Russia as much as anywhere else. That means less pressure to know the Russian phrases you'd need to hails cabs in the streets, but it still is wise to learn key phrases in case there's a navigation mixup, like the address of your hotel or intersection of your short-term apartment rental. 

DO expect to spend your money

Moscow is one of the most expensive cities in the world and St Petersburg is not a cheap destination either; wallet-thinning shock is common at many restaurants and hotels. As a foreigner you’ll also find yourself paying more than a Russian for some museums – often as much as 10 times the price Russians pay. If you’re a student, flashing your ID can save you money at museums and other institutions.

You can save on dining out a few different ways. Many restaurants offer "business lunches" that are great value and very filling. Several years ago the trend for " anti-cafes " cropped up in larger Russian cities, and there are still a few where you pay by the minute for coffee, biscuits, and a little wi-fi time. 

Food markets  that blend farmers markets and food halls are popular, and are often found in architecturally significant vintage buildings. You can shop for ingredients to cook yourself or sample cuisines from around the world from dozens of  vendor stalls. Many food markets are less expensive than sit-down restaurants and let you try a wider variety of local and international dishes. 

DON’T ask for a mixer with your vodka

Few traditions in Russia are as sacrosanct as the drinking of vodka , and any foreign notions of drinking it with orange juice or tonic are anathema to your average Russian. If you need something to wash it down, you can chase it with a lemon, a pickle or, perhaps, a separate glass of water. Vodka is drunk in swift shots, not sipped. It’s traditional (and good sense) to eat a little something after each shot, so order some vodka snacks too.

DON’T be disrespectful in a church

Working churches are open to everyone, but as a visitor you should take care not to disturb any devotions or offend sensibilities. There's no face control, but women should cover their heads and bare shoulders when entering a church. In some monasteries and churches it’s also required for a woman to wear a skirt – wraps are usually available at the door. Men should remove their hats in church and not wear shorts.

DON’T take photos of government buildings

Be very careful about photographing stations, official-looking buildings and any type of military-security structure – if in doubt, don’t snap! Travelers have been arrested and fined for such innocent behaviour.

DON’T be surprised if you’re stopped by the police

Although new laws were passed in 2011 that ostensibly reconfigured Russia's police and their interactions with the public, it's still wise to carry a photocopy of your passport, visa and registration – not to mention travel documents that indicate how and when you'll return home – and present them when an officer demands to see your documents. You may also see special tourist police near major attractions like the Red Square , who have special training and language skills to assist travelers.

If you're issued a fine, Russian authorities might expect an "unofficial payment" to expedite their service on the spot, as opposed to handling the matter later at the station. Either way, always ask for an official receipt, and consider carrying the phone number for your country's embassy in case matters get more complicated. 

You might also like: How to spend a perfect weekend in Moscow    How to plan and pack for the Trans-Siberian Railway    Beyond the Trans-Siberian: travelling Russia's unexplored northwest by train   

This article was originally published in August 2009.

This article was first published October 2019 and updated September 2021

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Is Russia Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invaded its neighbor country Ukraine, starting a war between these two countries.

This act of invasion caused many Ukrainians to flee their country and seek shelter in places like Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, etc…

At this time, we recommend no travel to Russia or Ukraine, or any neighboring countries for your own safety.

• Russia : Safety by City
• Nizhny Novgorod
• Novosibirsk
• Saint Petersburg
• Yekaterinburg

Russia is the largest country in the world, spreading over more than one-eighth of the world’s inhabited land area, stretching over two continents – Eastern Europe and northern Asia.

Russia is an immensely large country, and it offers an extremely large amount of tourist attractions, though many of them can be found on the remote and hard-to-reach parts of the country.

However, the best-known ones are precisely in the urban parts and cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

Talking about Russia’s landmarks and attractions itself would take a couple of hours.

Russia’s history attracts the most tourists, as they are fascinated by its surreal and sometimes brutal but nevertheless thrilling and jawdropping national story.

It is told in Russia’s numerous museums some of which are among the world’s greatest, for example, the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, which is truly known all around the world.

However, there’s plenty to see and do if you’re a nature lover too.

Though there are large spaces between them, Russia offers many natural wonders.

In this sense, Siberia is the first to be mentioned, with Lake Baikal like a perfect ornament, known as its “jewel”.

• Warnings & Dangers in Russia

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Generally speaking, Russia today is safe as much as other countries in Europe, despite its problematic history with criminal activity in the 90s. However, if you’re planning on traveling to Russia, keep in mind that you should avoid regions close to the Ukraine border, this is not recommended, because of the high level of risk and unstable situation in the region of Donetsk, Lugansk, and Kharkiv.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Generally speaking, transportation in Russia is safe, but you should bear in mind that kidnappings have been known to happen, mostly in unlicensed taxis, so be careful when hailing one on the streets. Keep in mind that the most dangerous areas where small crime tends to occur are the underground walkways, called “perekhods”. Only use official services like Yandex Taxi, Uber or Gett taxi.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

Pickpocketing is very common in Russia, and surprisingly it is mostly performed by groups of children. Pay attention to your belongings, don’t leave them in plain sight and be especially careful in crowded places like stations or near tourist attractions.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Russia isn’t particularly susceptible to natural disasters. Some blizzards are possible during winter which can cause affect the traffic and delay your flights. Also, in areas near Mongolia and Kazakhstan, earthquakes can happen sporadically.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

Kidnappings for political reasons have happened in the North Caucasus, and there have been reports of foreigners being attacked there. Generally, never accept free drinks or food when you’re in a club or a bar. Drink spiking and then attacking and robbing the victim have been reported on numerous occasions.

TERRORISM RISK: HIGH

Recent military interventions in Syria have caused high terrorism activity in the areas of Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, the south-east part of Stavropol bordering Chechnya, Gabardine-Balkaria (including the Mount Elbrus area), and Karachay-Cherkessia. Apart from that, terrorist attacks have recently taken place in St. Petersburg.

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

There is a world-known scam typical for Russia: scamming people through dating websites. When the victim gets to know a person from Russia via a dating website, and the relationship develops, the victim is asked by his/her (usually men are the victims here) partner to transfer some money to the country where the future partner lives, to make her/his trip to the victim’s country possible. After the money is transferred, the relationship ends. As for scams on the streets, you should avoid playing street gambling games.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women are generally safe in Russia, though you should avoid finding yourself alone in clubs or bars, and of course, apply all normal precaution measures like avoiding remote and poorly lit streets and areas.

• So... How Safe Is Russia Really?

Russia experienced a rise when it came to crime rates during the 1990s.

Violent crime, as well as petty crime and scams,  have increased, but the biggest part of the violence was within the criminal groups themselves, and it didn’t affect foreigners that much.

However, it decreased since the 90s, so right now, for tourists, major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg aren’t more dangerous than any other European city, they’re even less so.

The crime rate in Moscow, for example, is fairly lower than one in New York, London or Paris, so you should feel safe here.

When it comes to the authority officials, you should keep in mind that they usually don’t speak English, so don’t expect any English by them outside of the major cities.

Speaking about the officials, don’t ever try to bribe them: you will be charged with bribery.

Bear in mind that if you are a member of LGBT community, there is no reason to avoid Russia altogether but you should refrain from any public displays of affection since, as of June 2013, “homosexual propaganda to minors” is prohibited, which basically means that any discussion of gay rights or homosexuality issues in the presence minors is punishable by law.

Tourists are also strongly advised against traveling to the North Caucasus, as that region is considered to be the most dangerous in the entire country.

The area has a bad reputation as there have been incidents of terrorist and criminal activities there as well as cases of both corruption and lawlessness.

• How Does Russia Compare?
• Useful Information

Most countries do need a visa in order to enter Russia, and if you’re a U.S. citizen you must possess both a valid U.S. passport and a bona fide visa issued by a Russian Embassy or Consulate. None of the nationals that do need a visa can acquire one upon arrival, so make sure you apply for your visa in advance. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.

The Russian ruble is the official currency in Russia. ATMs are widespread throughout the country and credit cards are accepted everywhere.

Russia has highly continental influenced climate characterized by warm to hot and dry summers and extremely cold, freezing winters with temperatures as low as -30°C – sometimes even lower, with heavy snowfall.

Sheremetyevo International Airport is Russian busiest international airport. It is located in Molzhaninovsky District, Northern Administrative Okrug, in Russia’s capital, Moscow, about 29 km northwest of central Moscow.

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we advise getting travel insurance when traveling to Russia, because it would cover not only medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Russia Weather Averages (Temperatures)

• Average High/Low Temperature

Russia - Safety by City

Explore russia.

• 10 Most Beautiful Castles in Russia
• Where to Next?

38 Reviews on Russia

Take out the warnings for North Caucasus area and Russia is about as safe as anywhere. Sure, pickpocketers can be a problem, but common sense will thwart them. I have been in Russia every year since 1991.

Risk of detention

Unless the govt decides to randomly single you out for incarceration. Not everyone detained has clear cut crimes. Plus, lets not add any cash to their economy just yet.

I visited Moscow twice and St Petersburg once. Both are must visit cities. Can be tough for English speakers as most signs are in cyrillic, and i found that not many Russians speak English. The vibe in Moscow is a bit colder with people, but nevertheless still friendly. I did find the atmosphere and people in St Petersburg to be much more open and friendlier. Be aware of pickpockets as I’ve unfortunately experienced it. While it happened, i have no ills against it. Highly recommend it. I’ll be visiting again!

seems a complicated country, size can play a part in crime. Although “Gopniks” all over is not a result of mass pickpocketting. It originating in the late Soviet Period as Many high rise buildings were built in cities to accomdate the people migrating there from the country. This meant that the price was cheap attracting “Gopniks and Gopnistas ( Female gopniks- For more information see Life of Boris “What is a Gopnik.” video) It is what is called slavic ‘culture’ with slav squatting and addidas tracksuits. But for more accurate watch that video

Not safe for gays

If I were gay, I absolutely wouldn’t visit there, it’s on par with places like Somalia and Saudi Arabia for violence against LGBT people.

Wrong. Only appears in Muslim areas like North Caucuses. Do you honestly think someone will assault, kill or rape you because of your hair color or LGBT badge on your shirt in Moscow, St.Petersburg, or Kazan like they do in the countries you mentioned? If you think so, then either you are homophobic yourself or just a not-in-line with the rest of society.

Moscow has gay clubs unmaked that go along an area. No one cares . It’s just a Country of respect for anyone. Really no one wants to see it, or hear it in your voice.

No, im sorry, you are very wrong. Russian government is very openly antigay. Definitely not safe for gays, especially as far as russian police. Promise. Maybe look at the “names” who is providing the information and see who would actually know what it like in Russia. Like “Alexander” and “Jenia” 😉

Update once again.

Russia is really in fact, safe, it’s crime rate isn’t that bad, compared to countries like Honduras or El Salvador. Of course, there is a widespread alcohol problem, but just try to avoid going to bars. The terror problem isn’t that bad, you won’t hear about a terrorist attack in a Russian city so often, however, there is a terror threat on the border of Ukraine and the Caucasus Region.

You sir, are a donut

Are you absolutely brain dead? You cannot compare a country such as Honduras to Russia. Obviously, Russia is safer. That’s why Russia is in yellow, not red. Come on man use your brain a bit. This review is 1000% accurate. You basically summarized everything that was said. But seriously, stop comparing two IMMENSELY different countries when it comes to crime. Compare Russia to the United States next time.

Pretty safe

Completely weird a pretty safe country like Russia shows a safety index of 34. Its safety was even repeated countinously in the description, so it should be definitely changed to at least the 70’s (on par to Chile, which is a much more dangerous country). Bad standards!

Only safe for caucasians

Non caucasians, stay in your hotel rooms.

Can’t agree. Half of the country are Turkic or Asian. 200+ nationalities living there permanently, also lots of foreign students. Maybe kids in smaller towns or villages will be surprised if you’re Black. So it’s best to avoid visiting kindergartens.

Agreed. Been to Moscow twice recently with my wife who is Asian. Enjoyed nightlife in Moscow (bars/restaurants) and travelled the Metro late at night. Not a single issue. Everyone was lovely and helpful, even with the language barrier. Feels so much safer than London or New York for example which we have also visited.

Overall Russia is a very safe place for tourists.

I don’t understand the score of 34. It’s too low for Russia.

Colder than vertical says!!!

And I promise, the temperatures the article offers are a bit warm. Moscow may be in the teens Fahrenheit, but outside that city, we see zero, 4-5 below anytime in December!! Sometimes the entire month!!

Life in Russia has been fine for me. Since 1991, the “mafia” ended about when President Putin came to power. Since then, in our faraway city of 110,000 people, I have witnessed so much Hope and Change, I thought President Obama was in power. Churches, schools, hospitals, etc. and typical transportation infrastructure (sidewalks to airports) have been improved thru rebuilding and new construction. Walking nights never seemed unwise. From Moscow to Barnaul and many cities and villages in between, and likewise- places from St Petersburg to Vologda to Ulyanovsk; all safe and walked late at night. (no guns) Sure, keep your senses, don’t try to keep up with a Russian drinking… you won’t. You shouldn’t, as that can be a ruse for taking advantage of you.

Russian flattering

Putin can only turn cities in ruin with one metric ton and cluster bombs.

Russia is great

I must say that from Moscow, east to Barnaul, and from Vologda to south of Moscow, Ulyavovsk and around that entire area (Kirov, Izhevsk, Kazan, etc) life is simple and easy, just don’t be “American”. Be reserved, polite, low key, quiet, and as invisible as possible and you won’t have any problems. I am an American, I have traveled this area, scouted food and drink late nights, and never have been bothered. If you wish to visit Russia, by all means, do so. Expect differences and accept those differences as life. Russia is calm, safe and a nice, peaceful place to live.

Amazing place to visit.

I have been there 4 times and love the Moscow area and surrounding towns, always felt very safe and only ran into one drunk who didn’t like me because I was obviously English speaking. But like you said, just be low key and move on. I will gladly go again when this current BS lockdown is over.

Such ignorance that it doesnt warrant a lengthy sensible response, You cant have been there. I spoke to plenty of people of color in Moscow who go about their trip or their daily lives without harassment and enjoy their stay.

Russians are not human

You are aggressors and terminators and shed so much blood in you neighbouring countries, latest in the list is ukraine, turning their cities in ruins and killing their kids and pregnant women, starving the poorest countries of the whole world people by blocking ukraine grain export and let them to die from hunger. You are savage and you country safety index must be a big zero.

Great Country to visit

I’m a Brit who has lived in Russia for many years. Good review. The Caucuses are in fact the most interesting place to visit and very safe so long as you respect the local (mostly Islamic) religion. Walking around at night (although I wouldn’t recommend anywhere in the world) is much safer in Russia than most other countries. Highly recommend visiting. Visa is the bigest barrier – but some good news – Some places you don’t need a visa – like if you arrive by cruise ships to St Pete and Sochi (check out the rules). Russia is trying to introduce really easy e-visas (apply online and show print-out), which “after COVID” should make life easy for citizens of EU and many other countries (Not UK & USA though, due to reciprocal “unfriendly” visa regimes with absurd rules for Russians)

i love Russia, i love to visit, beautiful people and kind faces! one of the biggest country in the world for a reason.

Don't visit it at this time (wait for better days)

Right now this is a 1 star and very unsafe. It usually is a 3 star location. Russia has some beautiful cities and landmarks that should be visited but right now, I wouldn’t recommend going there. Ever since they started the attack on Ukraine neither Ukraine nor Russia is safe. This crazy war that has started will soon lead to all sorts of problems in Russia so keep your distance for the time being. Once this is over, hopefully soon, you can give it a try.

And yes, there is a certain terrorism risk in Russia at any given time, especially now. I know of someone that has been mugged in Sankt Petersburg. It was night but he wasn’t on an unlit alley or something. I was also surprised to see how many pickpockets there are in the major cities. I wasn’t expecting to see so many. And yes, I can confirm that in some cases, children are the ones that will try to steal from you. It sounds insane but it’s the truth.

I will outline a few interesting places that can be visited. For example, Lake Baikal. This lake holds around 20% of the world’s fresh water!!! Just imagine how big it is?! When it’s not frozen, you can do some kayaking or go on boat cruises.

St. Petersburg should also be on your list – this city is a mix of history and art and beautiful design. Visit the St. Isaac’s Cathedral or the Hermitage Museum is the 2nd biggest culture museum on the globe. And they’re both worth a visit. There’s also Peterhof Palace which is close to St. Petersburg. This place looks like the Palace of Versailles from France.

Another interesting place is Vladivostok which has the longest cable-stayed bridge on earth with a length of 1885 meters. The city is worth exploring, having a beautiful military museum and there’s also a fortress that’s now became a museum as well.

Again, there’s a lot to see but don’t go now. Wait until things settle down.

3 years living in provincial areas and Moscow

34…? This is grossly inaccurate. Morocco is 54 and Russia a 34? I have experience in both countries and attest you are misled. Sounds like you wrote this based on the 90s. Even now in the middle of the war, despite frequent travel, Moscow poses minimal risks. pickpocketers, terrorist acts, or scams are a genuine rarity. Racist violence I have not yet been exposed to. Police and legal system serviceable.

Who rated Russia that low?

I’m not sure why rating is lower than some African countries, but I can assure you 34 is way too low. Russia is a police country and the law enforcement system is actually working comparing some countries we have traveled to and by some reason rated on this site higher. It might be politics involved or some people personal experience not sure, but we never had a single issue in Russia. Petty crime is common unfortunately, just put your grey shirt with spotty armpits along with beat up keds and blend in or not lol, Russians tend to dress nicely, mostly. We learned Russian and Cyrillic alphabet so it might helped a bit, but nowadays a lot of Russians speak English fluently and we had no issue communicating. Of course you have to be vigilant like anywhere even crime infested Brighton and Hove eg and people around you are not your friends, but overall very positive experience. Don’t bring forbidden substances and don’t express your political point of view and enjoy your trip. Cities v. Moscow, Barnaul, St. Pitersburg, Voronezh, Kazan.

Completely unsafe

Since russia invaded Ukraine, it’s not safe anymore. You can be easily beaten or brought to the jail just because of your anti-military position. Kidnapping is very popular in Caucasian area, while other areas are not safe tho. There’s also a possibility of being assaulted because of your sexual orientation or political opinion. Women are often treated cruelly and impolite. Russia is completely unsafe for both travelling and living.

still safe for Anglo-Saxons after a year of genocidal war

I visited in late 2022 , and kept a low profile – had no problems . Russian makes are often very sexist , ometimes mysoginistic and brusque but also ” chivalrous” in this ultra-conservative society

Russia is safe

Sorry to say but this is absolutely not true, I live in Russia as a foreigner, and have never experienced any of this, not even in the past year.

Slava Ukraini

Russia is not unsafe …… as long as you avoid the macho violent young men , and you do not engage in very heavy drinking / drugs . There is a very small chance that you could be detained randomly on a trumped up charge , as a hostage for future spy swaps . And some likelihood that you will be interviewed by the FSB either on entry or deparrture about the purpose of your visit or your profession/ security/army background .

Don't go to Russia

Their president is the worst, more than 200k+ as of this writing are dead because of the war he started, this country should be stopped.

Putin – your crimes against humanity will not go unpunished. Your day will come for all the destruction you’ve caused.

Sh** results

Totally safe country. If you leave bad rate you hadn’t been there. Cold country… And me in June having sun baths in +50C in Rostov-on-Don (not even the southest city in Russia)

Simply not true

You lie, as temperature in rostov never ever reaches 50C.

Thank you as you swear for vladimir putin. I totally hate him just as joseph stalin

Russia is relatively safe for people with common sense. Just like in any other countries: Just don’t be a moron, don’t be a d🍆k. Don’t run into trouble. Avoid unsafe situations/places. Act orderly. Be polite. Don’t provoke people. Carry your money and valuables in a theft-safe bag (that’s a must for any trip, and even in your home country) Beware of scammers (inform yourself about common scams on the streets to know who/what you should avoid).

Alcohilic russions

People giving 5 stars have not been to russia and are part of russian propaganda machine. As a sailor I have traveled to some russian port cities and we were attacked by knife and forced to give up our cash. Even the western african countries ports are safer than russia. Most of russians we have seen are alcoholic and have a their mood is highly variable as they get very aggressive sometimes. Alcohol is their weak point and they can resist drinking as much alcohol as they can.

you can’t even spell alcoholic or russians, and your experiences are not related to tourism. What tourist is going to ports to argue with sailors? Such a stupid comment..

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Article Contents

• Overall Risk
• Transport & Taxis Risk
• Pickpockets Risk
• Natural Disasters Risk
• Mugging Risk
• Terrorism Risk
• Women Travelers Risk
• Weather Averages (Temperatures)
• User Reviews
• Share Your Experience

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Is Russia Safe to Travel in 2024?

A country that has given birth to some of the world’s best artists, poets, and composers, Russia combines both culture and history beautifully. Outside of the arts, the country also has majestic landscapes spanning from one ocean to another. But is Russia safe?

It really is hard to describe Russia and the truth is that to understand the place, you simply must visit yourself. The world’s largest country, spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, Russia really has a bit of everything.

For a long period of modern history Russia, and the rest of the old Soviet Union, was off limits to travelers from most of the world. While the country has opened its doors in more recent decades, a lot of misinformation still swirls about.

Despite what you might have heard, in general, Russia is safe.

Whether you are planning a quick trip to Moscow or a journey cross-country on the Trans-Siberian railroad, Russia is sure to be a memorable destination. However, with such a large country, views of Russian safety can obviously vary.

There are important things to consider before booking your trip and above all else, it’s vital to be prepared. At the minimum, get travel insurance and do a bit of research on Russia safety issues – regions to avoid, taxi scams, traveling alone, etc.

Is Russia a Safe Country for Tourists?

As a whole, the country of Russia is safe to visit. But rather than asking “is Russia safe,” it’s more important to ask “is the region of Russia I want to visit safe?”

The question of Russia’s safety is far from an easy one. Some areas of Russia feel completely European, with the most common crimes against travelers being simple pickpocketing. Other regions of Russia are entangled in bitter violence.

Individual countries rate Russia at very different levels of safety. In general though, most countries with travel advisories for Russia clarify their warnings based on region or specific groups.

The United States ranks Russia safety as a Level 2 , with the message to “Exercise Increased Caution.” While this level applies fairly to Russian cities and most tourism destinations, there is a “Do Not Travel” warning on a few specific Russian regions. These include the North Caucasus, including Chechnya, and the region of Crimea.

The Canadian government lists Russia at a slightly higher safety level with a warning to “exercise a high degree of caution.” They also make clear that a lot of the safety issues in Russia stem from certain regions.

You will find similar travel warnings about Russia from the United Kingdom . Beyond avoiding certain regions, the UK government also notes that travelers should avoid political rallies and demonstrations.

Russian safety has been drastically impacted by conflict in certain regions. However, the question of “is Russia safe for travelers” probably doesn’t need to account for distant regions you won’t visit.

Is Russia Safe to Visit Right Now?

For travelers, Russian safety, at the moment, is about the same as it has been over the last few years. In some respects, Russia is safer now for travelers than it has been in decades.

A large part of Russia’s current safety issues – war in Crimea, conflict in the North Caucasus – won’t affect travelers. These regions are far from Russia’s top travel destinations. On the other hand, Russia’s major cities have boosted safety for foreign visitors dramatically.

A lot of the safety improvements in the more tourist focused areas of Russia tie directly to major sporting events. In the last few years Russia has hosted both the Olympics and the World Cup of Soccer. Such events brought hundreds of thousand foreign visitors and Russia had strong incentive to ensure visitors felt safe.

Travel Insurance in Russia

As we have discussed, a lot of the major safety issues in Russia are unlikely to impact the average tourist. That being said, it’s always incredibly important to be prepared. If you want to ensure a smooth trip to Russia, you need travel insurance!

Most visitors to Russia will need a visa and under Russian law, that visa often requires an “invitation” from a Russian tour company. This means visitors to the country often need to prebook at least some of their travel plans. If you want to insure you’d don’t lose any of this money in the case of a trip cancelation or delay, you need travel insurance.

Travel insurance in Russia is also a good idea if you run into any medical emergencies. Healthcare in Russia varies widely from city to city and region to region. Having a policy from one of the best travel insurance companies that will help cover the cost to get you home to your own doctors is priceless.

Travel insurance can come in handy even for the little things. The most common Russia safety issue travelers face is simple pickpocketing. With travel insurance, the cost to replace your stolen phone or wallet is covered.

A smart traveler never leaves home without travel insurance. This is especially true when visiting Russia.

Before leaving for your trip, we recommend picking up a World Nomads policy . World Nomads is one of the leaders in travel insurance with affordable plans for Russia and just about anywhere else in the world.

Russia Safety Travel Tips by City

Russia is literally the largest country in the world! It’s no surprise that safety issues and tips vary widely depending on which city or region you are visiting. To help, we have broken down safety tips for a few of Russia’s major cities.

Also, keep in mind safety when traveling between cities. A great option to consider is the Sapsan – Russia’s high speed train. The train is not only fast but one of the safest ways to travel, especially between Moscow and Saint Petersburg

Moscow, Russia Safety

Russia’s sophisticated, modern capital, Moscow shows off the increasing wealth and power of the country. As such, this is one of Russia’s safer cities for travelers.

If visiting Moscow’s major sights – like the Red Square and the Kremlin – keep an eye on your bag and pockets. One of the largest issues here is pickpockets at the major tourist destinations.

Saint Petersburg, Russia Safety

With a UNESCO-listed historic center and an old European charm, Saint Petersburg is a favorite of many international visitors.

Pickpocketing here is also common as are the notorious taxi scams. If arriving by plane, only use the official airport taxi stands. If you need a taxi at night, use an app to call one and avoid the black cabs on the street who are known for charging travelers outrageous prices.

Vladivostok, Russia Safety

Vladivostok sits on Russia’s Pacific Coast, around 4,000 miles from Moscow. Once known as a mafia hub, today the city is quite safe, as well as beautiful.

One thing to keep in mind in Vladivostok is the water. Tap water here is not safe at all and should be avoided. Besides that, petty theft and pickpocketing crime rates are about as high as other major Russian cities.

Sochi, Russia Safety

Sochi, the unofficial ‘Summer Capital’ of Russia, is actually popular domestic travel destination.

Like any vacation hotspot, if you travel to Sochi (Russia) , pickpocketing and scams are a problem. Fortunately, as most of the tourists here are Russians, scams are less likely to target foreign travelers who don’t speak Russian.

Is Russia Safe to Travel Alone?

Traveling alone can always be a bit more risky, with no one there to watch your back. In general though, Russia is fine for solo travelers.

Many travelers head to Russia alone every year and return home with nothing but great memories. That being said, keep a few things to keep in mind if traveling alone.

First, be careful if going out late at night and avoid drinking heavily. Nightclubs and vodka might be second nature to Russians but as a traveler in a foreign country, it’s best to play it safe. Thieves and pickpockets are known to target solo travelers, especially after a night of drinking.

If taking overnight trains alone, it’s also a great idea to have some extra bag security. A heavy duty lock is vital. You might also consider a chain-style lock that will allow you to physically lock your bag to your bed stand or seat.

Is it Safe for Americans in Russia?

To say that Russia and the US have a complicated history is quite an understatement. For American travelers visiting Russia, it’s important to consider this past.

If you are visiting any of Russia’s major cities, you will likely be fine. According to Russia, over 200,000 US citizens visited Russian in 2017 and the vast majority experienced no issues.

On the other hand, anti-American sentiment and anti-America demonstrations have occured in parts of the country. US citizens are advised to avoid any and all political rallies or demonstrations, just in case.

There is also the issue of Russia limiting the number of US diplomatic personnel in Russia . This means as a US citizen, if you do run into trouble, it might be more difficult to obtain “U.S. consular assistance.”

Is Russia Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Russia is not a place specifically more dangerous as a solo female traveler. As a woman, you will face much of the same street harassment and aggressive behavior you’d find in many other countries.

As a solo female though, one thing to keep in mind when visiting Russia is your alcohol intake. In the land of great vodka, it can be easy to overdo it. The last thing you want though is to be stumbling alone back to your hotel a little too drunk.

If you are taking an overnight train or hoping to experience the Trans-Siberian railroad, you might need to plan a bit more as well. Unless you want to book an expensive train car all to yourself, you will likely be sharing a car with other travelers. As a solo female, see if you might book an all female car.

Overall, Russia is quite safe for solo travelers, whether female or male.

Is the Water Safe to Drink in Russia?

Drinking tap water in Russia is best avoided.

Some cities, like Moscow, officially meet safe tap water requirements. That being said, many locals still buy or boil their water. In Saint Petersburg, tap water is even more unpredictable, with many parts of the city still using old, dangerous pipes.

In more rural regions you might find crystal clear water but less regulations and testing. To avoid any issues, it’s best to completely avoid tap water on your Russia trip.

If you don’t want to waste all your money on bottled water, consider packing a small, travel-sized water filter. We recommend the Grayl Geopress water bottle. Not only will you save money, you’ll avoid a bunch of single-use plastic bottles.

Is the Food Safe to Eat in Russia?

Thanks to the above water issues, food in Russia can sometimes be suspect. Generally, in places with bad water, you are safe if you opt for well cooked foods and avoid raw fruits or veggies.

Unfortunately, water is not the only issue affecting the safety of Russian food. There is a lot of corruption and little oversight of Russian food manufactures. According to the Russian food monitoring organization Roscontro , “Sixty percent of the products tested are poor quality, unsafe or falsified.”

There is not much as a traveler you can do to avoid such products. In general though, nicer restaurants and fresh-made foods are your best bet.

Are Taxis in Russia Safe?

Taxi scams are quite common in Russia. While your physical safety might not be in much danger, your wallet could be.

Always make sure you look up the average taxi rates in the cities and regions you are visiting. Also, don’t be afraid to find another taxi if you are quoted an outrageous price.

Police in Russia are known for corruption and won’t always be a help if a taxi driver tries to scam you at the end of a ride. Instead, it’s better to avoid the problem in the first place by establishing the price or ensuring the meter is working before getting in.

It’s also best to use an app to call a taxi. Official metered taxis won’t always stop if you flag them down and the taxis that do stop are often illegal

Is Russia Safe to Live?

As a foreigner, there are a lot of places in Russia you probably wouldn’t want to live. While the country is generally safe for expats, the safety in Russia varies widely from city to city and neighborhood to neighborhood.

The best cities for foreigners to live in Russia are Moscow and Saint Petersburg. These cities are modern, safe, and filled with foreign workers.

More distant cities and regions are often less welcoming to outsiders. This is especially true for minorities.

So, is it Dangerous in Russia?

Russia is a vast country. Labeling literally the world’s largest country as safe or not is really unfair. The answer to the question “is Russia safe” is, well, it depends.

Russia is far from a safe place for many. There is rampant corruption, government crackdowns on political opponents, and regions literally deadly for members of the LBGTQ community. At the same time, Saint Petersburg feels quite as safe as any major European city.

The reality is that no place in the world is truly safe, no matter how many travel safety tips I offer. At the same time, Russia, even with all its safety issues, is worth visiting.

If you are ready to see the country for yourself make sure you, at the minimum, have travel insurance. It’s there to be your backup plan – to get you home in a worst-case scenario or just to help take the bite out of a pickpocketed phone.

Jeremy Scott Foster

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How to bring MONEY to Russia in 2023

Visa, MasterCard and American Express suspended operations in Russia in 2022, making it impossible to pay with foreign-issued credit cards inside the country. Below are a few legal ways to manage your personal finances easier while in Russia.

The $10,000 limit

One way to bring money to Russia is to physically bring cash with you when you come to the country. Contrary to a popular belief, it is possible to bring any amount of cash into the country, as the Russian government does not limit the inflow of foreign currency.

However, if the amount exceeds $10,000 [in any currency or traveler’s checks], the owner must declare it at Russian customs. The entire amount must be declared, not the amount exceeding 10,000. It is important to note that some countries in the EU may have their own limitations on the amount of Euros one can take to Russia.

Those traveling less frequently would be better off bringing as much cash as possible in advance, as this is the easiest and cheapest way to get money into Russia at the moment.

“I can always bring some cash [from the U.S.] and deposit [it in Russia], but flying back and forth to deposit $10,000 is going to be very expensive, as flying to Moscow is not very cheap,” says David Dawidowicz, a U.S. citizen who regularly travels to Russia.

There is one catch, however. As of today, it is illegal to take foreign currency out of Russia, if the total amount exceeds $10,000 at the exchange rate set by the Central Bank of Russia on the day of the trip. The ban applies to all kinds of foreign currency: U.S. Dollars, Euros, British Pounds, etc. The restriction also applies to traveler’s checks and securities, such as physical bonds. Russian rubles are exempt from the ban.

Note that those individuals who brought foreign currency to Russia and had it declared at Russian customs are entitled to take it out of the country, even if the amount exceeds $10,000, but only if there is a confirmation issued by Russian customs specifying that money was indeed imported by the same person in the first place. It’s paramount to have all the supporting documents when crossing the border with a larger sum as an unlawful attempt to get more than $10,000 out of Russia may constitute a criminal offense that can result in imprisonment.

An officer of the Russian Customs Service in the international arrivals hall of Domodedovo airport.

Additionally, an amount of exported currency exceeding the equivalent of $3,000 must be declared at the customs when leaving Russia. The rule covers the full amount of the exported currency, not just the portion exceeding $3,000.

A bank account in Russia

Foreign citizens can open a bank account in a Russian bank to deposit money they have brought with them.

Depending on the bank, required documents may vary, but, most commonly, the list includes a passport, a notarized translation of its front page, and a Russian phone number.

“We need to obtain a cardholder’s name in cyrillic letters from an official document. A visa will do, because it has a person’s name spelled in cyrillic. If a foreign citizen does not have a visa, he ought to have a notarized translation of the passport,” said an employee of one of Russia’s privately owned banks.

A client in an office of one of Russian banks.

David said he was not able to open a bank account in a Russian state-owned bank as a U.S. citizen and therefore had to turn to a privately owned bank. However, an employee in one of the branches of the state owned bank told Russia Beyond that there should be no obstacles obstructing a foreigner to open an account in the bank. According to the employee, a citizen of any country can set up a bank account in his name, provided that they present the above-mentioned documents.

Cross-border transfer of funds can be performed via a bank that supports transfers via the SWIFT system. Some Russian banks have been disconnected from SWIFT, but some retained the ability to receive funds from abroad using the system. Whether your local bank offers money transfers to Russia via SWIFT must be determined in each particular case as different banks in various countries can set their own rules regarding this.

Normally, a fixed fee or adjustable commission of 1-5 percent applies. Money transfer via the SWIFT system might take from two to seven days. The maximum amount for transfer can only be capped by the sender’s bank as Russian banks do not place limits on funds coming from abroad.

Note that owners of Russian bank accounts can only withdraw up to $10,000 (or the equivalent in euros), unless they deposited foreign currency before March 9, 2022. The recipients who deposited foreign currency to Russian bank accounts after the date will receive the surplus in rubles.

Inconspicuous alternatives

Some services that offer international money transfers can be used to send money to Russia from abroad. Although Western Union, Wise, MoneyGram and TransferGo all do not support such transfers to or from Russia anymore; however, there are some alternatives available. For example, services like Koronapay, Unistream and Contact can still be used to send money to Russia by people based in most European countries.

There are other, less conspicuous, ways to send money to Russia from abroad that might come handy for foreign citizens in extreme cases.

In case of U.S. citizens in Russia, funds can be wired via the Department of State with the help of a local embassy. However, this option requires contacting the relevant embassy and requesting case-by-case assistance with no guaranteed results.

Cryptocurrency may provide an alternative for international transfer of funds in time when many money transferring systems like Western Union no longer support transfer of funds to Russia. This method requires a degree of technological savvy on part of the sender and the recipient of funds.

Click here to find out how to visit Russia as a tourist in 2023.

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Information for U.S. Citizens in Russia – Travel Options Out of Russia

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Information for U.S. Citizens in Russia – Travel Options Out of Russia

U.S. citizens should leave Russia via commercial options still available. The situation on Russian borders is always changing. We update this page once a month.

Air travel options for U.S. citizens:

• Be aware the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded the air safety rating for Russia, as a result of Russia’s Federal Agency for Air Transport failing to meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards. For more information on this matter, click here .
• Explore commercial air routing through non-European destinations.
• Ask family and friends outside of Russia to help buy airline tickets. This is especially helpful if credit/debit cards are not working, as described below.
• Consider contacting a global travel company to buy airline tickets.

Travelers may also depart via some of Russia’s land borders. More information is below.

Use of Credit/Debit Cards & Access to Foreign Currency:   International sanctions have been imposed on Russian banks due to Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. As a result, U.S.-issued credit and debit cards will not work in Russia. Travelers may consider using local credit cards, cash, or other forms of payment. Travelers can also ask family and friends outside of Russia to buy their ticket. U.S. citizens should take this into account when making plans.

Be aware the exclusion of Russia from the SWIFT system has made money transfers to/from the United States impossible. The Bank of Russia announced that non-residents from “both friendly and unfriendly countries” may transfer funds abroad in the amount of their wages although there remains a ban on transferring funds abroad for non-residents from “unfriendly countries” that do not work in Russia, as well as legal entities from such states. This ban may be extended beyond its current end date of March 31, 2024. In addition, non-residents may have difficulty withdrawing foreign currency, including USD, from accounts held in Russian banks.

We encourage you to enroll in our Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) . STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates and it makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy to contact you in an emergency. U.S. Citizens in Russia can email [email protected] for assistance.

Click here for more updates from the U.S. Embassy in Russia.

Latest Travel Advisory and Alerts

Security Alert

Departing Russia by Air: If you want to leave Russia by air, be prepared to comply with your destination's entry requirements. Direct flights are now operating from Moscow and other major Russian cities to Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Thailand, India, and other destinations.

Departing Russia by Land: If you want to leave Russia by land, be prepared to comply with your destination’s entry requirements,  which may differ from the entry requirements for travelers arriving by plane . Travelers should also be aware that not all border crossings may be open. Travelers should check the website of the U.S. Embassy in the country you wish to visit for more information. For a list of embassies, click here .

Departing Russia by Sea: While ferry availability changes often, some ferries from Russia to other countries may be running, including from Sochi to Trabzon, Turkey.

Visa Requirements for Families with U.S. and Russian Citizen Family Members

The following information may be of use to families with both U.S. and Russian citizen family members that are considering departure options:

No Visa Required for Russian Citizens

Azerbaijan:  Russians do not need a visa to enter Azerbaijan and can stay for up to 90 days.

Bahrain:  Russians can get visas on arrival.

Georgia:  Russian citizens do not need a visa to enter Georgia.

Kazakhstan:  Russian citizens can enter Kazakhstan without a visa by air for up to 90 days but not more than 90 days within a 180-day period.

Mongolia:  Mongolia does not require a visa for temporary (30-day) stays of Russian nationals. It only requires a passport with at least six-months validity.

Qatar:  Russian citizens can enter Qatar visa free for an initial 30-day stay. They have the possibility to extend 30 additional days.

Serbia:  Russians do not need visas to enter Serbia and can stay for up to 30 days.

UAE:  UAE offers visas on arrival for Russian tourists with authorization for a 30-day stay. Russian tourists can extend these visas to 90 days.

Visa Required for Russian Citizens

Estonia:  The Estonian government does not allow Russian citizens with short-term Schengen visas to enter Estonia for tourism, sports, or culture. The entry restrictions do not apply to Russian citizens who are long-term residents of Estonia or to individuals traveling to Estonia to visit family. The rules also exempt workers involved in transporting goods and passengers, and also include individuals in certain humanitarian circumstances. The Estonian Police and Border Guard website has more information. 

Finland:  Russian citizens need a visa to enter Finland. Finland has greatly reduced the acceptance of tourist visas for Russians. Priority is given to those applying for a visa due to family reasons, work, or study. In extreme cases, the Finnish Border Patrol will consider parole entry if the person is transiting Finland or has other extraordinary circumstances.

Latvia:  Visas are required for Russians to enter Latvia. They are currently not being issued except for some specific funerals. For more information, please contact the  Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Lithuania:  Russian citizens need a visa to enter Lithuania. Lithuania is no longer issuing visas to Russian citizens. Lithuania does not allow Russian citizens with short-term Schengen visas to enter Lithuania for tourism, sports, or culture. Exceptions apply for family members of EU nationals, seafarers, people transiting to Kaliningrad, and in other humanitarian situations. 

SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON ENTERING NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES FROM RUSSIA:

Azerbaijan To reach the U.S. Embassy in Baku, call +994 12 488-3300, or email the American Citizens Services unit at  [email protected]

Click  here  to see all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Azerbaijan.

• Azerbaijan's land borders with its neighboring countries remain closed, except for freight transportation. Entry into Azerbaijan is possible only by air.
• Azerbaijan’s national air carrier, AZAL (Azerbaijan Airlines), operates regular flights from Moscow's Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports, St. Petersburg, Astrakhan, Kazan, Mineralniye Vody, Makhachkala, Novosibirsk, Samara, Sochi, Ufa, Volgograd, and Yekaterinburg.

Belarus Do not travel to Belarus  due to the arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of detention, the Russian military attack on neighboring Ukraine, and the buildup of Russian military in Belarus along the border with Ukraine. U.S. citizens in Belarus should depart immediately via commercial or private means.  Read the  travel advisory for Belarus here .

Estonia To reach the U.S. Embassy in Estonia, call 372-668-8100, or email  [email protected] .

Click  here  to read all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Estonia.

• Estonia does not allow air traffic from Russia due to EU sanctions. U.S. citizens may cross into Estonia but family members of other nationalities may need Estonian visas to enter.
• Estonia no longer allows vehicles with Russian Federation license plates to enter Estonia. Drivers and passengers of Russian-plated vehicles may cross the border on foot and must leave the vehicle behind in Russia. The ban does not apply to international passenger transport buses.
• Lux Express continues to offer bus service between St. Petersburg and Tallinn. If you travel by bus from Russia to Estonia, expect longer than normal wait times to cross the border.
• Dual U.S.-Russian citizens have reported difficulties entering Estonia. U.S. citizens with other nationalities should be ready to prove their citizenship and show travel details to Estonian border guards.
• There are currently no ferries operating from Russia to Estonia.
• As of February 1, 2024 the Russian Federation closed the Narva-Ivangorod border crossing for construction. It is closed to all motor vehicle traffic in both directions. Russian authorities say the border may be closed for approximately two and a half years. It is still possible to cross the Narva-Ivangorod border on foot but crossing by taxi is not possible. Buses still travel between Russia and Estonia, as noted above, but passengers may have to cross the border on foot and transfer to a different bus.
• Vehicles can still cross the Estonian-Russian border at the Koidula-Kunitsina Gora and Luhamaa-Shumilkina border crossings, with limitations imposed on Russian Federation license plates as noted above.

Finland To reach the U.S. Embassy in Finland, call +358-9-616-250, or email  [email protected]

Click  here  to read all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Finland.

• All land border crossing points between Finland and Russia are closed. Check the Finnish Border Guards website for updated information regarding Finland’s borders and entry requirements, check the Finnish Border Guards website.
• Finland’s national railway operator has suspended service between
• No air travel between Finland and Russia is possible.
• There are currently no ferries operating from Russia to Finland.
• When the border is open, travelers may not cross the land border on foot.

U.S. citizens with expired passports may transit Finland to the United States, but they must contact the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki at  [email protected]  in advance and provide the traveler’s name, arrival time, vehicle information, and U.S. airline ticket information.

Passengers transiting Finland may not cross the border outside regular opening hours except to make connecting flights/ferries.

You can find requirements for entry from the  Finnish Border Guards website .

Georgia To reach the U.S. Embassy in Georgia, call +(995 32) 227-70-00, or email the American Citizens Services unit at  [email protected] .

For information on the Georgian border, please visit the Georgian State Commission on Migration Issues .

Kazakhstan To reach the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan, call +7 (7172) 70-21-00, or email the American Citizens Services unit at  [email protected] .

Click  here  to see all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Kazakhstan.

• While Air Astana and FlyArystan have suspended flights between Russia and Kazakhstan, other airlines may continue to fly between the two countries. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from using Kazakhstani airlines for official travel without prior approval, except for Air Astana and FlyArystan, due to safety concerns. For more information about travel, see Kazakhstan’s Country Information Page .
• U.S. Citizens with expired passports will not be admitted to Kazakhstan, including for transit.

Latvia To reach the U.S. Embassy in Latvia, call +371 6710 7000, or email  [email protected] .

Click  here  to read all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Latvia.

• The Russia-Latvia border remains open, but border crossing points may be limited. Travelers to Latvia should check with  Latvian Border Police  before starting travel. U.S. citizens may cross into Latvia with U.S. passports that have a validity of at least six months.
• Latvia no longer allows entry for Russian-registered and plated private vehicles. This includes those owned or driven by U.S. citizens. We recommend traveling via plane or bus.
• There is direct bus service from Moscow and St. Petersburg to Riga via the Ecolines buses, which depart daily.
• There is no train or ferry service which travels directly from Russia or Belarus to Latvia.
• Latvia is not issuing visas to Russian citizens to enter the country at this time, including for accompanying Russian family members of U.S. citizen minors. 
• Latvia currently allows U.S. citizens to cross into Latvia from Belarus through only one land border crossing. Please check hours and locations as they may change without notice.
• There are extended waits to cross the land border from Russia to Latvia. The wait time can be as long as 72-96 hours, with limited or no access to food, water, or sanitary facilities.

Lithuania To reach the U.S. Embassy in Lithuania, call +370 5 266 5600, or email  [email protected]

Click  here  to read all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Lithuania.

• Russian citizens need a visa to enter Lithuania. Lithuania is no longer issuing visas to Russian citizens. Lithuania does not allow Russian citizens with short-term Schengen visas to enter Lithuania for tourism, sports, or culture. Exceptions apply for family members of EU nationals, seafarers, people transiting Kaliningrad, and in other humanitarian situations. 

Mongolia To reach the U.S. Embassy in Ulaanbaatar, call +976-7007-6001, or email the American Citizens Services unit at  [email protected] .

Click  here  to see all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Mongolia.

• There are no reports of any border/Point of Entry closures.
• The Mongolian government requires those entering to be in possession of a passport with at least six month validity.
• U.S. and Russian nationals can travel and enter Mongolia visa-free, but may be required to register after arrival depending on the length of stay.
• There are flights each month operating on Aero Mongolia from Ulan Ude to Ulaanbaatar and from Irkutsk to Ulaanbaatar. These tickets can only be purchased inside Russia.
• See Mongolia’s Country Information Page for more information about travel to Mongolia, and entry and exit requirements for U.S. citizens.

Poland To reach the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw, call +48 22 504-2000, or email the [email protected] .

Click  here  to read all Messages and Alerts for U.S. Visitors to Poland.

• U.S. citizens are restricted from entering Poland from Belarus and Russia unless they meet one of the exceptions currently in place.  You may find the list of exceptions on the  Polish Border Guard website .
• U.S. citizens who do not meet one of the listed exceptions, but who want to return/evacuate from Belarus to the United States in transit through Poland, or who need to enter Poland for humanitarian reasons, may apply for a special permit to enter Poland only at the border crossing point in Brest-Terespol.

The information above is provided for general information only and may not be applicable in a particular case. You should ask private legal counsel about interpreting specific U.S. or foreign laws.

This site is managed by the U.S. Department of State. External links to other Internet sites and listings of private entities on this page are provided as a convenience and should not be constructed as the U.S. Department of State government endorsement of the entity, its views, the products or services it provides, or the accuracy of information contained therein. The order in which links appear has no significance, and the listings or links may be removed at any time at the discretion of the Department.

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Cyclones and Wildcats will open 2025 season in the annual college football game in Ireland

FILE - Players warm up on the field before an NCAA college football game between Northwestern and Nebraska, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Iowa State and Kansas State will play their 2025 season opener in Ireland at the fourth Aer Lingus College Football Classic. The Cyclones and Wildcats will meet Aug. 23, 2025, at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison, File)

FILE - A bagpiper plays in front of the Oliver St. John Gogarty bar in the Temple Bar district of Dublin on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. Iowa State and Kansas State will play their 2025 season opener in Ireland at the fourth Aer Lingus College Football Classic. The Cyclones and Wildcats will meet Aug. 23, 2025, at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (AP Photo/Kenneth Maguire, File)

• Copy Link copied

Iowa State and Kansas State will play their 2025 season opener in Ireland at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.

The Cyclones and Wildcats will close the 2024 regular season in Ames, Iowa, on Nov. 24, and meet again on Aug. 23, 2025, at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

The fourth annual game in Ireland, announced Wednesday, marks the first time ISU and K-State have met in a season opener and third time they’ve squared off at a neutral site. They played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, in 2009 and 2010.

“The opportunity for our student-athletes, coaches, staff, alumni and fans to visit one of the world’s top travel destinations and to showcase our football program and brand on a global stage was one we could not pass up,” K-State athletic director Gene Taylor said.

Iowa State will be playing outside the United States for the first time. Kansas State played Nebraska in Tokyo in 1992.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for the Big 12 Conference to play one of its classic rivalries on a global stage while showcasing our university and its football program,” ISU coach Matt Campbell said. “We are honored that Aer Lingus selected the Cyclones to participate in this prestigious game, which will afford a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our student-athletes to experience international travel while also helping to grow the game of college football outside of the United States.”

Florida State and Georgia Tech will play in the 2024 Classic on Aug. 24. Organizers said they expect more than 21,000 U.S. fans to attend.

AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

• Share full article

Advertisement

The Morning

Tiktok’s pro-china tilt.

A bill that will force the app’s Chinese owners to sell will soon become law.

By David Leonhardt

The debate over TikTok has shifted very quickly. Just a few months ago, it seemed unlikely that the U.S. government would force ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, to sell it. The platform is popular, and Congress rarely passes legislation aimed at a single company.

Yet a bipartisan TikTok bill — packaged with aid for Ukraine, Taiwan, Israel and Palestinians — is now on its way to becoming law. Late last night, the Senate passed the measure , 79 to 18, three days after the House passed it, 360 to 58. President Biden said he would sign it today. If ByteDance does not sell TikTok within 12 months, it will be banned in the United States.

What explains the turnabout?

I have asked that question of policymakers and their aides in recent weeks and heard a similar answer from many. Parts of the debate over TikTok — about the overall benefits and drawbacks of social media, for instance — are complicated, and they would not justify the forced sale of a single company, the policymakers say. But at least one problem with TikTok falls into a different category.

It has become a leading source of information in this country. About one-third of Americans under 30 regularly get their news from it. TikTok is also owned by a company based in the leading global rival of the United States. And that rival, especially under President Xi Jinping, treats private companies as extensions of the state. “This is a tool that is ultimately within the control of the Chinese government,” Christopher Wray, the director of the F.B.I., has told Congress.

When you think about the issue in these terms, you realize there may be no other situation in the world that resembles China’s control of TikTok. American law has long restricted foreign ownership of television or radio stations, even by companies based in friendly countries. “Limits on foreign ownership have been a part of federal communications policy for more than a century,” the legal scholar Zephyr Teachout explained in The Atlantic .

The same is true in other countries. India doesn’t allow Pakistan to own a leading Indian publication, and vice versa. China, for its part, bars access not only to American publications but also to Facebook, Instagram and other apps.

TikTok as propaganda

Already, there is evidence that China uses TikTok as a propaganda tool.

Posts related to subjects that the Chinese government wants to suppress — like Hong Kong protests and Tibet — are strangely missing from the platform, according to a recent report by two research groups . The same is true about sensitive subjects for Russia and Iran, countries that are increasingly allied with China.

Consider this data from the report:

Subjects missing from TikTok

TikTok hashtags as a percent of Instagram hashtags

Subjects sensitive to

China’s interests

South China

For every 100 Instagram

posts with Taiwan-related

hashtags, there were only

about 7 on TikTok.

Pro-Ukraine

Normal ratios,

given Instagram’s

larger user base

Taylor Swift

Black Lives

Barbie Movie

Hong Kong protests

Subjects sensitive

to China’s interests

Tiananmen Square

South China Sea

For every 100 Instagram posts

with Taiwan-related hashtags,

there were only about 7 on TikTok.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Black Lives Matter

The report also found a wealth of hashtags promoting independence for Kashmir, a region of India where the Chinese and Indian militaries have had recent skirmishes. A separate Wall Street Journal analysis , focused on the war in Gaza, found evidence that TikTok was promoting extreme content, especially against Israel. (China has generally sided with Hamas.)

Adding to this circumstantial evidence is a lawsuit from a former ByteDance executive who claimed that its Beijing offices included a special unit of Chinese Communist Party members who monitored “how the company advanced core Communist values.”

Many members of Congress and national security experts find these details unnerving. “You’re placing the control of information — like what information America’s youth gets — in the hands of America’s foremost adversary,” Mike Gallagher, a House Republican from Wisconsin, told Jane Coaston of Times Opinion. Yvette Clarke, a New York Democrat, has called Chinese ownership of TikTok “an unprecedented threat to American security and to our democracy.”

In response, TikTok denies that China’s government influences its algorithm and has called the outside analyses of its content misleading. “Comparing hashtags is an inaccurate reflection of on-platform activity,” Alex Haurek, a TikTok spokesman, told me.

I find the company’s defense too vague to be persuasive. It doesn’t offer a logical explanation for the huge gaps by subject matter and boils down to: Trust us. Doing so would be easier if the company were more transparent. Instead, shortly after the publication of the report comparing TikTok and Instagram, TikTok altered the search tool that the analysts had used, making future research harder, as my colleague Sapna Maheshwari reported .

The move resembled a classic strategy of authoritarian governments: burying inconvenient information.

The coming fight

The fight over TikTok won’t end even when Biden signs the bill. Chinese officials have signaled that they will not allow ByteDance to sell TikTok, and ByteDance plans to fight the law in court. It will have some American allies, too.

On the political left, groups like the A.C.L.U. say that the TikTok bill violates the First Amendment. (You can read the A.C.L.U.’s argument here .) On the right, Jeff Yass, who’s both a TikTok investor and a major Republican campaign donor, is leading the fight against the bill. He is also a former board member at the Cato Institute, which has become a prominent TikTok defender. Yass may be the person who convinced Donald Trump to reverse his position and oppose the bill.

These opponents hope to use TikTok’s popularity among younger Americans to create a backlash in coming weeks. And they may have some success. But they are in a much weaker position than they were a few months ago.

As Carl Hulse, The Times’s chief Washington correspondent, told me, “The fears that TikTok gives China too much of a way into the U.S. seem to be overriding any political concerns.” There is a long history of members of Congress overcoming partisan divisions to address what they see as a national security threat. Even in today’s polarized atmosphere, it can still happen.

Under the proposed law, ByteDance will have to sell TikTok within 270 days. It will probably have a hard time finding a buyer with enough money .

Read more about the U.S. push to force a sale of TikTok.

THE LATEST NEWS

Trump on trial.

David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, testified yesterday that he hatched a plan in 2015 with Trump and Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, to help Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign .

That effort entailed publishing positive stories about Trump and negative stories about his rivals, including one falsely linking Ted Cruz’s father to the J.F.K. assassination. It also meant buying and then burying information about possible scandals.

Pecker called Trump “very cautious and very frugal” and “almost a micromanager,” which may help prosecutors show that Trump paid hush money and falsified records to hide a sex scandal.

The judge didn’t rule on whether Trump had violated the gag order that bars him from attacking witnesses and others. But he scolded Trump’s lawyer for not offering evidence in Trump’s defense, saying, “You’re losing all credibility with the court.”

Trump appeared frustrated. At times he yanked his lapels, frowned and shook his head. On social media, he accused Merchan of taking away his rights .

The N.Y.P.D. appears to be using a dump truck to block news photographers from seeing Trump as he enters and exits the courthouse.

The late-night hosts discussed the gag order hearing. “Has Trump ever considered paying himself hush money?” Jordan Klepper asked .

More on Politics

Biden won Pennsylvania’s Democratic primary. A sizable share of Republican primary voters cast ballots for Nikki Haley, even though she dropped out. Here are more takeaways .

In Florida, Biden criticized the state’s six-week abortion ban and urged voters to support a referendum to restore abortion access there.

Tennessee’s legislature passed a bill to allow teachers to carry concealed handguns on school grounds. The governor is likely to sign it.

Israel-Hamas War

Israel says it will expand a humanitarian zone along the Gaza coast if it invades Rafah, a southern city where more than a million displaced Palestinians are living.

Palestinian officials claim to have found mass graves outside two hospitals in Gaza after the withdrawal of Israeli troops there. The U.N. called for an independent investigation .

A class of university students finished training in Gaza a week before the war began. The Times spoke with them to learn how their lives had changed .

Campus Protests

At Columbia, pro-Palestinian student protesters agreed to remove some tents and bar discriminatory language. The school delayed police action to disband the protests while talks continue.

The university’s officials are trying to balance student safety with free speech. Read the inside story of the crisis on campus.

Many universities expect protests to disrupt the end of the school year . Columbia will allow students to attend the last week of classes remotely, and the University of Michigan told students to expect demonstrations at graduation ceremonies.

More International News

Myanmar’s military has cut off phone and internet service in areas controlled by rebel groups. Locals play music to pass the time .

Residents of Kharkiv, Ukraine, are trying to live as normal despite daily Russian attacks. See life in the city .

At least five people died during an attempt to cross the English Channel , including a young girl. They were on an inflatable boat that was overloaded with more than 100 passengers.

Germany arrested an E.U. lawmaker’s aide on suspicion of spying for China .

Horses on the loose galloped through London this morning. One appeared to hit a double-decker bus and smash the windshield.

Other Big Stories

The Justice Department will pay $139 million to resolve claims by women who said they were abused by the former U.S.A. Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar.

The Federal Trade Commission banned noncompete clauses , which restrict workers from switching to a rival company in the same industry.

Tesla’s first-quarter profits fell 55 percent . Sales are down, even as the company lowered the price of its cars to attract buyers.

No, officer, he wasn’t drinking: A Belgian man suspected of drunken driving was instead diagnosed with auto-brewery syndrome , a rare condition in which the gut makes its own beer.

Administrators allow discrimination against Jewish students that they would never tolerate against other minorities, Bret Stephens argues.

Parents of students suspended by Columbia University and Barnard College wrote a letter to the editor to express their outrage.

Student protesters can make their point without shutting down campus life , John McWhorter , a Columbia professor, writes.

And here is a column by Thomas Edsall on polarization in 2024 .

MORNING READS

Yellowstone: Wolves were thought to have rebalanced the national park’s ecosystem. New research questions that story .

Ask Well: Are nasal sprays addictive? Read what to know .

Creativity: Artists, including Joan Baez, offer advice on squashing self-doubt and procrastination .

Lives Lived: Phyllis Pressman began working at Barneys so she could spend more time with her husband, who had taken over the store from his father. She created Chelsea Passage, the store’s home goods bazaar, a pivot point in Barneys’ evolution from a discount men’s wear store to an elite lifestyle behemoth. She died at 95 .

N.B.A.: Luka Doncic scored 32 points to help the Dallas Mavericks tie their series with the Los Angeles Clippers at 1-1.

N.H.L.: The New York Rangers beat the Washington Capitals , 4-3, to take a 2-0 series lead.

ARTS AND IDEAS

Cowboy aesthetics are back in fashion, as seen in Beyoncé’s release of her album “Cowboy Carter.” In his critic’s notebook , the Times reporter Guy Trebay tries to explain what exactly cowboy style is. “How do you arrive at any single meaning of ‘cowboy’ when the stylistic variants run from western to modern to rhinestone to preppy to line-dancing Saturday night buckaroo to Black?” he writes.

More on culture

Meta-morphosis: Mark Zuckerberg, once known for wearing the same outfit regularly, has had a makeover .

A former cameraman for Megan Thee Stallion said he was forced to watch her have sex , and has filed a lawsuit against her for harassment, NBC reports.

The celebrity bag designer Nancy Gonzalez was sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling handbags made from protected wildlife skins from Colombia.

David Beckham is suing the fitness brand F45 , which is co-owned by Mark Wahlberg, for an alleged breach of a financial agreement.

X introduced a dedicated app for smart TVs . Elon Musk is trying to expand the company’s video ambitions, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

THE MORNING RECOMMENDS …

Bake sweet and spicy chicken thighs with hot honey and lime.

Build a better grocery budget .

Add a sprint to your exercise routine.

Play pickleball with a good paddle .

Work out with earbuds that won’t fall out.

Here is today’s Spelling Bee . Yesterday’s pangram was ambulant .

And here are today’s Mini Crossword , Wordle , Sudoku , Connections and Strands .

Thanks for spending part of your morning with The Times. See you tomorrow. — David

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David Leonhardt runs The Morning , The Times’s flagship daily newsletter. Since joining The Times in 1999, he has been an economics columnist, opinion columnist, head of the Washington bureau and founding editor of the Upshot section, among other roles. More about David Leonhardt