YPT Tours to Russia
Young Pioneer Tours is pleased to announce the resumption of our Russia tours and travel packages, with exciting trips planned for 2024 and 2025.
This was after Russian tours were resoundingly voted by our Pioneers as the destination they would most like to see us again running tours to. And we listened!
After having been all but closed to the world during the days of the USSR, the country finally opened up after the fall of Communism. That’s not to say that the years since have been problem-free, but this has far from put us off. YPT first started bringing tours to Russia in 2010. Since then, we have run trips in every corner of the vast country, including Chechnya, Siberia, and even Sakhalin.
The last few years have been difficult – due to the pandemic and of course the Russian war against Ukraine – but getting a Russian visa is now easier than it has ever been, with the nation engaging in a charm offensive to bring back tourists.
Given all of this, we are proud to announce our return to the country (and its many neighbours) through our 2024 and 2025 Russian Tours and Travel packages.
Group Tours to Russia
YPT currently offer the following tours to Russia, as well as trips to the unrecognized counties of Abkhazia and South Ossetia which go through Russia.
Ultimate Chechnya and Caucasus Unrecognized Countries Tour – September 9th to October 1st, 2024 – $7595.
This behemoth of a tour starts at the heart of it all, Moscow, before whisking you down south on a Russian sleeper train. From there, you’ll see 6 Russian Republics (including Chechnya), the breakaway states of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and a couple of Independence Day parades before finishing up in cosmopolitan Sochi. This tour can also be done in stages in case you can’t join us for the whole ride.
Kaliningrad Post-Soviet Exclave Spring Tour – April 21st to April 25th, 2025 – €695.
Explore a little piece of Russia stuck in the EU as we take you to the secretive exclave of Kaliningrad. Staring in Vilnius, Lithuania, we’ll cross the border and show you what happens when the Soviet Union takes over what was once a German region. You’ll also be able to peak at Russia’s Baltic Sea Fleet and see why they are so keen to hold onto this strategic region.
Revolutionary Russia Tour – July 16th to July 27th, 2025 – €2995.
Experience the most exciting and interesting parts of the Soviet Union, from Saint Petersburg to Siberia. Trace the footsteps of Lenin, Stalin, and other Bolshevik revolutionaries in what was once Leningrad before heading to Moscow. Explore Tatarstan with its beautiful mosques and distinct Islamic culture. Visit Lenin’s hometown of Ulyanovsk, tour his home and memorial center, then cross the Volga to visit the Kalashnikov Centre and see Siberian tigers and polar bears in Izhevsk. Continue into the Ural Mountains to Yekaterinburg, where the Romanov dynasty met its end. Explore the city’s Soviet history, reflect on its legacy, and conclude with an epic train journey back to Moscow.
KKaliningrad Post Soviet Exclave Tour – August 9th – 13th 2025 – €795
Independent Tours to Russia
YPT has been running Russian travel packages since 2010, initially focusing on places along the route of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Since then, we have expanded to Chechnya, Dagestan, Sakhalin, Kaliningrad, and much more.
As such we currently have an extremely large network, which consists of the best Russian travel organizations, as well as friendly and knowledgeable bilingual tour guides. Our independent tours can be done in their entirety or adapted and combined with other tours. Prices depend on the number of people and what level of accommodation you desire, but YPT can arrange everything you need for perfect independent Russia tours. Either get in touch or check out our Russian sub-national pages, dedicated to Abkhazia, Chechnya, Kaliningrad and South Ossetia.
Example of a Russia itinerary (8 days)
Day 1 – Arrive in Moscow
- Welcome to Russia! After you’ve had breakfast, we’ll leave the hotel and head out to explore the largest city in Europe.
- Start in the heart of Moscow, in Red Square. Possibly the most famous square in the world, what was once a marketplace has hosted centuries of Russian history.
- Visit Lenin’s Mausoleum, which is located on the square’s edge. The founder of the USSR has been preserved here for almost 100 years, and you will likely see members of the Communist Party paying their respects.
- Lunch at the historic GUM Department Store, one of the only shopping malls during the Soviet Period. Eat at the Soviet-style canteen Stolovaya 57 for a nostalgic experience.
- Explore the Kremlin, the seat of Russian power through the centuries. Visit the Armory Museum, the Assumption Cathedral, and the Diamond Fund. You might even catch a rehearsal of the presidential ballet if you are lucky!
- Peek inside St. Basil’s Cathedral, another iconic symbol of Russia with its multi-coloured “onion” domes. Erected in 1588, it is even more beautiful inside than out!
- Enjoy a traditional Russian dinner at Cafe Pushkin, with the antique-filled dining room encapsulating the grandeur of its namesake.
- Depending on its schedule, spend the evening watching a ballet or opera at the world-famous Bolshoi Theatre. The ballet school is the largest on earth with over 200 dancers.
- Overnight in Moscow.
Day 2 – Moscow
- Start your day by jumping on the Moscow Metro. As well as being the busiest metro in Europe, it is also considered an attraction in itself, due to its beautiful decoration.
- Visit the Muzeon Park of Arts adjacent to Gorky Park, featuring a fascinating collection of Soviet-era statues and sculptures. Afterwards, consider relaxing on the lake in a paddle boat or renting a bike to cycle around the park.
- Have lunch at Navat, a Kyrgyz restaurant which specializes in Central Asian cuisine. After centuries of Russian control, see if you can notice the Russian influence here.
- Explore the VDNH complex, a vast exhibition complex showcasing Soviet architecture and pavilions dedicated to each former Soviet Republic and various industries. It also has the largest Ferris Wheel in Europe!
- Visit the Cosmonautics Museum next door to learn about the Soviet space program.
- Dinner at White Rabbit, a modern Russian restaurant with panoramic views of the city.
- Overnight in Moscow.
Day 3 – Moscow – train to Kazan
- Spend your morning at the State Tretyakov Gallery, called one of the greatest museums in the world for good reason! With 180,000 exhibits of fine Russian, Slavic, and Soviet art, they tell a story from the Kyivan Rus 1,000 years ago to the modern day.
- Stroll through Alexander Garden adjacent to the Kremlin. Look out for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame.
- Grab lunch at one of the trendy cafés on Nikolskaya Street, which is also filled with shops and street performers. It’s great for people-watching!
- To get you ready for your departure from Moscow, we’re taking you to a banya! These traditional bathhouses are about as authentically “Russian” as it gets, and you’ll soon see why people here are so loyal to them.
- Visit the beautiful Novodevichy Convent, which has housed the faithful for over 300 years. Many notable Russians are buried in the adjacent cemetery.
- Collect your bags from the hotel and make your way to the station for your overnight train to Kazan.
- Leave on the 20:50 sleeper train, which will arrive at 08:46 the next morning. Trains are often the best way to explore this vast country and are quite a cultural experience.
- Overnight on the sleeper train.
Day 4 – Arrival in Kazan
- Welcome to Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan! The city showcases a unique blend of Russian and Tatar culture, the latter being a Turkic ethnic group with much in common with the people of Central Asia. Kazan boasts a rich Islamic heritage alongside Russian Orthodox traditions, which provides a fascinating insight into modern Russia.
- Step off the train (hopefully) fully refreshed and go straight to the Kazan Kremlin. Most of this enormous citadel was built by Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century.
- You can visit the Annunciation Cathedral next door and walk along the Kremlin’s walls to view the whole city.
- Experience traditional Tatar cooking at Tatarskaya Usadba. See if you can notice the similarities that Tatar dishes have with Turkish, Central Asian, and Russian cuisine.
- Tour the Kolşärif Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Europe that was only completed in 2005. Clearly, the Atheism of the USSR did not survive here!
- Visit one of the quirkiest museums we’ve been to by going to the Soviet Lifestyle Museum, which showcases Soviet-era items and memorabilia.
- Eat dinner at Pashmir Restaurant, which combines Tatar and European influence. The building looks rather futuristic and provides a wonderful sunset view over the Volga!
- If you still have energy, take a nighttime cruise on the mighty Volga and party the night away! Kazan is a major oil hub and one of the wealthiest cities in Russia, so is very impressively lit up at night.
- Overnight in Kazan.
Day 5 – Kazan – Saint Petersburg
- Check out of your hotel after breakfast, before strolling down Bauman Street. This is the main boulevard in the city and is lined with shops, cafes, and historic buildings.
- You’ll end up at the Epiphany Cathedral, which features a towering bell tower that, until recently, was Kazan’s answer to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
- Have lunch at one of the cafes on Bauman Street and watch the world go by.
- We’ll take you to the Moonshine Museum, which aims to tell the history and culture of worldwide moonshine production. It was a controversial opening in what is a culturally Muslim region, but the museum calls itself anti-alcohol. And yes, tastings are available!
- Stop for photos at the Kazan Wedding Palace, which is bizarrely shaped like a cauldron.
- Offer a farewell toast to Tatarstan at Tatarskoi Kulinarii, which serves delicious pastries as well as Tatar-style plov.
- Hop on an evening flight to Saint Petersburg, which should take around 2 hours.
- Check-in to the hotel, and overnight in Saint Petersburg.
Day 6 – Saint Petersburg
- The “Venice of the North” is one of the most beautiful cities in Russia, if not the whole of Europe. After breakfast, spend the whole morning at the renowned State Hermitage Museum, founded by Catherine the Great 250 years ago. It is the 10th most visited art museum in the world, containing works by Da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Michelangelo.
- Continue your cultural immersion by eating lunch at Sadko, a stylish yet traditional Russian restaurant in the heart of the city. Expect plenty of caviar, vodka and blinis!
- Visit the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, the “little sibling” of St. Basil’s in Moscow but complete with gorgeous, intricate mosaics inside. More tragically, this was built on the site where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated.
- Walk down Nevskyy Prospekt, St. Petersburg’s main avenue. Stop for a coffee in a trendy café or check out the colourful architecture.
- You’ll finish your walk at St. Isaac’s Cathedral. Climb to the colonnade of this grand cathedral and view the whole city. Gaze up at the interior dome – one of the largest in the world – and see it adorned with paintings and precious stones.
- Have an early dinner at Teplo, a laid-back restaurant renowned for its cocktails!
- Celebrate your trip so far at the Mariinsky Theatre, one of the most renowned in Russia alongside the Bolshoi. While alternating between ballet and opera performances, there are shows most nights, and they are all spectacular.
- Overnight in Saint Petersburg.
Day 7 – Saint Petersburg
- Take a hydrofoil across the Neva River to the Peterhof Palace. Known as the “Russian Versailles” due to the grand palace, stunning fountains, and extensive gardens, it was built by Peter the Great to outdo France’s Palace of Versailles. Many say he succeeded!
- After a morning exploring, you’ll head back to the city and have lunch at Shtolle, a bakery which specializes in traditional Russian pirozhkis (stuffed pies).
- Now that you have something to soak up the alcohol, we recommend paying a visit to the Vodka Museum! You’ll learn everything there is to know about this Russian staple, including its history and the best way to taste it (spoiler, it’s not with a mixer…)
- Tour the National Library of Russia, a spectacular building with over 33 million books. It managed to keep operating throughout the Siege of Leningrad.
- Have a memorable farewell dinner at a Georgian restaurant on the banks of the Neva River. With excellent food and wine, Georgian cuisine is seen as the gold standard across the former Soviet Union, so is perfect for your final evening in Russia!
- Overnight in Saint Petersburg.
Day 8 – Saint Petersburg – End of tour
- Have breakfast and check out of your hotel before heading 30km south to the Catherine Palace in Pushkin. This magnificent residence of the Tsars is famous for the opulent Amber Room, and extensive gardens.
- Drive back into Saint Petersburg, where your Russia adventure finishes.
- Alternatively, continue your travels by joining us on one of our regulargroup tours in the region. We can also arrange for your private tour to continue into the neighbouring Baltic States, Caucuses, Central Asia, or across the post-Soviet world.
Bespoke Russia Tours
Aside from our extensive list of group and independent tours to Russia, Young Pioneer Tours can also offer regional packages to the most popular areas, as well as slightly more obscure bespoke Russian travel packages.
Chechnya Tours
One of our most important and popular travel packages, we run at least one trip a year to Chechnya which is usually offered as a combo including South Ossetia. You can check our dedicated Chechnya Tours page here. Travel through Chechnya to neighbouring republics such as Dagestan can also be arranged.
South Ossetia Tours
YPT offers one South Ossetia Tour per year which is combined with our trip to Chechnya. This can also be arranged as an independent tour, with YPT usually able to get a South Ossetian visa in less than a month. Click here to check our dedicated South Ossetia page.
Abkhazia Tours
YPT offers one tour to Abkhazia per year. This can also be arranged as an independent tour, with YPT able to get an Abkhazian visa with relative ease. Entry can be arranged through both Georgia and Russia. Click here to check out our dedicated Abkhazia page.
Kaliningrad Tours
Russia’s largest and most famous exclave has seen a real tourism boom as of late! Tours here can be combined with other parts of Europe, especially Belarus. Click here to see our dedicated Kaliningrad page.
Belarus Tours
Belarus is not only a bordering nation but also Russia’s closest political, cultural, and economic ally. Therefore, it makes sense to visit them both, something which can be done by train, as well as by air. Click here for our Belarus page.
Trans-Siberian Railway Tours
YPT are experts in travelling on the Trans-Siberian, Trans-Mongolian, and other cross-country train networks (including to North Korea) since 2010.
We can arrange tickets for these services, as well as stop-offs and bespoke services throughout the trip. This includes Russian cities such as Irkutsk, but also for neighbouring countries on the route such as China and Mongolia.
Train Tours
We can also arrange tours throughout Russia’s interior by utilizing its vast train network. This can also link to neighbouring countries. It is also possible to charter trains for Russian Tours.
Magadan Tours
Prior to COVID-19, we offered bi-annual tours to the former Soviet Gulag near Magadan. We are pleased to announce that Magadan tours can now be offered on an FIT basis.
Sakhalin Tours
YPT is currently working to bring back our iconic group tour to Sakhalin! We are also offering private tours and cruises to Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands.
Jewish Autonomous Oblast (Birobidzhan) Tours
Also known as the “Soviet Zion,” the Jewish Autonomous Oblast in Russia’s Far East was the first officially Jewish jurisdiction in the world. Centred on the town of Birobidzhan, YPT has run Jewish interest tours to this fascinating place. These can be run in conjunction with other parts of the Russian Federation, as well as via neighbouring China.
Historical tours of Russia
Russia is one of the oldest sovereign states in the world, and throughout this time it has had its fair share of historical and political influence. A huge player in both the First and Second World Wars, it is also the only country other than the United States that can have called itself a superpower. Through our local partners, YPT can arrange bespoke tours of Russia related to any of these historical periods.
Communist Russia Tours
As once home of the Soviet Union, it is fair to describe Russia as having been at the centre of the Communist world. We can arrange Russian tours that concentrate on its communist past, as well as more contemporary trips for various anniversaries, such as the October Revolution.
School Trips to Russia
Despite the political issues between the West and Russia, the country remains a safe and fascinating place to travel to, especially for students of all ages. YPT has a proud history of arranging school tours of Russia for all types of learners.
Media Trips to Russia
Through our partners at Pioneer Media we can arrange for film crews as well as journalists to visit Russia. We encourage you to contact us so that we can guide you through this difficult process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel to Russia
The country is notorious for its complicated and onerous visa restrictions. While there are some exceptions, entry requirements are both strictly enforced and applicable to all types of tourists. On the plus side, things are better than they once were, but old (Soviet) habits die hard.
Route 1: There is a small list of visa-exempt countries, usually for tourist visits of less than 90 days within any 180-day period. This includes almost all Latin American countries, South Africa, the UAE, and Israel. Please contact us to see if your country may be among them.
Route 2: Russia has recently introduced an eVisa system, which allows for a single entry of no more than 16 days and is valid for 60 days from the date of issue. This list currently features 55 countries, with some surprising inclusions. Citizens of the European Union, China, India, Turkey, Japan, and the Philippines are just some of those included – please view the list of included countries here.
The application is quite straightforward and avoids you having to go to a Russian embassy or apply for a letter or invitation. It costs $40 and takes no more than 4 calendar days to process.
Route 3: If you do not fall into either of these categories then you will have to apply for your visa at your nearest Russian Diplomatic Mission. Firstly, this will involve you getting a Letter Of Invitation (LOI). This sounds more complicated than it is, and we will assist you with this. Once you have secured your place on a tour, we will provide the letter of invitation, outlining your accommodation and travel arrangements in Russia as well as what type of visa you will need (e.g. tourist, multiple entry). This usually takes around 5-10 working days to process.
Once you have your LOI then you can apply for your visa. You will almost certainly be issued a single-entry 30-day visa as default. Please let us know if this is not appropriate for you (e.g. those travelling to South Ossetia requiring a double-entry visa) and we will help with your application accordingly.
1. Fill out the online application, which can be found here.
2. Print off your confirmation of this (which should come with a barcode/QR code), before attaching the following documents:
a. Your physical passport with at least 2 empty pages.
b. A photocopy of your passport.
c. A 3.5 x 4.5cm passport-style photo.
d. Health insurance. (this is not always required, but highly recommended)
e. Your itinerary, travel, and hotel bookings. (usually, these must be made in advance of your application, although we will advise)
3. Some embassies require you to attend an appointment in person, although this does vary. If you are required to visit the embassy then you will bring the documents then rather than mailing them in.
4. Your visa should be processed in around 2 weeks, but you will be required to surrender your passport during this time. The visa is a sticker, taking up a page in your passport.
Each embassy, nationality, and consulate official have their specific requirements. For example, UK nationals are required to attend in person in London. Costs also vary wildly, from as little as $40 to over $400 depending on various factors.
An additional complication arises for those living outside the country of the passport they are using to apply for their visa. This is not usually anything insurmountable, but you may be required to provide proof of residence or visas for the country you are currently in.
Rest assured, however, that we are here to support you through every step of your visa process. We have taken people from dozens of countries to every corner of Russia, and we have experts on the ground who can consult with consular and border officials. Please let us know if you have any questions!
High Season (Summer): warm and featuring long daylight hours, including the famous White Nights in St. Petersburg. There are many cultural events and festivals, as well as opportunities to participate in outdoor activities, river cruises, and enjoying parks and gardens. However, this is also peak tourist season, (especially for domestic tourists) so make sure to plan!
Shoulder Season (Spring and Autumn): with fewer tourists and (usually) without sub-zero temperatures, many consider this the perfect time to visit. Many Russians vacation on the Black Sea at this time, and spring flowers abound everywhere. However, months of snowmelt can make the “slush season” of March-May unpleasant, and some more remote destinations will still be inaccessible.
Low Season (Winter): Many Russian cities are magical in the winter. You can enjoy traditional winter activities such as ice skating and the banyas, while the whole country takes on a party atmosphere around New Year. However, the novelty can wear off after a few days, as temperatures regularly plummet to -20OC in Moscow and -50OC in Siberia. Daylight hours are also very short, especially in Saint Petersburg.
Festivals are one of the best things about travelling to Russia, and it’s fair to say that people are not half-hearted when it comes to partying! Try and plan your trip to coincide with at least one of them!
January 7th marks Russian Orthodox Christmas, due to the Church still using the Julian calendar to mark holidays. This is generally a private celebration for families rather than a large social gathering with friends, a legacy of the Soviet’s attempts to secularize Russian society. Don’t worry, though, as Russians have very much made New Year the biggest social event of them all to make up for it. Red Square and Palace Square host millions, and very much put New York’s Times Square Ball to shame!
Victory Day is celebrated on May 7th and commemorates the Soviet Victory over Nazi Germany. While famous for producing the giant military marches seen on Red Square, you will be unable to attend in person unless you count the president of a former Soviet Republic among your close friends. However, while the morning is a sombre time of reflection, there are often concerts and large firework displays at night which are well worth joining. Russia Day, celebrated on June 12th, is the country's de facto Independence Day and is observed with great enthusiasm by Russians.
It is worth remembering that Russia is one of the most multiethnic as well as largest countries in the world. With almost 200 ethnic groups and 20% of the country being comprised of ethnic minorities, there are countless festivals across the country representing each of them. One of our favourites is the Reindeer Herders Festival of the Nenets people, at the end of March.
Major issues for tourists travelling to Russia concern accessing funds (given international sanctions) as well as navigating the delicate political situation. Please be cognizant of what you are saying and avoid discussing the Russian war against Ukraine, officially referred to as the “special military operation” in Russia. Take a neutral stance on foreign affairs and aim to listen rather than critique the views of people you meet. While some Russians oppose what their government has done, we ask you to keep your opinions to yourself and leave your more sensitive questions for your YPT guide.
So far, there has been a very limited spillover from the war into Mainland Russia – our tours do not go near the Ukrainian border. Unrelated, there is still some risk that comes with travelling to the Northern Caucasus (Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia), but the region has stabilized greatly in the last decade, and we work closely with our local partners there to ensure your safety when we travel to this fascinating part of the country. While terrorism has sadly affected Russia recently, the risks here are not particularly greater than in the Western world. Take the normal precautions that you would in any country, and you should be fine!
Stories of out-of-control petty crime, robberies, and kidnappings are largely a hangover from outdated travel guides of the 1990s. Your bigger worry is dealing with chaotic Russian drivers, although Moscow’s notorious traffic jams often make it difficult to do much damage there!
Contrary to popular belief, homosexuality is legal in Russia. However, there have been significant activities to target the LGBT+ community in recent years, including the passing of a 2013 “Gay Propaganda” law. While few Russians could be considered deeply religious, homosexuality is generally seen as an immoral, Western decadence in a country which remains socially conservative. Dating apps such as Tinder and Grindr have also been used to entrap members of the LGBT+ community. Therefore, it is recommended in the strongest terms to keep your sexuality private while in the country.
International sanctions have cut off Russia from the global banking system, so you must bring enough physical cash with you for your entire stay. Currency exchange services are available at airports, banks, and exchange bureaus, and rates are good for US Dollars and Euros. Other major currencies can be changed at some locations, although at much worse rates. Do not expect to pay in anything other than Rubles when shopping in Russia – trying to do so is technically illegal.
However, given the country's vast size and diverse population, many other languages are also spoken, particularly in regions with significant ethnic minority groups. Some of these languages include Tatar, Bashkir, Chuvash, Chechen, and others, reflecting the diverse cultural and ethnic landscape of Russia. In major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, you may also find people who speak English, especially in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants. However, outside of these areas, English is less commonly spoken, so learning a few basic Russian phrases will be very helpful.
Russian (and almost all of Russia’s minority languages) is written in the Cyrillic alphabet, which shares some similarities with the Greek and Latin alphabets. If you have the time, we recommend that you try and learn the Cyrillic alphabet, which is not as difficult as you may expect. It will make it easier to recognize city names (Москва 🡪 Moscow), with some words very similar to their English counterparts (ресторан 🡪 restaurant).
We strongly advise having comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical expenses, including evacuation in case of severe illness or injury. As a legacy of the Soviet period, Russian medics are often extremely knowledgeable but must work with outdated equipment. Although there are medical facilities of an international standard in major cities, this is not true of much of the country’s rural interior.
You should always do your own research about insurance, but we at YPT use IATI. Using our referral link below will give you a 5% discount off their usual price: https://www.iatitravelinsurance.com/en/?r=23612524710385
We are not doctors, so we recommend talking to your medical professional and checking out our blog post, Seven Essential Health Tips for Globe-Trotters
Internet censorship in Russia means some major websites and social media platforms are banned or restricted. However, these restrictions can be bypassed using a VPN, which is easier in Russia compared to more heavily censored countries like China. Additionally, Russians often use local alternatives such as Telegram for messaging instead of WhatsApp and Facebook, and Yandex for search and other online services instead of Google.
The Russian postal service is generally reliable, albeit sometimes slow. Stamps for postcards are reasonably priced, and it typically takes around two to three weeks for mail to reach Europe.
We have worked with our network of professional and bilingual guides for years, and we know that they possess a unique insight into travelling throughout this country. These relationships allow us to offer our clients a fascinating perspective on the real Russia. We aim to introduce you to key people and offer the hidden gems of Russia that seldom few ever see.
Our name, Young Pioneer Tours, is inspired by the Young Pioneers of the Soviet Union, which perfectly reflects our commitment to exploring and understanding the diverse and rich history of Russia. We can promise you that a tour with us will go beyond the usual tourist experience!
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