Visa - Russia

It is probably best to use a ship tour. The visa process is quite expensive; I went last year and think it was about $100 per visa needed, and that was doing it on my own through the embassy. We went to Moscow then, but did a cruise a few years ago that went to St. Pete.

Plus, the big ships dock quite aways from the city and it is really not possible to get there on your own.

I used this outfit:

http://www.gotorussia.net/visa/russian_visa.htm

Thanks

Hi, Rosemary
Like Mike suggested, take the tours from the cruise ship and you won't need a visa; of course, you can't leave the ship on your own, either. We were in St. Petersburg last fall for several days and the visas took some time and effort to get and cost around $200+ each as I recall. Enjoy STPB, it is a beautiful city.
Ash

This is about the only time I recommend taking ship excursions. The Russian visa is a big hassle. It is my understanding for a couple of other sources that a new dock much closer to the city center has opened for cruise ships. Anyone with first hand experience? When we were there five or six years ago we were docked in a industrial area that was ugly with appeared to be homeless people living on the docks.

Thanks all for your help. We have decided to use the ships tours and forego a visa. It's too expensive for such a short time. Thanks again. Rosemary

We are going to St Petersburg in June and I have found several tour guides that do not require Visas if you are on a Cruise ship. I do not like ship tours, there are too many people and it seems like a cattle call at every stop. For the same price you can get a private tour from a great guide. I am still looking for a guide in St Petersburg. Anyone have any suggestions