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'''Russia''' is the largest country on Earth, and is a fantastic country for hitch hiking. It is well ingrained within the country's culture, and it is a much more comfortable way to see the country, compared to taking the train. Despite the popularity of hitch hiking compared to other countries, people will still be surprised by what you are doing. Especially if you are (and look like) a foreigner.

Also, there are maps almost completely presenting full infrastructure of some cities including public transportation system at [http://www.2gis.ru/ 2gis.ru]. November, 1st 2009 there were 22 cities: Астрахань, Барнаул, Бийск, Екатеринбург, Иркутск, Казань, Кемерово ,Красноярск ,Курган, Нижневартовск, Нижний Новгород, Новокузнецк, Новосибирск, Одесса, Омск, Пермь, Самара, Тольятти, Томск, Тюмень, Уфа, Челябинск. U can use on-line version or download installer and use maps off-line. Also there is opportunity to use 2gis on Windows Mobile platform and even on usual cellphone with Java MIDP-2 engine (needs internet access).A more modern alternative is Maps.me, as it has offline maps and shows gas stations. (Most platforms) Another alternative Application to MapsMe is Yandex Maps. It's like Russian Goole maps. You can download offline maps there and find every address or public transport.(July 2019)

Also, there is a possibility to get a lift by talking to drivers on gas stations. You will not be misunderstood but since there are almost no highways and you can point your thumb anywhere, wasting time on a gas station waiting for cars is not preferred unless there is heavy raining, or the spot is bad etc. If there are two of you one can hitch on the road and the other one ask people on nearby gas station; that really might bring you a lift faster. But the “default” method of hitchhiking in Russia is still thumbing on the roadside ;). If you don't speak the language, thumbing is better - as people will just drive towards your direction and you can join them.

Hitchhiking in Russian is called ''автостоп'' (avtostop). It literally means “car stopping”, and is basically the only word understood as hitching (i.e. travelling by getting lifts for free). A more colloquial word for it is "попутка" (poputka). When people ask you anywhere in Russia: "куда ты едешь?" (Kuda TjIE edesh?)[where are you going to?) ] you should answer: "я еду автостопом" (ya yedu avtostopom), then they will ask you another question and this time you say the name of the city. It might be better and more polite to ask "Вы могли бы подкинуть меня в направлении ..." (Vy mogli by podkinut menya v napravlenii ...), which means "Could you give me a lift in the direction of ...".

If the area feels unsafe you might want to hitchhike from police post to police post. The police posts situated on all highways with intervals of about 100 km. These posts, commonly called "ДПС" (Post DPS), are good places to hitchhike since cars will drive by slowly, and police is always close. Local hitchhikers swear on these police posts. You can also ask the police officers to help you get a ride which really might work. Be prepared to be asked for your ID or even run a cell-phone check (verification that your cell is not in the stolen cells database), though.

== Border Crossings, Police, Visas and formalities ==The general consensus is that, providing your passport and visa are in order, you will have no problem entering Russia. Even hitching in at remote border crossings in the middle of the night is fine. However you are very likely Ultimate Guide to be held when leaving the country by a land crossing, particularly if hitching out. You will most likely be required to describe your trip in great detail€35 Russian Visa without an Agency for Most EU Citizens (except UK, Ireland and explain other passport stamps. Do not worry if this happensCroatia, just answer their questions and you will be allowed to go. (eventuallyamong others) Whilst hitching in Russia, the police will occasionally stop the vehicle you are travelling in to check the driver's documents. There is a small possibility that your driver will be asked about you, the passenger. This is likely to be the only time your ID is likely to be checked when hitching in Russia, other than at the borders. The police will not ask for too much information usually; they will look at your passport, visa and immigration card, and they may take notes of your name and address. They will most likely not check your visa registration.  You do have to have your passport with the visa and other papers you get while crossing the border handy. A good idea is to put them in some transparent waterproof bag – the immigration card is absolutely soviet style, and will not survive even the light raining. ==

As a visitor to Russia, it is important to understand ''Most Russian embassies in the registration rules. Officially, EU don't require you must register your to submit an application through a visa in Russia within 3 working days of arriving in the country, and also subsequently register again in any town center/travel agent or city you remain in for 3 days or longer though in 2011, the rules apparently changed: Now you only have to register if you stay somewhere for upwards from seven business days, i.e. nine "real" days. The registration upon arrival also isn't necessary complete any more. Furthermoreadditional steps, the new law clearly stipulates that but it's your ''hostvery important to check the respective embassy'swebsite for their particular requirements.'' responsibility to register you (i.e. hotel, hostel, or potentially private host). To be sure, check with people who know what they're talking about [http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forum.jspa?forumID=15&keywordid=142 such as the thorn tree forum].

Hotels are legally required to register foreign guests within 24 hours. Hostels are, too, but in practice often don't or only do for a fee1. If you are being hosted by a private citizen then you can register Get an appointment at the post officerespective embassy of your choice. This process is complicated and time consuming unfortunately, but registration provides peace the biggest hassle of mind that you will have no problems if the police or border police try entire process as appointments are usually booked out for at least two months ahead... You'll find a link to find anythe online appointment booking system on the embassy's website - it'll look something like http://paris.kdmid.ru/queue-en/. Record the appointment details.

If 2. Two weeks or so before your appointment, book accommodation through this [http://www.saint-petersburg.com/russian-visa/free-visa-support/ website]'s affiliate link to Booking.com. They give free tourist invitations to anyone who books using their affiliate link - it's important to follow the link to Booking.com from their website. As it's Booking.com, you do not plan can give them a fake credit card (using a fake CC number generator of course) and you don't actually have to stay at the places or pay for a long time just have some strong evidence that you have just arrivedthem in advance. Buy a vegan hamburger if But you can find one and keep do need the receipt before leaving some nice town or city reservations. Alternatively, you pass by (make sure there is could also get an invitation through the place‘s name on many websites which offer itfor as low as €10 (look up Fortuna Travel). The train or bus tickets are - but the best means to persuade cops steps above will get you are not hanging around Stone for free. Petersburg for half a year already''Recent reports seem to suggest that the agency is getting wary of suspicious free visa support request, so if you might take a short ride on a local train from time 're going to time to have Russia for longer than a set of tickets marking your way. Alternativelyweek, you might also get your visa registered 're probably better off coughing up the once for peace of mind€10.''

The border police do not often check visa registration3. Once you've managed to successfully book accommodation through Booking.com, particularly at non European borders, as it is too much hasslefill out this [https://www. Some regular tourists in Russia comment that the cost and time consumption of registering a visa is too great, and prefer to hope that they are not checked when leavingsaint-petersburg. However if you are caught with an unregistered com/russian-visa, expect at least a 2000 Ruble fine (as of before 2011 /free-visa- we are not aware support/request/ form]. They should send you scans of how the situation is now)invitation to your e-mail. Print those out.

3a. If you need a visa for over 30 days, then you have to get a "Business" visa instead of a tourist visa. It's Russia, so white lies are travelling anywhere North not out of Stthe ordinary here. Petersburg.. To get a business visa, you'll need a more expensive invitation (usually between €45-80), particularly around Murmansk but the visa fee remains the same and towards Norwaythe same visa support companies issue these. For visas up to 180 days, it a simple stamped letter over email is highly recommended that you register your visa. In early 2011enough, user haggismn had registration and other documents checked three times at but this really depends on the various military check pointsembassy. For a 1-year visa(not including although it's valid for a year, one entry can only be 90 days), you'd need a formal invitation initiated by the company via the Norwegian border itself)Russian Migration Service, which is much more expensive and can take up to a month.

4. Fill out this [https://visa.kdmid.ru/PetitionChoice.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=== Border Crossing ===1 form] exactly as you've filled out the previous form. This is the official Russian form which you'll submit to the embassy. Print it. Sign it. Glue a passport photo onto it (3.5x4.5cm size).

Citizens of most countries 5. Get travel insurance which has at least €30,000 cover. Print a confirmation. If you're good enough with photoshop you can give them something legit looking. You'll also probably need a visa, this at the notable exceptions are most former Soviet states (apart from the Baltic states) and Israel. Most visa types require an invitationRussian border.

==== [[Azerbaijan]] ====The border seems 6. Go to be open only the embassy for holders your appointment with all the paperwork (printout of CIS passportsthe invitation, the official Russian form with your signature and photos and confirmation of insurance). Pay them €35. Wait for the visa.

Official sources (f.e. the German ministry of foreign affairs) say that this status changed and now it is possible also for Non CIS passport holder7.Have fun in Russia!

Please check IMPORTANT: Every embassy and every nationality is different! Check the discussion about this. Before embassy website before following these steps as there is an confirmation by a traveller that crossed that border, the status will may be extra requirements not be updated only to "open" instead of "disputed".covered here!

==== [[Belarus]] =E-Visa === The border between Russia and Belarus is open. You will feel almost like in other parts of EuropeStarting from July 1, no border controls with an everlasting que at all. This is of course a nice time-saving fact, but it also means that you will recieve no entrance stamp to Russia.After the German embassy was creative enough to recommend to go to an airport and ask random police for an entrance stamp, the ministry of foreign affairs in Moscow confirmed that this is no problem for an overland traveller on another border and at the crossing to Kazakhstan nobody asked about the missing stamp. '''UPDATE''' (2017): Third country nationals (ie. not [[CIS]]) are no longer allowed to cross the Belarus/Russia border even with a valid visa for both 2019 people from many countries, due to reciprocity measures undertaken by the Russian Government because of EU sanctions. Non-CIS travelers are redirected to cross from Lithuania or Ukraine. There are checks at all major transit points. "Sneaking in" at a random village is not advised. ==== [[People's_Republic_of_China|China]] ====The crossing at Zabaykal'sk/Manzhouli requires that you are on board a vehicle. It is possible to can get on board a Chinese tour bus for around 300 roubles. It is also ok electronic visa to stand before the entrance to the border area and wait for a ride. As long as its not too cold, you shouldn't have any problem getting a ride. If you are not Chinese, Mongolian or Russian, prepare to be interrogated by enter the Russian border police about your journey. Coming from China is a similar process, however you will probably not be interrogated. ==== [[Estonia]] ====It is possible to cross the border by foot. ==== [[Finland]] ====* [[Torfyanovka-Valimaa border crossing‎]]* [[Brusnichnoe-Nuijamaa border crossing]] ==== [[Georgia]] ====The [[Verkhny Lars-Darial Gorge border crossing|Verkhny Lars - Darial Gorge crossingFar Eastern Federal District]] was reopened on March 1st, 2010 and since July 2011 is open for international travellers as well. Getting into [[Georgia]] via [[Abkhazia]] is not possible. For more specific information, check the [[Abkhazia]] article. === [[Kazakhstan]] ===  ==== [[Latvia]] ====It's no problem to walk over the checkpoints between Latvia and Russia.* [[Terehova-Zasitino border crossing]], towards [[Riga]]  ==== [[Lithuania]] ==== No border from Lithuania to the main land of Russia (so you have to go via Latvia), but there are several border crossings between Lithuania and Russia's [[Kaliningrad Oblast]] * [[Chernyshevskoye-Kybartai border crossing]] ==== [[Mongolia]] ==== ==== [[North_Korea|North Korea]] ====As there is currently no chance for independent travelling/hitch hiking in North Korea, there is also no possibility to cross the border by hitch hiking. ==== [[Norway]] ====The high amount of security between Murmansk and the border with Norway is a relic of Soviet rule, when people could escape into Norway without fear of being deported, unlike Finland. You will find that it isn't possible to walk to the border. From about 5 km out you will need to be in a vehicle. However, hitching e-visa is no problem, provided your documents free and registration are in order (they will be checked)lasts only for eight days. The army may also assist you in getting a ride at the military check points. If you are leaving Russia, prepare to Rules for these visas can be interrogated at the Russian side of found on the border about your journey. ==== official website [[Poland]] ==== * [[Bagrationovsk-Bezledy border crossing]] with Russia's [[Kaliningrad Oblast]] ==== [[Ukraine]] ====The country is Russia's eternal 'native brother' and, despite all the political mess that constantly happens between the two states, [[Ukraine]] is one of the countries that is very easy to enter from Russia (Russians do not even need a foreign passport to enter it, as well as for [[Belarus]])https://evisa. Make sure that the border crossing is working before attempting to use itkdmid. The big gate on the M2ru/E95 road ([[Moscow]] to [[Kharkiv]]) can be crossed on foot, which is very convenient because you do not have to wait in the line of the cars and you wont make your driver wait for you in case you have any delays with your passport. You will have to leave the car before all the checkpoints begin, though, or you will be considered a car passenger by the border police.