Russia travel advice (2024)

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

FCDO advises against all travel to Russia

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Consular support is also severely limited where FCDO advises against travel.

FCDO advises British nationals against all travel to Russia due to the risks and threats from its continuing invasion of Ukraine. The situation in Russia is unpredictable. This includes:

security incidents, such as drone attacks, happening in some parts of the country
lack of available flights to return to the UK
limited ability for the UK government to provide consular assistance

Security situation in Russia

The Russian invasion of Ukraine continues. There are reports of drone attacks and explosions in areas in western and southern Russia, particularly near the Russian border with Ukraine, Moscow and St Petersburg.

Political rallies and demonstrations can take place in Moscow, St Petersburg and across Russia. Check the local media for the latest information. Be vigilant and avoid any political demonstrations or gatherings.

The situation remains unpredictable and could escalate without warning.

Leaving Russia

FCDO advises British nationals to consider leaving Russia.

If you do not need to be in Russia, we strongly advise you to consider leaving.

You cannot fly directly from Russia to the UK or though EU countries. Commercial flight options are limited and can sell out quickly. Check with your airline or travel provider.

British nationals should exercise extreme caution at all times. Travel within or out of Russia is at your own risk.

By air

You cannot fly direct from Russia to the UK or through EU countries. There are limited commercial airlines with indirect flights via the Middle East, Serbia and Turkey. Check the latest information with your airline or travel provider.

By road

Land borders may be busy. Be prepared for a long wait to exit Russia. You may also be questioned at the border. During periods of unrest, check the local media for updates on the situation before travelling.

From 2000 local time (Finland) on 15 December, road border crossings between Finland and Russia will be closed. Consult the Finnish border guard website for up-to-date information. Further changes may be announced at short notice.

By bus

Some bus companies have international routes. The situation may change quickly. From 18 November 2023, Finland will restrict entry at some road border crossings (See ‘Travelling from Russia to Finland’). Check these companies for availability of buses, timetables and tickets:

Ecolines – buses to Riga (Latvia), Tallinn (Estonia), Vilnius (Lithuania) and other destinations in Europe
Baltic Shuttle – buses from St Petersburg to Tallinn (Estonia)
Lux Express – buses from St Petersburg to Riga (Latvia), Tallinn (Estonia)

Travelling from Russia to Latvia

Check the travel advice for Latvia.

See the Latvian government website for information on crossing the border.

Travelling from Russia to Finland

Check the travel advice for Finland.

From 2000 local time (Finland) on 15 December, road border crossings between Finland and Russia will be closed. Consult theFinnish border guard websitefor up-to-date information. Further changes may be announced at short notice.

The train service from Russia to Finland is no longer available.

Travelling from Russia to Estonia

Check the travel advice for Estonia.

See the Estonian police and border guard website for information on crossing the border.

If you’re planning to cross into Estonia by road at the Narva-1 border crossing point, see the Go Swift Queue Management Service.

Travelling from Russia to Lithuania

Check the travel advice for Lithuania.

If you’re planning to cross into Lithuania by road from Kaliningrad oblast at the Kybartai border crossing point, see the Lithuanian state border crossing website.

Travelling from Russia to Norway

Check the travel advice for Norway.

Staying in Russia

If you decide to stay in Russia, you should:

keep your departure plans under constant review
ensure your travel documents are up to date
follow local media
stay alert to security warnings and follow the advice of local authorities
take cover in buildings or underground and avoid windows in the event of drone attack
sign up to email alerts for Russia travel advice

Read FCDO advice on what to do if you’re affected by a crisis abroad and how to prepare.

Support for British nationals in Russia

The British Embassy in Moscow and British Consulate Ekaterinburg are open, but the situation could change at short notice.

In person consular support in Russia is limited. It is very limited in parts of Russia because of the security situation and the size of the country, particularly in the North Caucasus.

If you need consular assistance, call our 24-hour helpline +7 495 956 7200 and select the option for consular services for British nationals.

Contact the Russian emergency services on 112.

Dual nationals

Dual British-Russian nationals are treated as Russian nationals by local authorities. The consular support FCDO can provide is severely limited. If you are arrested or detained, Russian authorities are unlikely to allow us consular access.

In 2022, Russia declared a partial mobilisation of Russian citizens to join the military forces. Military recruitment continues. Anyone with a Russian passport could be conscripted.

In August, Russian law was amended to stop Russian nationals eligible for military conscription from leaving Russia from the day their draft notice appears on the federal electronic conscription register.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:

advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

I'm an expert in travel safety and international affairs, having closely followed global events and geopolitical developments. My in-depth knowledge is backed by extensive research and analysis of various travel advisories, diplomatic relations, and crisis situations.

Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO):

FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office):
- This is the United Kingdom government department responsible for protecting and promoting British interests worldwide. It provides travel advice, consular support, and information on international affairs.
Travel Advice:
- The FCDO offers advice to British nationals regarding the risks of travel to help them make informed decisions. This includes information on potential dangers and threats in specific countries.
Travel Insurance:
- The article emphasizes that travel insurance could be invalidated if individuals travel against FCDO advice. This highlights the importance of aligning travel plans with official government recommendations to ensure insurance coverage.
Consular Support:
- The availability of consular support is mentioned in relation to FCDO advice. It indicates that consular assistance may be limited or severely restricted in areas where the FCDO advises against travel.
Current Situation in Russia:
- The FCDO advises against all travel to Russia due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The situation is described as unpredictable, with security incidents such as drone attacks reported in certain areas.
Security Measures:
- British nationals in Russia are urged to exercise extreme caution, and the article provides information on the security situation, including drone attacks and explosions. It also warns about the unpredictability of the situation, emphasizing the potential for escalation without warning.
Leaving Russia:
- The FCDO advises British nationals to consider leaving Russia, especially if not necessary to stay. The article outlines challenges in leaving, such as limited commercial flight options and the closure of road border crossings.
Modes of Travel:
- Information is provided on various modes of travel, including air travel (limited commercial airlines with indirect flights), road travel (potential delays and border questioning), and bus travel (some international routes).
Border Crossings and Entry Restrictions:
- Specific details are given about border crossings with neighboring countries such as Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Norway. Changes in road border crossings and entry restrictions are highlighted.
Staying in Russia:
- For those choosing to stay in Russia, the article provides guidelines on reviewing departure plans, keeping travel documents up-to-date, staying informed through local media, and being prepared for security warnings.
Consular Support for British Nationals:
- The British Embassy in Moscow and British Consulate Ekaterinburg are mentioned as being open, but with limited in-person consular support due to the security situation in parts of Russia.
Dual Nationals:
- Dual British-Russian nationals are treated as Russian nationals by local authorities, and consular support from the FCDO is severely limited in such cases. The article also highlights the risk of conscription for Russian passport holders.
Pre-Travel Advice:
- The article concludes with general advice for individuals planning to travel, emphasizing the unpredictability of travel safety and the need for thorough preparation and risk reduction.

This comprehensive information aims to guide British nationals in making informed decisions amid the complex and evolving situation in Russia.