Russia 2026 Guide: Tsars, Siberia & the World's Largest Country
Russia is unlike anywhere else on earth. Spanning 11 time zones and covering one-eighth of the world's land surface, it is a country of staggering contrasts — Imperial palaces and Soviet monuments, world-class art museums and raw Siberian wilderness, bustling Moscow boulevards and the eerie silence of Lake Baikal. For Indian travellers, Russia is an increasingly accessible destination with an e-visa system, direct flights from Delhi, and a warm cultural affinity born of decades of India-Russia friendship.
The classic Russia itinerary pairs Moscow and St. Petersburg, two cities so different in character that they feel like separate countries. Moscow is power and ambition: the Kremlin, Red Square, and the dazzling underground palaces of the Metro. St. Petersburg is beauty and art: the Hermitage, canals, Peterhof's cascading fountains, and the White Nights of June, when the sky never fully darkens. Add Lake Baikal and the Trans-Siberian Railway for a journey that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
This 2026 Russia Travel Guide by Kins Voyage is built specifically for Indian travellers — covering visa requirements, the best time to visit, how to handle payments without international cards, what to eat, where to stay, and how much everything costs from India. Whether you're planning a quick 7-day city break or an epic 2-week Trans-Siberian adventure, this guide has everything you need to plan with confidence.
Key Takeaways
Things You Must Know Before You Go
1
E-Visa available for Indians — 30 days, apply online in minutes. Indian citizens can obtain a Russian e-visa valid for up to 30 days for a single entry, applied for entirely online at evisa.kdmid.ru. Processing takes as little as 4 working days. No embassy visit required — making Russia far more accessible than most people assume.
2
Visa/Mastercard don't work — carry USD/EUR cash before you land. Due to international sanctions, most Indian bank cards (Visa, Mastercard) are not accepted in Russia. Carry US Dollars or Euros from India and exchange at Russian banks for the best rates. UnionPay cards work at many ATMs. Plan your cash budget carefully before arrival.
3
Best time to visit: May–June (White Nights) and September. Late May to June is the sweet spot — warm weather across major cities, St. Petersburg's magical White Nights phenomenon (sky stays bright until midnight), and manageable crowds before July peak season. September is equally beautiful with autumn foliage and fewer tourists.
4
Direct flights from Delhi — 8 hrs to Moscow with Aeroflot. Aeroflot and Air India operate direct flights from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport to Moscow Sheremetyevo. The flight takes approximately 7.5–8 hours. Connecting options via Dubai, Istanbul, or Tashkent are available from multiple Indian cities and are often cheaper.
5
Lake Baikal is a once-in-a-lifetime experience — don't skip it. The world's deepest lake holds 20% of Earth's unfrozen fresh water. In summer, the clarity of Baikal's water is otherworldly; in winter, it freezes into transparent ice sheets you can walk on. Fly Moscow–Irkutsk (5 hrs) and add 2–3 Baikal days to any Russia itinerary.
Must-See
Top Attractions in BALI TRAVEL GUIDE 2026
Red Square & St. Basil's Cathedral
The iconic heart of Russia — Red Square flanked by the colourful onion domes of St. Basil's (1555) and the imposing Kremlin walls. Best visited at sunrise.
The Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg
One of the world's greatest art repositories with 3 million+ objects across six historic buildings including the Winter Palace. Pre-book tickets online.
Peterhof Palace & Grand Cascade
Russia's answer to Versailles — 64 fountains and 255 golden statues set in manicured gardens on the Gulf of Finland. Take the hydrofoil (30 min).
Experiences
Top Things To Do in BALI TRAVEL GUIDE 2026
Lake Baikal, Siberia
The world's deepest lake (1,642m) holds 20% of Earth's unfrozen fresh water. Crystal-clear summer swimming or surreal winter ice walks — both bucket-list.
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Architectural Gem
Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood
St. Petersburg's most photographed landmark — built on the assassination site of Tsar Alexander II, with a jaw-dropping interior of colourful mosaics.
Moscow Metro — Underground Palaces
Not just transport — Moscow's metro stations are ornate Soviet-era masterpieces with chandeliers, mosaics and marble. Ride the Circle Line for best stations.
Travel Intelligence
Essential Bali Travel Tips & Practical Guide
▶ Getting to Russia from India
The most convenient route is a direct flight from Delhi (DEL) to Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO) with Aeroflot or Air India — approximately 7.5–8 hours. Return economy tickets start from ₹35,000–₹55,000 booked 2–3 months in advance. Connecting flights via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Dubai (Emirates/Flydubai), or Tashkent (Uzbekistan Airways) are available from Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai. Use Aviasales.com to search — it aggregates Russian and regional airline fares not always visible on Google Flights.
▶ Visa for Indian Travellers
Indian citizens require a visa to enter Russia. The Russian e-Visa (30-day, single entry) is the easiest option — apply online at the official portal, pay approximately ₹2,800–₹4,500, and receive approval within 4 working days. Enter via a designated e-visa checkpoint (Moscow Sheremetyevo, St. Petersburg Pulkovo, etc.). For longer stays, a Tourist Sticker Visa (up to 60 days) is available through the Russian Embassy or VFS Global centres in major Indian cities. Required: valid passport (6+ months validity), confirmed hotel bookings, return flights, travel insurance, and proof of sufficient funds.
▶ Money & Payments in Russia
IMPORTANT: Visa and Mastercard do not work in Russia due to international sanctions. Carry USD or EUR cash from India — exchange at Russian banks (avoid airport booths). UnionPay cards work at many Russian ATMs and shops. Budget your daily cash carefully: ₹3,000–₹5,000/day covers food, transport and minor expenses in cities. Yandex Pay and Mir cards work domestically — some hotels can help set up Mir cards for longer stays.
▶ Getting Around Russia
The Sapsan high-speed train connects Moscow and St. Petersburg in just 4 hours — tickets from ₹2,000 in 2nd class, bookable at rzd.ru. For Siberia, domestic flights (Aeroflot, S7 Airlines) connect Moscow to Irkutsk in 5 hours from approximately ₹5,000 one way. Within cities, the Moscow Metro is excellent — get a Troika card (₹50/ride). Yandex Taxi is the local Uber equivalent — reliable, affordable, app works in English.
▶ Where to Stay
In Moscow, stay in Tverskoy / Centre for walking access to Red Square and Kremlin, or Zamoskvorechye for a trendier, more affordable option with great metro links. In St. Petersburg, Nevsky Prospekt area puts you within walking distance of the Hermitage, Church of Spilled Blood, and the city's best cafés. Budget hotels: ₹2,500/night+; 3-star: ₹5,000–₹9,000; 4–5 star international: ₹15,000+.
▶ Food & Drink — What to Try
Must-try Russian dishes: Borscht (deep red beetroot soup with sour cream — Russia's most iconic dish), Blini (thin pancakes with sour cream, honey, or caviar), Pelmeni (Russian dumplings similar to momos, in broth or with butter), Kvass (mildly fermented bread drink from street vendors — refreshing and unique), Omul fish (smoked endemic Baikal fish — must-try if you visit Lake Baikal), Olivier Salad (Russia's beloved potato salad, on every menu). Indian restaurants exist in Moscow (Tandoor, Maharaja) and St. Petersburg.
▶ Safety & Cultural Tips
Russia is generally safe for tourists in major cities — exercise normal urban caution. Avoid discussing politics. Hotels automatically register your stay (required by law). Keep a photocopy of your passport and visa at all times. Emergency number: 112. Check the Indian Ministry of External Affairs travel advisory before departure. When visiting Orthodox churches, dress modestly — women must cover head, shoulders, and knees. Remove shoes when entering Russian homes.
▶ Best Time to Visit Russia
May–June is the ideal window — warm, long days, St. Petersburg's White Nights (sky never darkens in June), and moderate hotel prices before July peak. September offers beautiful autumn colours and fewer crowds. December–February is extreme cold but magical for winter sports, Lake Baikal ice experiences, and the Northern Lights in Murmansk — not recommended for first-time visitors without preparation.
