Driving Helsinki to St Petersburg

[jontymo]

Just wondering if anyone has popped into Russia from Finland for a night in there car and is it safe? how did you find it? etc etc

Background is there is a group of us travelling up to the Artic circle next year and on the way up we will hit Helsinki, with St Petersburg only 4 hours away we are wondering should we do it in our cars. we will be in a Porsche Cayman R with some other sports cars in tow!

Cheers All

[sneijder]

I know a guy from St Peters. He uses Helsinki if he can't fly back. 3 hour drive he reckons.

Bit of legwork visas etc for 1 night though ? You have Tallin over the water in a ferry.

[probedb]

You need a visa to visit Russia. I'm going to SPb next year to visit friends

[Puggit]

Not only do you need a visa, you need an invitation to get a visa (easily done by contacting a travel agent).

Then you need to travel to Edinburgh or London to process the application (and pray you filled out the form correctly!).

I work for an SPB based company - and have to visit every freezing January! Mind you, I met PHer Poledriver at the airport there. Small world etc!

[PoleDriver]

I wouldn't want to drive a decent car in St Petersburg, the roads are awful and the Russians drive like maniacs!

[Mobile Chicane]

Winter tyres are advised in Estonia from 1 October - 30 April, and mandatory from 1 December - 1 March.

I'd imagine it's the same deal in Russia, advisable if not strictly enforced.

[jontymo]

Cheers all, the trip will be next July but looks like a fair bit of hassle for Russia, if not just means an extra day up at the Artic LOL

jontymo

[Puggit]

I'd suggest looking at doing a night in SPB by train! Probably a lot easier, and I think it can be done without a visa...

[PoleDriver]

Puggit said:

I'd suggest looking at doing a night in SPB by train! Probably a lot easier, and I think it can be done without a visa...

Just make sure that you don't run foul of the Russian customs on the way out!

[Puggit]

PoleDriver said:

Puggit said:

I'd suggest looking at doing a night in SPB by train! Probably a lot easier, and I think it can be done without a visa...

Just make sure that you don't run foul of the Russian customs on the way out!

One of the worst 5 mins of my life, looking after your luggage at LED

[PoleDriver]

Puggit said:

PoleDriver said:

Puggit said:

I'd suggest looking at doing a night in SPB by train! Probably a lot easier, and I think it can be done without a visa...

Just make sure that you don't run foul of the Russian customs on the way out!

One of the worst 5 mins of my life, looking after your luggage at LED