Estonia ↔ Russia Border in 2026: How to Get to Russia from Tallinn, Riga and Tartu and Which Crossing to Choose
Updated 1 November 2026
You can travel from Estonia to Russia today through three border crossings: Narva ↔ Ivangorod, Koidula ↔ Kunichina Gora and Luhamaa ↔ Shumilkino. They are used by people flying into Tallinn or Riga and by those arriving by ferry from Helsinki. Here is how the crossings differ, how long the trip takes and how to choose the best way to Pskov, St Petersburg or Moscow.
Want us to plan the route? Message us on WhatsApp or Telegram with where you are travelling from, the date and number of passengers. We will tell you which crossing is best right now and reply right away.
Estonia ↔ Russia border today: opening hours and checks
All crossings between Estonia and Russia are open daily from 07:00 to 19:00. Since 1 October 2026 there are checks in both directions, so choosing both the crossing and the time matters. Crossing on foot usually takes an hour, at most an hour and a half. If you travel on a visa, an interview is mandatory, and with dual citizenship it is at the discretion of the passport control officer. Veterinary control operates at all three crossings, on both the Estonian and the Russian side.
Narva ↔ Ivangorod
The closest crossing to Tallinn, but also the busiest: queues form here in both directions. A place in the queue in Narva is sold for 50 EUR per person, on the Ivangorod side for 5,000 to 10,000 roubles. More in our articles Narva ↔ Ivangorod border 2026 and Ivangorod border queue and checks, and the transfer is on the Tallinn ↔ Narva page.
Koidula ↔ Kunichina Gora
Koidula has far fewer people than Narva, which is the main reason to choose it for trips to Pskov, St Petersburg or Moscow. From Tallinn it is 280 km, about 3 hours from the airport, sedan 250 EUR, minivan 320 EUR: Tallinn ↔ Koidula transfer. From Riga about 3 hours 30 minutes, sedan 260 EUR, minivan 340 EUR: Riga ↔ Koidula transfer. From Tartu: Tartu ↔ Koidula transfer. A detailed trip plan is in From Tallinn to Pskov, St Petersburg and Moscow via Koidula.
Luhamaa ↔ Shumilkino
Luhamaa is sometimes even quieter than Koidula right now, but buses also cross here, so arrival time matters most. From Tallinn it is 285 km, about 3 hours from the airport and 3 hours 20 minutes from the port or city centre, sedan 250 EUR, minivan 320 EUR: Tallinn ↔ Luhamaa transfer. From Riga: Riga ↔ Luhamaa transfer. From Tartu: Tartu ↔ Luhamaa transfer.
Crossing the Estonia ↔ Russia border by car
Crossing in your own car is harder than on foot. You need to catch a slot in the electronic queue and book it. Slots are released every day after 00:00 for two weeks ahead and are taken very quickly. You can also come to the live queue, but then your car is called to customs only after all the cars with slots have passed and a free window appears. Waiting in the live queue reaches a full day, and sometimes two or three days.
That is why many people choose to cross on foot with two transfers: our driver takes you to the border, you cross on foot, and on the Russian side the second driver meets you. No need to catch a slot or spend a day at the border.
From Helsinki via Tallinn
The border between Finland and Russia is closed, so travellers from Helsinki go via Tallinn. The ferry takes about 2 hours, the driver meets you at terminal A or D and takes you straight to the chosen crossing.
How a cross-border transfer works
The first driver takes you from your address, the airport or the port to the crossing. You cross the border on foot, and on the Russian side our second driver meets you and takes you to Pechory, Pskov, St Petersburg, Moscow or any address. The price is fixed per car, and we have been working since 2019.
Frequently asked questions
Which crossing should I choose when travelling from Tallinn? Narva is closer, but there are queues in both directions. Koidula and Luhamaa are further but much less busy, so more and more people choose them for Pskov, St Petersburg or Moscow.
Can I travel from Estonia to Russia now? Yes, via Narva, Koidula or Luhamaa, daily from 07:00 to 19:00. Since 1 October 2026 there are checks at all crossings in both directions.
Can I cross the Estonia ↔ Russia border by car? Yes, but you need to catch a slot in the electronic queue. Slots are released every day after 00:00 for two weeks ahead and run out fast. In the live queue the wait reaches a full day, and sometimes two or three.
What are the opening hours of the Estonia Russia crossings? Narva, Koidula and Luhamaa are open daily from 07:00 to 19:00.
How long does crossing the border on foot take? Usually an hour, at most an hour and a half. Travellers on a visa are always invited for an interview.
Can I travel to Russia from Riga? Yes, via Koidula or Luhamaa. To Koidula it takes about 3 hours 30 minutes, sedan 260 EUR, minivan 340 EUR.
Can I travel with a pet? Yes. Veterinary control operates at all three crossings, on both the Estonian and the Russian side.
How do I get there from Helsinki? By ferry to Tallinn, about 2 hours, and from there by transfer to Narva, Koidula or Luhamaa.
For the way back, read Returning from Russia to Estonia via Koidula and Luhamaa.
Booking 24/7:
Phone: +372 5802 4209
WhatsApp: message us on WhatsApp
Telegram: message us on Telegram
Email: artsantaxi@gmail.com