How to get there, ways to cross the border and other important nuances
The direction Riga - St. Petersburg is very relevant for many travelers. Because it connects two big cities, plus, it is in this direction that you can easily get from European countries to the Russian Federation. However, there are nuances that people traveling along this route face.
One of the biggest problems is that of the three border crossing points through which you can cross, only one allows you to cross by bus. And to get to your destination, you need to understand the alternatives and know all the nuances that will help you get to the Russian Federation quickly, comfortably and at an adequate cost.
How and where you can cross the border between Estonia and the Russian Federation
Estonia today is the only country in Europe that borders Russia and whose border is open. More precisely, three checkpoints. Through them, both citizens of the Russian Federation and Europeans can enter the territory of Russia absolutely legally.
There are three checkpoints:
Narva (Estonia) – Ivangorod (RF);
Luhamaa (Estonia) – Shumilkino (RF);
Koidula (Estonia) – Kunichina Gora (RF).
These destinations, today, are the main checkpoints through which you can get from Europe to the Russian Federation.
First point: Narva - Ivangorod. Previously, buses and cars constantly ran through it. This point was considered the most convenient, because it is only 160 kilometers from St. Petersburg. Accordingly, everyone traveled through Narva. But on February 1, 2024, the border crossing point was closed for cars and buses because repairs were underway. The only way left is walking. Accordingly, you cannot drive through it with your car. The only option left is to take the bus. There are two bus departures from Riga daily: at 7.30 am and at 18.45 pm. In the spring (April) they are going to make changes to the schedule, and leave only one flight - at 7.30 in the morning.
The disadvantage of traveling by such a bus is that you have to cross the border on foot. Accordingly, you should not take a lot of heavy and bulky things on this route, because everything will have to be carried in your hands or rolled to the second bus, which is already waiting on the territory of the Russian Federation. The company that provides transportation services is called “Lux Express”.
When going through this checkpoint, you need to understand that there are a lot of people on foot. Therefore, everyone has to wait 3-4 hours. This is often difficult, especially in the cold season, when traveling with animals and children.
Second border crossing point: Luhamaa - Shumilkino. Buses also run on this route, but from a different company - Ecolines. This is the only checkpoint that can be crossed by bus. It can also be crossed by car. Every day one bus leaves from Riga to St. Petersburg. Check-out time is 8.00 am. It arrives in St. Petersburg at 22.40 pm.
This checkpoint allows you to cross the border with animals and products (weight up to 5 kilograms).
If you travel by car, you need to collect a fairly large number of documents, including documents for the legal stay of the car in the Russian Federation. That is, the car must obtain permission for its temporary import into the territory of Russia.
By the way, this particular point is the most convenient for walking, because people travel by bus or in cars, and a small number of people cross on foot. Accordingly, if you get to the border in one taxi and then simply change to another, it will take much less time than traveling by car or by bus.
What can be transported to the territory of the Russian Federation
As for electronics, due to the large number of sanctions, you can only transport electronics worth up to 500 euros. The product must be accompanied by a receipt. Electronics in this price category, in most cases, are tablets, phones, spare parts, and sometimes cheap laptops.
Intercity taxi between Riga and St. Petersburg
Today we offer a very convenient alternative to walking in Narva or standing in line with cars and buses in Luhamaa.
This topic interests almost all travelers, because people often go to visit, on vacation, and want to take something with them, bring gifts. If we talk about money, you can only bring money into Russia in dollars. And no more than 10 thousand dollars without a declaration. Anything over 10 thousand must be declared. Euros are absolutely not allowed to be carried. Our intercity taxi takes passengers from Riga to St. Petersburg via Luhamaa. But so that passengers do not have to stand in long lines, one of our cars takes them to the border, and the other meets them from the Russian side. Since few people use the pedestrian crossing at this point, the border is crossed on foot quickly and without queues.
If necessary, our driver can meet passengers anywhere in Riga and deliver them to St. Petersburg at a specific address. Due to the fact that the pedestrian crossing can be completed in a few minutes, you can take animals and a normal amount of things with you. With children, this transition will also be more convenient and easier than other options.
The distance between Riga and St. Petersburg is 575 kilometers. Our drivers cover this route as quickly and safely as possible. The journey, on average, takes up to ten hours thanks to the fast border crossing and the well-coordinated work of drivers who drive to and from the crossing point. In our intercity taxi “Artsantaxi” you can travel with animals and small children. We offer children's car seats so that the child is safe and feels as comfortable as possible. Our company is responsible both for the car that is transported to the border and for the one that is already found on the territory of the Russian Federation. Thanks to this approach, our passengers get to their destination quickly, safely, without unnecessary stress and worry.
You can pay for services either in cash or through a terminal. Drivers have everything so that passengers do not have to waste time and nerves looking for an ATM.
We create all conditions to ensure that the trip is as comfortable and safe as possible. Therefore, if you need to cross the border with the Russian Federation, contact us, we will help you do it quickly and without unnecessary worries.