Europe
Solo travel in Russia
2/5English level
Solo travel in Russia
Vast and culturally rich, but at war: foreign cards don't work, flights route via third countries, drones close airports and foreigners risk arbitrary detention. Most Western governments advise against all travel. The easiest place to start is Olkhon Island.
Best places in Russia for solo travelers
| Place | Solo | English | Locals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olkhon Island | 4/5 | Rare | Friendly |
| Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky | 4/5 | Limited | Friendly |
| Moscow | 3/5 | Limited | Polite but reserved |
| Saint Petersburg | 3/5 | Limited | Polite but reserved |
| Kazan | 3/5 | Limited | Friendly |
| Sochi | 3/5 | Limited | Polite but reserved |
| Kaliningrad | 3/5 | Limited | Polite but reserved |
| Irkutsk | 3/5 | Limited | Friendly |
| Yekaterinburg | 3/5 | Limited | Polite but reserved |
| Vladivostok | 3/5 | Limited | Friendly |
| Murmansk | 3/5 | Limited | Friendly |
| Novosibirsk | 3/5 | Limited | Friendly |
| Nizhny Novgorod | 3/5 | Limited | Friendly |
Solo travel by place
Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: Russia
- Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs e-Visa portal
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.