Current Status of Russia Travel

The Georgia-Russia conflict reminds us that international relations with Russia remain volatile. What this means for travelers can change at any minute.

For now, it seems that travel to the U.S. is more difficult than travel to Russia, especially considering legislation that allows travelers' laptops to be detained and the implementation of the U.S. Visit program, which takes the fingerprints of foreign travelers to the States. Some say these draconian measures are reminiscent of Soviet pre-glasnost policies that limited travel by foreigners to and through the USSR.

Though Russia may not impose costly and invasive codes upon travelers, it doesn't need to. At any time, Russia can simply close its doors to a certain set of visitors - be they British citizens, citizens of the United States, or travelers from other countries. Some readers have expressed concern about the future of Russia travel. Their paranoia is not necessarily ill-founded. Politics in Russia - and its tensions with power-wielding nations - has moved retrograde at an ever-increasing pace in recent years, and government restrictions have clamped down on freedoms in Russia left and right. The world watches as Russia sinks into its Soviet-era torpor, indifferent to progress, criticism, or the lessons of the past.

For now, getting a visa to Russia may be inconvenient, but it isn't really a pain. Travel there may be confusing, but if you behave yourself, you'll be okay. Keeping abreast of political situations in any country to which you are preparing to travel is essential, and Russia is no different. If you do harbor worry about future limitations in Russia travel, travel now. Russia was hidden from most of the world for the better part of the 20th century, and its treasures are many and varied. If Russia does ever close its doors to international travelers, you won't have missed your opportunity.