La Russia has been in almost total isolation since the start of the war with Ukraine. The Aeroflot international flights suspended from Tuesday 8 March will effectively close off the country even further. However, there are still a few ways of getting to Russia, should some travellers still feel a vital need to go there. From Western Europe, there are three options: Istanbul, Belgrade and Helsinki.
As Turkey has not joined the sanctions imposed in Europe...
La Russia has been in almost total isolation since the start of the war with Ukraine. The Aeroflot international flights suspended from Tuesday 8 March will effectively close off the country even further. However, there are still a few ways of getting to Russia, should some travellers still feel a vital need to go there. From Western Europe, there are three options: Istanbul, Belgrade and Helsinki.
As Turkey has not joined the sanctions imposed in Western Europe, there are still flights connecting the two countries. Istanbul to Moscow as well as St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. Here too, the suspension of Aeroflot flights has significantly reduced the offer. However, the Turkish low-cost carrier still operates two flights a day. Pegasus from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen in the Asian part of the city. From Istanbul New International, Turkish Airlines serves St Petersburg up to three times a day and Yekaterinburg several times a week.
La Serbia has traditionally been a staunch ally of Moscow. This is reflected in the continuing air links between the two countries. There are 1 to 2 flights a day fromAir Serbia between Belgrade and Moscow. As well as two frequencies per week to Saint Petersburg.
Finally, there is a third alternative, this time by rail. This is the Allegro train from Helsinki to Saint Petersburg. The journey takes 3.5 hours, with two trains a day. However, this train is only accessible to Finnish and Russian passport holders. However, there is talk of opening up these trains to other nationalities...
You certainly need a good reason to visit Vladimir Putin's homeland at the moment. All the chancelleries in Western Europe (including Finland) are strongly advising against any travel to Russia at this time.. This situation is likely to continue for a long time as the Russian army continues to pound Ukraine...
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