Russia travel guide for Canadians

A tourist (type C) visa is mandatory. Apply through the Russian Embassy in Ottawa or the Consulate General in Vancouver. You need a passport valid at least six months beyond your intended departure, a completed application, a recent photo, and a travel itinerary. An invitation letter from a Russian travel agency or hotel is also required.

Electronic visas are not offered to Canadians. The visa must be affixed to a passport page and the passport returned to you before travel.

The Embassy of Canada in Moscow handles consular assistance for Canadians in Russia. The Consulate General in St. Petersburg provides limited services. In case of emergency, contact the embassy first; for police matters, dial 112.

A two‑week itinerary covering Moscow, St. Petersburg and a regional destination typically costs between CAD 3,500 and CAD 5,500 per person, excluding the visa fee. This includes mid‑range accommodation, meals, intercity rail or domestic flights, and museum entry fees.

Direct flights from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) to Moscow Sheremetyevo (SVO) take about 9 hours. From Vancouver (YVR) to Moscow, expect a 10‑hour flight with one stop. Moscow is UTC+3, so Canadians travelling from Toronto (UTC‑5) face an 8‑hour time difference.

Russia uses type C (Europlug) sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz. Bring a universal adapter. Tipping is customary: 10 % in restaurants, rounding up taxi fares, and a small amount for hotel staff. Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities, but carry cash for smaller towns.

Dial 112 for police, fire or medical emergencies. Follow the travel advice issued by the Government of Canada and register your trip on the Canadian Travel Advice website.