Travel During COVID-19:From USA to Russia.What to Expect.
{{This post might contain affiliate links. If you use any of these links to buy a product, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you}}. Read my full disclosure for more details.
If you are still asking yourself if you can travel between these two countries during this tough time, the answer is YES. Of course, if you have the documents letting you come back (good examples are Green Card and Russian passport holders or a visit for medical purposes).
To get more exact info on who can travel to Russia during COVID-19 (which updates very often) you can check this link.
Travel During COVID-19: From USA to Russia. What to Expect.
If you have heard that the only way to fly to Russia is by using Aeroflot, which offers a limited airplane schedule right now, it is not true. It seems that this option is ONLY for people who got stuck here during this time and are holding temporary visas. If you permanently live here, disregard that information.
The way to get to Russia now for permanent residents is the same as before. Just keep in mind, the routes are longer and not that convenient, but there are still planes that fly to Russia on an everyday basis.
Russia doesn’t have a 14-day quarantine anymore, which is good news, so you do not have to worry about that, of course, if you have a negative Covid-19 test result.
In order to stay in Russia, you will have to show them the covid test. The procedure is the following:
*At the airplane, you will be given a questionnaire list related to the Covid-19 (if you have been in contact with the person who has a covid if you had the test done already and carry a result, etc.)
a. If you do not have test results (which you can get in the USA 72 hours before arrival) you will need to take the test in Russia during the 3-day period and upload it to the Gosuslugi site.
b. If you already have your test results, you will need to show them upon arrival.
*Keep in mind, that you will have to get through the line first (which is slow), and only after you will be able to get your luggage. That is the rule at the Russian airport in Moscow.
If you will have to take a test, you need to find a place in the city where you can take it or you simply can take it at the airport. The price is 2500 rubles.
Keep in mind that there will be so many people who will want to take the test at the airport and waiting in line can take a minimum of an hour and up. If you have a transfer and your layover is short, you won’t be able to do it at the airport. So consider an option to take it in the city during the 3 days period.
After you get the test done, expect to get the results during the 3 days period. If all is good, just upload it to the website and enjoy your time in Russia. There can be some technical issues that will not let you upload results. In that case, you can call and ask what to do.
They can suggest waiting for the issues to be resolved or taking your tests results directly to the Rospotrebnadzor. Don’t play with them and do not upload your results. You might think they do not really care, but they do.
The first time I flew to Russia this year, their site had problems, and they didn’t get my results for some reason. After 2 weeks, they called me from the MID to confirm it and I had to resend them. Otherwise, if your results will be positive, you will have to be isolated for 14 days.
Don’t be surprised that there are so many people who don’t wear masks. Don’t follow their example. Always stay protected, sanitize your hands, and wear a mask.
What to Do Before Flying to Russia?
- Check the latest travel info related to COVID-19 as it is changing from time to time
- Make sure your documents are valid so you are good to leave the country and come back
- To avoid the hassle upon arrival, it is better if you can take a Covid test in the USA and just bring your results with you
- Buy a sanitizer and mask/masks if you do not have them
- If you have a long layover and want to get out of the airport, for the time being, make sure you check that country’s requirement to avoid being quarantined for 14 days
What to Expect at the Airplanes During COVID-19?
- There will be some routes with just fewer people on the plane. For example, when I flew to Russia through London, our flight from London only had 10 people on board.
- In some airplanes, they won’t serve hot food anymore and meals will be limited to 2 times only. A good example is Turkish Airlines. They do not serve hot food or hot drinks at this time, which is very bad and their main meal is a sandwich with water and cold juice, plus some desserts. I was unpleasantly surprised by these new rules. Having a cold meal for an 11 hours flight is just insane.
- Some airlines offer you free masks and sanitizers
- Not at every airline, they are going to check your temperature
How to survive a long-haul flight
How to Prepare for the Best Trip During COVID-19
- Bring your own masks and sanitizers
- Bring your own pen (you will be given a list of questionnaires to fill out and not all airlines will provide a pen for you)
- Download entertainment. There is no big choice of entertainment on the airlines, and if you are flying back and forth with the same company, you might experience watching all movies you like on your first flight. To avoid getting bored, download the movies/e-books to your devices, so you will have more options.
- Always bring a travel pillow for a long-hour flight. It will improve your overall flight experience.
- Wear comfortable clothes and avoid touching anything if there is no necessity for that, and if you did, sanitize your hands right away.
Check out my ultimate travel packing guide
Final Thoughts
As you can see, Travel During COVID-19: From the USA to Russia is not that awful and scary how you see on the news. It is a bit different and limited, but still possible. If you have taken all the precautions you should be good to have a great trip.
Just always remember, try to stay apart from the crowd, wear masks, and sanitize your hands.
And if there is no actual need to travel at this moment, it is better to stay home during this hard time! Stay healthy.
Pin it for later