Way to Russia Talk Lounge

nickkelcz · Just Starting Joined: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 2

If I want to drive across Russia and into Mongolia which Visa do I need a tourist visa? Also what precautions should I take?

DITTRICH · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 1:57 am Post subject:

I have a number of questions before I can advise you.

1 What kind of vehicle?
2 What country is it registered in?
3 Who owns the vehicle?
4 In which country is the vehicle now?
5 Will you be bringing the vehicle back from Mongolia to the country in 4?
6 Will you be entering russia twice - there and back again?
7 Have you driven in any developing country before? Where?
8 Do you have any idea of what the roads are(n't) like in Mongolia
9 What route are you planning through Russia and Mongolia?
10 What time of year is this trip going to take place?
11 What colour underwear do you wear?

Sorry to be such a pain, but before I can be of assistance, I need a little more information. Quite alot actually. Except No 11. That was just me getting confused late at night!

The requirements for entering Russia with a vehicle are covered extensively in threads in the transport forum - most of them have my posts inside so finding them not a problem. Read also the transportation sections of the website on getting to Russia and travelling around in it by road.

Post up the info for an honest opinion.

Les

nickkelcz · Just Starting Joined: 25 Sep 2009 Posts: 2

1) I will be driving a 4x4 Toyota since those have been the most reccomeneded for this sort of trip dude to the availability of parts and the reliability of the vehicle.

2)It will be registered in france

3) I will own the vehicle

4) It is in France

5) No I will try and sell the cra in China but I think there may be complications with that solution.

6) I will not be returning to Russia after I go through

7) No I have not driven in a developing country before

Cool

I have read about the roads in Mongolia and the fact that there aren't very many and that it is quite rough terrain.

9) I have a route which was inspired by the pekingparis rally in 200è and can be found on www.pekingparis.com

10)I am planning on leaving the 27th of April to arrive in Mongolia during the best time of the year but also so it won't be too cold in russia and arrive in china before the monsoon season.

gaijin · Lounge Lizard Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 155

Concerning the Russian part, which this forum is about :
You take the car in and out, so there is no problem with Russian customs.
Unless you want to spend more than 30 days in Russia you simply need a tourist visa. Keep proof that you are not staying more than 3 days : receipts from your hotels, restaurants or anything you pay on the way.
This is just in case you are controlled : you are supposed to register within 3 days in a city.
Bon voyage.

DITTRICH · Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 10:55 pm Post subject:

gaijin's advice is good.
Provided it's a foreign vehcile registered in your own name, the car just goes in and out of Russia no problems. Just follow the rules. Gaijin is also right about registration and my recommendation here is make sure you register somewhere within 3 working days of first crossing the border into Russia. Almost any old hotel will do this for you if you stay the night. The rest of the time, provided you keep moving, you technically won't need to register anywhere else.
You're obviously clued up about the roads and your toyota 4x4 will suffice for mongolia. Maybe some water and fuel cans or a long range fuel tank would be sensible but I'm no expert on that part of the world.
Your plan to sell the car in china! This might be the difficult part.
There was one guy called "din din" who brought car from china into russia but he hasn't posted for 3 years now.
Try the www.horizonsunlimited.com bulletin board AKA The HUBB. It's for 2 wheeled types and contains lots of useful info. There are even 4x4 sections on the forums. I think selling in China may be too hard a (chinese) nut to crack. If you bring the car back again then you will need a slightly different kind of visa - double entry - and if I'm correct first time visa applicant are only allowed single entry - romdur, who has made visa questions his speciality will no doubt correct my vague knowledge of this complex area.
Try speaking to the Organisers of the Mongol Rallye (from London to Mongolia). They might have up to date more specific info as obviously not all the cars make it there and back again. My experiences have always involved going there AND back again - I hate flying anywhere.
But you seem reasonably clued up and are approaching things in a sensible manner. About the weather angle - good thinking as it can get pretty bloody cold and this introduces other problems - batteries, fuel, coolant, water...
Best of luck and keep us posted on what happens!
Les