In step with visa rules in St Petersburg

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This was published 13 years ago

In step with visa rules in St Petersburg

In May, we are booked on a 22-day cruise aboard the Eurodam departing from Barcelona. One of the ports of call is St Petersburg, Russia. We have Australian passports and have been unofficially told that if we take the ship's organised shore tours, no visa is required but if we want to visit the city by ourselves, we will require a visa. Can you confirm visa requirements?

- B. Gowenlock, Frenchs Forest.

According to the Russian consulate in Sydney, you will require a transit visa if you choose to go it alone. Details of documentation and other requirements can be found at the consulate's website (sydneyrussianconsulate.com).

Your travel agent should be able to obtain a visa on your behalf or you can organise it yourself. The Russian consulate is in Woollahra. The cost of a visa is $110 and processing time is about seven days. Cruise lines place the onus of responsibility for visas on passengers. The ship is due to arrive in St Petersburg at 7am, staying until 6pm the following day. That gives you two full days of sightseeing, allowing enough time to take in city highlights, including the magnificent State Hermitage Museum (pictured) on an organised ship's tour. If you obtain a visa and choose to go onshore independently you can spend more time immersing yourself in your choice of sights. Watch out for the pickpockets.

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