September 24, 2025 • 3 mins
Travel to Russia in September 2025 carries serious risks and is strongly discouraged by most Western governments. The government of Canada formally advises listeners to avoid all travel to Russia due to the ongoing armed conflict with Ukraine and a heightened risk of terrorism. The security outlook is unstable, especially in regions near the Ukrainian border such as Rostov, Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, and Krasnodar, where martial law and significant military activity are in effect. Drone and missile strikes, explosions, and restrictions on financial transactions have also occurred in major Russian cities, and the broader situation can change rapidly according to Travel.gc.ca.
Government advisories from Canada, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and European nations all urge against travel to Russia and recommend that their citizens already in the country leave immediately if it is safe to do so. The U.S. State Department emphasizes concerns about arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the risk of wrongful detention, and harassment by authorities. Consular services for Western nationals are very limited, particularly outside Moscow, and there may be no ability for embassies to assist in a crisis according to Travel.State.Gov.
The Moscow Times notes that, while travel is technically possible, Western travelers will face logistical obstacles: there are no direct flights from Europe, international credit cards do not work, and some popular websites and apps are blocked. Tourism from outside Russia has fallen sharply since the invasion of Ukraine, but visitors from Asia and the Middle East continue to travel there. Countries considered more Russia-friendly, like China and India, may not issue strong warnings, but even these governments advise increased caution rather than endorsing travel.
Travelers who choose to go despite the warnings are urged to avoid political discussions or demonstrations to minimize the risk of arrest, avoid all areas near Ukraine, stay away from military sites, and exercise vigilance in public spaces. Terrorist attacks remain a threat in major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, targeting government buildings, public venues, and transportation hubs. Women and solo travelers face additional risks, including harassment and the possibility of sexual assault. Assault and robbery in unregistered taxis have also been reported, making it important to use only officially marked or pre-booked vehicles according to Travel.gc.ca.
Technical and everyday challenges are significant. Foreign credit and debit cards do not work, requiring reliance on cash or Russian MIR banking cards. GPS and most navigation apps may not work reliably. Road conditions, especially outside major cities and during winter, can be dangerous. Public transportation is generally reliable but securing valuables is advised, particularly on trains.
Given this environment, travel to Russia is not recommended for tourism. If listeners must travel for personal or urgent reasons, they should stay abreast of trusted news sources, provide updated travel plans to relatives, carry sufficient supplies of necessities, and keep their documents current at all times. Withdrawal options from Russia can shift with little notice, so it’s crucial to monitor exit routes and be prepared for sudden changes. The overall message from all recent Western travel advisories is clear: the situation in Russia remains volatile and potentially unsafe for foreign visitors as of September 2025.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
Government advisories from Canada, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and European nations all urge against travel to Russia and recommend that their citizens already in the country leave immediately if it is safe to do so. The U.S. State Department emphasizes concerns about arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the risk of wrongful detention, and harassment by authorities. Consular services for Western nationals are very limited, particularly outside Moscow, and there may be no ability for embassies to assist in a crisis according to Travel.State.Gov.
The Moscow Times notes that, while travel is technically possible, Western travelers will face logistical obstacles: there are no direct flights from Europe, international credit cards do not work, and some popular websites and apps are blocked. Tourism from outside Russia has fallen sharply since the invasion of Ukraine, but visitors from Asia and the Middle East continue to travel there. Countries considered more Russia-friendly, like China and India, may not issue strong warnings, but even these governments advise increased caution rather than endorsing travel.
Travelers who choose to go despite the warnings are urged to avoid political discussions or demonstrations to minimize the risk of arrest, avoid all areas near Ukraine, stay away from military sites, and exercise vigilance in public spaces. Terrorist attacks remain a threat in major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg, targeting government buildings, public venues, and transportation hubs. Women and solo travelers face additional risks, including harassment and the possibility of sexual assault. Assault and robbery in unregistered taxis have also been reported, making it important to use only officially marked or pre-booked vehicles according to Travel.gc.ca.
Technical and everyday challenges are significant. Foreign credit and debit cards do not work, requiring reliance on cash or Russian MIR banking cards. GPS and most navigation apps may not work reliably. Road conditions, especially outside major cities and during winter, can be dangerous. Public transportation is generally reliable but securing valuables is advised, particularly on trains.
Given this environment, travel to Russia is not recommended for tourism. If listeners must travel for personal or urgent reasons, they should stay abreast of trusted news sources, provide updated travel plans to relatives, carry sufficient supplies of necessities, and keep their documents current at all times. Withdrawal options from Russia can shift with little notice, so it’s crucial to monitor exit routes and be prepared for sudden changes. The overall message from all recent Western travel advisories is clear: the situation in Russia remains volatile and potentially unsafe for foreign visitors as of September 2025.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Travel to Russia in September twenty twenty five carries serious
risks and is strongly discouraged by most Western governments. The
Government of Canada formally advises listeners to avoid all travel
to Russia due to the ongoing armed conflict with Ukraine
and a heightened risk of terrorism. The security outlook is unstable,
especially in regions near the Ukrainian border, such as Rostov, Bryansk, Kursk, Belgarod,
(00:25):
Voronesh and Krasnodar, where martial law and significant military activity
are in effect. Drone and missile strikes, explosions and restrictions
on financial transactions have also occurred in major Russian cities,
and the broader situation can change rapidly. According to Travel
dot GC dot CA, government advisories from Canada, the United States, Australia,
(00:47):
the United Kingdom and European nations all urge against travel
to Russia and recommend that their citizens already in the
country leave immediately if it is safe to do so.
The US State Department emphasizes concerns about arbitrary enforcement of
local laws, the risk of wrongful detention and harassment by authorities.
(01:08):
Consular services for Western nationals are very limited, particularly outside Moscow,
and there may be no ability for embassies to assist
in a crisis, according to Travelstate dot gov. The Moscow
Times notes that while travel is technically possible, Western travelers
will face logistical obstacles. There are no direct flights from Europe,
(01:29):
international credit cards do not work, and some popular websites
and apps are blocked. Tourism from outside Russia has fallen
sharply since the invasion of Ukraine, but visitors from Asia
and the Middle East continue to travel there. Countries considered
more Russia friendly, like China and India, may not issue
strong warnings, but even these governments advise increased caution rather
(01:53):
than endorsing travel. Travelers who choose to go despite the
warnings are urged to avoid political discous ushans or demonstrations
to minimize the risk of arrest. Avoid all areas near Ukraine,
stay away from military sites, and exercise vigilance in public spaces.
Terrorist attacks remain a threat in major cities like Moscow
(02:13):
and Saint Petersburg, targeting government buildings, public venues, and transportation hubs.
Women and solo travelers face additional risks, including harassment and
the possibility of sexual assault, assault and robbery in unregistered
taxis have also been reported, making it important to use
only officially marked or pre booked vehicles. According to Travel
(02:35):
dot GC dot CA, technical and everyday challenges are significant.
Foreign credit and debit cards do not work, requiring reliance
on cash or Russian mir banking cards, GPS, and most
navigation apps may not work reliably. Road conditions, especially outside
major cities and during winter, can be dangerous. Public transportation
(02:56):
is generally reliable, but securing valuables is advised, ticularly on trains.
Given this environment, travel to Russia is not recommended for tourism.
If listeners must travel for personal or urgent reasons, they
should stay abreast of trusted news sources, provide updated travel
plans to relatives, carry sufficient supplies of necessities, and keep
(03:18):
their documents current at all times. Withdrawal options from Russia
can shift with little notice, so it's crucial to monitor
exit routes and be prepared for sudden changes. The overall
message from all recent Western travel advisories is clear the
situation in Russia remains volatile and potentially unsafe for foreign visitors.
(03:39):
As of September twenty twenty five,
Travel to Russia in September twenty twenty five carries serious
risks and is strongly discouraged by most Western governments. The
Government of Canada formally advises listeners to avoid all travel
to Russia due to the ongoing armed conflict with Ukraine
and a heightened risk of terrorism. The security outlook is unstable,
especially in regions near the Ukrainian border, such as Rostov, Bryansk, Kursk, Belgarod,
(00:25):
Voronesh and Krasnodar, where martial law and significant military activity
are in effect. Drone and missile strikes, explosions and restrictions
on financial transactions have also occurred in major Russian cities,
and the broader situation can change rapidly. According to Travel
dot GC dot CA, government advisories from Canada, the United States, Australia,
(00:47):
the United Kingdom and European nations all urge against travel
to Russia and recommend that their citizens already in the
country leave immediately if it is safe to do so.
The US State Department emphasizes concerns about arbitrary enforcement of
local laws, the risk of wrongful detention and harassment by authorities.
(01:08):
Consular services for Western nationals are very limited, particularly outside Moscow,
and there may be no ability for embassies to assist
in a crisis, according to Travelstate dot gov. The Moscow
Times notes that while travel is technically possible, Western travelers
will face logistical obstacles. There are no direct flights from Europe,
(01:29):
international credit cards do not work, and some popular websites
and apps are blocked. Tourism from outside Russia has fallen
sharply since the invasion of Ukraine, but visitors from Asia
and the Middle East continue to travel there. Countries considered
more Russia friendly, like China and India, may not issue
strong warnings, but even these governments advise increased caution rather
(01:53):
than endorsing travel. Travelers who choose to go despite the
warnings are urged to avoid political discous ushans or demonstrations
to minimize the risk of arrest. Avoid all areas near Ukraine,
stay away from military sites, and exercise vigilance in public spaces.
Terrorist attacks remain a threat in major cities like Moscow
(02:13):
and Saint Petersburg, targeting government buildings, public venues, and transportation hubs.
Women and solo travelers face additional risks, including harassment and
the possibility of sexual assault, assault and robbery in unregistered
taxis have also been reported, making it important to use
only officially marked or pre booked vehicles. According to Travel
(02:35):
dot GC dot CA, technical and everyday challenges are significant.
Foreign credit and debit cards do not work, requiring reliance
on cash or Russian mir banking cards, GPS, and most
navigation apps may not work reliably. Road conditions, especially outside
major cities and during winter, can be dangerous. Public transportation
(02:56):
is generally reliable, but securing valuables is advised, ticularly on trains.
Given this environment, travel to Russia is not recommended for tourism.
If listeners must travel for personal or urgent reasons, they
should stay abreast of trusted news sources, provide updated travel
plans to relatives, carry sufficient supplies of necessities, and keep
(03:18):
their documents current at all times. Withdrawal options from Russia
can shift with little notice, so it's crucial to monitor
exit routes and be prepared for sudden changes. The overall
message from all recent Western travel advisories is clear the
situation in Russia remains volatile and potentially unsafe for foreign visitors.
(03:39):
As of September twenty twenty five,
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