Is It Safe to Travel to Russia Right Now? What Tourists Need to Know

Travel to Russia in 2025 carries high risks that travelers must fully understand before planning any visit. As of May 8, 2025, the U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Russia, citing the ongoing war with Ukraine, drone attacks, risk of arbitrary detention or extortion by security officials, and limited consular support. U.S. citizens are urged to depart immediately.

Other countries including Canada, the UK, Ireland, and Australia similarly strongly advise against all travel to Russia due to security threats, terrorism risk, and minimal ability to assist foreigners inside the country.

Drone strikes and explosions have occurred near cities including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan and border regions with Ukraine. Fighting has destabilized parts of southwestern Russia, especially Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Rostov and Krasnodar, many under martial law.

Foreign nationals—especially U.S. and Western citizens—have been questioned, detained, or expelled without cause. Dual U.S.-Russian citizens may face conscription, loss of ability to exit the country, and denial of consular visits. Commenting on politics or attending protests can result in arrest.

A large Ukrainian drone offensive in early May 2025 delayed or canceled at least 350 flights across Russian airports—including Moscow, Sochi and Kazan—stranding over 60,000 passengers. Travelers should prepare for delays, bring food, water and cash.

Violent crime against foreign visitors is on the rise. Harassment, extortion, cybercrime, and racial or nationality-based violence have been reported—even by residents of Moscow. One American woman was attacked in front of her child by neighbors who changed her locks and cut electricity.

Medical care is available only in major cities. Outside Moscow or St. Petersburg, facilities are under-resourced and evacuation may be impossible. Embassies have severely limited operations; U.S. consular services are unavailable outside Moscow.

Avoid all travel to Russia. U.S. nationals should register with STEP and create independent evacuation plans. Refrain from social media activity while inside the country. Russian authorities routinely search devices. Credit/debit cards from the U.S. are unusable due to sanctions. Carry enough cash. Do not attempt travel to Crimea or North Caucasus—these areas are under even higher threat and are heavily restricted.

Some local travelers on forums describe walking city centers at night as uneventful, but these accounts do not reflect elevated risks tied to geopolitics and may underestimate security threats.

Russia in 2025 is not safe for travel. The risk of wrongful detention, airstrikes, travel disruptions, and limited support outweighs any cultural appeal.

Risk-averse travelers: Avoid travel entirely.
Risk-tolerant travelers: Only proceed if travel is essential and you can secure your own evacuation, legal counsel, and support network.

In addition to war-related dangers, travelers must consider the current political climate inside Russia. Over the past year, new laws have further restricted freedom of speech, assembly, and expression. Tourists could be unknowingly in violation of local laws for behaviors such as filming public buildings, using certain VPNs, or making casual political remarks on social media platforms.

Cybersecurity is also a growing concern. Many travelers have reported that internet access is limited or monitored. In some cases, travelers have had their mobile phones or laptops confiscated for inspection. Public Wi-Fi networks may be unsafe, and VPN use is increasingly criminalized. To maintain digital privacy, travelers should avoid logging into financial or sensitive accounts while inside Russia.

Travel logistics are further complicated by global sanctions. Most international airline carriers no longer operate routes to Russia, leaving few viable flight options. Transit through nearby countries such as Turkey, Armenia, or Kazakhstan is possible, but these routes are often subject to sudden change. Train and bus services to Russia are extremely limited and may require additional permits or documentation.

On the ground, language barriers remain significant. While younger Russians in major cities may speak some English, outside Moscow and St. Petersburg communication can be difficult. Street signs, government forms, and transportation information are often written only in Cyrillic. Travelers should install offline translation tools and have physical phrasebooks as backup.

In rural or conflict-prone regions, checkpoints, roadblocks, and sudden closures are common. Military presence has increased in several western regions, and travelers may be required to present identification multiple times per day. Even if documents are in order, foreign nationals—especially those from NATO countries—may be subjected to extended questioning.

For solo travelers, the risks are multiplied. The U.S. government has cited examples of travelers being detained alone without legal representation for days or weeks. Even if charges are not filed, the process of interrogation, temporary confiscation of belongings, and monitoring by intelligence agencies can be traumatizing.

Those with Russian heritage or family ties must also tread carefully. Dual nationals are particularly at risk of conscription into the Russian military or being denied exit from the country. Reports have surfaced of Russian-born individuals being denied the ability to renew foreign passports or accused of tax or military service evasion.

Journalists and aid workers are specifically targeted. The wrongful detention of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and American teacher Marc Fogel remain high-profile examples of what can happen when foreign nationals are caught in geopolitical tensions. In both cases, detainees were held for months without fair trials, and diplomatic efforts to secure their release remain unresolved as of mid-2025.

Culturally, Russia remains a fascinating and historically rich destination, with world-class museums, Orthodox cathedrals, and architectural landmarks. However, due to the current political instability, military conflict, and human rights concerns, these attractions cannot offset the substantial risks associated with travel.

Medical evacuations from Russia are extremely difficult. Commercial insurers may deny claims related to war zones or government detentions, and few air ambulance providers operate in Russian airspace. If something goes wrong, the chances of a quick or safe exit are very low.

If, despite all warnings, you decide to travel to Russia:
- Carry multiple forms of identification.
- Keep embassy contact information with you at all times.
- Avoid photographing infrastructure, military facilities, or police.
- Stay off social media entirely during your visit.
- Travel with someone else whenever possible.

Every major government, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia, has categorized Russia in 2025 as unsafe for travel under any circumstance. Unless your presence is mandatory for diplomatic, humanitarian, or accredited journalistic reasons, travel should be postponed until further notice.

The Russian Federation’s deteriorating relationship with Western countries, combined with its internal repression and external war activities, makes it one of the most hazardous destinations in the world for foreign tourists in 2025.