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musa_meditans
Joined: 20 Nov 2012
Location: Seoul
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 Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 7:11 am Post subject: Vladivostok -- Safe for a female traveling alone? |
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For a quite a while, I've been kicking around the idea of making a trip to see a bit of the Far East of Russia.
While I won't be going there this Chuseok (I'm not sure I'm willing to wrangle a Russian visa with only a month to spare, plus there are other reasons) Vladivostok is somewhere I'd really like to go at some point, if just to go somewhere a little unusual for a few days. However, every time I've mentioned taking a trip there to one of my friends, none of them are interested. I've done a some international travel alone (and not just in East Asia), and have rather enjoyed it, so I've been thinking I could go alone. Russia, though, seems like it could be a whole different ball game than the other places I've been alone.
As a white American female in her early 20s, is this a foolish thing to consider? I know a lot of people go to V-stock to party, but I'd just do whatever touristy things there are to do by day and then get back to my hotel fairly early on in the evening. Also, I'm not stupid and am more than capable of taking the usual precautions. |
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Pinehurst
Joined: 14 Aug 2011
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| Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 7:37 am Post subject: |
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http://en.go-to-japan.jp/daisenguide/dbscruiseferry/
If you do this no visa is required for <72 hour stay. I don't know about safety in the city or how reliable the ferries are. You would likely be in big trouble if you overstayed the 72 hours. |
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Jake_Kim
Joined: 27 Aug 2005
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 1:40 am Post subject: |
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| Pinehurst wrote: |
http://en.go-to-japan.jp/daisenguide/dbscruiseferry/
If you do this no visa is required for <72 hour stay. I don't know about safety in the city or how reliable the ferries are. You would likely be in big trouble if you overstayed the 72 hours. |
There's no way you can cut corners and enter Russia visa-free. U.S. citizens in particular are always under heavy scrutiny by the Russians when it comes to consular affairs. This has nothing to do with Ed Snowden, but it's been like that for the most part of the last decade.
Unlike other nationalities who can process Russian visas by proxy, US passport holders must report to the Russian embassy themselves and apply regardless of the type of visa.
One must not forget, though, that there's a requirement of 'invitation letter' which can only be obtained through a travel agency even if she ends up doing all the legwork. |
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Pinehurst
Joined: 14 Aug 2011
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| Posted: Tue Aug 13, 2013 3:12 am Post subject: |
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| Jake_Kim wrote: |
| Pinehurst wrote: |
http://en.go-to-japan.jp/daisenguide/dbscruiseferry/
If you do this no visa is required for <72 hour stay. I don't know about safety in the city or how reliable the ferries are. You would likely be in big trouble if you overstayed the 72 hours. |
There's no way you can cut corners and enter Russia visa-free. U.S. citizens in particular are always under heavy scrutiny by the Russians when it comes to consular affairs. This has nothing to do with Ed Snowden, but it's been like that for the most part of the last decade.
Unlike other nationalities who can process Russian visas by proxy, US passport holders must report to the Russian embassy themselves and apply regardless of the type of visa.
One must not forget, though, that there's a requirement of 'invitation letter' which can only be obtained through a travel agency even if she ends up doing all the legwork. |
After more research I would have to agree that the <72 hour pass is not a good Idea. There is very little info out there and the ferries leave 73 hours apart. It is not like the new Beijing <72 hour layover pass which I am going to do on a flight from ICN to the US. |
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davai!
Joined: 04 Dec 2005
Location: Kuwait
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| Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 1:54 pm Post subject: |
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This is from the US State Dept:
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| International Cruise Ship/Ferry Passengers: You are permitted to visit Russian ports without a visa for a period of up to 72 hours. You may go ashore without a visa during port calls, but only if you are with an organized tour and accompanied at all times by a tour operator who has been duly licensed by Russian authorities. Cruise ship and ferry lines offer shore tours that meet these requirements. If you want to do sightseeing on your own, you must have a visa. If you arrive in Russia by ship or ferry, but want to depart by air, train, or other mode of transportation, you must have a visa. You must present your U.S. passport to Russian immigration officers each time you depart or return to the ship during your port call in Russia. If your U.S. passport is lost or stolen while you are ashore, you will not be allowed to return to the ship until you obtain a replacement passport from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If your ship leaves Russia without you, you must obtain an exit visa to depart Russia by alternative transportation. Russian authorities may take up to 20 calendar days to authorize an exit visa, during which time you will have to remain in Russia at your own expense. These special entry/exit requirements for international cruise ship and ferry passengers do not apply to river boat cruise passengers. River boat cruise passengers must have a visa and should follow the general guidelines for entry/exit requirements. |
That ferry company doesn't seem to have a tour, so it probably would take a visa. That said, I've been there- I don't think you'd have too many problems, you would probably just blend into the crowd...
If you're in Seoul, the embassy is in the center and you no longer need an invitation if you are American, so it would just take a dropoff and a pickup a week later. |
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CP
Joined: 18 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 5:24 am Post subject: Personally, |
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I think going through the hassle of the bureaucracy and costs just to get to Russia for a few days is a waste in my humble opinion. Why not wait until you have more time and make a full trip of it?
However, if you really want to do it I wouldn't worry too much about being a single female traveler. Single female travelers are all over the world in much more difficult places than Vladivostok. |
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