Visa recomendations????

[RadaR]

I was planning on going to Moscow in August to have a look around. Can aynone recommend a  visa service.

                                             

                                               Thanks
                                               ~~rJc

[johnnydudeman]

... in response to Visa recomendations?, posted by RadaR on Jun 16, 2002

I was referred to Red Star travel by a friend and I have used them with good results for visas to both Russia and Ukraine several times.  Very fast, very helpful.  My friend recently used them to arrange the flight for his girl from Russia to USA.  I also stayed at the Marriott Royal (aka the Avrora), and I agree...its very nice.

[Jack]

... in response to Red Star at www.travel2russia.com, posted by johnnydudeman on Jun 16, 2002

Hey johnnydudeman, how you doing? No time long hear from! How about that, after months we hear from ole yoe, lp, stan and the dude man on the same day!

dudeman how did your last trip end up? That little problem you encountered in Moscow with un-timely interperter, took care of it. Can you say byeeeeee!

What you have planned next? When and where?  If your not sure I got something I think will interest you in the fall.

[yoe]

... in response to oh johhnydudeman, posted by Jack on Jun 16, 2002

n.t

[johnnydudeman]

... in response to oh johhnydudeman, posted by Jack on Jun 16, 2002

Yeah, I'm back.  I've been reading some postings with some amusement and sometimes I learn some good things here.  I just wanted to share some information about a business I had a positive experience with.  

My last trip to Moscow was great.  As you know, I was there in February and I also went to Odessa and Kherson.  Many many interesting stories and adventures, including a high speed chase through the streets of Moscow at 3:00 a.m. with the "militsia" trying to stop the gypsy taxi I was in.  As you know, your interpreter did not show up at the scheduled time and left me and my girl sitting in the lobby of the Marriott Royal nervously waiting.  I called another interpreter whom I found through ICQ and she worked out well enough.  She is reliable and available with short notice.  I can send you her contact info if you wish.  I also met some other enterprising people who may be able to help me in the future.

I'm going back to Moscow and maybe Kiev in again in July.  I'm probably going to use Red Star travel for the visas because they've done a good job for me in the past and they work fast upon request (which helps with my often last minute planning schedule).  

I think I can also go back in the fall.  Why?  What do you have going on?  You can email me at my primary email, which I think you already know.

[SteveM]

... in response to Visa recomendations?, posted by RadaR on Jun 16, 2002

My agent is Neli Hadjiyska of Glavs Travel (neli@glavs.com).  As I have reported previously, they can do the flights for at or near the lowest price of anybody.  Some people have not had great experiences with Aeroflot, but I have been very happy with all of my family's trips, save for a couple of two hour delays.

If you buy the ticket through Glavs, they can do the visa application for you--cost runs about $40 plus the actual visa fee.

[wilmc]

... in response to Visa recomendations?, posted by RadaR on Jun 16, 2002

I have used  "gotorussia," Atlanta, three times and have been reasonably satisfied.
Be very careful preparing your application and with your invitation.  I made one mistake with my invitation, it was one day short.  My application form was correct.  "Gotorussia" never called me about the discrepancy.  I received the visa, with the dates specifying the dates on my invitation documentation not those specifies on my application.  The visa arrived the day before my departure date.  I went anyway.  It cost me an additional $60 to leave Russia.
I was staying at the Moscow Marriott Royal, and their staff at the airport walked me through the whole process.
They were great!  If you are lucky enough to have any Marriott Rewards points, the Marriott in Moscow is a great place to stay.

[RadaR]

... in response to Re: Visa recomendations?, posted by wilmc on Jun 16, 2002

Hey,
  Thanks for the input. This brings up another question: Do my travel dates have to be exact? Can I go a day late or leave a day early.

                                     ~~rJc

[Apk1]

... in response to Travel dates, posted by RadaR on Jun 16, 2002

Travel dates must match your flight itinerary...reserve your tickets first, then match your visa to those dates. If you extend your stay and change you flight plans ...you need to extend the visa also, can be done in Moscow..but I have never tried it.

A word of caution about the tourist visa; you need to have your passport stamped withen 3 days of your arrival by a hotel or agent that "invited" you....make sure you have this information when you request your invitation. If your invitation is from a hotel that you plan to stay at...you are set, if you change plans and stay elsewhere..be prepared to pay a bribe if the hotel you wish to change to does not want to stamp your passport.

Have fun in Moscow...it is not what you'd expect, almost like visiting a large midwest American city..and you would be surprised how many people recognize you as an American and speak to you in English.

[BrianN]

... in response to Re: Travel dates, posted by Apk1 on Jun 16, 2002

My visa submission was of course based on my itenerary, but the visa itself was good for 30 days.  www.travel2russia.com arranged for it with no hotel reservation.  Beginning date of visa issued was day I was scheduled to leave usa, (not arrive in moscow, which was actually a day later).

registered my visa within 3 days by paying for a night in a cheap hotel... cost of registration and room total, $20.  (I stayed in a rented apartment instead)

visa service fee (50.00) using travel2russia was waived because i booked my tickets through them.

Based on archived posts... don't even THINK of arriving in moscow a day earlier than the date typed on your visa.

this is my first experience in russia only, ymmv.

[RadaR]

... in response to Re: Re: Travel dates, posted by BrianN on Jun 16, 2002

How was your experience with an apartment, how much did it cost, where you able to rent weekly or did you have to pay for the whole month? How did you find the apartment?

                                        Thanks
                                        ~~rJc

[BrianN]

... in response to apartment, posted by RadaR on Jun 16, 2002

I have no exp in moscow.  Mine was in novosibirsk.  My lady friend arranged it all at the cost of $16 a day for 10 days.  She had to pay a 500 ruble deposit, and after I arrived, we went and paid the rental agent directly.

[Apk1]

... in response to Re: Re: Travel dates, posted by BrianN on Jun 16, 2002

Cheap hotel? LOL..I did that too...but did not stay in it, the bed was only 5 feet long and the room was a little bigger than my closet. Thanks for refreshing my memory, as I recall the visa was good for one month...it has been almost a year since my last visit.

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Visa recomendations?, posted by RadaR on Jun 16, 2002

I used an outfit out of Atlanta called: GoToRussia when I went to St. Petersburg.

They were fast, professional, and got my Visa to me quickly. I'd use them again...