Travelling to Moscow in 2026: the current situation for Austrians

Since 2022, a Moscow trip is no longer a normal city break. So here we sum up what applies right now, what you need to sort out beforehand and which sights are still impressive.

The Foreign Ministry’s travel warning: this comes first

The BMEIA lists Russia with a travel warning – the highest security level – and advises Austrian citizens against staying there. The wording and the level can change. So read the Russia page on bmeia.gv.at right before any decision and again before you leave. Also register with the ministry’s travel registration service if it is offered for the country.

The warning has practical consequences that many people underestimate:

• Limited help: The Austrian embassy in Moscow can only provide limited support. In case of arrest, illness or cancelled connections you are largely on your own.
• Insurance: Trip cancellation, trip interruption and health insurance policies often restrict or exclude cover for countries with a travel warning. Ask your insurer in writing before booking and get the answer confirmed.
• Dual citizenship: Russia treats people with Russian citizenship as Russians. Consular protection is then severely limited, and obligations such as military service may apply. Anyone with a second citizenship should get advice from the BMEIA and the embassy beforehand.
• Arbitrary arrests: Western nationals can end up in detention regardless of the reason. The BMEIA and other EU foreign ministries point this out.

Safety in Moscow: what you need to know in general

In everyday life Moscow is a large, heavily monitored metropolis with lots of police and cameras. Crime against tourists often seems inconspicuous. The risks lie elsewhere:

• Drone alerts and airspace closures: Since 2023 there have been repeated drone attacks in the Moscow area. The result is temporarily closed airports, delayed or cancelled flights and restrictions on mobile networks. Plan in buffer time, otherwise you will miss your return flight.
• ID checks: The police check IDs frequently, especially near railway stations, metro stations and government districts. Carry your passport or a copy, as Russian law requires. If anything is unclear: stay calm.
• Politics and photos: Statements about the war and the army can be a criminal offence. Do not photograph military or security facilities, and bear in mind that authorities can check phones.
• Terrorism risk: The BMEIA regularly publishes advice on this as well. Avoid crowds when the authorities issue warnings.

For everything else about the current situation, rely exclusively on the official sources: the BMEIA and, if needed, the German Federal Foreign Office and the Swiss FDFA.

Visa and entry for Austrians

E-visa or embassy visa

Austrian citizens need a visa for Russia. Russia offers an electronic visa (e-visa), which you apply for online and which is valid for short stays. The fee was most recently about 50 US dollars (as of 2026, without guarantee). Processing usually takes a few working days. Alternatively, you can apply for a classic visa at the Russian embassy or a visa centre, which requires additional documents such as an invitation or hotel bookings.

Conditions, the list of countries and fees change. Rely only on the official websites of the Russian authorities and the embassy. Be careful with agencies that charge high surcharges or promise guarantees.

Possible pitfalls

• The validity of your passport must extend beyond the visa. Check the exact requirement.
• The migration card and registration at your place of stay are mandatory in Russia. Hotels usually take care of this, private accommodation does not automatically.
• Cash above a certain amount (most recently about 10,000 US dollars) must be declared on entry and exit. The same applies when you return to the EU.
• Medication: only take prescription drugs in their original packaging, and check beforehand whether any active ingredients are banned in Russia.

Getting there: flight routes without a direct flight

Since 2022 EU airspace has been closed to Russian airlines and Russian airspace to EU airlines. There are therefore no direct flights between Vienna and Moscow. The usual routes go via third countries:

• Istanbul: Turkish Airlines and other carriers fly Vienna–Istanbul–Moscow.
• Belgrade: Air Serbia connects Belgrade with Moscow, and Vienna–Belgrade is a short hop.
• Gulf and Caucasus hubs: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Yerevan or Tbilisi are options depending on availability.

Schedules change at short notice, and flights are rescheduled because of drone alerts. Book flexible fares and allow at least several hours between two flights. Overland travel from the EU is largely restricted by border rules for tourists. A rental car from the EU is out of the question, because insurance and vehicle papers are not valid in Russia.

Rough figures for time and distance

Money without Western cards

Because of the sanctions, Visa and Mastercard have stopped doing business in Russia. Cards from Austrian banks work neither in shops nor at ATMs there. Apple Pay and Google Pay are also useless for foreign cards. What is left:

• Cash: Bring euros or US dollars in flawless, new notes. Damaged or marked notes are often not accepted. Exchange money at banks or exchange offices and compare rates. The rouble fluctuates a lot, and rates at the airport are usually worse.
• No transfers: Money transfers from Austria to Russia are severely restricted by sanctions. In an emergency you cannot simply have money sent to you.
• Booking platforms: Airbnb and Booking.com do not offer bookings in Russia. You have to book hotels directly or through Russian providers. Payment is then usually made in cash on site.
• Ban on circumventing sanctions: Anyone trying to circumvent EU sanctions, for example through intermediaries, is taking a risk. Get information from the Austrian Economic Chamber or legal advisers.

Typical prices on site

Convert these figures into euros at the day’s exchange rate, because prices and the rate can shift considerably within a few weeks.

Internet and apps

• Mobile network: Roaming with Austrian providers is expensive or restricted. For a Russian SIM card you need to register with your passport, which is often possible at the airport or in the providers’ shops.
• Shutdowns: During drone alerts the authorities temporarily restrict mobile internet access. Download maps and tickets for offline use.
• Blocked services: Instagram and Facebook are blocked, and WhatsApp, YouTube and other services are restricted. The situation changes constantly. Telegram is widely used.
• VPN: Using one is legally tricky, and the authorities are increasingly cracking down on it. Get information from the official sources beforehand.
• Useful apps: Yandex Go (taxi) and Yandex Maps are the local standard. They are hard to use without Russian means of payment.

The most important places in Moscow

Worth it

• Red Square with St Basil’s Cathedral: This ensemble is the face of the city. Best early in the day or in the evening, when it is less busy.
• Kremlin: The cathedrals and the Armoury are worth seeing. Buy tickets online in advance if possible, and allow time for security checks.
• Metro: Stations such as Komsomolskaya, Mayakovskaya or Kiyevskaya are considered underground palaces. They are cheap and at the same time the fastest way to get around.
• Tretyakov Gallery: Russian art through the centuries, good for half a day.
• Sergiyev Posad: The Trinity Lavra monastery is a day trip (about 70 km north) with a strong atmosphere.

Rather overrated

• Arbat Street: Lots of souvenir stalls and tourist restaurants, little that is authentic.
• GUM as a place to shop: The building is beautiful, but prices are high. A quick look is enough.
• Viewing platforms in Moscow City: Only worth it in clear weather, otherwise it is expensive fog.

Typical mistakes

• Planning only with a card and not bringing cash.
• Booking the return flight without a buffer, even though airports are closed at short notice.
• Not checking your travel insurance for exclusions.
• Carrying a phone with political chats or photos through checks without thinking about it.
• Relying on agencies that give “safe” visa guarantees.
• Taking children and pets without thinking through the emergency chain. Dogs are also subject to their own entry rules with a veterinary certificate, which you need to ask the Russian veterinary authorities about.

Moscow trip: our conclusion

Anyone who has to visit Moscow despite the warning for work or family reasons should keep the trip as short and well documented as possible, get information from the BMEIA beforehand and let family or employer know the travel plan. For a holiday with a child and a dog, we advise against it. Trips to St Petersburg, the Caucasus or the Baltic states offer similar cultural experiences with much less uncertainty.

Our conclusion on a Moscow trip: before any planning, check the current travel warning and the entry rules first, because the situation keeps changing. You should also sort out cash and ways to pay in advance, because Western cards do not work there. You will find more places on our destinations page; background on the city is on Wikipedia.

Frequently asked questions

As of 20.10.2026. Prices and rules change – please check with the official sources before you travel.