Travel to Russia

International and local air travel

The name of the airport in Naberezhhnye Chelny is Begishevo (NBC). It is also a city of Nizhnekamsk branch of Tatarstan airlines. The nearest International airport is located in Kazan (KZN) - Kazan International Airport. The quickest way to get to Naberezhnye Chelny from Moscow is if you fly with Tatarstan airlines from Domodedovo airport (DME).

Flight schedule from Moscow (Domodedovo) to Naberezhnye Chelny (Begishevo Airport in Nizhnekams) 2008

Flight number (Tatarstan airline)	Departure Time from Domodedovo (Moscow)	Arrival time in Begishevo Airport (Nizhnekams)
U9 357	9:35	11:00
U9 355	17:30	19:05
U9 361	22:45	00:20

Copies

Make a copy of your passport, the visa and the entry/exit cards before you travel to Russia, so you have always a back up if you lose the original ones. In Russia it is also better to carry copies (passport vital pages, Russian visa page, migration card and registration) with you instead of your official documents. And it would be better to make copies of your return tickets, too.

Migration card

Besides having a valid Russian visa in your passport, at the border you are requested to fill out a Migration card. Migration Cards might be available on board of airplane/train or they can be found before the passport control at the border. They consist of 2 parts: A (Arrival) and B (Departure). You should fill out both parts and hand it over to the Border Control Officer along with your passports and other travel documents. It is important to fill in the name of the inviting company and the address of the inviting company. Part A will be taken and part B - stamped and returned to you for the registration. Upon departure the migration card with registration should be handed over to immigration officials at the border. Please note that the arrival/departure card inserted into your passport by the consulate is different from the migration card, and you have to contain both cards in your passport.

Insurance

You should carry the medical insurance with you. It might be asked at the border. And if something happens to you (loss of consciousness on seeing a beautiful Russian woman, for example) all necessary medical aid will be provided and paid by your insurance company (not only first aid).

Voucher

Please make a copy of your tourist invitation (voucher) and carry it with you. It might be asked at the Russian border. This tourist voucher is the list of services that have been pre-booked and prepaid. It is the proof that you are a tourist.

Registration

According to Russian laws foreigners have to register their visas in the local office of the Ministry of Interior (OVIR) within 3 working days after arrival or within 1 day in case of staying in a hotel. This rule is applied for all foreign nationals. If you do not know where and how to do registration, please contact your inviting organization. If you stay in Russia less than 3 working days you don't have to register your visa. The registration is a stamp on your migration card. Depending on where you register your visa and what kind of visa you have, the registration process can be different.

Customs Declaration form

Why not download the Russian Customs Declaration form if you need one? Saves time at the airport when you get there.
Customs Declaration form - English This is a 2-sided form, print back to back and cut in half. You need 2, one for entry, one for exit.

Learn a few phrases in Russian

Yes - Da
No - Nyet
Hello - Zdrástvuitye
Goodbye - Do svidanya
Please - Pazhawsta
Thank you - Spassíba
My name is … - Minya zavoot …
How are you? - Kak vi pazhivayetye?
I’m very well - U minya xarasho
I feel ill - Ya bolyen (male) / ya bolna (female)
How much does it cost? - Skolka stoyit?
Do you speak English? - Gavaritye pa anglisski?
I don’t understand - Ya ne panimayu
Where is …? - Gdye …?
Entrance - Vhot
Exit - Víhod
Danger - Apásnost
Open - Atkrity
Closed - Zakrity
Toilets - Tualyet
Doctor - Vrach
Hotel - Gastínitsa
Restaurant - Ristorán
Beer - Peeva
Wine - Vino
Menu - Minú