First trip questions?

[Koluji Ezhik]

I am making my first trip to Russia in a few days. I got a good deal on a ticket, because I bought it on Orbitz . com. Part of the deal is that I have three connections on 3 airlines. I fly from JFK to London on British Air. Then I fly Heathrow to Copenhagen on KLM. And then Copenhagen to kaliningrad on Baltic Air on a prop plane. I am concerned about flying in a prop plane to Russia. I also wanted to take a few gifts of Liquor to Russia with me, and some toiletries. If I check my luggage do you think it will check all the way through, or will I have to go through customs and recheck it as I transfer from airline to airline? When my friend returned to K-grad from America she checked a bag and it was lost for a few days. I am thinking of trying to avoid checking a bag by not taking liquids, if it will be an inconvienence, but at the same time if it wont be too big a hassel I would prefer to check one bag. Does anyone have any advice for me? Do you know what is the limit on how much alcohol I can take into Russia? thanks
Kj

[deccie]

I am making my first trip to Russia in a few days. I got a good deal on a ticket, because I bought it on Orbitz . com. Part of the deal is that I have three connections on 3 airlines. I fly from JFK to London on British Air. Then I fly Heathrow to Copenhagen on KLM. And then Copenhagen to kaliningrad on Baltic Air on a prop plane. I am concerned about flying in a prop plane to Russia. I also wanted to take a few gifts of Liquor to Russia with me, and some toiletries. If I check my luggage do you think it will check all the way through, or will I have to go through customs and recheck it as I transfer from airline to airline? When my friend returned to K-grad from America she checked a bag and it was lost for a few days. I am thinking of trying to avoid checking a bag by not taking liquids, if it will be an inconvienence, but at the same time if it wont be too big a hassel I would prefer to check one bag. Does anyone have any advice for me? Do you know what is the limit on how much alcohol I can take into Russia? thanks
Kj

I don't really understand your concern about flying in a turboprop plane to Russia. i would be more concerned it were some a Tu-154 or Tu-152. What exactly is your worry here?
As for your bags, whether they get there or not you should prepare a little ahead of time for the reality they may not. Especially with three airlines be prepared for a blame game. I think KLM has a very bad reputation for losing bags as does British airways. Hmm.. Your odds aren't good. If you want to avoid not checking a bag your dimensions as to what you can take by the smallest plane you fly in. J
I don't know the limit on alcohol to bring in so can't help there.

I have been through the lost bags myself. I arrived in St Petersburg in February to -20 weather and Lufthansa had lost my bags.. and I was coming from the Middle East so i wasn't exactly dressed warmly! I got the bag back as I was flying out back the other way...

[wxman]

Are the airlines you're flying on part of the KLM network of partners? If so, once checked the first time, you will not need to do it the rest of the way.  If not then you may have to re-check from airline to airline. Call British Airlines as they are the first leg of your journey. I have never had any problems with KLM airlines losing luggage. Of course I make sure there is at least 2 hours between flights to make sure the luggage makes the next leg.

[Mir]

If you bought one ticket for all three legs of your journey then you will need to check in once and get your luggage at the other end.In this situation quite often all three boarding cards are also given out at first check in.

If you have three separate tickets then at each arrival you will need to collect your lugage and check in with the respective airline.
As suggested, best ask BA.

Turboprops are quite safe, afterall the Baltic Airline flight must be running hundreds of times per year without problems.

I have flown KLM approximately 50 times, I have yet to lose any lugage.

[Simoni]

If you bought one ticket for all three legs of your journey then you will need to check in once and get your luggage at the other end.In this situation quite often all three boarding cards are also given out at first check in.

If you have three separate tickets then at each arrival you will need to collect your lugage and check in with the respective airline.
As suggested, best ask BA.

Turboprops are quite safe, afterall the Baltic Airline flight must be running hundreds of times per year without problems.

I have flown KLM approximately 50 times, I have yet to lose any lugage.

Ditto to what Mir says, with the exception of the last point.    My luggage (not on KLM) gets lost about 20 percent of the time.

[RussianGal]

Do you know what is the limit on how much alcohol I can take into Russia?

OFFICIALLY:
2 liters (~68oz) of alcohol beverages are allowed into Russia without having to pay a custom fee.
If you bring up to 5 times the amount, the fees are:
beer - 0.6 euro per liter (~34oz),
champagne and wine - 20%,
cognac, whisky, vodka, gin, rum, liquor - 2 euro per liter (~34oz).   

Having said that, I heard people bring 4 liters of spirits and 4 liters of beer with no problems. However, they were Russian.

[MaxxumUSA]

When going through customs in russia just go through the green customs line exiting russia.  I have never even been looked at - you just walk out.

There is nowhere else they check for liquor that I know of.  I would bring as much as my heart desired if it were me.  Matter of fact - I did on my visits.

Luggage - I am unsure of the airlines you mention.  But...  I know from experience just because your bags have the final destination printed on them does not mean they will automatically transfer between airplanes.  I think it's best to ask and double check on EACH flight.  I might even ask a third time to be sure.

- Good luck and ENJOY!  It is certainly a great experience I will never forget or regret.

[SANDRO43]

Turboprops are quite safe, afterall the Baltic Airline flight must be running hundreds of times per year without problems.

And, in case of emergency landings, turboprops survive MUCH better than jets .

[Rod]

   I have heard that " in flying, it isn't the flying that's dangerous, it's the landing."

[2tallbill]

I am making my first trip to Russia in a few days. I got a good deal on a ticket, because I bought it on Orbitz . com. Part of the deal is that I have three connections on 3 airlines. I fly from JFK to London on British Air. Then I fly Heathrow to Copenhagen on KLM. And then Copenhagen to kaliningrad on Baltic Air on a prop plane. I am concerned about flying in a prop plane to Russia. I also wanted to take a few gifts of Liquor to Russia with me, and some toiletries. If I check my luggage do you think it will check all the way through, or will I have to go through customs and recheck it as I transfer from airline to airline? When my friend returned to K-grad from America she checked a bag and it was lost for a few days. I am thinking of trying to avoid checking a bag by not taking liquids, if it will be an inconvienence, but at the same time if it wont be too big a hassel I would prefer to check one bag. Does anyone have any advice for me? Do you know what is the limit on how much alcohol I can take into Russia? thanks
Kj

Unless you like a special type of alcohol that that is unavailable in Russia I would recommend buying it in Russia when you get there. They have many
kinds of very good alcohol at very low prices. They have several excellent beers and vodkas, but also others as well. Also alcohol is very heavy to carry and takes up
a lot of room. I about more people asking how much they can bring back.

You might send a PM to Phil dAmore who lives in St Pete. He knows what is available and what is not. He is a pretty good guy.

Udachi (good luck)

Bill

[Taz]

I have had my luggage lost about 40% of the time to Russia and slightly less than 30% of the time to Urkaine. I would HIGHLY suggest that you split up your clothes among 2 suitcases and put a shirt, underwear and socks in your carry-on luggage as well. At this point I take a fairly big (maximum allowable size) for carry on and pack several shirts, socks and underwear in it as well as my essential items that I can't do without.

I also have one tall rolling duffel (either 26" or 30") that isn't too wide but deep. It also doubles as a backpack. I bought this purposely so it will easily go down the aisle of the train wagons for when I take a train. Standard suitcase are often too wide or make it nigh impossible to let a person go past you on a train when loading and unloading. It also goes into the trunks of Ladas and Zhigulis (their common cars) quite easily and it rolls behind quite nicely and has BIG wheels which are essential for the crappy roads and sidewalks not to mention going through snow easier.

As for the lost luggage theme, one trip my luggage was one step behind me the entire trip. I didn't receive my luggage until I was leaving from Kiev. I kept buying clothes at local markets and such to keep going. All I had was my carry-on bag with my laptop and a few other odds and ends. After that I always packed at least one set of clothes to change. I also carry a soft fabric bag as well in it as one time they wanted me to check my carry-on luggage on a small prop plane. I then took out my essentials out of that bag and put in the fabric bag and never let it out of my sight!

No need to bring alocohol as mentioned unless you have some special type you want to bring. If you do bring any, I'd put it in a non-glass container. Airlines can be pretty rough on bottles as the amount of care given to suitcases has really gone down.

As for planes. I avoid the TU-154 (jet) as much as possible as well as the AN-24(turbo prop). I HATE both of these planes with a passion. I'll take a train before I'll fly in either one of these again. Internal upkeep of aircraft isn't the best in the FSU. Two arilines though I sort of trust or Sibir Avialinia and Pulkovo. The others pretty much suck!

[2tallbill]

Ok, I have one more comment about bringing booze INTO Russia, which is kinda like bringing pot to Columbia. (except its not illegal)

If you really do want to bring in a couple bottles of 100 year old single malt scotch aged in oak barrels that were captured from
the King of England by William Wallace and serenaded daily by Sweet Scottish bag pipes. How would you feel after you opened your bag and realized that some
Russian Customs agent grabbed it and is now drinking with his mates?

Buy something locally and see how much fantastic Russian vodka or Piva you can bring home.

Take care,

Bill

[Alyona]

Taz is right.  When my fiancee/husband  would visit me 50% of the time his bags would not arrive with him.  He would fly through Frankfurt Germany (huge airport) and the connections were very fast.

Take the things you will need for at least three days because if your bag does not arrive, it will have to come another plane.  Keep all your luggage claims (very important).  My husband would actually write the numbers down on a separate notepad to make sure they would not be lost.  They will need these to make trace if your bag does not arrive.

Customs may confiscate anything and if you do not speak the language you may find it easier just to give them what they want and keep moving.  If you take liquor take small bottles, wrap them in clothes and bury them very deeply in your suitcases.

Alyona

[Phil dAmore]

 

bringing booze INTO Russia, which is kinda like bringing pot to Columbia

.

I understand the statement Bill but strictly speaking Columbia isn't known for it's pot exports.  Columbia is better known for cocaine.

The bulk of the weed these days is coming from Mexico, Vancouver BC and a lot of homegrown operations... .

... or so I'm told     

[2tallbill]

.

I understand the statement Bill but strictly speaking Columbia isn't known for it's pot exports.  Columbia is better known for cocaine.

The bulk of the weed these days is coming from Mexico, Vancouver BC and a lot of homegrown operations... .

... or so I'm told     

Ok, so I am definitely not an expert on such things.

I remember you telling me of a couple of things you couldn't get in St Petersburg. I remember
Cholula sauce, and maybe one of the Jim Beam varieties???

What types of booze are not available there?


ZhelAyu tebe schaslIvovo NOvovo gOda! (I wish you a happy New Year)

Take care,


Bill

[Phil dAmore]

Crown Royal is not available in any store.  The only place I have seen it is in the duty-free shop at Pulkovo airport, and you need a ticket to get in there.

Jim Beam, Jack Daniels and other Tennessee whiskys are available but boy howdy are they expensive.  A bottle of Beam that can be bought in any American liquor store for around $11 goes for almost $60 here!

Except for the lack of Canadian pretty much everything else can be found.. but is expensive.

Obviously one does not find 'designer' vodkas here.. we already have the best in the world!

[Kuna]

I'm pretty late on this thread so I imagine the OP has already traveled...  but...  flying on an Air Baltic prop plane wouldn't concern me at all.  Early this year I flew Hamburg > Riga on a prop plane (can't remember what type now) and it was a very comfortable experience.  No problems at all... very comfortable... I would do it again anytime.

Air Baltic is a very nice airline...  and incredibly cheap!

[2tallbill]

A while ago I put together recommendations list about traveling to the FSU.

Here it is.

1. Make all your own arrangements for apartments etc.
This way some agency doesn't have control over you.

2. Stay in an apartment not a hotel: There are several advantages to staying in a hotel.
A. You can cook or better yet your lady can cook for you.
B. Having a refrigerator / morning coffee in your underwear / a midnight snack
since your jet lag will mess with the time space continuum.
C. Some ladies will not visit you in a hotel and could be thought as prostitutes by
someone who sees them there or hotel staff.
D. The price is usually the same
E. You can do laundry in many of them so you wouldn't have to pack as much.

3. Bring a couple pairs of good walking shoes (not athletic shoes) you will walk a LOT! Imagine walking several miles each day on asphalt concrete (with cracks and pot holes) Your feet will take a beating. I would also advise wearing new shoes for a couple of days at least to break them in before you leave so you don't get blisters. Keep them nicely polished, it will protect them and look good too.

4. I bought a cheap cell phone with a couple of prepaid phone cards. There are many advantages for doing this as well.
a. you will have a local number for ladies to contact that will travel with you. Having a phone with a non local number will cost a lot for ladies to call and they don't have a lot of money to spend on it.
b. RW love to send and receive SMS
c. If things don't work out between you and your lady then you will be able to setup arrangements to meet others without waiting by the phone like a high school girl without a prom date.
d. In my experience 99.99% of all cell phones have both a clock and an alarm clock in them. This way you don't oversleep and end up late for a date or anything else.

I would also recommend treating the local water as hazardous waste. Shower in it but brush your teeth with bottled water, rinse your dishes in bottled water etc. It is something that simply isn't worth risking having Montezuma revenge in the middle of a trip. I also bring Pepto Bismol but luckily have never needed it.

Other tips
1. Chap stick. You will not believe how dry your lips will be after 20 hours (or more) of traveling.
2. Pack a Swiss army knife in your checked baggage. It was designed to do a hundred things and you will find at least half of them.
3. A small flashlight, I have never been on a single trip without power interruptions.
4. Power converters / adapters. They use 220V and a completely different plug.
5. I carry an Ectaco translator (not required but nice to have) It is nice to be able to know the Russian word for Milk or Toothpaste while in a store or to ask directions etc.
6. I bring a big fluffy towel, all the towels that I have seen in the FSU apartments have been thread bare and small.
7. Little packets of wet ones towellets
8. One roll of toilet paper. You likely won't need it but imagine needing it and not having it.
9. A couple books about your area, scenic lakes, nature, your city etc. will be very popular with a woman who is considering relocating. You can tell stories about the pictures, history etc. There are several of them at a Barnes and Noble or from Amazon. Show here one on your first date and give it to her (if you have chemistry). It's a good ice breaker and she will look at every page many times when she gets home.

I am sure that others can give you even more things to think about.

Udachi!  (good luck)
Have fun!

[Jet]

Another late reply, but to address the alcohol issue, bring whatever your heart desires besides vodka and beer (better stuff cheaper there). My wife has been going back twice a year for quite some time now, and before that I was travelling over there, and never ever got questioned on Liquor, even in the smaller regional airports. Lil usually takes 6 750_ml bottles of Rum and a couple big bottles of wine. I used to carry 4 of each. She also brings back about 6 bottles of vodka and 8 cartons of cigarettes (hey Marlboro Lts. are like $9 a carton in Russia vs $35 locally) and has never been questioned at US customs either. The only thing I was ever hassled about at customs in RU was my 35_mm camera, a shrug of the shoulders and a stupid look :noidea:, and I was on my way  .

[Mishenka]

Booking flights on Orbitz is not always a good idea!   Sure, they give you the lowest price airfare and this is why it took 3 un related airlines to get to one destination. These tickets are not refundable, and can not be changed without high cost to the passenger X three non partner airlines.  British Airways is not partners with Air France who owns KLM, nor are they partners with the other airline mentioned. No bags on these three flights will be checked all the way through. High chance they will get lost, stolen or otherwise, disappear. Orbitz is best for short flights RT on one flight to one destination. 

As MIR said,  You will need time to re check bags  assuming they made it on the same flight as you did.  Expect delays because they are common in all seasons, especially WINTER travel. Hope in your case Orbitz has given you enough time between flights to do all this.  It's best off to travel light with as much as possible in your carry on with max size limits.   

Booze is not the best idea for checked bags during travel because, #1 it will most likely make your bag overweight and the airlines are cracking down now more than ever before,  charging more for excess weight,, like $5 per kilo or so.  #2 it can break, as the words FRAGILE mean nothing to the airlines baggage guys. Nothing smells worse than clothes smelling of booze. As stated before alcohol is one of few things cheap in most FSU countries so why bother? You can buy it duty free when you get there, and it travels much better after you land! Even if you bought it at Costco,the money you saved at the register you will spend again in overweight baggage fee's.

Nice travel list 2tallBill, especially got a kick out of "B" Having a refrigerator / morning coffee in your underwear / a midnight snack since your jet lag will mess with the time space continuum.?  OK I get the fridge,and coffee,, but not in my underwear. I'm sure you meant hotel room. As far as hotels and women visiting rooms etc,, it is common for most people to think "mistress" at first glance but who cares what others think?

I will use that as a checklist in February when I fly to Tashkent. Travel light?

[jb]

it is common for most people to think "mistress" at first glance but who cares what others think?

Noooooo,,, they don't usually think mistress when you try to have a g/f up to your room.

[I/O]

Noooooo,,, they don't usually think mistress when you try to have a g/f up to your room.

Hired help?

I/O

[chivo]

Another late reply, but to address the alcohol issue, bring whatever your heart desires besides vodka and beer (better stuff cheaper there). My wife has been going back twice a year for quite some time now, and before that I was travelling over there, and never ever got questioned on Liquor, even in the smaller regional airports. 

This is the rule of thumb for any traveller. A good bottle of tequila, like Petron for instance, goes for about $160 here compared to the US where is cost about $40.

Also, since I like tequila, I usually bring back a case of margarita mix which is almost impossible to find. Happy travelling.

chivo

[2tallbill]

Nice travel list 2tallBill, especially got a kick out of "B" Having a refrigerator / morning coffee in your underwear / a midnight snack since your jet lag will mess with the time space continuum.?  OK I get the fridge,and coffee,, but not in my underwear. I'm sure you meant hotel room. As far as hotels and women visiting rooms etc,, it is common for most people to think "mistress" at first glance but who cares what others think?

I will use that as a checklist in February when I fly to Tashkent. Travel light?

Like JB and I/O alluded to above they will think hooker not mistress (and maybe they will try to get a commission or give her grief)

The coffee in underwear theory was that you can wake up in an apartment and start making coffee without having to get dressed (and bundled up for the cold) and go find it somewhere.

as far as traveling light, I usually over pack. So far I have been very lucky to not have a bag lost or stolen. I can't go to a regular store and buy clothes. I remember even buying gloves for my big paws was a hassle the time that I tried it.

Udachi (good luck)

Bill

[dneid]

Hey, 2tallbill,
I really liked the list you came up with.  I am getting ready for my first trip to Ukraine in April, so I am really paying attention to posts like this!  Thanks.

I have learned a lot from all the replies to this post.  Thanks to all of you!