Who has the most travel freedom?

[ECOCKS]

And the answer is.......

No visa required
Who has most freedom to travel?

http://www.economist.com/node/16885221?story_id=16885221

[possum]

Ed, freedom of travel has less to do with politics and more to do with money.. If you have money, you can travel anywhere in the world, if you don't, you "won't get past the first policeman," as my dad likes to say.. 

[ECOCKS]

Yeah, so?

The only person talking politics is you Al.

[possum]

Yeah, so?

The only person talking politics is you Al.

From the link: "It is also a barometer of a country's international alliances and relations."

[acctBill]

Always knew my British passport would come in handy for something.   

[Shadow]

Perhaps you could add to this a 'Freedom of hospitality' showing the number of countries each country allows without visa.
As visa are in many cases a reciprocal thing it would make interesting comparison.

[viking]

When doing these type of comparisons, one must also look at not just the number of countries available for a given passport, but which ones. I doubt if my US passport is good for Somalia. But like...who cares. But it would be nice to add Cuba at some point.

[viking]

http://www.henleyglobal.com/citizenship/visa-restrictions/

The US has a score of 155. UK has a score of 152.

[Shadow]

http://www.henleyglobal.com/citizenship/visa-restrictions/

The US has a score of 155. UK has a score of 152.

Same data, different time.
Reverse data would be interesting

[BC]

Doesn't really matter.. won't be going to most places on this list.

Only places I have been to that required a visa:

Ukraine (back then)
Russia
Turkey (painless, 10 bucks or so)

This regardless of the passport used.

[Al_C]

I wonder how many countries have visa free travel to Ukraine?  I know we do (U.S.), and I think England does too.  Since Ukraine did this to curry favor with the West in an effort to thumb its nose at Moscow as big brother stands behind it, I suspect only a few countries are on this list.

I agree that visa free travel to Somalia would really not be important since the visa cost would be a drop in the bucket compared to the private army I would need to keep from being kidnapped.

Besides, most visas don't cost that much anyway.  Russia is really the only one that uses the visa for a profit center.  Does anybody know of other countries besides Russia that charge the outrageous amounts that they do?

[Shadow]

I wonder how many countries have visa free travel to Ukraine?  I know we do (U.S.), and I think England does too.  Since Ukraine did this to curry favor with the West in an effort to thumb its nose at Moscow as big brother stands behind it, I suspect only a few countries are on this list.

I agree that visa free travel to Somalia would really not be important since the visa cost would be a drop in the bucket compared to the private army I would need to keep from being kidnapped.

Besides, most visas don't cost that much anyway.  Russia is really the only one that uses the visa for a profit center.  Does anybody know of other countries besides Russia that charge the outrageous amounts that they do?

Not sure about the profit center thing, though I am sure the consular department does get a decent pay out of it.
However Turkey is the country that really makes it in to a profit center. As there is officially a visa policy, however it is made such that every tourist is allowed to buy it at the airport. Smaller amount, but a lot higher numbers...

[Gylden]

A lot of countries could learn something from those Turks!!
 

[possum]

Does anybody know of other countries besides Russia that charge the outrageous amounts that they do?

I know of at least one such country called the United States of America.. The cost of a tourist visa into America is astronomical when you factor in travel to and from the embassy/consulate, the salary one has to make in order to be eligible, and last but not least, real estate and other property of the applicant.. Would you rather have similar asinine requirements for a Russian visa or would you rather flash your passport and pay a few bucks?

[kievstar]

Turkey also charges different rates for each country and posts it for everyone to see in the airport.  USA is $20 usd compared to the higher prices for FSU countries.  I do like how they love the $ and where not taking the Euro when I was just there.  Many Germans were pissed when they were directed to the ATM to go get $'s. 

[Shadow]

Turkey also charges different rates for each country and posts it for everyone to see in the airport.  USA is $20 usd compared to the higher prices for FSU countries.  I do like how they love the $ and where not taking the Euro when I was just there.  Many Germans were pissed when they were directed to the ATM to go get $'s. 

I can imagine as many have a bank account in Turkey in Euro and use it to pay for about anything. 

[kievstar]

It was strange they did not take Euro and even in the Bazaars they would not take Euro either.  Last year they wanted Euro and no $.  Either a bunch of counterfeit Euros are floating around or there afraid of the exchange rate.  This was Alyana area and Antalya airport.  I am sure Istanbul is different. 

[Avis]

Speaking of costs, being a russian, had to pay aprox. $450 for two US visas, and approx. $130 UK visa fee.
What do you say Russia? $70 as far as i know  and certainly less painful than those mentioned above..

sorry a bit  here

[Gylden]

Turkey also charges different rates for each country and posts it for everyone to see in the airport.  USA is $20 usd compared to the higher prices for FSU countries.  I do like how they love the $ and where not taking the Euro when I was just there.  Many Germans were pissed when they were directed to the ATM to go get $'s. 

Here is a link to the list, prices are in euro, dollars (US) and pounds.

http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/details/BorderFormalities/index2.html

[Gylden]

It was strange they did not take Euro and even in the Bazaars they would not take Euro either.  Last year they wanted Euro and no $.  Either a bunch of counterfeit Euros are floating around or there afraid of the exchange rate.  This was Alyana area and Antalya airport.  I am sure Istanbul is different. 

I think it is best to use Turkish Lira.
 

[kievstar]

What is interesting the day I was going through Turkey they were charging Russians and Ukrainian $30 usd.  However on your attachment they only have Ukraine at $30 usd and Russia at $20 usd.  What a nice scam the airport has.