Transit thru VKO

[sashathecat]

Was thinking of a surprise trip back to Odessa with the wife this summer. A quick scan of prices and MIA>VKO>ODS is only about $750 that time of year, a steal for us USAians. Would I need a VISA just for transit? Layover is long, 22 hours, anything to do in that time frame nearby? Would I be able to exit the airport without a VISA?

[Manny]

Would I be able to exit the airport without a VISA?

That would be a no in most countries.

[DPRK]

Was thinking of a surprise trip back to Odessa with the wife this summer. A quick scan of prices and MIA>VKO>ODS is only about $750 that time of year, a steal for us USAians. Would I need a VISA just for transit? Layover is long, 22 hours, anything to do in that time frame nearby? Would I be able to exit the airport without a VISA?

I would venture to say that if you exit VKO, then you will need a transit visa, which is good for up to 3 days if traveling by plane. If you go that route, make sure to use ILS, not TraVisa, as Invisa Logistic Services is the only visa service in the U.S. authorized to hand deliver your visa papers and passport to the consulate, and much more economical. (Travisa simply hands your documents to ILS and bilks you for a middleman fee.) Florida is zoned for the Washington, D.C. embassy, so you'll be sending your papers to the D.C. branch. "Way to Russia" has some economical invitation letters.

[sashathecat]

I figured a VISA may be necessary for a US citizen when leaving the airport, but was not sure how strict they were about it in Russia. My wife and I have had experiences where they give you a little wiggle room or look the other way. Seems usually not the case in Russia after looking into it a bit more. Not sure if a VISA is worth it for a layover, although it might be if I plan on returning and apply for the three year. Thanks

[ECR844]

In some cases the Russians still require a transit visa even if you don't leave the airport. I went through SVO on the return side of a transit trip yesterday and the Russians required a transit visa even though we were transiting the same day and 'within the same terminal.

Better safe than sorry.....

[msmoby]

''A Transit Visa is not required if you remain in the transit zone of the airport in order to catch an onward or connecting flight within 24 hours of arrival. Transit visas are normally valid for maximum of 3 days if travelling by air and 10 if travelling by train.''

From the Russian Visa Service

http://ru.vfsglobal.co.uk/transit.html

[sashathecat]

''A Transit Visa is not required if you remain in the transit zone of the airport in order to catch an onward or connecting flight within 24 hours of arrival. Transit visas are normally valid for maximum of 3 days if travelling by air and 10 if travelling by train.''

From the Russian Visa Service

http://ru.vfsglobal.co.uk/transit.html

Thanks. At this point a 22 hour layover in the airport does not make the savings worth it for me. I could do the same in other cities without the additional hassle. I have also read about issues similar to what ECR844 mentions as well.

[PBRstreetg]

Why take the chance since you have your family with you buddy. I get that it's worth finding out, leave it to another member to sort it. Very good question that people really want to know.