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San juan vacation rentals, nassau vacation rentals, rome vacation rentals, key west vacation rentals, honolulu vacation rentals, orlando vacation rentals, denpasar vacation rentals, new orleans vacation rentals, tokyo vacation rentals, cancún vacation rentals, oranjestad vacation rentals, london vacation rentals, bangkok vacation rentals, santo domingo vacation rentals, frequently asked questions about vacation rentals on kayak.

• How does KAYAK find such low vacation rental prices? KAYAK processes and displays results from 2M+ properties and hundreds of third party sites, allowing it to find a variety of vacation rental prices and options which allow users to save money on vacation rentals, cabins, beach houses, condos, villas and more. KAYAK also displays millions of verified reviews so users can see as many available vacation rental options as possible.
• How do I find the best vacation rental deals on KAYAK? A simple vacation rental search at KAYAK scans for prices on hundreds of travel sites in seconds. We gather vacation rental deals from across the web and put them in one place. Then on the search results page you can use various filters to compare options for the same vacation home and easily choose the best rental deal from all of the deals coming straight from the travel sites to your screen, with no extra fee from KAYAK.
• What is special about vacation rental reviews on KAYAK? All vacation rental property reviews on KAYAK are by verified guests, so you know that what you're reading is legit.

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When you embark on a trip, booking a house rental offers a home away from home that other accommodation types simply can't match. These kinds of rentals are available in many destinations throughout America whether you're looking to go to a new city, the beach, or the mountains. A house rental takes relaxation to the next level with all the amenities and convenience you need for both budget-conscious and luxurious travelers.

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Calabay Charm - sunny & private, great accommodation & space, south-facing pool/spa

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SIESTA KEY #1 BEACH USA: GROUP OF 4 COTTAGES CAN BE RENTED TOGETHER OR SEPARATE

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Charming Historic Home - Walk to Waterfront!

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Come Stay In This Charming & Cozy Home In The Heart Of Naples

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Newly Purchased 6 Bedroom 4 Bath Beach House with private Pool!

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Amazing house with Pool4b(4b just 9 minutes from Ventura country club golf

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Work & Play Here-Gated Resort-6BR-5 Masters-Private Pool-Free Wifi-Near Disney

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Orlando Modern Spacious Home Near Universal

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Beautiful beach cottage with pool - just steps from the ocean

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Stunning fully furnished 3 bedroom, 3 full bath, near-ocean front

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Private Upscale Condo in Myrtle w/ Ocean View + right on Boardwalk w/ Huge Deck!

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Five bedroom Beach House w Game Room & Elevator - by Luxury Beach Rentals!

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We aim to provide an unforgettable experience with our 5Star waterfront property

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Mediterranean Style Cottage in Miami's Upper East Side

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Modern Luxurious Miami Home

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Newly Renovated modern waterfront beachhouse with 9 beds. Sleeps 18

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Casa Havana / Renovated 3/2-Near Brickell&Downtown

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Stunning Luxurious Miami Home

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Beach house(2BR) w/ tub, pool, jacuzzi close to Strip & Downtown

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Upgraded King Beds Pool BBQ Near Strip

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Experience Las Vegas Like No Other! Awesome Unit Near at The Strip! Free Parking

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MAGICAL Get-A-Way, off the strip. Close to the Mountains and Hiking Trails

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Just Listed! - Beautiful 4 Bed 3 Bath Close To Strip W/pool/spa/gameroom

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Las Vegas Retreat w/ Yard < 5 Mi to Strip!

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Modern Luxury Villa with Everything

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Stylish retreat with a private, heated pool, central AC, & garage game room

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Luxurious Orlando Kissimmee Mansion for Work Remote or Family Gatherings

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10 Minutes from Parks in Orlando Kissimmee Area Gated Community Private Pool

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12 person,5 m to Disney, 5BR 3BA pool & SPA,Gated, lakeview; Xbox Wii, Air fryer

Discover house vacation rentals for your next trip.

Going on a trip can be an unforgettable experience, but if you want to get the most out of your journey, you'll need to find accommodation that ensures you get all the comfort you deserve. One of the best options is choosing a house rental. When you book a house for your trip, you can enjoy an experience that's like a home away from home with all the comforts you're used to. Opt for something a bit more luxurious, and you can enjoy quite a few comforts you don't have at home as well.

Much like houses available for sale, vacation rental houses come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. No matter what kind of vacation you're looking to embark on, you'll have no problem finding a house that suits your unique needs regardless of where you're looking to travel. Small houses for couples who are looking for cozy, romantic accommodation and larger family-sized houses with multiple bedrooms are available in equal measure. You just have to find the right fit.

Explore beach house rentals

One of the most popular destinations for a vacation in the United States is the beach. You'll find iconic destinations all around the coast whether you're heading to Florida, Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, California, or all the way out to Hawaii. Fortunately, beach house rentals are available in all of these locations and more, so you can enjoy the homey atmosphere of a house while being just steps away from the water.

Beach houses, in particular, tend to come with certain amenities specially suited for their location. For example, it's common to have a porch or upper balcony that faces the water in the more luxurious houses, so you can enjoy scenic views without having to leave the property. Additionally, these houses sometimes have their own private pools. After spending so much time in the ocean, it can be refreshing to swim in a more controlled environment, which makes them a popular add-on for beachfront homes.

Find houses with pools for rent

Houses with pools for rent are among the most popular kinds of house rentals to book. When you opt for a house rental rather than a hotel, you don't have to sacrifice amenities when your rental comes with its own pool. Plus, the pool at a house is often completely private, allowing you to access it whenever you like without having to share it with any strangers. Even house rentals that are part of a larger complex with a community pool still offer fun you wouldn't be able to find otherwise.

Houses with pools are especially appealing when you're looking for family-friendly accommodation. One of the most important aspects of family-friendly accommodation is ensuring that everyone stays entertained throughout the experience. If you have kids, one of the easiest ways to keep them happy is to have access to a pool. Houses with pools for rent typically have plenty of seating around the pool as well, so it's easy for the whole family to congregate even if not everybody wants to swim.

Book a lake house rental

If you're looking for a vacation by the water but don't like the beach all that much, a lake house rental may be exactly what you're looking for. These stunning accommodation options grant easy access to water that's a lot calmer and more peaceful. Lake houses tend to offer an atmosphere of tranquility that houses near a busy beach simply can't match. Isolated lake houses are particularly appealing, as they also tend to be near hiking and biking trails.

One of the best things about lake houses is that they tend to come with special amenities that take full advantage of their location. For example, it's not uncommon to find complimentary fishing poles you can use along with a kayak or canoe if you're looking to venture out into the water. Additionally, you may find that your rental comes with maps of hiking and biking trails around the area. This isn't always the case, of course, but these features are available in lake house rentals more often than you might think.

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How To Rent Your Property to Travel Nurses

Property owners often contact us to ask how they can rent their properties to travel nurses. While we are not a property listing service, we do have expertise in the travel healthcare industry. So, in this article, we’ll discuss everything property owners need to know to rent their properties to travel nurses.

Who Rents Travel Nurse Housing?

First, it’s important to know who actually rents travel nurse housing. Sometimes, the agency rents the housing . Other times, the travel nurse rents the property .

Typically, this choice is left to the travel nurse . They can choose to have the company secure their housing or they can choose to secure it on their own. If they secure it on their own, the travel nursing company gives them a lodging reimbursement .

How Much Do Companies and Nurses have to Spend on Travel Nurse Housing?

The amount of money that travel nurses receive for housing varies by location. It also varies from contract to contract.

For example, it’s fair to say that travel nurses will have more to spend on housing in San Francisco, CA than they do in Des Moines, IA. Additionally, the amount they have to spend will vary within a given area based on how much the particular contract pays.

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Perhaps most importantly, and contrary to conventional wisdom, the travel nursing industry operates on a tight budget when it comes to housing. For example, corporate housing is typically far too expensive for the travel healthcare industry.

How to Make Your Property an Attractive Option for Travel Nurses

There are a number of ways you can make your property an attractive option for travel nurses. Basically, it’s important to understand the unique housing challenges travel nurses face. The more you can address these challenges, the more likely travel nurses will be to rent your property.

Length of Stay

Travel nursing contracts typically last 13 weeks. Contracts can be both longer or shorter than 13 weeks. However, only a small percentage are over 13 weeks. Therefore, if you must lease your property for longer than that, then travel nursing is not the right market for you.

Contract Cancellations

Additionally, hospitals can cancel travel nursing contracts for any number of reasons. Moreover, travel nurses are away from home so they may come across any number of reasons to cancel a contract early. This is simply the nature of remote contract work.

While less than 10% of contracts end early, that’s still enough for travel nurses and companies to be concerned. Therefore, travel nurses and companies typically look for month-to-month housing options.

Furnishings

It’s very difficult for travel nurses to manage unfurnished properties. They rarely, if ever, travel with furniture in tow. Instead, they might work with furniture rental companies which can be very expensive. Or, they might furnish a place on the cheap via Craigslist which can be time consuming. Therefore, it’s best for property owners to furnish their properties if they want to rent to travel nurses.

Utilities, Cable and WIFI

As you might imagine, it’s a pain to establish utilities, cable and WIFI every three months, or even every 6 months. As a result, travel nurses strongly prefer properties that provide utilities, cable and WIFI.

As mentioned above, travel nurses have a modest budget for housing. What does that mean exactly?

First, the base rental price should be inline with normal market values for rent in the area. Specifically, travel nurses typically avoid properties that charge high premium prices for short term stays.

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Second, you can certainly factor in the cost of furniture, utilities, cable and WIFI. Travel nurses expect to pay extra for those services.

What do Travel Nurses Look for in Rental Properties?

To recap, you will greatly increase your chances of renting your property to travel nurses if you can do the following:

• Provide lease terms of 3 months or less
• Month-to-month lease terms are highly desirable
• Furnish your property
• Provide utilities, cable and WIFI. Roll the cost into the price.
• Price your property inline with normal market values.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Renting Your Property to Travel Nurses

Next, it’s important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of renting your property to travel nurses. Here are some of the advantages:

• Travel nurse pay is typically well above the median pay for any given area.
• They’re great if you’re specifically interested in short-term tenants who stay longer than several days or a week, but shorter than 6 months or a year.
• They have steady, stable employment for the most part.
• They’re great if you have a furnished property that you prefer to keep furnished.

Here are some of the disadvantages:

• Risk of contract cancellation means you may have slightly higher turnover than you expect.
• You can’t always count on a travel nurse to be available to rent your property because there simply aren’t that many travel healthcare professionals.
• You might have to clean and prep your property more often as the turnover will be higher than the turnover for standard lease terms.

Finally, it’s also important to remember that “guests” become “tenants” once they stay in your property for a specified amount of time. Tenants have more rights than guests. For example, it’s more difficult to evict tenants.

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These time-frames vary by jurisdiction. For example, guests become tenants if they stay in your property for more than 28 days in many jurisdictions. You might view this as an advantage or disadvantage depending on your circumstances.

Where Should You List Your Property for Travel Nurses?

There are several places you can list your property for travel nurses and other travel healthcare professionals. We’ll take a look at each option in this section.

Travel Nurse Housing Websites and Marketplaces

There are a couple of websites that are dedicated specifically to housing for travel healthcare professionals. Those websites are:

• Furnished Finder and its subsidiary TravelNurseHosuing.com
• Transplant Housing

These websites are fairly similar. Property owners pay a fee to list their properties. The fees are roughly the same for each service. There are no additional costs for property owners or guests.

The services provide various tools for communication between property owners and tenants. However, the actual lease agreement is handled off-platform between the owner and tenant.

How to Use Airbnb and VRBO to Rent Your Property to Travel Nurses

Many travel nurses and travel nursing companies use general housing marketplaces like Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO, FlipKey and others to find their housing. These services are a bit more difficult to work with because the cancellation policies and payments are handled through the service itself.

Therefore, you are subject to the policies and fees associated with the particular service. Moreover, the fees and policies vary between services.

You might be leery of using these services because you don’t want to rent your property for very short terms like nightly or weekly. Perhaps that is why you want to rent to travel nurses in the first place.

The good news is that you can prevent shorter stays on these platforms by setting a longer minimum stay. This will also make it so your property shows higher in the search results when people search for longer term stays, which is exactly what travel nurses do.

How To List Your Property With Travel Nursing Companies

We routinely receive inquiries from property owners who want to list their property directly with travel nursing companies.  This is certainly possible. However, several factors inhibit the usefulness of this approach

First, as we mentioned above, sometimes the travel nurse secures the housing. Therefore, the agency is not involved in all cases.

Second, hospitals almost always work with multiple agencies to meet their travel nursing needs. Even when the hospital has an exclusive contract with one company, the one company will work with many agencies to help them get the needs filled.

In many cases, hospitals work with 50 to 100 agencies or more. Meanwhile, each hospital has a relatively small number of travel nurses.

Moreover, the housing operations at most travel nursing companies are not as organized as you might think. Therefore, there is a good chance that the agency files your housing option such that it will never be seen again.

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Finally, many travel nursing companies simply will not work with independent property owners. These companies work only with large apartment complexes or established property management firms.

All of that said, you can try to list your property directly with agencies if you would like. You can start by contacting the largest companies in the industry. These companies account for over 50% of the travel nursing placements.

In addition, you can try contacting the staffing offices of the hospitals in your area and asking them which travel nursing agencies they work with the most. If the hospital has an exclusive contract, then they may not be able to help you identify the other agencies that staff a lot of nurses with them.

How To Rent Your Property To Travel Nurses On Facebook

Facebook is very popular with travel nurses. In fact, there are many Facebook groups devoted to travel nurse housing. As a property owner, group admins will most certainly accept your request to join.

You can post your housing to the group using the standard posting features. You can also post your housing in the “Files” section of the group. This section allows you to upload a document, like a Word Document or PDF, with information about your property.

One of the advantages of Facebook housing groups is that they get a fair amount of traffic. Another advantage is that they are free.

There are also disadvantages. First, your listing will get pushed out of site quickly as other users post after you. This happens in both the Discussion and Files sections.

Second, Facebook’s search feature is atrocious. It will only return results back to a certain date. Moreover, it doesn’t always return all the relevant results. Let’s face it, Facebook’s primary goal is to keep users on the site, not to serve up answers quickly and conveniently.

Here is a list of Facebook Groups dedicated to travel nurse housing:

• Travel Nursing: Places/Rooms For Rent
• Traveling Nurse Housing
• Travel Nurse Housing USA – Private & Shared Rooms, Apartments, Sublets
• Travel Nurse Housing – The Gypsy Nurse
• Travel Nurse Housing – Furnished Finder
• Gypsy Soul Travel Nurse Housing Options
• Nomadic Nursing – A Travel Nurse Housing Page
• Travel Nurse Housing Rentals by Landlords
• Travel Nurse Rooms for Rent
• Housing the country, one hospital at a time!

As you can see, there are many options to help you rent your property to travel nurses. None of them are 100% foolproof. In other words, each option could return prospective renters who aren’t actually travel nurses.

Of course, the niche services Furnished Finder and Transplant Housing are your best bets. However, they do entail an upfront cost. That said, it might be well worth the cost to save you from the hassle you might find on other services.

Related posts:

• Travel Nurse Housing – Advantages and Tips for Company Provided Housing In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the...
• The Ultimate Guide to Travel Nurse Agency Housing Accepting travel nursing company provided housing is more complicated than...
• Travel Nurse Housing – Tips for Securing Your Own Lodging Many travel nurses, especially first timers, shy away from securing...

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Things to consider when renting your home to travel

Posted on Last updated: 10 January 2024

“Just rent it out and travel for a year!”

If you’re planning to travel the world long-term and you own a home with a mortgage, the obvious idea is to rent your home out while you’re overseas. This means your mortgage is hopefully covered (you may even be lucky and earn extra on the side), your property will be looked after, and then your home is there waiting for you when you return.

But is it really that straightforward?

No. Not at all. And I’m going to jump to the end of our story and tell you that we will never rent our home out to travel ever again.

Now there are people who have had good experiences renting their home when travelling. However, I’ve come to realise that there’s an equal balance of people who have had bad experiences.

This post isn’t to tell you not to rent your home, but I want to provide food for thought for anyone considering it as an option. Long term travel provides enormous benefits to families and the risk may be worth taking. Plus, it may be the only way that families can afford to travel long term .

I want you to take the risk with your eyes wide open and prepared if you do rent your home to travel.

Why we rented our home

Back in 2018, Jay was working as a software engineer, and an opportunity arose to move to Bangalore, India . Despite having kids aged 1 and 3 years old, we jumped at the chance. This was just the sort of adventure we love!

We didn’t think twice about renting our home in Kent out. It was a small, Grade 2 listed cottage and we loved the thought of another family living in it and looking after it while we were overseas.

Through a local agent we found a family wanting to rent our home; the mum was a teacher and they sounded perfect!

So we signed the relevant forms, handed over the keys relieved that we were breaking even on our mortgage repayments, and boarded a flight to India.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by JENNY LYNN • adventure family travel (@travelynnfamily)

Two years later we returned to the UK and decided to move to the Peak District . We continued to rent out our Kent home until 2023 when we made the the decision to sell (buy-to-let rates had increased so much that we would be losing money renting it out).

Yes, we rented the property for 7 years, even though we had bad experiences along the way. More on that later.

It soon went wrong

A couple of months into our new life in India and the tenant had found us on Instagram and was sending us incoherent messages at 4am UK time on a school night asking to get out of the tenancy and that she never agreed to fund our ‘holiday in India’. The property was managed by an agent at the time.

This was just the start of a 7-year string of various dramas from 4 different tenancies that got increasingly worse.

One tenant left our lovely home in such an awful state that the carpet company refused to allow their staff in to remove the carpet for health reasons, and a cleaner had to scrub ingrained dog turd from our kitchen parquet floor. We spent £4k fixing the property up and had to fight to get the deposit back, which barely covered our expenses.

The most recent tenancy upset us the most. One half of the couple was someone that we’d known for years. Surely this tenancy would work out? Unfortunately not.

They also left the property in a really bad state. It was disgusting. We suggested to the tenants that we split the deposit 50/50 (even though two of us spent 7, 12 hours days fixing up the property) and that’s when they got very nasty. Long story short, we returned the full deposit to them as it was all too upsetting and we wanted to move on with our lives.

There are so many more stories to tell over our time renting this place, but I don’t want this to be a pity post. I just want to share our learnings with other families who may be considering renting their home.

As I’ve already stated, renting your home out isn’t straightforward.

Things to consider when renting your home

So if you are thinking about renting out your home to travel, here are some things to consider:

1. Don’t think of it as your home, you need to detach yourself

People who rent our properties for a living look for houses (ideally apartments) that are new and easy to maintain. This is a business for them.

But renting out your home out is different. It comes with a lot of emotional baggage.

Our home in Kent is a character cottage built in 1750 (expensive to maintain and not a property a professional landlord would have on their books). It was the first home we bought when our boys were born and totally impractical for babies and toddlers, but it was love at first site. We moved into it straight from the hospital after Arthur (our eldest) was born. I hand-painted a tree on the nursery wall, sewed cushions and curtains for most rooms, and we redecorated it as our family home with love and care. We were very emotionally attached to this property.

You need to detach yourself from these emotions when you rent your home out and come to terms that it’s no longer your home, it will be someone else’s home. Get your business head on.

2. Consider the extra costs and hassle

There are a lot of hidden costs to consider with renting your home out to travel.

Firstly, landlords are advised to clear the property of all their furniture and belongings. It’s just stuff that could get damaged and you need a fire safety certificate for most things. Allocate time to put everything into storage so that your home is an empty shell and budget for monthly storage costs.

Landlords are also required to provide at cost:

• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
• Landlord Gas Safety Certificate (plus all gas appliances need to be serviced annually)
• EPC (Electrical Performance Certificate).

You also need specific Landlord Insurance, and need to contact your Bank to inform them you are renting (they may increase your rate).

3. An agent isn’t always the best way to manage a property

We started out by using an agent to manage our property. We thought this was the best way to make sure we were getting everything right and they could manage problems as and when they arose. We paid about £100 per month for this service.

However, what actually happened was that for every minor occurrence they called someone over an hour away to check the problem and quote, before actually fixing the problem. So a leaky tap would cost us over £100 before the problem was even fixed.

When our agents missed that the tenants and completely broken the bannister (it was very obvious), which meant we couldn’t claim any of the deposit to pay the £300 to fix it, we realised that we could probably manage the property better ourselves.

This isn’t to say that all agents are bad. If you do use an agent, just do better research than we did to find a decent one.

4. Have a list of reliable handypeople

We have always found it really difficult to find reliable tradespeople who will get the job done and who don’t whack on a little extra when they find out that you’re a landlord. So when we do find them, we cling onto them.

Things will go wrong with the property and your tenants will notify you at the most inconvenient times (especially if you’re travelling on the other side of the world). We found out about a broken boiler just as we were leaving Heathrow for our four months overlanding Africa .

You need to make sure that you have the right people at hand to do the job. If you are using an agent, make sure that they are using local, reliable people (and check additional fees).

5. Have someone you trust to check in on the property

It’s so difficult when you’re on the other side of the world to get the right information about what’s going on. You need someone who really knows your house, not an agent who had a brief look around before you handed the keys over.

You know who knew our Kent home inside out? My parents. Thankfully they only live 40 minutes away and could check in for us. Thanks Mum and Dad!

6. Put money aside for maintenance

Things will go wrong. If you can, put 10% aside for maintenance costs each month.

If you don’t have the extra cash after paying the mortgage, just ensure you have a pot somewhere to dip into. You will need it.

7. Always get a check-in and check-out report

This is a professional report where the condition of absolutely everything in your home is officially reported in a document. You need this at the start and end of every tenancy for claiming any deposit.

Even if your tenants are friends and you trust them, get the check-in and check-out report done. And yes, there is an additional cost to this (about £150 per report).

We didn’t get a check-out report for the last tenancy as one of them is a cleaner and we thought we had a good relationship with them. We just presumed that they would leave the property in a good condition. More fool us! They left the property in an appalling state and we had no chance of claiming any of the deposit as we didn’t have a check-out report.

8. Don’t expect to be able to claim any of the deposit

Landlords have very little protection and the tenants are more often than not favoured. It’s just how it is.

If you do manage to claim any of the deposit, treat it as a bonus!

9. Have at least £2k put aside to fix up the property after a tenancy

Don’t expect your home to look like it did when you left it. This has been someone else’s home in your absence and there have been wine spillages, family photos hung to walls, and splashed spaghetti on the kitchen tiles. This is all understandable.

However, from our experience, carpets and walls are likely to be damaged and will need replacing. Just bear this in mind.

10. Travel changes you and you may not even return

When you first leave your home to travel there will be watery eyes as your mind flicks through all the memories of this place. But you are on to a new adventure and travel changes you.

After our year living in India, we spent four months overlanding Africa. We then decided to return to the UK, but no longer had a pull to live in Kent. It was the Peak District where we wanted to live.

It’s difficult to imagine how you will be as a family from the start to end of a big adventure, but I can guarantee you will all change and there’s a possibility that the home you left may not be the home you want to return to.

Would we rent our Kent home out again knowing what we know now?

At that point in time, we had to rent out our home to move to India. We couldn’t have afforded it otherwise.

India was an incredible adventure and formed who we are as a family. I’m not sure this blog would be as big as it is if we’d not moved to India, and this blog now forms a huge part of our family business.

So even though renting brought us a lot of tears and headaches, if we could roll back time, we would definitely rent it out again.

Perhaps we should have sold it sooner? Perhaps, but when we moved back to the UK we changed our mortgage to a buy-to-let and were making money on it each month. Enough to ease the headaches and tears.

But if we weren’t making money on it, which is now with the dramatic change in buy-to-let mortgages, it’s time to sell.

Would we really never rent again?

Never say never, they say.

If we were in a difficult financial position, yes, I suppose we would take the risk and rent out our home again.

But the stress and heartache involved is a reason that we’ll avoid it for as long as we can and why we won’t be renting our current home out when we move to Penang .

What about Airbnb or home exchanges?

We used Airbnb a lot when we travel, especially around Southeast Asia . They can be excellent value for money for families, and provide space to spread out.

However, Airbnb is a much higher turnover of guests and local friends in the know tell us that the financial returns are not what they used to be.

Maybe one day we’ll look at lending our home to strangers again, but we’ve been bitten hard and for us, it’s not something we want to explore at the moment; same goes for housesitting.

Final thoughts on renting your home to travel

Four bad tenancies out of four is a pretty bad run. But so many people have messaged me to say that they’ve had similar experiences. And I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve shared my story with another landlord for them to say that they’ve decided to sell up too.

There’s a rental crisis in the UK currently. Rental rates are through the roof and there just aren’t enough homes for people. But sadly we’ve been bitten too hard and too many times that we don’t think we’d ever rent our home out again if we can afford not to.

For those that are considering it, do know that there are landlords out there who have had a good experience. If renting your home out is what’s needed for a family adventure to happen, then do it. Just be prepared and keep your eyes wide open.

You may also like to read: Unpaid Parental Leave: taking leave from work to travel with your kids Family travel on a budget: how to travel cheap with kids in tow 10 benefits of family travel and why it’s important

How to House Sit Your Way Around the World

Amy Hornsby is a freelance writer from the U.K. who writes about travel, yoga, and more. Amy has contributed to Lonely Planet, the Calvert Journal, and other publications.

House Sitting Sites

• Applying for Your First Sit

Important Things to Consider

House sitting has become increasingly popular in recent years, combining temporary accommodation, travel, and animal companionship all in one. In exchange for taking care of somebody’s house and, more often than not, pets while they are on vacation, you get to stay in their home. 

House sits can range anywhere from a few days to several months. Available worldwide, they are a fantastic way to travel to many different places; many use it as a way to slow travel, meaning you spend a lengthier time in each area and focus on more of a local experience rather than a jam-packed weekend of sightseeing. There is more to house sitting than simply free accommodation, however, and this guide can help you get started.

The best and easiest way to secure house sits is through a subscription site. There are many to choose from, depending on the location you are aiming for, your budget, and how often you want to use them. These are just a few of the most popular sites.

Trusted Housesitters

Trusted Housesitters is often at the top of the list of sites to use, although for $129 a year, it runs at one of the highest membership fees to sign up as a sitter. If you know an existing member, it’s easy enough to obtain a referral fee for a 25 percent discount, opening up a variety of available international house sits. The interface is easy to use with plenty of filters to help refine your search, the ability to build your profile, and quality support 24/7. Although international, it’s mostly useful for the U.K., Europe, and North America.

MindMyHouse

Started back in 2005, MindMyHouse was one of the very first house sitting sites. The "mom and pop" business has fewer options than others, but as membership is $20 for sitters and free for owners, it's a great option to have. The sits are mostly within Europe and the U.S., although there are more than 80 countries listed on the dropdown search. The interface is basic but easy to use, and the site remains popular within the house sitting community. 

House Sitters America

If you’re staying within the U.S., House Sitters America is arguably your best bet. The annual membership fee is $49, for which you can search nationwide with an extensive list of filter options including region and locale, house type, amenities, sit length, and type of pet. House Sitters America has been up and running for more than 12 years, and has established itself as one of the top house sitting sites for the U.S., with a huge variety of available sits.

Running on the higher end of membership fees at $89 per year, Nomador comes with the added benefit of a free trial that’s good for up to three applications. Originating in France for European house sits, it now operates globally with a focus on Europe and the Americas. 

Kiwi House Sitters, Aussie House Sitters

If you’re heading to New Zealand or Australia, these house sitting sites are recognized as some of the top in their respective countries. Members of House Sitters America will find the exact same layout and search functions on these two associated sites, which provide multiple filter options and a large choice of sits in all areas of each country.

Applying for Your First Sit 

Once you’ve signed up, it’s important to spend time on your profile. Add plenty of photos that represent who you are, and because you will likely be taking care of pets, include as many as you can of you with animals. Then, fill out the rest of your profile fully, verifying your ID through the site, and adding a description about who you are and why you want to house sit. If you have prior experience taking care of pets or houses, get a reference and add it to your profile.

Before applying for a sit, read through the details completely, making sure that you fit the requirements, which may include gardening, taking care of multiple pets, and sometimes having a car. Craft your message to the homeowner and show that you’ve read their post; ask questions, point out a common interest, outline any relevant experience you have, and mention where you are currently located. 

If the homeowner is interested, the next step is to organize a video chat, or at the very least a phone call. Housesitting is a two-way system, so it’s important that you both get a good vibe when you talk to each other. Think of this as an interview, for them and for you, and ask all the questions you have about the home, pets, your responsibilities, and the area. Trust your instincts: If there are red flags or you get an uneasy feeling during the call, don't be afraid to pass on an offer.

It’s not free accommodation: If you’re looking for a way to get free digs while you travel, this isn’t it. House sitting is an exchange and you are selected as a responsible person to take care of someone’s house and pets. This means keeping the house secure and clean, taking in mail, and treating it as you would your own place.

You must love animals: While you can find house sits that come without pets, for the most part, people are looking for someone to take care of their beloved animals. This can mean taking dogs out for daily walks, administering medicine for an elderly cat, or cleaning up bird poop—being an animal lover is paramount.

Communication is key: Stay in contact with the homeowner, even after you’ve secured the sit. Keep an open line of communication where you and the homeowners can stay up to date, share photos of the animals, and ask any questions—especially for longer sits. Be honest about anything within the house that has broken or gone wrong so that there are no surprises when they return.

Not all house sits are alike: There are many variables within house sitting—not only with the type of house and pet you may be taking care of, but what the owners are flexible on. Some welcome couples, families, and people traveling with their own pets. Others even offer payments, which is more likely to happen when you're looking after multiple pets or a garden that requires meticulous care.

Be adaptable: Be prepared for anything, whether it’s a cancellation, a change in dates, or a pandemic! Always have a backup plan and maintain communication with the homeowners so that if things change, you can talk things through.

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Airbnb Is Making It Easier to Rent Out Your Home When You Travel

The vacation rental platform has announced several new features that make listing your space—and earning some money while you’re on the road—a more seamless process..

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In an effort to showcase the benefits of hosting, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky recently listed a room in his San Francisco home (the kitchen of which is pictured here).

Courtesy of Airbnb

Airbnb is hoping to attract more hosts to its platform with several new features, including making it easier to set up and list a space—offering travelers a way to offset some of their travel expenses while they’re away.

At a press event in New York on Wednesday, the company also announced more insurance coverage and protections for homeowners and identified several pain points for hosts that it believes it can alleviate with these added features.

The first new feature, Airbnb Setup, matches new hosts with a Superhost in their area, who is available to them at no charge for any questions or concerns they might have—a kind of mentor. They can even do a live video chat as they complete their new listing, providing advice on what kind of photos to take and post (for instance, whether you need to have a professional service take the photos or can snap them yourself), how to describe the property, and how to set up an availability calendar. The Superhost can also help with a new host’s first reservation, offering suggestions on how to prepare for guests and how to provide unique touches like leaving a handwritten note for guests. Superhosts, who are experienced hosts that have been vetted by Airbnb, can only join the Airbnb Setup program via invitation, and they undergo training and get paid by Airbnb for their time.

“With Airbnb Setup, every new host can get free, one-to-one guidance from a Superhost from their first question through their first reservation,” Airbnb CEO and cofounder Brian Chesky said Wednesday at the unveiling of the new features.

The second new feature is an increase in AirCover for hosts. Aside from upping damage protection from $1 million to $3 million and adding on valuables, the company is also working to verify the identities of all its users.

“From the beginning, we realized that to let someone into your home you have to trust them. And to trust them, you have to know who they are,” says Chesky. “We’re starting today by verifying guests in 35 countries. This covers 90 percent of our reservations.” The company plans to verify remaining users—a process that involves comparing a user’s profile to an official government-issued ID—throughout the world by next spring.

Airbnb is also using new screening technology to block reservations from users who are likely to throw a party in their vacation rental. The company looks for signs like last-minute reservations in the same area that the user already lives in and users under 25 years old. New hosts can also request that their first reservation be from an “experienced guest,” someone who the platform has identified as having completed at least three stays and has a track record of good reviews.

All of these features aim to ease anxiety for new hosts and encourage more people to sign up to rent out their homes.

Airbnb host Bridget Shirvell travels extensively using the money she makes from listing her home in Mystic, Connecticut.

Frequent traveler, freelance creative, and Airbnb host Bridget Shirvell has been listing her home in Mystic, Connecticut , for four years, and says the money she makes allows her to take longer trips.

“Hosting gives me the ability to travel,” says Shirvell. “I use the money I earn from hosting to pay for any travel I do during the year. While if I didn’t host my home on Airbnb, I would still travel, I wouldn’t be able to go away for as long as I do now.”

Shirvell, who budgets between 5 and 20 percent of her annual Airbnb income to spend on a month away in the summer, a week each in autumn and winter, and various weekend trips, says she appreciates the ease of the calendar function and communication tool, which allows her to get in touch with guests easily. And in addition to the financial aspect, she says, “I enjoy sharing my home and the area with others. I want people to feel like they are stepping inside a good friend’s home. I love the people I’ve communicated with over the years because they stayed in my house. Hosting adds to the overall feeling of my home in such a positive way.”

As for those with a home in a less popular travel destination who might be wondering whether they would get enough interest, Airbnb told AFAR that since 2020, the company has seen an increase in bookings in more rural and less touristy areas. “It’s a trend that’s continued to stay strong,” according to Airbnb.

To demonstrate the value of hosting, Chesky unveiled Wednesday that he has listed a room in his own apartment in San Francisco (he later said on Instagram that the room had booked up and he would be adding more availability in 2023). Chesky, who cofounded the company during the 2008 recession by blowing up a few air mattresses in his apartment, hosting three guests, and calling it an Air Bed and Breakfast, thinks that with inflation and a weaker economy more people could use the extra cash they can make by renting out a room or their entire home on Airbnb. But in order to do so, they need to feel more comfortable becoming hosts.

“It’s really interesting that we started in 2008, during the Great Recession, when people were looking to make some extra money,” says Chesky. “This is very similar to that moment. So, what if we can make it much easier to become a host and allow you more peace of mind? And so that’s what we’re doing.”

Since Chesky is a dog owner, we had to ask the company how it works when hosts have pets. “Guests love pets!” a company spokesperson responded. “That said, it’s best for hosts to mention that there are pets in the home in their listing description, just so that guests are made aware before booking, in case there are allergies and such for them to keep in mind.”

Airbnb’s new Play category features homes with game rooms, water slides, and other playful amenities.

In addition to the new amenities for hosts, Airbnb also announced six new categories on its site :

• Adapted : featuring homes adapted for wheelchair access, with verified step-free paths into the home, bedroom, and bathroom
• Hanoks : includes traditional Korean homes constructed of natural materials
• New : homes added within the past 10 weeks
• Play : a category featuring homes with game rooms, water slides, basketball courts, and other playful elements
• Top of the World : showcases homes that are 10,000 feet above sea level
• Trending : Highly rated homes that get a lot of views

All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

101 Ways to Travel Without Leaving Your House

By CNT Editors

Like many people, we've had to hit pause on our travel plans for the time being, but that doesn’t mean we’re not still thinking about all the places we’ve been—and all the places we hope to get to sometime soon. After all, so much of travel trickles into our lives both before and after a big trip, whether it’s the hours we spend scouring the internet for inspiration on where to go next, or the ways a place influences us long after we’ve left, from the food we cook and the souvenirs we fill our homes with to the music we listen to. “It’s important to remember that travel is also a state of mind,” U.S. editor Jesse Ashlock wrote last week . “And that you don’t necessarily have to go far away to feel far away.” With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of 101 ways to travel without leaving your house, which we hope will help you feel a little more entertained, a little more inspired, and, most importantly, a little more connected with the rest of the world.

Indulge your wanderlust

1. Gawk at some of the world’s most beautiful libraries

2. Daydream about sailing along Turkey's Turquoise coast

3. Take inspiration from our favorite hotels, destinations, and more, as voted by you in the 2020 Readers' Choice Awards

4. Make a list of all those places you'd like to go next

5. Visit your favorite U.S. National Parks on Google Earth (and a few you've yet to see, too)

6. Pick a trip that has to be booked one year in advance

An aerial view of Botswana's Okavango Delta

7. ...And then create a Pinterest board to gather inspiration for it

8. Consider an epic train trip for the future and start plotting your route

9. Take a look at some of the most colorful places in the world

10. ...Or plan an itinerary around Pantone's color of 2020

11. Bookmark beautiful Airbnbs for the future (and maybe get some home decor inspo while you're at it)

12. Watch walking tours of places you haven't been, or want to revisit

13. Explore the most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites

14. Start a Google Maps list filled with bookmarked restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries, museums, bookstores, and more that you dream of visiting one day

15. Steal a little travel inspiration from your favorite celebrities

16. Spin around Google Earth with the I'm Feeling Lucky button

17. Fantasize about which hidden beaches you'll hit next time you're in Italy...

Italy's hidden beaches are at the top of the list of places we want to go when this is all over.

18. ...Or if you're so inclined, Hawaii

19. Imagine sleeping underwater, right on the Great Barrier Reef

20. Subscribe to Condé Nast Traveler! (We know. We're shameless.)

We could stare at Gray Malin's images for hours.

Hone your photography skills

21. Discover how Gray Malin made these trippy photos of Bolivia's salt flats

By Lindsey Tramuta

By Lauren Burvill

By Meaghan Kenny

22. Up your astrophotography game

23. Follow some of our favorite travel photographers on Instagram

24. Improve your own iPhone photography

25. ...Or go a little retro and make photo books out of your old vacation photos

26. Research a new camera like the pros do

27. ...And then get their tips on how to nail that shot

Some of our favorite reads

Lose yourself in our favorite reads

28. Read memoirs by some of the world's most adventurous women

29. Browse our extensive list of the travel books

30. Escape with the best travel books recommended by ambassadors

31. Pick up a book that will transport you

32. Find out what the Women Who Travel team have been reading

33. ...And then load up your Kindle with everything you've just bought

34. Read some of our favorite authors on what home means to them

35. Add some travel inspo to your coffee table with some of these tomes

36. And if you're feeling motivated, start journaling about your own travels

Soothe with some retail therapy

37. Buy a luxurious pair of pajamas that you'll never be ashamed to travel with

38. Splurge on something from that shop you dream of returning to one day

39. Buy destination-inspired scented candles and have them burn all day long inside your house

40. Stock up on all your K-Beauty favorites without a trip to Seoul

41. ...Or shop for French beauty products

42. Bring the tropics to your house with some exotic plants

43. Treat yourself to one of our editors' favorite travel gifts

44. Pick up a coffee subscription and get to know beans from around the world —it will making your WFH caffeine routine way more fun

45. Shop at one of our favorite hotel gift shops , like The Hoxton or even The Ritz

46. Revamp your apartment (or beauty cabinet or closet) in the style of Paris

47. ...Or if you're more of an Italy person, shop for locally made products , like a custom bag from Florence or a coffee maker to perfect your espresso

48. Represent your favorite national park with gear from the Parks Project , and feel good knowing that your dollars go back into backlogged projects in the parks

49. Feeling anxious about being cooped up at home? Order some CBD oil —and then add it to your dopp kit the next time you travel.

50. Make your online shopping work for you by getting maximum travel points with your credit card

51. ...And start earning points toward your next hotel stay while you're at it

Brush up on your Spanish by rewatching Roma

Dabble in some self-improvement

52. Learn a new language with a digital classroom

53. ...And then jump into a foreign language film

54. Figure out if you have what it takes to become a pilot

55. Practice visualization meditation to get a head start on figuring out your next trip

56. Donate to carbon offset charities to shrink your footprint before flying again

57. Learn the art of Japanese calligraphy with this book

58. Finally take the time to practice becoming an organized traveler

59. Keep your fitness up with these hotel room workouts

60. Do a little redecorating inspired by your favorite hotels around the world

The best thing about abandoned places? There's no one else there.

Find something new to talk about during your Zoom happy hour

61. Tour the world's most beautiful abandoned places

62. Use this Google tool to see how World Heritage Sites have changed

63. Take a peek at how Olympic stadiums have evolved over time

64. Get into a bit of slow TV (trust us, it's pretty soothing)

65. Find out what a night at a space hotel might look like

66. Jump between the Arctic's Lonely Island and Pukapuka in the Pacific, in Judith Schlansky's Pocket Atlas of Remote Islands

67. Learn about Sardinia's annual pagan exorcism (seriously)

68. Get to know the fascinating history of Jewish temples in the Caribbean

69. Enjoy some of the world's greatest museums, symphonies, and operas from your couch

70. Read up on the ancient history of destinations you hope to visit in the future, like these ruins right in the middle of Lima

71. Marvel at Bolivian architect Freddy Mamani's otherworldly architecture in La Paz

Mamani's eye-catching architecture is everywhere in La Paz

72. Absorb a digital art exhibit like this mesmerizing one on Ireland’s Connemara mountains

73. Go back in time to the golden age of travel

74. Or if it all feels a little too high-brow, watch a livestream of these pandas

Expand your music repertoire

75. Check out Bad Bunny's favorite spots in Puerto Rico

76. ...And then turn up the volume on some noise cancelling headphones

77. Escape to Lisbon with Portugese fado music

78. Get to know Women Who Travel podcast guests Ibeyi , whose music fuses Cuban, French, and Yoruba influences

79. Start streaming a random radio station from somewhere far away with the Radio Garden project

80. Search a country's top 50 hits on Spotify to listen to music from around the world (right now we're listening to France and Japan )

81. Have a dance party and blast some calypso soca music from Trinidad

82. Research all the jazz clubs you'll want to hit up when you finally get to New Orleans

It's time to drink that South African red that's been in your home for ages.

Bring the world to your kitchen

83. Transport yourself with these international cookbooks

84. Crack open that bottle of wine you brought home from your travels

85. Make yourself an indulgent New York–style brunch, using these places as inspiration

86. Get take-out from your favorite restaurants and chefs

87. Learn how to recreate dishes from the legendary Osteria Francescana in Modena with Massimo Bottura's virtual cooking lessons

88. Allow yourself to pine for dishes you miss —then try your best to recreate them

89. Get yourself a bunch of Biscoff cookies —an airplane staple—and eat them next to your window

90. Try to imagine Alison Roman cooking up a feast for 45 people in Portugal—or just read about the one place she always hits when she travels

91. Order in from that restaurant you've never managed to get a table at

92. Make your own Italian apertivo hour—and use these places as inspiration

93. Order wine from around the world to sip on

A scene from The Talented Mr. Ripley

Binge on pop culture

94. Compare the real destinations that inspired your favorite Disney movies to the animated interpretations (thanks Disney+!)

95. Rewatch old seasons of Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown , and learn about places you've never been to

96. Watch our favorite travel movies on Netflix right now

97. Look for shows filmed right in your home city or state , and remember how lucky you are to be, well, where you are

98. Subscribe to the Women Who Travel podcast and listen to travel stories from Elizabeth Gilbert, Lynsey Addario, Jessica Nabongo, and more

99. Travel to a galaxy far far away

100. Dive into this list of road trip movies

101. And then work your way through the greatest travel movies of the past 50 years—after all, you finally have the time to.

All products featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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Moscow Travel Guide: Best Things to Do + More [2023]

· everything to know about visiting moscow, including the best things to do and how to get around. ·.

Moscow is Russia’s vibrant capital city, and it also happens to be the largest city in all of Europe. The city’s long and infamous history makes it one of the most unique places we have ever visited.

The architecture ranges from centuries-old palaces to uniform, gray concrete buildings. The people range from cold and private to warm and welcoming. Moscow is a city is strong juxtapositions, and we learned a lot during our time there.

This post will break down all you need to know about visiting Moscow, including the best things to do, how to get there, how to get around, and more.

The Best Things to Do in Moscow

1. explore the red square.

The Red Square is the heart of Moscow. Most of the city’s top attractions can be found here, including just about everything on this list. The Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and Lenin’s Mausoleum are all located here, and the State Historical Museum and GUM are not far from here, either.

The Red Square is a common home for parades, protests, and seasonal celebrations. There are massive Christmas celebrations here, with food vendors and carnival rides set up in numbers.

2. Check Out the Ziferblat

The Ziferblat is a café in Moscow that is unlike any café we have ever been to. While most cafes charge you for your drinks and food, the Ziferblat charges you for your time.

Upon arrival, you are given a clock. When you leave, the barista calculates how much time you spent in the café and charges you accordingly. This concept was created to help visitors to be more intentional with their time, and the cafe itself is incredibly charming.

For a detailed look at everything you need to know before you visit, make sure you read my post about visiting the Ziferblat Cafe in Moscow .

3. Marvel at St. Basil’s Cathedral

St. Basil’s Cathedral is one of the most iconic churches in the world, and it was the single thing we were most excited to see while in Moscow. Built almost 500 years ago, St. Basil’s Cathedral is recognized by its colorful domes and whimsical style. The church is of the Russian Orthodox faith, and the inside is just as wondrous as the outside.

St. Basil’s Cathedral is located on the edge of the Red Square, making it incredibly convenient to visit. Entrance for non-worshippers costs 800 rubles, and tickets can be bought at the church

4. Explore the Kremlin

The Kremlin is the largest active fortress in Europe, and it is the site of most of Russia’s government affairs. In addition to government buildings, the Kremlin Complex is filled with courtyards, towers, and museums that are open to the public. If you have the time, you could spend a couple of days fully exploring all that there is to see in the Kremlin.

5. Walk Through Lenin’s Mausoleum

Vladimir Lenin is one of the most important figures in Russian history, and his body is located perfectly embalmed in a mausoleum in the Red Square. The Mausoleum is open to the public to visit, and as long as you are willing to go through a few security checks, it is easily one of the best things to do in Moscow. Its convenient location in the Red Square makes it a can’t miss attraction.

There is absolutely no photography allowed inside the Mausoleum. Do not test this rule.

6. Wander Along Arbat Street

The Arbat is a very popular street in Moscow that is lined with stores, cafes, and other touristy attractions. It is one of the oldest streets in the city, dating back to the 1400s. This street is both quaint and trendy, and there are many walking tours that introduce tourists to the neighborhood’s wonders and highlights.

7. Catch a Show at the Bolshoi Theatre

As a lover of the arts, it is hard to think of Moscow and not think of ballet. Russia has always been a top dog in the world of fine arts, and Bolshoi Theater is one of the best places to catch a performance. We were lucky enough to attend an Opera here, and it is a venue that you don’t want to miss out on if you enjoy opera, ballet, or orchestral performances.

8. Visit the State Historical Museum

The State Historical Museum is one of the most respected museums in Moscow. Despite its name, it is not really focused on the history of Russia as a nation. Rather, it contains a collection of artifacts from all throughout Russia’s history.

The museum’s collection is very broad in nature. It houses some items from indigenous tribes that used to occupy the region, pieces collected by the Romanov family, and more.

9. Wander Around GUM

GUM is an absolutely massive mall within walking distance of the Red Square. It isn’t just the size that draws visitors here; it’s the sense of luxury. The mall is so beautiful inside, much like the metro stations.

While visiting a mall might not sound like it belongs on a bucket list, this mall does. You will not want to miss out on visiting GUM while in Moscow.

10. Admire the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

While St. Basil’s Cathedral is the most iconic church in Moscow, it isn’t the only one. The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is absolutely stunning, with massive golden domes. It is the tallest Orthodox church in the world, and it is the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow.

It is located just about a mile from the Red Square, just south of the Kremlin Complex. You can walk to it from the Red Square in about 20 minutes.

How to Get to Moscow

Flying to moscow.

Moscow has three major international airports: Sheremetyevo (SVO) , Domodedovo (DMO) , and Vnukovo (VKO) . All three of them are directly connected to downtown Moscow by the Aeroexpress trains, which leave every 30 minutes throughout the day. By Aeroexpress train, you can expect to get to the city center in 25-45 minutes depending on the airport that you fly into.

Sheremetyevo is the biggest and busiest of the three airports, and it is the one you are most likely to fly into – especially if you are coming from outside of Europe or the Caucus region. We flew into Sheremetyevo on a direct flight from New York City.

I usually provide backup airport options, because flying right into the city isn’t always the cheapest way to get where you’re going. Unfortunately, when it comes to Moscow, don’t really have a choice other than to fly right into Moscow. It is a very remote city, and it is usually the cheapest place to fly into in Russia as a whole.

Since Sheremetyevo is so busy, you will probably find a great flight option anyway. I wrote in  my post about finding cheap flights  that using hub airports will lead to more affordable airfare, and the same logic applies here. Even though Russia’s national airline, Aeroflot, is no longer a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, Moscow is still a major hub connecting passengers from all over the world.

READ OUR CHEAT SHEET

Train or Bus to Moscow

Trains and buses are one of the most popular ways to get around Europe. However, they’re of very little use when you’re trying to get to Moscow.

Moscow is hundreds of miles from the nearest major cities. The only major European city that can even be reached within 8 hours on the ground is St. Petersburg, and even the Baltic capitals of Riga, Vilnius, and Tallinn are over 12 hours away.

If you want to get to Moscow, the best option is almost always to fly. While the train routes to Moscow are scenic, they simply take forever.

How to Get Around Moscow

METRO | TROLLEYS | TRAMS | BUSES

Moscow has one of the most memorable metro systems in the world. Its metro lines are very deep underground, and the stations are absolutely stunning. Each station has its own unique style, but all of them contain escalators that seem to go on forever.

The system was built in an effort to showcase the power of the Soviet Union and its bright future. The plans were a form of propaganda, but they resulted in what is still one of the most visually appealing subway systems on earth.

Moscow’s metro system isn’t just pretty. It is also very useful and accessible. The system has 17 lines that connect the city and its surrounding area.

But wait; there’s more!

The Moscow metro system is also incredibly affordable, with each ride costing less than a dollar. The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow, as it is almost impossible to beat the connection times and the low cost to ride.

Tickets can be bought at electronic, English-speaking kiosks in stations, or directly from ticket counters at certain larger stations. There are also day passes available, which are a very solid option if you plan on riding the metro several times per day.

The metro is by far the best way to get around Moscow.

In addition to the metro system, Moscow also has a network of buses, trams, and trolleys. This system is nowhere near as convenient or well-connected as the metro, though, and is likely of little use to you during your trip. There is no Uber in Moscow, but a similar app named Yandex is available if you need a ride in a pinch.

How Many Days Do You Need in Moscow?

Moscow is the biggest city in all of Europe, and it is absolutely loaded with things to do. You could spend weeks in Moscow and still find new things to do. Of course, most travelers don’t have that kind of time to spend in one place!

I recommend spending no less than three full days in Moscow, and ideally closer to five or seven.

Moscow is very spread out, and it can take some time to get from one major point to another. There are also so many places that are nice to just sit back and relax, which is hard to do when you’re in a hurry trying to cram activities into just a few days.

If you only have a week to visit Russia, I’d advise spending all of the time in one city. If you decide to split your time between Moscow and St. Petersburg, I recommend not trying to squeeze in any day trips beyond those two cities.

When Is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Moscow?

There are two different ways to approach this question. Personally, I think the best time to visit Moscow is around Christmas and New Year’s Day. While the weather will be absolutely freezing, Moscow is a surreal winter wonderland in December and January.

We were in Moscow right before Christmas. While it was very cold, you can always bundle up. Exploring the Christmas markets and pop-up ice skating rinks throughout Moscow is one of my favorite memories from anywhere I’ve traveled, and I dream of going back to do it again.

If you aren’t fond of the cold, Moscow is beautiful in the summer. It tends to get pretty cold in the shoulder seasons, so if you want warm weather, you should plan to visit in the summer. Moscow actually gets pretty warm in July and August, and there are a bunch of fantastic places to soak up the sun within the city.

The best time to visit Moscow is either around Christmas or from late May to August.

Is Moscow Safe to Visit?

While Moscow is a truly wonderful city, there’s no denying that visiting Russia comes with risks. As the country is run by an infamous communist dictator, concerns about visiting are valid. While we didn’t experience any sort of threat or negative treatment during our time in Moscow, we visited in a peaceful time.

In our experience, Russia doesn’t seem to detain normal Americans or Westerners to use as pawns. As a regular person, as long as you don’t commit any crimes, there is a slim chance you will run into any issues. However, Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

Russia will not hesitate to enforce its laws against foreigners, and illegal behaviors will likely land you in a very compromising position.

To make matters worse, Russia has a bad reputation for gang violence. While the Russian mafia has very little interest in normal Western tourists, they won’t hesitate to pick a fight with anyone who ventures into their sphere of influence. If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

If you seek out illegal substances or activities, you could be a target of the mafia.

Finally, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, things are all very different. Russia is currently at war, and there are battles raging within 8 hours of Moscow. While it is still relatively safe to visit, that could change at any time as the war with Ukraine continues.

Is Moscow Worth Visiting?

Without a doubt, Moscow is worth visiting. It is one of the most unique major cities we have ever visited, and we hope to make it back one day. The Russian Orthodox churches are stunning, the city’s history is unlike any other, and the food is to die for.

While many visitors prefer St. Petersburg to Moscow, I think Moscow deserves a lot of hype of its own. Moscow is the beating heart of Russian culture and history, and it’s a place I highly recommend checking out if you have the chance.

That’s all we have for you about Moscow! I hope this post was helpful as you plan your trip to Russia’s capital.

Have you been to Moscow? Or is this your first time visiting? Comment below if you have anything to add to our travel guide!

Hi, I'm Greg. I'm an avid traveler who has traveled to over 50 countries all around the world with my wife and kids. I've lived in Italy, Mexico, China, and the United States, and I dream of moving abroad again in the future. With this blog, I provide my audience with detailed destination guides to my favorite places and pro-tips to make travel as stress-free as possible.

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Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights announces ‘A Quiet Place’-themed haunted house

• Universal Studios has revealed the first major haunted house for Halloween Horror Nights 2024: ‘A Quiet Place.’
• The house will be featured at both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood.
• Halloween Horror Nights officially run on select nights from Aug. 30 through Nov. 3 at Universal Orlando and from Sept. 5 through Nov. 3 at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Shhh. Don’t make a sound.

Not if you want to make it through the first major haunted house revealed for Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights 2024: ‘ A Quiet Place .’

Set in the eerily silent world of Paramount Pictures’ ‘A Quiet Place’ and ‘A Quiet Place Part II,’ guests will have to keep their screams on the inside to evade sightless creatures that use sound to hunt their prey.

Unlike the location-specific, original storyline houses announced so far, this intellectual property house will be featured at both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood . Other IP haunted houses will be announced over the summer.

What can we expect from ‘A Quiet Place’?

“Fans will relive the tension that will come to life in the iconic scenes from the first two films, including traveling through the farmhouse that serves as the Abbott family’s shelter and stepping into the root cellar where Evelyn Abbott escapes to give birth as one of the creatures closes in,” Universal said in a press release Thursday. “Guests must remember: if they hear you, they will hunt you.”

This will be the first Halloween Horror Nights house to incorporate American Sign Language “to capture the authenticity of the films” directed by John Krasinski.

“Mirroring the silence in the films, the haunted houses will embrace unique sound design, special effects and the adept performances of the scareactors to convey the ominous sense of dread depicted in the films,” Universal said.

This isn’t your average souvenir shop. Universal’s Tribute Stores are their own type of attraction.

How many HHN houses are there?

There will be 10 houses and five scare zones at Universal Orlando this year. Six other house themes have been revealed so far:

• Triplets of Terror
• Monstruos: The Monsters of Latin America
• The Museum: Deadly Exhibit
• Major Sweets Candy Factory
• Goblin’s Feast
• Slaughter Sinema 2

There will be eight houses, “an onslaught of sinister scare zones” and the fan-favorite Terror Tram at Universal Studios Hollywood.

What are the dates for Halloween Horror Nights 2024?

Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights officially run on select nights from Aug. 30 through Nov. 3. However, this year, the Florida resort is holding its first-ever Premium Scream Night on Aug. 29. The limited capacity-event will offer early access, shorter wait times, a selection of all you-care-to-enjoy food and nonalcoholic drinks, a souvenir credential, and free self-parking.

Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights will run on select nights from Sept. 5 through Nov. 3.

How much are tickets to Halloween Horror Nights?

Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights tickets start at $82.99, up from last year’s starting price of $79.99. Tickets to Universal Orlando’s Premium Scream Night cost $350.

Universal Studios Hollywood’s HHN tickets start at $77, up from $74 last year.

The Key Points at the top of this article were created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reviewed by a journalist before publication. No other parts of the article were generated using AI. Learn more .

Moscow Itinerary: How To Spend 3 Days In Moscow

By: Author Lotte

Posted on Last updated: March 2, 2023

Categories Trans Mongolian Express

Moscow is the capital of Russia and there are few cities in the world that have played such a significant part in history.

Home to the Kremlin, the Red Square, the colorful St. Basil's Cathedral, and many more famous landmarks, Moscow is a city like no other.

This Moscow itinerary will help you plan your trip and make the most of your time in Moscow. From the best places to see in Moscow to how to get around, this post has got you covered.

Moscow itinerary

Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). We're very grateful when you use our links to make a purchase:-).

Moscow 3 day itinerary: map with highlights

Click here for the interactive map .

What to do in Moscow in 3 days

• Day 1: The Red Square, GUM Department Store, St. Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum, and the State Historical Museum.
• Day 2: The Kremlin, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Gorky Park, and the Bolshoi Theatre.
• Day 3: Izmailovsky Market, Bunker 42, and Zaryadye Park.

Important things to know when planning a trip to Moscow

The best time to plan a trip to Moscow is April-May and September-October . During these months temperatures are (generally) quite comfortable, though even in April there can be a bit of snow! The summer months are hot, both in regard to temperature as well as activities in the city. While it's a nice time to visit, it's also the busiest time of the year to visit Moscow. Hotel prices reflect this as well and summer definitely isn't a great time for budget travelers to visit Moscow. Winter in Moscow is cold, and I mean seriously cold (-15°C isn't rare). However, if you can withstand the subzero temperatures and freezing winds, it can be a magical time to visit. A snow-covered St. Basil’s Cathedral is a sight you will never forget. Keep in mind that days are short in winter and be sure to bring plenty of warm winter clothes!

The official currency in Russia is the Russian Ruble (₽ or RUB). Here you can find the current exchange rates, at the time of writing €1 is approximately 70RUB and $1 is around 62RUB.

Yes, you probably do. Getting a visa for Russia requires a bit of time and effort. You need to fill out several forms and provide a detailed travel itinerary and information about your accommodation. Also, you will need a Visa Support Letter which can be provided by your travel agency or your hotel. Depending on your nationality, there may be additional requirements, please refer to the information provided on the website of your country's Embassy in Russia.

While most of the things to see in Moscow listed in this post are within walking distance of each other, sometimes you will have to travel a bit further afield. The best way to get around in Moscow is by metro. It's cheap and efficient and a sightseeing activity in itself, because Moscow has the most beautiful metro stations in the world ! Among the most exquisitely decorated stations are Komsomolskaya, Novoslobodskaya, Mayakovskaya, Taganskaya, and Prospect Mira Station, but there are many more worthwhile stations to be found in the Moscow underground. You can purchase a single ticket from one of the ticket machines or get a rechargeable Troika Card when you plan on taking the metro several times. Read more details on how to use the Moscow metro here . If you prefer to get around by taxi, that's possible too. We used the Gett app to order a taxi (similar to Uber) to avoid confusion about our intended destination and having to negotiate in Russian. A convenient extra for families is the Gett Kids option, these cars are outfitted with a car seat.

The best things to do in Moscow

While you could easily spend a week in Moscow (or more), most of us, unfortunately, don't have that much time available.

This 3-day Moscow itinerary will guide you to the most popular and important places to visit in Moscow, as well as to some of the more unusual things to do in Moscow.

Below you can find the list of the Moscow sightseeing highlights included in this post.

The Red Square

Gum department store, st. basil's cathedral, lenin's mausoleum, the state historical museum, the kremlin, cathedral of christ the saviour.

• The Bolshoi Theatre

Izmailovsky Market

Zaryadye park.

Plan your trip like a pro with these tools: ✈️ Find the best flight deals on Kiwi.com . ? Get the best car rental deal for your road trip on Rentalcars.com . ?️ Find your dream accommodation on Booking.com or Agoda . ? Book the best tours via Get Your Guide , Viator or Klook . ? Plan your journey with the  Lonely Planet . ?️ Travel safely and get reliable travel insurance from Safety Wing .

Moscow itinerary day 1

There is no better place to start your first day in Moscow, than at the world-famous Red Square.

This square is considered the central square of Moscow, not just because all the major streets start here, but also because no matter where you look when standing on this square, there are historic buildings all around.

Starting with the impressive GUM store and going clockwise, there is the colorful Saint Basil's Cathedral, the Kremlin, Lenin's Mausoleum, the State Historical Museum, and the Kazan Cathedral.

However, before entering any of these Moscow must-see attractions, allow yourself a moment to take in the view and let it sink in that you're standing on historical grounds (and a UNESCO site).

The Red Square was the official address of the Soviet government and played an important part in history. Many military parades have been held (and are still being held) here. It's the place where protests have taken place, as well as high-profile concerts from famous international artists.

All in all, it's one of the places in Moscow you can't miss during your Moscow city trip!

Yulia from That's What She Had: it might seem like visiting a department store is not something you’d do on the first visit to Russia’s capital.

But GUM is not like any other department store and is well worth your time, if only for its unique architecture.

First of all, it’s located right on Red Square which makes it an easy stop on your Moscow trip itinerary. Second, GUM is not a simple mall, but an institution built in the late XIX century.

The abbreviation stands for  Glavniy Universalniy Magazin or Main Universal Store. Its impressive facade extends for over 240 meters along the eastern side of Red Square.

Inside you’ll find a beautiful glass ceiling supported by a metal framework, not unlike the ones found in the old train stations of Great Britain. 

While shopping in GUM will cost you an arm and a leg, there’s one reason why tourists and locals come here anyways:  traditional Russian food  at Stolovaya #57. Stolovaya is Russian for canteen and this is where you can get your  pelmeni , borsch , and  pirozhki  fix!

Afterward, don’t forget to get the famous  plombir  ice cream in one of the kiosks on the ground floor.

Saint Basil's Cathedral with its colorful domes is easily recognizable and one of the most popular Moscow tourist attractions. The building, built on orders from Ivan the Terrible, was completed in 1561 to commemorate the victory over Kazan and Astrakhan.

Until the construction of Ivan the Great Bell Tower (which can be found within the walls of the Kremlin), it was the tallest building in Moscow.

The design of St. Basil's Cathedral is truly unique; it's shaped like the flame of a bonfire and not one building in a similar style can be found in the whole of Russia.

A legend tells the story of how Ivan the Terrible had the architects of the Cathedral blinded so they could never build anything comparable.

This is a myth, however, but the fact remains that Saint Basil's Cathedral is one of a kind and it's not surprising it has become the symbol of Russia.

Wendy from The Nomadic Vegan: Lenin Mausoleum is hard to miss. It's a stepped-pyramid construction that sits right at the base of the Kremlin walls on the western side of Red Square.

Entrance is free but note that opening hours are quite limited, with visiting hours lasting only from 10 am to 1 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

If seeing Lenin's embalmed body is important to you, be sure to take this into account when planning your itinerary in Moscow.

One of my  top tips for travelers to Russia  is to arrive early, well before the mausoleum opens, as the queue is usually quite long. However, usually, the queue does move pretty quickly.

This is especially true now that they have lifted the ban on bags and cameras.

It used to be that all cameras, smartphones, and bags of any size had to be checked at a left-luggage office nearby. But now you can bring a small handbag or backpack as well as your camera and phone.

Photography inside the mausoleum is still strictly forbidden, but you are allowed to take photos of the graves of various other important Russian figures that line the path leading to the mausoleum.

Once you finally enter the mausoleum, the atmosphere is surprisingly peaceful and uncrowded. It doesn't feel nearly as rushed as when visiting Mao Ze Dong's tomb in Beijing or Ho Chi Minh's body in Hanoi , for example.

The illumination of the body is very well done and would make for superb photography if it wasn't forbidden. As an added bonus, just after you exit, you'll see the grave of Joseph Stalin outside.

Rai from A Rai Of Light: the imposing crimson building at the northern end of the Red Square is the State Historical Museum.

By decree of Alexander III, the museum was built with the support of Russian historians, philosophers, and artists. The red brick building, dating from 1875, was designed in the Russian revival style by Vladimir Shervud.

The National Museum of Russia houses a collection of over four million items, devoted to the history of the country's ancient and imperial period.

The exhibitions include many items previously owned by members of the Romanov dynasty, such as documents, artwork, personal items, furnishings, and decorations from the palace interiors.

Another exhibit features relics of the prehistoric tribes that once inhabited this region.

Notable items include ancient manuscripts, birch-bark scrolls, a longboat excavated from the banks of the Volga River, and the largest coin collection in Russia, sourced from the museums in St Petersburg .

The State Historical Museum is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. The entrance fee is 700₽ per adult.

Moscow itinerary day 2

When listing the best Moscow things to do, one cannot miss the Kremlin! The Kremlin houses the current seat of power in Russia and has done so for several decades.

Within its walls, the offices of the Russian Government can be found. During Soviet rule, the Kremlin was where all the important decisions were made but its history goes back for many centuries.

The first mention of the Kremlin in history books was in 1147, however, the current citadel dates from the 16th century.

The Kremlin is one of the major fortifications found in Europe, with walls that are up to 6.5 meters thick and 19 meters high in particular sections.

Inside the complex, there are many government buildings, however, these aren't accessible to the public.

Around Cathedral Square you'll find (as the name suggests) many churches and cathedrals, such as the Cathedral of the Archangel, Annunciation Cathedral, the Church of Laying Our Lady's Holy Robe, and Ivan the Great Bell-Tower.

While Cathedral Square is definitely worth visiting, the highlight of the Kremlin is a visit to the Armoury.

Inside you can find an impressive collection of Faberge eggs, beautiful dresses worn by Catherine the Great, intricately decorated thrones used by the Tsars, and much more. Unfortunately, photography is forbidden inside the Armoury.

Practical information about visiting the Kremlin

In order to visit both Cathedral Square and the Armoury, you will have to buy two separate tickets. A ticket to Cathedral Square costs 700₽ and a ticket to the Armoury is 1000₽. Prices mentioned are for adults, children below 16 years old are free.

Tickets can be bought at the ticket office onsite on the same day, however, there's no guarantee tickets will be available, especially during peak season.

Conveniently, tickets can be bought online as well, which is highly advisable if you want to make sure you'll be able to visit the Kremlin during your city trip to Moscow.

How much time to spend at the Kremlin

Be sure to allow plenty of time to explore the Kremlin, at least half a day but it's easy to spend more time as there is so much to see.

Please note there isn't any food sold inside the Kremlin, so bring a snack and enough water (especially in summer when it can get pretty hot).

Luggage storage

Backpacks aren't allowed inside the Kremlin, they can be stored (for free) in the cloakroom, but you can bring your camera and a small purse.

We could also take our Babyzen Yoyo stroller inside, which was very convenient as our 10-month-old son could take a nap while we explored the sights.

After the original Cathedral of Christ the Saviour was demolished by Stalin in 1931, a new version was completed in 2000.

The imposing building is the tallest Orthodox Christian church in the world (103 meters high), and is beautiful on the outside as well as on the inside.

Visiting the Cathedral is free of charge and it's open any day of the week from 10 am to 5 pm (except on Mondays when the opening hours are 1 to 5 pm).

When visiting the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour it's important to dress appropriately. For men, this means no shorts or tank tops.

Women can't enter with mini skirts or shorts, strap tops, or anything too revealing. Also, women are advised to cover their heads with a scarf as a sign of respect.

Inside the Cathedral photography isn't allowed, but believe me when I say there is plenty to see. There are beautiful frescoes, colorful icons, impressive statues, and other vivid decorations.

For a beautiful view over Moscow, walk up the stairs to the 40-meter high observation deck (entrance fee 400₽).  

Visit Gorky Park

Helen from Holidays from Hels : Gorky Park, named after the Soviet writer Maxim Gorky, has recently undergone extensive regeneration to become Moscow's central leisure hub for young Muscovites.

Every day of the week you can find many Moscow residents strolling along the banks of the river in the summer, hiring bikes, picnicking on the grass, or dining at one of the many restaurants.

Open-air cinemas, petanque, and ping pong are all on offer. Not to be missed is the iconic white stone entranceway and museum, complete with columns carved with Soviet hammers and sickles.

In winter, look out for the ducks waddling across the frozen Moskva River, and watch boats attempting to navigate through the cracked ice. However, the real winter highlight is to try ice skating on one of the biggest rinks in Europe!

Ice skating in Gorky Park

The park’s maze of pedestrian pathways is transformed into one huge skating rink, which can play host to up to four thousand skaters. 

Not surprisingly, Russians are talented ice skaters and there is a good chance you will find yourself next to a pirouetting ballerina.

Handily, you will find you will already be wearing most of what you need – gloves, hat, scarf, and thick socks and you can hire skates on-site. Lockers are included in the price if you don’t fancy skating with your day pack.

Disco tunes fill the air, and the whole arena is backlit in spectacular neon lights. Rest your weary legs and warm up at one of the cafes dotted along the frozen pathways, with the added bonus of not having to take off your skates.

Opening times

The rink is open from 10 am until 11 pm on weekdays and until midnight at weekends but closes between 3 and 5 pm. Like most attractions in Moscow, the rink is closed on Mondays. 

The prices range from 350-650₽ and go up in the evening, which is the best time for the light show. Arriving at 5 pm, just as the rink opens for the evening session will give you time to find your ice legs before it fills up with more confident skaters.

Whilst waiting for the rink to open, try out the nearby tubing track where you can shoot down a snowy hill on an inflatable ring repeatedly for a very enjoyable half an hour!

How to get to Gorky Park by metro

The nearest metro is Park Kultury Station, on the other side of the river. As always, check out in advance what this looks like in the Russian Alphabet so you know when to get off!

Bolshoi Theatre

James Ian at Travel Collecting : one of the best places to go in Moscow is the famous Bolshoi Theater, located only a short walk from Red square. Bolshoy means big in Russian, and the theatre is not only big but also beautiful.

There are two ways to see the theater: on a guided tour or by watching a performance .

Take a guided tour

• English tours are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11:30 am. Tickets for these tours can be bought (on the same day) at the ticket office located in the Historic building of the theatre (door #12).
• A ticket costs 2000₽ per person, tours last one hour, and the number of people on a tour is limited to a maximum of 20. The tour takes you inside the theater and to the historic main stage.

Watch a performance

My favorite way to see the theater, though, is to enjoy a performance and experience the theater as a patron.

The entrance is a little underwhelming when you first arrive, the street lobby is small and quite plain and you will be immediately directed up to your floor.

There are helpful attendants on each floor to guide you to the correct door. Arrive a little early and head up to the Grand Salon on the top floor where you can enjoy a glass of champagne while people-watching (Russians dress up for the theater).

Then head to your seat and take in the stunning theater before enjoying the famous Bolshoi Ballet or another performance.

Be sure to book a show at the historic stage, there is a modern stage as well but that isn't nearly as much fun.

Moscow itinerary day 3

Karen from WanderlustingK : one of the most interesting Moscow places to visit is the Izmailovsky Market .

This flea market and tourist attraction a bit outside of the tourist center is a recreation of a Tzar’s Palace, known as a Kremlin, produced in a colorful 16th-century style.

The market is filled with tiny stalls that sell everything from snacks to kitsch to authentic items from Soviet times such as hats, pins, and other pieces of memorabilia.

You'll also find authentic antiques such as vases, paintings, and other religious items if you're looking to splurge within the interior parts of the market.

Negotiating in English is not always possible as many vendors only speak Russian, so be sure to practice your Russian numbers and see how well you can do with haggling.

It's important to carry cash when you visit given that many vendors do not accept cards. We ended up purchasing a series of hats at the market, along with a beautiful hot tea glass with a metal holder with a typical Russian scene.

Elsewhere in the market, you’ll also find a few tourist shops that sell typical Russian products. It takes a few hours to see the market in full, so arrive early as the best items go quickly! 

Lindsey from Have Clothes, Will Travel : Bunker-42 was once a top-secret, Soviet military complex. Stalin commissioned its construction after the United States succeeded in creating a nuclear bomb.

An impressive 65 meters (or about 213 feet) underground, was the desired depth to protect Russia’s top officials from a nuclear attack.

Bunker 42 became operational in 1954. Fortunately, it was never needed for its true purpose, and instead it was used as the command center of strategic bombers for nearly 30 years.

Nowadays it's a museum dedicated to the Cold War and visiting is a truly unique experience!

You will need to join a tour in order to see the museum. You can call ahead to book your tour (the number is: +7 499 703-44-55), there are several English tours throughout the day that are held at 13:30, 16:30, and 18:30 (the price is 2200₽).

On Mondays, there is an extra tour at 17:30, which lasts an additional 30 minutes and costs 2800₽ per person. There is also the option to book a private tour. However, I am unsure of the price for this.

You will have to wait until exactly 15 minutes before your tour begins before you'll be admitted inside. After paying for your tickets and a quick restroom stop you will descend 65 meters underground…

Another option for visiting Bunker-42, if you would rather not do the tour, is to visit the restaurant inside Bunker-42. Actually, I highly recommend visiting the restaurant before or after a tour as well!

While the food is not that great, it’s worth visiting for a drink. The restaurant is also located within the bunker and is decorated in the old Soviet style.

From time to time there will be live performances and visiting Bunker 42 is definitely an experience worth having while in Moscow! After all, how many people can say they've had a drink in a top-secret Soviet military bunker?

If you’re visiting Moscow during peak season (June-July-August), it would be worth making a reservation, to avoid having to wait. Otherwise, I would not say you need to worry about a reservation at the restaurant.

Bunker-42 is a short cab ride away from Red Square (10-15 minutes). But I recommend taking the metro to get there. The closest station is Taganskaya, which is a beautiful metro station very much worth visiting.

Park Zaryad'ye or Zaryadye Park is a lovely place for a stroll and a nice place to relax after a day of sightseeing in Moscow, especially when exploring Moscow with kids.

There are many things to see and do in this park, but I recommend starting your visit at The River Overlook , a 70-meter-long boardwalk with beautiful views over the river and the Kremlin.

Other interesting places to visit in Zaryadye Park are the Ice Cave, The Museum of Nature, and The Glass Crust. But most importantly, do as the Muscovites do and find yourself a nice place in the park to sit down and relax.

Enjoy the view, do some people-watching, and take a moment to think back about all the Moscow top sights you've seen in the past couple of days.

Where to stay in Moscow

There is a huge amount of hotels in Moscow, ranging from budget hostels to exquisite 5-star hotels. Below you can find three well-reviewed Moscow hotels (rating of 8.5+ on Agoda and  Booking ).

3-star hotel in Moscow: MIRROS Hotel Mokhovaya

This 3-star hotel is one of the best budget Moscow hotels and is all about location! From the hotel, it's just a 10-minute walk to the Kremlin and only 600 meters to the Christ the Savior Cathedral.

Set in a historic 19th-century mansion, the hotel features classic rooms with ensuite bathrooms.

The staff is friendly and there is a metro station nearby (Borovitskaya), making it easy to get to the Moscow attractions a bit further afield.

Click here to book

Modern hotel in Moscow: Barin Residence Myasnitskaya

The Barin Residence Myasnitskaya is a newly built hotel, located about 1.2km from the Red Square (about a 15-20 minute walk).

The rooms and bathrooms are very modern and clean, the beds are comfortable and room service is available. This hotel is an excellent choice for travelers looking for a nice hotel without a hefty price tag.

Luxury hotel in Moscow: Hotel National Moscow

Hotel National is potentially the best Moscow hotel. It's a gorgeous 5-star hotel located just a stone's throw away from the Bolshoi Theater, the Red Square, and the Kremlin.

The building was designed by architect Alexander Ivanov and completed in 1903 and has been welcoming international travelers ever since.

With its imperial architecture, luxury design, and charming classic rooms (some with a view of the Kremlin!), the Hotel National is a unique property.

Furthermore, you can enjoy an indoor pool, sauna, and fitness center as well as the well-reviewed Beluga restaurant that serves both Russian and European dishes.

While this hotel doesn't come cheap, your stay at the Hotel National will make your trip to Moscow an unforgettable experience.

Moscow itinerary and travel guide: in conclusion

I hope this guide to Moscow will help you plan a trip to this interesting Russian city. Feel free to ask any questions you may have by leaving a comment or  sending me an email !

Below you can find my other posts about the Trans Mongolian Express , and the stops we made along the way:

• St. Petersburg itinerary
• Irkutsk and Lake Baikal itinerary
• Ulaanbaatar itinerary
• Trans-Mongolian Express travel guide

This post was updated in December 2020.

How to Become a House Sitter and Never Pay for Accommodation

In recent years, house sitting has become one of the best ways to travel long-term on a budget. In exchange for watching someone’s house (and pets) you get a free place to stay, allowing you to travel long-term without paying for accommodation. I’ve never done it so I invited Dalene and Pete from Hecktic Travels to share their tips and advice on the topic as they are avid house sitters.

As I write this, I’m sitting in a comfortable leather recliner in front of three large bay windows. In my view are tall pines covered in healthy green moss, as well as shimmering water from a nearby lake. An old, chubby gray cat — the king of this log cabin — warms my feet.

This is my home for three months, and my husband and I are living here for free. We pay no rent or utilities, and we have a vehicle at our disposal.

We are house sitting.

We travel around the world taking care of pets and homes while their owners are off on their own travels. Not only does it keep our costs extremely low but it also gives us an intimate experience in a new locale and complete immersion in the neighborhood.

The majority of our last three years traveling have been spent house sitting, saving us well over $30,000 USD in accommodation costs and affording us an incredible set of travel experiences we might never have enjoyed otherwise.

But this way of travel isn’t just for long-term nomads like us; opportunities are available for all types of travelers. House sitting jobs range from weekends to years in length; our shortest house-sit was nine days and our longest was six months.

In short, no matter how long you are traveling for, you can find a house sitting gig that works for you. Here’s everything you need to know to get started!

Table of Contents

Why Become a House Sitter

How to become a house sitter, how to be a good house sitter.

Instant local connections Meeting and befriending locals give you immediate insight into a place and help you feel connected and grounded, no matter how long you’ve been on the road. Through house sitting, we’ve (so far) made lifelong friends with eight dogs, nine cats, four chickens, and sixteen humans (homeowners).

We can travel at a slow pace Spending only a few days in every city on the prescribed tourist trail may seem like a great way to see the world, but taking on a house sitting job will give you an entirely different experience and allow you to catch your breath while on the road. Try actually unpacking for once, making your own coffee in the morning just the way you like it, and cuddling up with pets at the end of the day. It’s like being at home, while away.

More savings! Not only will you save big bucks by slashing your accommodation expenses but you will also cut your travel food budget by cooking for yourself. Start your day with breakfast and lunch at home and pocket those savings or splurge on a big dinner! (Just make sure to schedule your outings around the pet’s schedule.)

Plus, if you’re considering a move, finding a house sitting opportunity in your desired location will help you really get a feel for what it might be like to live there.  

Homeowners are looking for responsible people to help reduce their own costs (pet kennels are expensive!) and to keep their house safe and in order while they are gone.

Most house sitting websites now have different tiers of membership, from basic (access to apply for house sitting opportunities) to premium (includes higher level perks and benefits like early alerts, priority support, and cancellation policies). If you just want to take a look, most house sitting websites have a free option with limited access (i.e. you can look at listings but not apply).

How old do you have to be to pet sit? Most house sitting websites have an age requirement to sign up. On most websites, you can sign up if you’re 18 and older, though for TrustedHousesitters, you have to be at least 21.

Here are the best house sitting websites:

• TrustedHousesitters.com (annual memberships from $129-259 USD) – This is the biggest house sitting website worldwide. You’ll find the most opportunities in the UK, Europe, North America, and Australia, though there are plenty of sits elsewhere too. They are also the only website to offer house sitting insurance (available on standard and premium plans).
• Nomador.com (annual memberships from $99-199 USD) – Nomador is mainly focused on Europe (especially France), and is growing worldwide. Its unique “trust profiles” help lay a foundation of trust between homeowners and house-sitters. In addition, it has an exciting “Stopovers” feature, which is similar to Couchsurfing.
• MindMyHouse.com ($29 USD annual fee) – Low fee to join, a good number of house-sits (primarily in North America and Europe), and a well laid-out website.
• Housecarers.com ($50 USD annual fee) – Plenty of good house-sits, with a focus on Australia, New Zealand, and North America, but a poor website structure makes it difficult to navigate.

When reviewing available house sitting jobs on the above websites, choose jobs carefully according to your own desires in terms of location, timing, and other needs. The key to finding one is flexibility in your plans: rather than searching for a house-sit in north London for the first week of August, widening your search to all of London and for a week during any time of the month will increase your chances greatly.

2. Create a killer house sitting profile This is your face to homeowners, and if it is well written and up-to-date, you may have homeowners contacting you directly rather than posting their house sitting job. Things to include:

• Photos (with pets): Show your love for and ease around animals by showing some photos of you with them!
• Experience: As a house-sitter or as a previous homeowner (do you know your way around basic house appliances?)
• Pets: Exude your love for all things furry, or scaly, or slimy, if applicable. The large majority of house-sits include pet care of some kind.
• Special skills: Do you speak foreign languages? Do you have a green thumb, or are you handy with tools? Be sure to outline those in your profile.
• Enthusiasm: Lots and lots of enthusiasm for this newfound “career” goes a long way.
• Personality: Don’t be afraid to show your personality! Give people something to connect to. Share a bit about any hobbies or passions you have. (Just a line or two will do, you don’t want to dominate your profile with this either.)

3. Write an introductory message When applying for a specific house sitting job, each website lets you include a message that will accompany your profile when it’s sent to the prospective homeowner. The key to a good introduction is brevity while highlighting important information — and of course, lots of enthusiasm.

Pay close attention to the listing and draft your email according to the job’s specific details.

For example, if the homeowners have a dog, make a comment on how cute he is and that Schnauzers are your favorite creatures on four legs. If they have a large yard that may need your attention, mention your agility and strength and highlight how you can easily get the work done!

Sharing relevant specifics is key — so pay attention!

Sign up for email alerts in your desired areas or follow along on social media to be one of the first to know what’s available.

5. Have references The most important thing that homeowners will look at is your references. A house sitting arrangement between strangers requires a high level of trust, and having quality people lined up to vouch for you is important. If you have no previous house sitting experience, consider asking the following for references: former landlords, old neighbors or bosses, or anyone who can attest to your character, reliability, and trustworthiness.

One good reference leads to another job and another good reference. And once these start to stack up, potential homeowners will be highly inclined to work with you, and subsequent house sitting jobs will be much easier to get. While all of the house sitting websites house references online, you should also compile them yourself and have them ready to distribute.

6. Expect an interview If the homeowner doesn’t ask for one, I insist that you do. In the beginning, it’s easy to get overly excited about the prospect of living somewhere exotic for virtually free and forget about the finer details of the job. So use Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, or WhatsApp to have a (virtual) face-to-face and get a feel for each other.

Be sure to ask a lot of questions; leave nothing left unknown: Can you have guests? Can you leave the property overnight to explore a nearby area? Is there a vehicle available for your use? How is the Wi-Fi connection?

You don’t want to be blindsided with rules or surprises when you arrive. And trust your gut: we have said no to house sitting jobs before because the vibe wasn’t right with the homeowners.

For a deep dive into getting started, check out this video with Trusted Housesitters. It covers a lot of ground!

We’ve chased dogs through muddy fields (and disposed of a half-eaten rat courtesy of said dogs).

We have spent an evening trolling through dark alleys in Harlem, looking for an escaped fat cat.

We dealt with a dead chicken by “sending it down the river” on the advice of a neighbor in Ireland .

We’ve cleaned up after torrential rain hammered our temporary Caribbean house.

Most times you’ll be able to kick back and soak up your good fortune, but there will be moments when you will have to work for it. The key to getting a repeated number of house-sits is to do an excellent job each time and stack up virtuous references. Here’s how:

For starters, make sure you show up! When a commitment is made, it is up to you to keep it. Homeowners make important travel plans based on having someone to care for their house and pets — they are counting on you!

Treat the house with the utmost respect from the start. Return it to the homeowners in as good — or better — shape as when you arrived.

Stick to the homeowners’ guidelines. Do they want a daily photo of their pets, or do they only want to be contacted in case of emergency? Of course you should always follow all instructions for pets, but don’t forget about other guidelines like how to deal with mail, proper disposal of garbage, and general caretaking of the home and property. It’s very important to have everything outlined here to avoid misunderstandings.

Be prepared to deal with adverse situations. Bad things can (and probably will) go wrong at some point (like chasing dogs through muddy fields and disposing of a dead chicken). Be sure to have emergency contact info on hand, and be honest with the homeowners about anything that comes up.

Important Tip: If you have an international house sitting opportunity, consider what you will tell customs officials at the border. Some may give you a hard time, considering the house-sit “work” that a local could do. Tell them you are visiting friends, and consider even preparing a story on how you previously met each other, just in case they call to check! (I know of people who have been turned away at the border for this exact reason.)

We may have had our share of difficult moments, but the incredible experiences we’ve gained by house sitting have far outweighed them.

In exchange for chasing dogs and disposing of rats, we discovered firsthand how the Turks are the most generous and hospitable people in the world.

While cleaning up after a nasty storm in Honduras, we became close friends with a local lady and later were named the godparents of her child.

In Ireland, we freely explored the halls of the tenth-century manor we were charged with and even took our own twirl in the manor’s ballroom.

We’re always a little surprised that more people don’t know about, or take advantage of, the opportunities presented by house sitting. Becoming a house sitter is not just about the money-saving aspect, but the ability to live like a local in a new corner of the world. Whether you’re going away for nine days or nine months, this can be a great way to do something different during your trip.

House sitting has become our favorite way to travel — and we bet it could be yours too.

Dalene Heck and her husband Pete are behind the blog Hecktic Travels , which chronicles their journey since selling all their belongings in 2009. They’ve recently written an ebook on house sitting (all proceeds go to charity!) that contains even more juicy goodness, including examples of successful profiles and application letters, a three-page checklist of everything to look for in a new house sitting job, and discount codes for their favorite house sitting websites.

If you’re looking for other ways to travel ultra-cheap, check out these articles:

• The Ultimate Guide to Traveling with No Money
• How to Work and Travel the World for Free
• How to Use the Sharing Economy to Travel on a Budget
• How to Find Cheap Accommodation Around the World
• Points and Miles 101

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Hi, I’m Nomadic Matt, the New York Times best-selling author of How to Travel the World on $50 a Day and Ten Years a Nomad, as well as the founder of this website! And I’m here to help you save money on your next trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

A Proclamation on Securing the   Border

   There are more people around the world who are displaced from their homes today than at any point in time since World War II.  Many factors have contributed to this problem.  Failing regimes and dire economic conditions afflict many countries, including several in the Western Hemisphere.  Violence linked to transnational criminal organizations has displaced substantial numbers of people in Latin America.  The global COVID-19 pandemic upended societies around the globe.  Natural disasters have forced people from their homes.  

     As a result of these global conditions, we have been experiencing substantial levels of migration throughout the Western Hemisphere, including at our southwest land border.  In 2019, encounters nearly doubled from their 2018 level to almost 1 million.  In 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic led countries throughout the world to shut their borders and suspend international travel; however, once the pandemic began to recede, international travel resumed, and we again experienced elevated levels of migration throughout the Western Hemisphere, including at our southwest land border.

     On May 11, 2023, as part of my Administration’s work to prepare for the end of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s public health order under title 42, United States Code, and to return to processing all noncitizens under immigration authorities under title 8, United States Code (title 8), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a final rule, entitled Circumvention of Lawful Pathways (Lawful Pathways rule), encouraging the use of lawful pathways and imposing a rebuttable presumption of asylum ineligibility on those who do not use them. 

    The Lawful Pathways rule was designed to address the high levels of migration throughout the Western Hemisphere and further discourage irregular migration by encouraging migrants to use lawful, safe, and orderly processes for entering the United States or to seek protection in other partner nations; imposing a presumptive condition on asylum eligibility for those who fail to do so; and supporting the swift return of those who do not have valid protection claims.

     As a complement to the Lawful Pathways rule and associated enforcement efforts, the Department of State and DHS have taken significant steps to expand safe and orderly pathways for migrants to enter the United States lawfully.  Those steps include establishing Safe Mobility Offices in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Guatemala to facilitate access to lawful pathways; expanding country-specific and other available processes to seek parole on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit; expanding access to visa programs for seasonal employment; establishing a mechanism for noncitizens to schedule a time and place to present at ports of entry in a safe, orderly, and lawful manner through the CBP One mobile application; and expanding refugee admissions from the Western Hemisphere from 5,000 in Fiscal Year 2021 to up to 50,000 in Fiscal Year 2024.

     The Lawful Pathways rule and these complementary measures have made a substantial impact.  On May 12, 2023, DHS returned to processing all noncitizens under title 8 immigration authorities and is processing noncitizens at record scale and efficiency.  Since then, my Administration has maximized the use of expedited removal to the greatest extent possible given limited resources, placing more than 970 individuals encountered at and between ports of entry at the southwest land border into the process each day on average and conducting more than 152,000 credible fear interviews, both of which are record highs.  As a result, from May 12, 2023, to May 1, 2024, my Administration removed or returned more than 720,000 noncitizens who did not have a lawful basis to remain in the United States, the vast majority of whom crossed the southwest land border.  Total removals and returns in the 12 months following May 12, 2023, exceeded removals and returns in every full Fiscal Year since 2010.  The majority of all individuals encountered at the southwest land border from Fiscal Year 2021 to Fiscal Year 2023 were removed, returned, or expelled.

     Despite these efforts, and after months of reduced encounter levels following the changes put in place after May 12, 2023, encounter levels increased toward the end of 2023, and December 2023 saw the highest level of encounters between ports of entry in history, as increasing numbers of people migrated through the Western Hemisphere.  The challenges presented by this surge in migration, which would have been even worse had the Lawful Pathways rule and other measures not been in place, were compounded by the fact that the surge was focused increasingly on western areas of the border in California and Arizona that are geographically remote, challenging to address, and without sufficient pre-existing infrastructure or resources to respond to the surge.  From January to March 2024, encounters decreased from and have remained below levels experienced in November and December 2023, including as a result of increased enforcement by the United States and partner countries.  However, the factors that are driving the unprecedented movement of people in our hemisphere remain, and there is still a substantial and elevated level of migration that continues to pose significant operational challenges.  

    The current situation is also the direct result of the Congress’s failure to update an immigration and asylum system that is simply broken — and not equipped to meet current needs.  While my Administration has vigorously enforced the law within the constraints imposed by the existing system, the statutory framework put in place by the Congress is outdated.  For the vast majority of people in immigration proceedings, the current laws make it impossible to quickly grant protection to those who require it and to quickly remove those who do not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States.  This reality is compounded by the fact that the Congress has chronically underfunded our border security and immigration system and has failed to provide the resources or reforms it needs to be able to deliver timely consequences to most individuals who cross unlawfully and cannot establish a legal basis to remain in the United States.  

     Despite the strengthened consequences in place at our border through the Lawful Pathways rule and the related measures that have led to record returns and removals, encounter levels are exceeding our capacity to deliver those consequences in a timely manner due to the outdated laws and limited resources we have available.  

     My Administration has repeatedly asked the Congress to update the outdated and inadequate immigration statutes, to create a legal framework that is functional and addresses current realities, and to provide additional resources so that we can more effectively deliver consequences at the border.  In August 2023, I requested more than $4 billion in additional funding for border security and related migration issues, including more than $2 billion for urgent DHS border management requirements.  The Congress failed to act. In October 2023, I requested $13.6 billion for border enforcement and migration management.  This request included more than $5 billion for DHS to manage conditions on the southern border, as well as funding for critical capacity enhancements to keep the southern border secure.  The Congress once again failed to provide our border and immigration system with the resources it needs to deliver timely consequences to those who cross unlawfully.

     In early February 2024, a bipartisan group of Senators introduced legislation (bipartisan legislative proposal) containing the toughest and fairest reforms of our asylum laws in decades that would have provided new authorities to significantly streamline and speed up immigration enforcement proceedings for individuals encountered at the border, including those who are seeking protection.  Critically, the bipartisan legislative proposal included nearly $20 billion in additional resources for DHS and other departments to implement those new authorities, such as:      (a)  over 1,500 new U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel, including Border Patrol agents and CBP officers;       (b)  over 4,300 new asylum officers and additional U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services staff to facilitate timely and fair decisions;       (c)  100 new immigration judge teams to help reduce the asylum caseload backlog and adjudicate cases more quickly;       (d)  shelter and critical services for newcomers in our cities and States; and      (e)  1,200 new U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel for functions including enforcement and deportations. While the bipartisan legislative proposal did not include everything we wanted, senior officials from my Administration worked closely with the bipartisan group of Senators to ensure that the reforms would adequately address the challenges that we have been facing at our southern border for more than a decade. However, the Congress failed to move forward with this bipartisan legislative proposal.  

     The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-47) increased funding for DHS over Fiscal Year 2023, but it did not address the needs identified in various related supplemental requests, nor did it equip the Federal Government with the new authorities from the bipartisan legislative proposal.  In May 2024, when the Senate again considered the bipartisan legislative proposal, the Senate failed to advance the measure. 

     Our broken immigration system is directly contributing to the historic migration we are seeing throughout the Western Hemisphere, exacerbated by poor economic conditions, natural disasters, and general insecurity, and this fact, combined with inadequate resources to keep pace, has once again severely strained our capacity at the border.  The result is a vicious cycle in which our United States Border Patrol facilities constantly risk overcrowding, our detention system has regularly been at capacity, and our asylum system remains backlogged and cannot deliver timely decisions, all of which spurs more people to make the dangerous journey north to the United States.

     The Congress’s failure to deliver meaningful policy reforms and adequate funding, despite repeated requests that they do so, is a core cause of this problem.  Under current law, whenever a noncitizen in expedited removal indicates an intention to apply for asylum or a fear of persecution, they are referred for an interview with an asylum officer and cannot be removed through expedited removal if there is a significant possibility that they could establish eligibility for asylum.  This screening standard is a requirement imposed by the Congress, but it has not functioned well in predicting ultimate success in asylum proceedings.  From 2014 to 2019, 83 percent of individuals referred for an interview with an asylum officer passed the screening stage, meaning that they were not removed pursuant to expedited removal, but less than 25 percent of cases ultimately resulted in a grant of asylum or other protection, often after waiting years to reach a final decision. By imposing a rebuttable presumption of asylum ineligibility on those who cross the border unlawfully, the Lawful Pathways rule has made a meaningful impact in reducing this disparity.  The screen-in rate from May 12, 2023, to March 31, 2024, dropped to 52 percent for individuals who are subject to the rebuttable presumption of asylum ineligibility.  However, the Lawful Pathways rule alone is inadequate during times of record encounter levels and cannot change the underlying statutory limitations.

     Data confirm that the system has been badly strained for many years and is not functioning to provide timely relief for those who warrant it or timely consequences for those without viable protection claims.  Due to an outdated and inefficient system and insufficient resources that do not allow for prompt adjudication of claims, too many people have had to be processed by the Border Patrol and released with a notice to appear in removal proceedings before an immigration judge since May 2023.  The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service affirmative asylum backlog is now over 1 million cases and growing, with over 300,000 applications filed prior to 2021 still pending.  At the end of Fiscal Year 2023, there were over 2.4 million cases pending in the immigration courts. Pending cases more than doubled from the end of Fiscal Year 2016 to the end of Fiscal Year 2020 and doubled again between that time and the end of Fiscal Year 2023.  Between Fiscal Year 2006 and the end of Fiscal Year 2023, in tandem with historic increases in filings to initiate immigration court proceedings, the immigration courts’ pending caseload increased from approximately 170,000 to approximately 2.46 million.  During Fiscal Year 2023, immigration judges completed more cases than they ever had before in a single year, but more than twice as many cases were received by the immigration courts than were completed.

     The status quo system — the result of outdated laws and inadequate resources — has become a driver for unlawful migration throughout the region and an increasingly lucrative source of income for dangerous transnational criminal organizations and other criminal smuggling organizations that, without countermeasures, will continue to grow in strength and pose significant threats to the safety and security of United States communities and migrants, as well as countries throughout the region. 

     Considering these trends and the decades-long failure of the Congress to address the problem through systemic reform and adequate funding, and following the Congress’s failure to pass the bipartisan legislative proposal, I must exercise my executive authorities to meet the moment.  This proclamation answers the call by suspending entry of noncitizens across the southern border during this time of high border crossings.  Appropriate exceptions are provided, such as for those who are particularly vulnerable or present pursuant to a process the Secretary of Homeland Security determines is appropriate to allow for safe and orderly processing into the United States.  That process will continue to allow for individuals to seek entry to this country each day in a safe and orderly manner, and following their arrival, to seek protection through the appropriate process.  This proclamation, in conjunction with steps to be taken by DOJ and DHS, is needed to enhance our ability to address the historic levels of migration and more efficiently process migrants arriving at the southern border given current resource levels.

     These actions do not change or fully compensate for the fact that our immigration system is under-resourced and broken, nor do they change the fact that there are significant limits to what can be achieved without the Congress fulfilling its responsibility to help solve the unprecedented challenge that we are facing.  No executive action can deliver the significant policy reforms and additional resources that were in the bipartisan legislative proposal.  But I will continue to take actions, within these constraints, to address the situation at our southern border.

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(f) and 1185(a)) and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, hereby find that, absent the measures set forth in this proclamation, the entry into the United States of persons described in section 1 of this proclamation under circumstances described in section 2 of this proclamation would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and that their entry should be subject to certain restrictions, limitations, and exceptions.  I therefore hereby proclaim the following:

     Section 1.  Suspension and Limitation on Entry.  The entry of any noncitizen into the United States across the southern border is hereby suspended and limited, subject to section 3 of this proclamation.  This suspension and limitation on entry shall be effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on June 5, 2024.  The suspension and limitation directed in this proclamation shall be discontinued pursuant to subsection 2(a) of this proclamation, subject to subsection 2(b) of this proclamation.

     Sec. 2.  Applicability of Suspension and Limitation on Entry. (a)  The Secretary of Homeland Security shall monitor the number of daily encounters and, subject to subsection (b) of this section, the suspension and limitation on entry pursuant to section 1 of this proclamation shall be discontinued at 12:01 a.m. eastern time on the date that is 14 calendar days after the Secretary makes a factual determination that there has been a 7-consecutive-calendar-day average of less than 1,500 encounters, not including encounters described in subsection 4(a)(iii) of this proclamation.      (b)  Notwithstanding a factual determination made under subsection (a) of this section, the suspension and limitation on entry pursuant to section 1 of this proclamation shall apply at 12:01 a.m. eastern time on the calendar day immediately after the Secretary has made a factual determination that there has been a 7-consecutive-calendar-day average of 2,500 encounters or more, not including encounters described in subsection 4(a)(iii) of this proclamation, until such suspension and limitation on entry is discontinued pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.      (c)  For purposes of subsection (a) and subsection (b) of this section, unaccompanied children (as defined in section 279(g)(2) of title 6, United States Code) from non-contiguous countries shall not be included in calculating the number of encounters.

     Sec. 3.  Scope and Implementation of Suspension and Limitation on Entry.  (a)  The suspension and limitation on entry pursuant to section 1 of this proclamation shall apply across the southern border to noncitizens, other than those described in subsection (b) of this section, during such times that the suspension and limitation on entry is in effect.      (b)  The suspension and limitation on entry pursuant to section 1 of this proclamation shall not apply to:           (i)    any noncitizen national of the United States;           (ii)   any lawful permanent resident of the United States;           (iii)  any unaccompanied child as defined in section 279(g)(2) of title 6, United States Code;           (iv)   any noncitizen who is determined to be a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons, as defined in section 7102(16) of title 22, United States Code;           (v)    any noncitizen who has a valid visa or other lawful permission to seek entry or admission into the United States, or presents at a port of entry pursuant to a pre-scheduled time and place, including:                      (A)  members of the United States Armed Forces and associated personnel, United States Government employees or contractors on orders abroad, or their accompanying family members who are on their orders or are members of their household;                      (B)  noncitizens who hold a valid visa or who have all necessary documents required for admission consistent with the requirements of section 1182(a)(7) of title 8, United States Code, upon arrival at a port of entry;                     (C)  noncitizens traveling pursuant to the visa waiver program as described in section 1187 of title 8, United States Code; and                     (D)  noncitizens who arrive in the United States at a southwest land border port of entry pursuant to a process the Secretary of Homeland Security determines is appropriate to allow for the safe and orderly entry of noncitizens into the United States;           (vi)   any noncitizen who is permitted to enter by the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through a CBP immigration officer, based on the totality of the circumstances, including consideration of significant law enforcement, officer and public safety, urgent humanitarian, and public health interests at the time of the entry or encounter that warranted permitting the noncitizen to enter; and           (vii)  any noncitizen who is permitted to enter by the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through a CBP immigration officer, due to operational considerations at the time of the entry or encounter that warranted permitting the noncitizen to enter. (c)  An exception under subsection (b) of this section from the suspension and limitation on entry pursuant to section 1 of this proclamation does not affect a noncitizen’s inadmissibility under the Immigration and Nationality Act for a reason other than the applicability of this proclamation. (d)  The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General are authorized to issue any instructions, orders, or regulations as may be necessary to implement this proclamation, including the determination of the exceptions in subsection (b) of this section, and shall promptly consider issuing any instructions, orders, or regulations as may be necessary to address the circumstances at the southern border, including any additional limitations and conditions on asylum eligibility that they determine are warranted, subject to any exceptions that they determine are warranted. (e)  Nothing in this proclamation shall limit the statutory processes afforded to unaccompanied children upon entering the United States under section 279 of title 6, United States Code, and section 1232 of title 8, United States Code.

     Sec. 4.  Definitions.  (a)  The term “encounter” refers to a noncitizen who:      (i)    is physically apprehended by CBP immigration officers within 100 miles of the United States southwest land border during the 14-day period immediately after entry between ports of entry;      (ii)   is physically apprehended by DHS personnel at the southern coastal borders during the 14-day period immediately after entry between ports of entry; or      (iii)  is determined to be inadmissible at a southwest land border port of entry. (b)  The term “southern coastal borders” means all maritime borders in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida; all maritime borders proximate to the southwest land border, the Gulf of Mexico, and the southern Pacific coast in California; and all maritime borders of the United States Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. (c)  The term “southwest land border” means the entirety of the United States land border with Mexico. (d)  The term “southern border” means the southwest land border and the southern coastal borders.

     Sec. 5.  Severability.  It is the policy of the United States to enforce this proclamation to the maximum extent possible to advance the interests of the United States.  Accordingly, if any provision of this proclamation, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this proclamation and the application of its provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby. 

     Sec. 6.  General Provisions. (a)  Nothing in this proclamation shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

     (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or      (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b)  This proclamation shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c)  This proclamation is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.

                        JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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• Fact Sheets

Fact Sheet: Presidential Proclamation to Suspend and Limit Entry and Joint DHS-DOJ Interim Final Rule to Restrict Asylum During High Encounters at the Southern Border

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration took decisive new action to strengthen border security, announcing a series of measures that restrict asylum eligibility, and significantly increase the consequences for those who enter without authorization across the southern border. These extraordinary steps, which will be in effect during times when high levels of encounters exceed our ability to deliver timely consequences, will make noncitizens who enter across the southern border ineligible for asylum with certain exceptions, raise the standard that is used to screen for certain protection claims, and speed up our ability to quickly remove those who do not qualify for protection.

These actions follow a series of steps that the Administration has taken over the past three years as it prepared for the end of the Title 42 public health Order, and since it was lifted last year, including surging personnel, infrastructure, and technology to the border, issuing the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Rule, and referring record numbers of noncitizens into expedited removal. Over the past year, we have removed or returned more than three quarters of a million people, more than in any fiscal year since 2010. Despite these efforts, our outdated and broken immigration and asylum system, coupled with a lack of sufficient funding, make it impossible to quickly impose consequences on all noncitizens who cross irregularly and without a legal basis to remain in the United States.

The Administration has repeatedly called on Congress to provide the resources and legal authorities needed to secure our border. The measures announced today will better enable the Department to quickly remove individuals without a legal basis to remain in the United States, strengthening enforcement and change the calculus for those considering crossing our border irregularly. However, they are no substitute for Congressional action. We continue to call on Congress to provide the new tools and resources we have asked for to support the men and women on the frontlines.

President Biden issued a Presidential Proclamation to temporarily suspend the entry of noncitizens across the southern border. The Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General also jointly issued an interim final rule that, consistent with the Proclamation, generally restricts asylum eligibility for those who irregularly enter across the southern border – including the Southwest land and the southern coastal borders. The rule also limits fear screenings to those who manifest a fear or express a desire to file for protection and heightens the screening standard for statutory withholding and claims under the Convention Against Torture. Taken together, these measures will significantly increase the speed and scope of consequences for those who cross our borders irregularly or who attempt to present themselves at Ports of Entry without authorization, allowing the Departments to more quickly remove individuals who do not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States. The restriction on asylum eligibility will be discontinued when encounters fall below certain levels but will come back into effect if encounters rise again.

The rule makes three key changes to current processing under Title 8 immigration authorities during periods of high border encounters:

• First, noncitizens who cross the southern border unlawfully or without authorization will generally be ineligible for asylum, absent exceptionally compelling circumstances and unless they are excepted by the Proclamation.
• Second, noncitizens who cross the southern border and are processed for expedited removal while the limitation is in effect will only be referred for a credible fear screening with an Asylum Officer if they manifest or express a fear of return to their country or country of removal, a fear of persecution or torture, or an intention to apply for asylum.  
• Third, the U.S. will continue to adhere to its international obligations and commitments by screening individuals who manifest a fear as noted above and do not qualify for an exception to the Rule for withholding of removal and Convention Against Torture protections at a reasonable probability of persecution or torture standard – a new, substantially higher standard than is currently applied under the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways rule.  

Like the Proclamation, the rule provides for an end to these enhanced measures following a sustained reduction in southern border encounters. Specifically, these measures are in effect until 14 calendar days after there has been a 7-consecutive-calendar-day average of less than 1,500 encounters between the ports of entry. The measures would again go into effect, or continue, as appropriate, when there has been a 7-consecutive-calendar-day average of 2,500 encounters or more.

During periods of high encounters, the Proclamation will apply across the southern border. Lawful permanent residents, unaccompanied children, victims of a severe form of trafficking, and other noncitizens with a valid visa or other lawful permission to enter the United States are excepted from the Proclamation.

In addition, the suspension and limitation on entry and rule will not apply to noncitizens who use a Secretary-approved process—such as the CBP One mobile app—to enter the United States at a port of entry in a safe and orderly manner or pursue another lawful pathway.

Noncitizens who cross the southern border and who are not excepted from the Proclamation will be ineligible for asylum unless exceptionally compelling circumstances exist, including if the noncitizen demonstrates that they or a member of their family with whom they are traveling:

• faced an acute medical emergency;
• faced an imminent and extreme threat to life or safety, such as an imminent threat of rape, kidnapping, torture, or murder; or
• satisfied the definition of “victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons” currently provided in 8 CFR 214.11.

Consequences

Noncitizens who are subject to the rule’s limitation on asylum eligibility and who manifest or express a fear of return to their country or country of removal, express a fear of persecution or torture or an intention to apply for asylum, but do not establish a reasonable probability of persecution or torture in the country of removal will be promptly removed.

Those ordered removed will be subject to at least a five-year bar to reentry and potential criminal prosecution.

The Proclamation and rule will significantly enhance the security of our border by increasing the Departments’ ability to impose swift consequences for individuals who cross the southern border irregularly and do not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States.  Together, the Proclamation and rule make critical changes to how the Departments operate during times when encounters are at historically high levels—levels that, in the absence of these changes, undermine the government’s ability to process individuals through the expedited removal process. These changes will enable the Departments to quickly return those without a lawful basis to stay in the United States and thereby free up the asylum system for those with legitimate claims.

These extraordinary measures are a stop gap. Even with these measures in place, the Departments continue to lack the authorities and resources needed to adequately support the men and women on the frontlines. The Administration again calls on Congress to take up and pass the bipartisan reforms proposed in the Senate, which provide the new authorities, personnel, and resources that are needed to address the historic global migration that is impacting countries throughout the world, including our own. Until Congress does its part, we will continue to take any actions needed under current law and within existing resources to secure the border.

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Travel Advisory September 5, 2023

Russia - level 4: do not travel.

Updated to remove COVID-specific information and the kidnapping risk indicator as well as updates to security risks.

Do not travel to Russia due to the unpredictable consequences of the  unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces , the potential for  harassment and the singling out of U.S. citizens for detention by Russian government security officials , the  arbitrary enforcement of local law ,  limited flights into and out of Russia , the  Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia , and the possibility of  terrorism .  U.S. citizens residing or travelling in Russia should depart immediately.  Exercise increased caution due to  the risk of wrongful detentions.

The U.S. government’s ability to provide routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens in Russia is severely limited, particularly in areas far from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, due to Russian government limitations on travel for embassy personnel and staffing, and the ongoing suspension of operations, including consular services, at U.S. consulates.

There have been numerous reports of drone attacks, explosions, and fires in areas in Western and Southern Russia, particularly near the Russian border with Ukraine, as well as in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In the event of an emergency, U.S. citizens should follow instructions from local authorities and seek shelter immediately.

In September 2022, the Russian government mobilized citizens to the armed forces in support of its invasion of Ukraine. Russia may refuse to acknowledge dual nationals’ U.S. citizenship, deny their access to U.S. consular assistance, subject them to mobilization, prevent their departure from Russia, and/or conscript them. 

U.S. citizens should note that U.S. credit and debit cards no longer work in Russia, and options to electronically transfer funds from the United States are extremely limited due to sanctions imposed on Russian banks. There are reports of cash shortages within Russia.

Commercial flight options are extremely limited and are often unavailable on short notice. If you wish to depart Russia, you should make independent arrangements as soon as possible. The U.S. Embassy has severe limitations on its ability to assist U.S. citizens to depart the country and transportation options may suddenly become even more limited. Click  here  for Information for U.S. Citizens Seeking to Depart Russia.

U.S. Embassy personnel are generally not permitted to travel on Russian air carriers due to safety concerns.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded the air safety rating for Russia from Category 1 to Category 2 on April 21, 2022, due to Russia’s Federal Agency for Air Transport noncompliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) prohibiting U.S. aviation operations into, out of, within, or over those areas of the Moscow Flight Information Region (FIR), the Samara FIR (UWWW) and the Rostov-na-Donu (URRV) FIR within 160NM of the boundaries of the Dnipro (UKDV) Flight Information Regions. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the  Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Notices .

The right of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are not consistently protected in Russia. U.S. citizens should avoid all political or social protests and not photograph security personnel at these events. Russian authorities have arrested U.S. citizens who have participated in demonstrations and there are numerous reports Russian nationals have been detained for social media activity. 

Country Summary:

U.S. citizens, including former and current U.S. government and military personnel and private citizens engaged in business who are visiting or residing in Russia, have been interrogated without cause and threatened by Russian officials, and may become victims of harassment, mistreatment, and extortion. 

Russian security services may fail to notify the U.S. Embassy of the detention of a U.S. citizen and unreasonably delay U.S. consular assistance. Russian security services are increasing the arbitrary enforcement of local laws to target foreign and international organizations they consider “undesirable.”

Russian security services have arrested U.S. citizens on spurious charges, singled out U.S. citizens in Russia for detention and harassment, denied them fair and transparent treatment, and convicted them in secret trials or without presenting credible evidence. Furthermore, Russian authorities arbitrarily enforce local laws against U.S. citizen religious workers and have opened questionable criminal investigations against U.S. citizens engaged in religious activity. U.S. citizens should avoid travel to Russia to perform work for or volunteer with non-governmental organizations or religious organizations.

There have been multiple security incidents in southwestern Russia related to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. The Russian government declared martial law in Russia’s regions bordering Ukraine (Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Rostov, Krasnodar) on October 20, 2022. The martial law regime allows the rapid introduction of restrictive measures such as curfew, seizure of private property, restriction of entry/exit and freedom of movement, internment of foreigners, forced relocation of local residents, and restrictions on public gatherings. U.S. citizens should avoid all travel to these areas.

Recent legislation has expanded the ability of Russian authorities to detain, question, and arrest individuals suspected of acting against Russia’s interests, including posts on personal social media accounts, engaging with foreign and international entities, discrediting the Russian state or military, as well as advocating for the rights of LGBTQI+ persons.

Terrorist groups, both transnational and local terrorist organizations, and individuals inspired by extremist ideology continue plotting possible attacks in Russia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs and systems, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas. Travel to the North Caucasus (including Chechnya and Mt. Elbrus) is prohibited for U.S. government employees and strongly discouraged for U.S. citizens.

The international community, including the United States and Ukraine, does not recognize Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea as well as four other Ukrainian oblasts – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya – that Russia has purported to annex more recently. There is extensive Russian Federation military presence in these areas. Russia staged its further invasion of Ukraine, in part, from occupied Crimea, and Russia is likely to take further military actions in Crimea, and the four other Ukrainian oblasts are the subject of intensive fighting. There are continuing abuses against foreigners and the local population by the occupation authorities in these regions, particularly against those who are seen as challenging Russia’s authority.

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv continues to provide consular services to U.S. citizens in Crimea as well as four other Ukrainian oblasts partially occupied by Russia – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya, although the ongoing conflict severely restricts the Embassy’s ability to provide services in these areas.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Russia.

If you decide to travel to Russia:

• Familiarize yourself with the information on  what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in a crisis overseas .
• Have a contingency plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government assistance. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Monitor local and international media for breaking events and adjust your contingency plans based on the new information.
• Ensure travel documents are valid and easily accessible.
• Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Russia.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

Important Information for U.S. Citizens Seeking to Depart Russia (Updated Monthly).

Click Here for Important Information for U.S. Citizens Seeking to Depart Russia (Updated Monthly) .

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Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Moscow Bolshoy Deviatinsky Pereulok No. 8 Moscow 121099 Russian Federation Telephone:  +(7) (495) 728-5000 or +(7) (495) 728-5577 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  +(7) (495) 728-5000 Fax:  +(7) (495) 728-5084 Email:   [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Vladivostok 32 Ulitsa Pushkinskaya Vladivostok 690001 Russian Federation

Consular services at U.S. Consulate General Vladivostok remain suspended.  Contact Embassy Moscow for all consular services.

U.S. Consulate General Yekaterinburg Ulitsa Gogolya 15a, 4th floor, Yekaterinburg 620151 Russian Federation

Effective April 1, 2021, Consulate General Yekaterinburg suspended all consular services.  Contact Embassy Moscow for all consular services.

U.S. Consulate General St. Petersburg

Due to the Russian government’s ordered closure of the U.S. Consulate General, as of March 31, 2018, U.S. citizen visitors and residents in St. Petersburg must contact the U.S. Embassy in Moscow for all consular services .

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Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Russian authorities strictly enforce all visa and immigration laws. The Embassy of the Russian Federation website provides the most up to date information regarding visa regulations and requirements. In accordance with Russia’s Entry-Exit Law, Russian authorities may deny entry or reentry into Russia for 5 years or more and cancel the visas of foreigners who have committed two administrative violations within the past three years. Activities that are not specifically covered by the traveler’s visa may result in an administrative violation and deportation.

Under a bilateral agreement signed in 2012, qualified U.S. applicants for humanitarian, private, tourist, and business visas may request and receive multiple-entry visas with a validity of three years or a single entry, three-month validity visa. ( Please note that other types of visas are not part of the agreement and those visa holders should pay close attention to the terms of their visas.) You cannot enter Russia prior to the date on your visa, and you must exit Russia before your visa expires . The maximum period of stay is shown on the visa.

• You must have a current U.S. passport with the appropriate visa . Russian visas in an expired or canceled passport are not valid.
• You must obtain a valid visa for your specific purpose of travel before arriving in Russia, unless you are arriving as a cruise ship passenger (see below information for passengers of cruise ships and ferries). Do not attempt to enter Russia before the date shown on your visa. If you are staying in Russia for more than 7 days, you must register your visa and migration card with the General Administration for Migration Issues of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
• Cruise ship passengers in St. Petersburg should seek assistance from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow for all emergency and passport services. 
• Cruise ship passengers should be aware that loss or theft of a passport and/or migration card could result in the inability to obtain lodging. Hotels and hostels may not allow guests to check in without a passport, a migration card, or Russian visa.
• We recommend U.S. citizens obtain a Russian visa before traveling to Russia, in case of an emergency while in the country, such as unexpected medical issues or if you are not able to return on the cruise ship for any reason.
• Students and English teachers should be certain that their activities are in strict keeping with their visa type. Students must not teach or coach English, whether compensated or not, while traveling on a student visa as it is considered a visa violation and may subject you to detention and deportation. 
• With the exceptions noted below, travelers will are not required to have a transit visa if they are transiting through an international airport in Russia, do not leave the Customs zone, and depart from the same airport within 24 hours.  
• Travelers must have a Russian transit visa if they plan to transit through Russia by land en route to a third country or if they transfer to another airport.
• Travelers must possess a Russian transit visa in addition to a Belarusian visa if their travel route either to or from Belarus goes through Russia.

Dual Nationals: Anyone entering Russia who has claim to Russian citizenship, regardless of any other citizenship held, is fully accountable to the Russian authorities for all obligations of a Russian citizen, including the required military service.

• U.S.-Russian dual nationals and Russian citizens who are Legal Permanent residents of the United States must register their dual nationality/foreign residency. Registration forms and further information (in Russian only) can be found on the website of the General Administration for Migration Issues of the Interior Ministry of Russia.
• U.S.-Russian dual nationals must both enter and exit on a Russian passport. You will not be permitted to depart on an expired passport. Applying for a passport can take several months. 
• U.S.-Russian dual nationals who return to Russia on a “Repatriation Certificate” are only permitted to enter Russia and will not be permitted to depart Russia until they obtain a valid Russian passport.
• Minors who also have Russian citizenship and are traveling alone or in the company of adults who are not their parents, must carry a Russian passport as well as their parents’ notarized consent for the trip, which can be obtained at a Russian embassy or consulate, or a U.S. notary public. A consent obtained in the United States from a U.S. notary public must be apostilled, translated into Russian, and properly affixed. Authorities will prevent such minors from entering or leaving Russia if they cannot present this consent.

Crimea: Follow the guidance in the Travel Advisory for Ukraine and do not travel to the Crimean Peninsula. 

Documentary Requirements for obtaining a Russian visa: Consult with the Embassy of the Russian Federation for detailed explanations of documentary requirements.

HIV/AIDS Entry Restrictions: Some HIV/AIDS entry restrictions exist for visitors to and foreign residents of Russia. Applicants for longer-term tourist and work visas or residence permits are required to undergo an HIV/AIDS test.

Find information on dual nationality , prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Terrorism: Terrorist groups, transnational and local terrorist organizations, and lone actors inspired by extremist ideology and messaging continue plotting possible attacks in Russia. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas

• Moscow and St. Petersburg have been the targets of terrorist attacks, and bomb threats against public venues are common. If you are at a location that receives a bomb threat, follow all instructions from the local police and security services.

North Caucasus Region: A risk of civil and political unrest continues throughout the North Caucasus region including Chechnya, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Stavropol, Karachayevo-Cherkessiya, and Kabardino-Balkariya. Local criminal gangs have kidnapped foreigners, including U.S. citizens, for ransom. In the Republic of Chechnya, local authorities may harbor particular hostility towards U.S. travelers.

• Do not travel to Chechnya or any other areas in the North Caucasus region.
• If you reside in these areas, depart immediately.
• U.S. government travel to the region is prohibited, due to ongoing security concerns.
• The U.S. Government has no ability to assist U.S. citizens in the North Caucasus Region.

Mt. Elbrus:

• Do not attempt to climb Mt. Elbrus, as individuals must pass close to volatile and insecure areas of the North Caucasus region.
• Do not travel to this Russian occupied territory of Ukraine.
• The U.S. government is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Crimea. Contact the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv for questions regarding consular services.
• U.S. government officials are prohibited from traveling to Crimea. See the Departments Travel Advisory for Ukraine .

Harassment:  Harassment of U.S.-based religious and student groups can take place in Russia, and you should be aware of the possibility of anti-U.S. sentiment or harassment. U.S. citizens, including current and former U.S. government and military personnel, maybe subject to additional scrutiny by Russian security services. Remain alert, avoid any protests or demonstrations, and use discretion when commenting publicly on political developments. You can find safety and security  Alerts on the Embassy’s website .

• Police do not need to show probable cause in order to stop, question, or detain individuals. Please comply with the requests of local law enforcement officials.
• Report harassment or crimes to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow or the nearest U.S. Consulate General.

Demonstrations:

• Avoid public demonstrations. U.S. citizens who have participated in demonstrations have been arrested by the Russian authorities.

Crime: Crimes against tourists do occur at popular tourist sites and on public transportation. U.S. citizens have been victims of serious crimes when visiting Russia. Russian authorities are not always willing to impartially and thoroughly investigate crimes.

• Be cautious and aware of your surroundings.
• Exercise caution in the vicinity of large crowds.
• Do not leave bags unattended. 
• Never leave your drink unattended in a bar or club. Alcohol was a significant factor in most criminal activity reported by foreign visitors.
• Report Credit card or ATM card theft to the credit card company or issuing bank immediately.
• Avoid carrying large sums of cash . 

Cybercrime: Cybercrime is a significant problem across Russia. Russian hackers and traditional organized crime structures continue to work together, raising threats to the financial sector. The risk of infection, compromise, and theft via malware, spam e-mail, sophisticated spear phishing, and social engineering attacks is significant. U.S. citizens and companies should remain vigilant against cyber threats and actively use cyber security measures to mitigate risks.

U.S. citizens have no reasonable expectation of privacy in Russia. Telephone and electronic communications are subject to surveillance at any time and without advisory, which may compromise sensitive information. The Russian System for Operational-Investigative Activities (SORM) legally permits authorities to monitor and record all data that traverses Russia’s networks.

See the Department of State and the FBI pages for additional information on scams.

Victims of Crime : U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. Report crimes to the local police at 02 or 102, or 112 if using a mobile phone, and the U.S. Embassy at +7 495 728-5000..

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime. United States law enforcement agencies do not have jurisdiction to investigate crimes against U.S. citizens that occur on Russian territory.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion
• Provide a list of local attorneys
• Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical
• Support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• Replace a stolen or lost passport.

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate General for assistance.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Arrest Notification: Russia routinely fails to meet its obligation to inform the U.S. Embassy of arrests of U.S. citizens. If you are detained, ask the police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy or Consulate immediately. Your U.S. passport does not protect you from arrest or prosecution. See our webpage for further information.

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to all Russian laws. If you violate these laws, even unknowingly, you may be arrested, fined, imprisoned, or expelled and may be banned from re-entering Russia. 

Some crimes committed outside the United States are prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice  website.

• You can be arrested, detained, fined, deported and banned for 5 years or more if you are found to have violated Russian immigration law.
• Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Russia are severe. Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
• You can be detained for not carrying your passport with you.
• You can be jailed immediately for driving under the influence of alcohol.
• It is illegal to pay for goods and services in U.S. dollars, except at authorized retail establishments.
• You can be arrested for attempting to leave the country with antiques, even if they were legally purchased from licensed vendors. Cultural value items like artwork, icons, samovars, rugs, military medals and antiques, must have certificates indicating they do not have historical or cultural value. You may obtain certificates from the Russian Ministry of Culture . 
• Retain all receipts for high-value items, including caviar.
• You must have advance approval to bring in satellite telephones.
• Global Positioning System (GPS) and other radio electronic devices, and their use, are subject to special rules and regulations in Russia. Contact the Russian Customs Service for required permissions.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the U.S. Department of Justice website for more information.

Faith-Based Travelers: Russian authorities have detained, fined, and in some cases deported travelers for engaging in religious activities. Russian officials have stated that Russia recognizes four historic religions: Orthodox Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism. The Russian government places restrictions on missionary activity and defines it broadly – travelers engaging in certain types of religious work may risk harassment, detention, fines, or deportation for administrative violations if they do not have proper authorization from a registered religious group. Russian law criminalizes proselytizing outside of a registered house of worship. The Russian government has detained U.S. citizens for religious activities that they contend are not permitted under a tourist or humanitarian visa. See the  Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report .

LGBTI Travelers: Russian law bans providing "the propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations" to minors. Foreign citizens face fines, up to 15 days in jail, and deportation. The law is vague as to what Russia considers propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations.

• Discrimination based on sexual orientation is widespread in Russia. Acts of violence and harassment targeting LGBTI individuals occur.
• Government officials have made derogatory comments about LGBTI persons and violence against the LGBTI community has increased.
• There have been credible reports of arrest, torture, and extrajudicial killing of LGBTI persons in Chechnya allegedly conducted by Chechen regional authorities.

See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Getting around in Russia is often difficult for persons with mobility issues. In general, public transportation is not accommodating to people with disabilities. The Moscow Metro, though extremely safe and efficient in other areas, is generally not accessible to persons with disabilities.

• Sidewalks are narrow and uneven.
• Mobility is usually easier in major cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg.
• Crossing streets in large cities can be difficult, since it usually requires the use of a pedestrian underpass, which includes stairs, steep ramps, and no elevators.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for Women Travelers .

Private medical care in major metropolitan cities and tourism centers in Russia is often equal to Western standards. However, medical care is generally below Western standards in non-metropolitan areas.

• Private medical facilities require payment by cash or credit card before providing services (unless they are life threatening), and are unlikely to accept proof of U.S. insurance as guarantee of future payment. Payment is expected at the time of service .
• The Embassy does not pay the medical bills of private U.S. citizens.
• U.S. Medicare does not provide coverage outside the United States without the purchase of supplemental coverage.  
• Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance coverage.
• Elderly travelers and those with existing health problems are particularly at risk.

Prescription Medication:

• Certain classes of over-the-counter cold medicines, such as those containing pseudoephedrine, are illegal in Russia. We recommend against bringing cold medication with you to Russia.
• Carry a copy of valid U.S. prescriptions, including a notarized translation into Russian of each prescription, when entering Russia with prescription medications. 
• Prescription medication should be in its original packaging.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety: Road conditions and driver safety customs differ significantly from those in the United States. In some more remote areas of Russia, roads are practically nonexistent or have poor or nonexistent shoulders.

• Drivers are required by law to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and this is generally observed. It is dangerous to cross where there is not a crosswalk present.
• Do not drive outside the major cities at night.
• Construction sites and road hazards are often unmarked. 

Traffic Laws : Russian authorities have been known to consider traffic or parking infractions as “administrative violations” that provide a sufficient basis for deportation and/or denial of entry back to Russia at a later date.

• Drivers must carry third-party liability insurance under a policy valid in Russia.
• You may drive for 60 days using your U.S. driver’s license, with a notarized Russian translation.
• Tourists may also use International Driving Permits issued by the American Automobile Association or the American Automobile Touring Alliance to drive in Russia.
• Russian law requires foreigners on business or employment visas or with permanent residence status to have a Russian driver's license.
• Driving regulations are strictly enforced and violators are subject to severe legal penalties.
• Russia practices a zero-tolerance policy for driving under the influence of alcohol. Authorities can detain an intoxicated driver and your driver’s license can be suspended up to two years.
• If you are involved in an accident, do not move your vehicle from the accident site. You may be held liable if you move your car even if you are not at fault.
• Roadside police checkpoints are commonplace. Be prepared to stop and show identity documents and proof of registration and insurance.

Public Transportation:

• Moscow and St. Petersburg have extensive, efficient public transit systems, as do many other urban areas in Russia.
• In metropolitan areas, well-marked taxis are generally safe and reliable Do not use unmarked taxis. Passengers have been the victims of robbery, kidnapping, extortion and theft.

See our Road Safety page for more information.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed that the Government of Russia's Civil Aviation Authority is not in compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Russia's air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA's safety assessment page.

Maritime Travel:  Mariners should check the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration site for U.S. maritime advisories and alert s, the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and  NGA broadcast warnings .

The Commandant of the Coast Guard is unable to determine if effective anti-terrorism measures are in place in Russia ports as required by 46 U.S. Code § 70108.

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Russia . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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