In addition to a passport, travel insurance, and a visa, a motorist going to Russia needs Russian car insurance, which can be pruchased at the border. The shortest validity is 15 days, and the price is EUR 40.
The car insurance does not cover injury to the driver who caused the accident. For more extensive coverage, ask your own insurance company.
In addition to the car’s official registration, the car must bear a sticker identifying the country that it is registered in - FIN in the case of Finland. Also required are a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher.
Choose the routes according to the condition of the vehicle. An ordinary car is fine for the main highways. For more rugged small roads, a four-wheel drive vehicle is the only option.
It is best not to be too ambitious in planning the schedule; always expect the unexpected on Russian roads.
Helsingin Sanomat - first published in print 13.8.2005
