Question:
I haven’t been to (post-USSR) Russia but MANY countries require an exit fee and it’s never added to the ticket, IME. You just pay it at the airport before leaving. Btw, $10 is cheap, as exit fees go. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Does anyone here (Chris maybe!) know about an "exit tax" of aprox. 60 >Roubles ($10USD) that is being charged travellers leaving SVO2 and other >Russian airports? I read about this on one of the news boards, but have >not seen it mentioned anywhere else. >Is this in addition to the ubiquitious "visa registration fee" that I >had to pay when I checked out of my hotel in February…or will the exit >fee be added to tickets that have a Russian destination by the >airline/travel agent? >The only people that will not have to pay the fee are those that are >transiting a Russian airport. >Anyone have more info on this? >Maryanne.
Response:
Is this in addition to the ubiquitious "visa registration fee" that I had to pay when I checked out of my hotel in February…or will the exit fee be added to tickets that have a Russian destination by the airline/travel agent? I suspect it was a charge the hotel tacked on to your bill; I’ve not heard of a visa registration fee. You can always go to OVIR and register it yourself.
Response:
Chuck asks about >bus service from the National >to SVO I think there is service to SVO but you have to take the metro to the Aeorport (?) stop and then a bus will take you to SVO. I use the Metro all the time when I am in Moscow (amazes my Russian friends as the system is notoriously difficult for a newbie visitor to figure out on the first try). February was my 10th trip over there, when I make reservations I always request pre-paid transfers to/from SVO2, less hassle and about $20-25 cheaper than the rip-off cab drivers that hang out at the areas just outside the arrival hall right after you exit the customs formalities. And still cheaper than the legit transfer services that will nail you for the ride into downtown Moscow if you arriived without transfer vouchers. The National has a branch of Maxim’s that serves lunch and dinner, had plans to eat there, but caught a nasty case of food poisoning and was out of commission for about 2 days. You can make a reservation by email (via the National Hotel’s web site)-very convienent, I must say. I have heard that a dinner reservation there can be difficult to get during busy travel periods, but when I made my initial inquiry, they emailed me back and said that week was pretty much open for dinner any night of the week I was there. Has anyone eaten at that Maxim’s and what was it like? Maryanne.
Response:
> I haven’t been to (post-USSR) Russia but MANY countries require an > exit fee and it’s never added to the ticket, IME. You just pay it at > the airport before leaving. Btw, $10 is cheap, as exit fees go.
Right, I just paid $21 n Montego Bay…. It is actually 750 J$ Michael
Response:
>I think there is service to SVO but you have to take the metro to the >Aeorport (?) stop and then a bus will take you to SVO.
I think it is actually Rechnoy Vokzal. I’ve never taken the bus to SVO — it’s a logistical nightmare, particularly with the 7am LH flight. 
Mayor Luzhkov has proposed a high-speed rail connection from SVO to the center that would take 10-15 minutes. >February was my 10th trip over there, when I make reservations I always >request pre-paid transfers to/from SVO2, less hassle and about $20-25 >cheaper than the rip-off cab drivers that hang out at the areas just >outside the arrival hall right after you exit the customs formalities. >And still cheaper than the legit transfer services that will nail you >for the ride into downtown Moscow if you arriived without transfer >vouchers.
You should not use the drivers who hassle you after leaving the arrivals hall. You should use one of the yello cabs just outside, which should cost from $30-$50 at most. I am curious how much you paid when using your transfer vouchers? Going to the airport, an unofficial cab is all right, of course. >Has anyone eaten at that Maxim’s and what was it like?
Never eaten there. I did, however, once get to see one of the rooms there. Very art-deco; lots of pastels.
Response:
: Hansi says : >hotels in Russia cost blood. : No they don’t if you stay at the Intourist Hotel on Tverskaya Street. It : is about $110 per night, right next door to the National that STARTS at : $250 night (ouch!). It’s about knowing where to look-there is a place I know the national is mentioned in the spy novel "Program For A Puppet". In the novel, there was bus service from the National, to Sheremetyevo Airport. Whether there is is not, in real life, I don’t know. : down the street that is $40, but there are no bathrooms in the rooms and : the showers are communal, I have never seen the place, but I think I : would pass on that one. : As to visas, call Anna at Russian Travel Bureau in NYC. They have an : 800# and a web site, but can’t remember the URL offhand. I have been : dealing with Anna and RTB for what seems like forever, and they provide : a very good and personalised service. All I have to make is one call to : get things rolling, and I have recieved visas into the RTB offices from : anywhere from a 24 hour turnaround to 2 weeks on a regular non-rush : application. They do mail registered, so you will have to go to your : local post office or be home to sign for the envelope when your : documents arrive. : I highly reccommend RTB! : Maryanne.
Response:
>: Hansi says >: >hotels in Russia cost blood.
It’s not so much hotels in "Russia" that cost blood, but hotels in Moscow and Petersburg. In the provinces, the rates can be quite reasonable. The quality is still somewhat Soviet, of course.
Response:
>>i am sure there is an easier way >No. There isn’t.
Um, yes, there is. They’re called "visa agencies."
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> need to contact a hostle to write me up the paper work..i am sure there is > an easier way..please help!!
Normally your travel agent will provide you with the registration number from the hotel. Add
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