Gdansk to Kaliningrad

KO______ · 2024-08-14T16:33:00+00:00

Hello. I've started planning entry into Russia from Europe in a couple months. Obviously flights are a challenge and some have recommended Europe to Turke...

kalliningrod

Hello, is this route still possible? I'm planning to go on the 21st

phoebe

I have used this route three times in the last month, however you need to allow a minimum of 5 hours for the whole journey Gdansk to Kaliningrad or vice versa. The wait comes when Russian Border control sits down with Russian passport holders with family links to Ukraine or who maybe visited Ukraine pre invasion. International people with either visas or e visas don't have problems.

NomadicHedgie

"You need to allow a minimum of 5 hours for the whole journey Gdansk to Kaliningrad or vice versa." But does it sometimes take 7 or 8 hours?

I'm wondering if I could enter Kaliningrad and fly to Moscow on the same day. Perhaps I need to fly to Moscow the day after I arrive in Kaliningrad to avoid missing my flight due to border delays?

Thanks!

phoebe

It can take up to 7 hours for sure given the increased inspection of Russian passport holders with links to Ukraine. I took the 6am bus from Gdansk(earliest) and arrived in Kaliningrad 12.30 pm.

KO______

phoebe Sounds like you do this journey alot. Can I ask about arrival? I assume all the buses arrive at the south train station? I'm hoping my sim card (Vodofone UK) will roam (it says it will) when I arrive so I can order a taxi on Yandex Go. But if it doesn't, and I have some RUB for payment, will it be fairly straightfoward to find a taxi to my hotel? I only speak a little Russian but of course google translator works to help. My hotel is a short drive but a long walk. They offered to schedule transfer for me but I wouldnt know what time to tell them obviously.

Any suggestions?

phoebe

If you are on Vodafone UK it will not roam here in Russia(it will stop after Polish border), the only option is to use an e sim which work well if you have a compatible e sim device. To use Yandex you need a Russian Bank Card attached to it, there are no taxis just waiting for pick ups in the south railway area so you will need to get your hotel to order a taxi for you when you arrive then pay the driver in RUB

KO______

phoebe Okay, thanks. Last time I was in Russia the Yandex app allowed cash payments. That must've changed. I'm unfamiliar with a eSIM but I'll likely just buy a new physical sim soon after I get there.

phoebe

Yes you are correct it still allows cash payments so its another option for you if you have e sim and can connect to data

KO______

phoebe Would you think its reasonable to have my hotel schedule a driver to meet me with a estimated arrival time? Or is it impossible to predict? I wouldnt mind waiting a hour or so if it meant having this all planned out in advance. If a driver was scheduled for say 12noon, even that might be too hard to know? I'll do the 6am bus on a Tuesday morning.

KO______

Okay, cool. Thanks for the update.

phoebe

Its impossible to predict, ask my wife! She has had to wait around an extra 3 hours recently. As I said earlier I arrived at 1230 on that same bus last week.

KO______

phoebe Okay, thanks for the insight. I see there is a cheap hotel inside the station ($10/n) with WIFI so that could be an option to hang out or order a YandexGo as a last resort.

italiantourist

Hello! I wanted to ask if it is still possible to travel from Gdansk to Kaliningrad with busses. Is the Gronowo border closed? Is there an alternative route? Thank you in the meantime guys!

phoebe

Its all open my friend allow extra time though at the border.

KO______

FYI, I had no issues crossing the Polish border to Kaliningrad but was told I could not return to cross back as a USA passport holder, Not sure if thats still the case. So it might still be a one way for USA passports.

Himynameis

KO______
do You know if US Passport holder with residency permits in the EU can come back?

KO______

Himynameis I dont know. I would assume if youre traveling with a USA passport this would affect you. You can do a little googling and try to find out more or just have a back up plan for leaving. Things are changing quickly at these borders so its hard to say 100%.