Russian travel agencies are important to use if you have business to conduct in the former Soviet Union. An authorized Russian travel agency can ensure you have the information you need for a safe and uncomplicated trip to and within Russia.

Travel agents specializing in Russia can create an itinerary based on your unique needs and can make travel arrangements that fit your budget and time constraints. Regardless of your trip purpose, you need to choose the best Russian travel agents to meet your needs. When you consider travel agents in Russia, you should:

1. Choose an authorized Russian travel agency to ensure your trip is planned legally and follows Russian regulations.

2. Partner with licensed travel agencies in Russia that have extensive experience working with international travelers.

3. Use a travel agency in Russia that offers services specifically for international business travelers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find Russian travel agents who are licensed and authorized

You depend on your travel agent in Russian to work with you to fulfill your visa requirements, to coordinate your air travel and arrange your accommodations. Partner with travel agents in Russia who are licensed to ensure your travel plans are made legally.

I recommend: Partner with Spektr, a fully licensed Russian travel agency. An experienced Russian travel agent with Spektr can arrange your travel and set up business seminars and meetings. Use Russian Holiday, a licensed St. Petersburg-based Russian travel agency, to coordinate your travel. They can create a specialized business itinerary for your unique needs.

Work with travel agencies in Russia that have experience with visa paperwork

Choose Russia travel agents who have extensive experience fulfilling the needs of international travelers. Russian travel agents should be able to assist you with your visa needs. Agents who have a solid command of the English language is a must to avoid a communication barrier.

I recommend: Maria Travel Agency can assist you with your visa needs and can personalize services to fit your needs and budget. Use Red Star Travel, one of the premier travel agencies in Russia, for your business travel needs. The Russian travel agents at Red Star Travel are bilingual (in English and Russian) and can assist you as you secure your Russian business visa.

Work with business travel agencies in Russia to make your business travel arrangements

Business travel agencies in Russia understand the needs of travelers who have business-oriented plans. The Russian travel agents can also assist you with the documents necessary to apply for a business visa to Russia.

I recommend: Use the Russian travel agency IBC to coordinate your unique corporate travel needs. From VIP travel accommodations to Russian visa support, use IBC to ensure success when working with travel agents in Russia. Partner with Ukraine-Rus to secure your business travel arrangements.

Russia is a large country with specialized travel requirements. If you travel to and from Russia frequently on business, use an authorized Russian travel agency that focuses on corporate and business travel. The best agents are experienced in securing travel documentation, obtaining travel accommodations and the process of bridging the gap between your business needs and the customs of the country.

Pick a travel agency that creates an individual profile using the latest software to track your information including seating options and frequent flier number. Far too many websites make the process of international business travel seem deceptively easy. Select a travel agency offering aid in custom regulations, vaccinations, fine dining and guided tours of Russia. A resourceful travel agent can plan a complex itinerary, meet budget restrictions, reschedule flights and find alternatives when travel plans fall through.

As you search for business travel agencies in Russia keep these points in mind:

1. Seek out Russian travel agencies that can customize your corporate travel itinerary.

2. Use experienced Russian travel agents that can provide international business travel preparation and accommodations.

3. Find Russian travel agents who are bilingual and offer a simple process for getting a business visa to Russia.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider Russian travel agencies that offer customized services

Travel agents that cater to business professionals can assist you with getting needed services such as hotel rooms with Internet access, better rates for currency exchange and group travel discount rates. Many have convenient offices in the states.

I recommend: Colwick Travel specializes in providing corporate business travel services. Red Star Travel, based in Seattle, offers a bilingual staff who can supply full-service Russian business travel arrangements customized to your needs.

Search for Russian travel agencies that offer business-based services

A experienced Russian travel agent has an in-depth knowledge of the country and can work to get you big discounts on international air travel, hotel bookings and transportation in the country.

I recommend: AllRussiaTours.com lists travel agencies specializing in Russian tours with offices in the states, many catering to business professionals. Complete the TravelSense form to gain access to travel agents knowledgeable in Russia travel for corporate clients.

Select an authorized Russian travel agency to obtain a business visa

Traveling for business to Russia requires a business visa. Many travel agents in Russia are familiar with the concerning rules and regulations for business professionals. An expert Russian travel agency can provide guidance on steps needed to complete your business visa application, secure a passport and pay associated fees in time for your trip.

I recommend: Find Russian consulates and embassies in the states at RussianConsulate.info, or choose business visa services from Parallel 60.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Pick a Russian travel agency that creates an individual profile using the latest software to track your information including seating options and frequent flier number.
• •  The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is the world's largest trade organization with member travel agents located worldwide. Look to the ASTA to find professional travel agents in Russia.

Travel agents in Russia key terms are an excellent beginning to finding the best travel agents in Russia. In addition, if you're looking to expand your travel company service into the country, key terms provide you an knowledge base of the industry.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

SPEKTR Travel Agency

SPEKTR Travel Agency is one the leading travel agencies in Russia. Whether you're looking to plan a trip into Russia, expand your travel business or find a job in the industry, SPEKTR Travel Agency is an excellent resource.

I recommend: Review the service and scope of the SPEKTR Travel Agency for more information.

Limitations on Length of Stay

When traveling in Russia, you must consider the Limitations on Length of Stay regulations. A foreigner may stay in Russia for only 90 days, which is a recent change from the typical 180 days.

I recommend: Scroll down the U.S. Department of State travel in Russia website for further explanation.

Red Star Travel

The Red Star Travel agencies specialize in business travel to Russia and are great resources for industry information and travel details. Another advantage of the Red Star Travel is that they've got headquarters in Seattle, making them far more accessible than a traditional Russian travel agency.

I recommend: Visit the Red Star Travel website for further details.

Russian-American Consulting Corp

The Russian-American Consulting Corp is a travel company specializing in regional travel with three major offices in the United States.

I recommend: Evaluate the purpose and scope of the Russian-American Consulting Corp.

Russian Consulate in the United States

Any travel agent or agency with US ties operating in Russia needs to know the contact information for the Russian Consulate in the United States. They can provide invaluable travel and other information relevant to the travel industry in Russia.

I recommend: Evaluate the contact information available at the Russian Embassy.

Visa requirements

Visa requirements are the travel documents one needs to enter into Russia. Each country has different visa requirements so it's important to know that you need a valid Russian business visa to enter the country and do business.

I recommend: Examine the visa requirements primer at Parallel Sixty.

When looking to find Russian travel agents, it pays to look for advice beforehand when considering the Russian travel agency you wish to use. Travel agencies in Russia are plentiful. But you want to make sure that you're getting an agency with strong customer service, commitment and honesty.

Travel agents in Russia, as with any travel agents, are supposed to provide an expertise about the country, its governmental requirements, hotels, transportation and culture. Information about Russia travel agents will allow you to compare the services offered by different Russia travel agents—and find the agency that works best for you and your business.

1. Use online sources and travel websites for advice on travel agents specializing in Russia.

2. Check with government agencies for information about Russia travel agents.

3. Seek business travel agencies in Russia on the advice of colleagues or other companies who travel to Russia.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Ask commercial and government agencies for advice on Russian travel agencies

Travel agency associations are a safe bet for finding quality travelagents. Russia has a governmental department which promotes travel in its country.

I recommend: The American Society of Travel Agents is a good resource to find a Russian travel agent without worrying about the agency's standards. The Russian Union of Travel Industry has an office in the US. Its concerns are providing safe and enjoyable experiences in Russia. It could recommend reliable travel agencies.

Use US-based travel authorities for info on Russian travel agencies

There are a multitude of travel websites to trawl for information about finding a Russian travel agent.

I recommend: The Lonely Planet is a travel website with first-hand information on all areas of travel. You can actually ask for recommendations via its website for Russian travel agencies. There are also pointers on what services Russian travel agencies provide (for instance, train tickets are cheaper when bought from an agency than at the train station). Travel and Leisure, a venerable institution, can provide information on travel in Russia by glancing through its articles on Russia; often Russian travel agents are quoted.

Look for sites that recommend travel agents specializing in Russia

Website recommendations can give you a name of a Russian travel agency that it rates highly. Travel agents in Russia advice and ratings can be found in travel magazines. Most articles about trips mention the travel agency--you can take it then that the agency is highly rated by the writers and editors of the magazine.

I recommend: Traveler's Digest posts the agencies that they recommend, singling out the one that it finds most favorable. Conde Nast Traveler is a great magazine with an easy to use website to search for destinations, in this case Russia, where the travel agency used is discussed in the article.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be aware that when looking to find Russian travel agents there may be some 'iffy' agencies that are primarily brokering marriage between Russian women and Americans.