Russia escorted tours from Australia

[desafinado74]

Hello forum members,

Can anyone please recommend a reputable Australian based tour operator that runs tours to Russia ?
I have looked into Insight and Trafalgar, but was wondering if there are other good alternatives ?

Not looking for any complicated, customised tours. Just the usual St Petersburg to Moscow tour, since it will be my first time to Russia.

 

[VPS]

I did a tour in 2009 and when I got to Moscow found out my tour company had gone bankrupt - luckily I'd booked through Corporate Traveller and they sorted it all and got Bentours to take over.

https://apps-thor2.bentours.com.au/website/(S(h2dott05jiyjluko00yafjd5))/search

I think that a lot of companies just get the people and then Intourist does the rest because in my group of about 12 there were people who had booked through numerous different organisations.

Happy to answer any questions

 

[Simo]

Find a good travel agent and stay away from FC as they will milk the costs for your trip with extra "Services"

 

[desafinado74]

I did a tour in 2009 and when I got to Moscow found out my tour company had gone bankrupt - luckily I'd booked through Corporate Traveller and they sorted it all and got Bentours to take over.

https://apps-thor2.bentours.com.au/website/(S(h2dott05jiyjluko00yafjd5))/search

I think that a lot of companies just get the people and then Intourist does the rest because in my group of about 12 there were people who had booked through numerous different organisations.

Happy to answer any questions

Hi VPS,Thank you for the reply. I forgot about Bentours !
How did you find their tour guides and tour in general ?

 

[desafinado74]

Find a good travel agent and stay away from FC as they will milk the costs for your trip with extra "Services"

Hi Simo,
Yes, i am also looking at the option of arranging your own hotels, guides etc.
This method does have a lot of appeal i gotta say.

 

[Happy Dude]

Unless you're on a tight schedule or a novice traveller, Russia is not difficult to DIY.

You can hire guides along the way. They'll find you.

 

[desafinado74]

Unless you're on a tight schedule or a novice traveller, Russia is not difficult to DIY.

You can hire guides along the way. They'll find you.

You are right. I found some good tour guide services on Tripadvisor

 

[VPS]

Hi VPS,Thank you for the reply. I forgot about Bentours !
How did you find their tour guides and tour in general ?

As far I was concerned the Moscow tour guide was fantastic. I was stuck in Moscow with a bankrupt tour and theoretically I shouldn't have gone anywhere but he just put me in the bus and said don't tell anyone what's wrong (with 7 Irish out of about 14 do you think they gave a cough about whether I should be there or not) When we got somewhere I had to go and buy a ticket and then meet them inside because he said they would check how many people he took in. He really saved my trip and I still keep in contact with him.

As far as booking with a travel agent, I only did it because I was chatting to our work TA and asking her about it and she said she'd book it for whatever price I got online and I'm very grateful I did because having them behind me was great. They kept my brother informed of what was happening and were wonderful about claiming back all the extras I had to pay that should have been included

 

[kpc]

Unless you're on a tight schedule or a novice traveller, Russia is not difficult to DIY.

You can hire guides along the way. They'll find you.

Agree....we did it ourselves with 75 yo mother in tow!
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-guide/things-see-do-russia-moscow-54609.html