Ferry from Alaska to Russia: International Border Rules

The Alaska to Russia boat time varies depending on the ship itself and its speed capabilities in addition to numerous factors including weather, the number of crew members, and more, but typically this journey lasts between 10-14 days.

Keep in mind, however, that these boats do not carry non-commercial passengers, so you will not be able to book a spot onboard to get yourself across the Bering Strait.

The flight from Alaska to Russia takes just under 5 hours and typically leaves from Anchorage, Alaska, and arrives at Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Airport in Eastern Russia.

Flights are generally available year-round though, airlines and routes are very limited. Flying is currently the only way tourists can visit Russia from Alaska.

Thanks to the Bering Strait, it is technically possible to cross the ocean from Alaska to Russia. That being said, it is in no way legal if you do not have prior authorized access.

Only crew members associated with commercial cargo lines and people with authorized entry into designated ports in Russia and the U.S. can make the journey legally.

Technically, yes, you can walk across the Bering Strait in the winter months if the conditions are right and you have authorized access to both countries.

However, it’s not recommended for several reasons including legality and deadly conditions.

While a few people have managed to cross the Bering Strait into either Alaska or Russia from one side or another and make it there alive, the last person to do it successfully was in 2006.

There have been numerous attempts since then, but nearly all have resulted in helicopter rescues and near-death experiences.

Yes, there are two known accounts of people crossing the Bering Strait on foot in the winter months when it was mostly frozen over in 1998 and 2006.

However, don’t let this accomplishment motivate you into thinking they both had major success stories. The father and son duo who attempted the journey in 1998 were set off track due to constantly moving ice beds, causing them to walk about 300 miles instead of the typical 53 at the narrowest points of land. You can read their full story here.

The second group of English and American natives known by the names of Karl Bushby and Dimitri Kieffer were arrested and detained immediately upon arrival in Russia. Notably, this happened after they sustained immense losses including frostbite, starvation, severe weather, and exhaustion. More details on their story can be found on Filson.

So, while it has been done, there are a handful of reasons why more people don’t attempt the challenge with the primary one being it’s illegal to enter at the ports of entry on the Bering Strait for common tourists.

It is impossible to drive from Alaska to Russia since the two are separated by the Bering Strait with no land connecting them.

With no land to connect them, there is no legal way to enter Russia or the United States since there is no border patrol to allow entry on either side.

No, there is no road or land bridge connecting the Alaskan and Russian sides of the Bering Strait. While some people have proposed building one in the past, this would be an expensive and complicated endeavor.

Although much of the Bering Strait does freeze in the winter months owing to the region’s icy temperatures, forming an ice bridge of sorts, there are often strong currents that don’t allow the entirety of the 53-mile stretch to freeze completely.

This leaves room for expanses of open ocean, a high risk for weak spots in the ice, and other potential dangers making it very dangerous and highly illegal to attempt a walk or drive across the strait.

Converging with the Yukon River, the Bering Strait is a marine highway for navigation and commerce only connected by remote ports of entry not open to tourists which is why it is illegal to cross the strait without prior permission from both national authorities.

Bering Strait crossings pose many safety risks due to potentially dangerous conditions, such as strong currents, freezing temperatures, and a lack of navigational assistance.

For U.S. travelers wanting to know more about legally entering Russia from Alaska, visit the U.S. Department of State website.

Yes, U.S. citizens who choose to travel to Russia are required to have a valid passport and visa. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you can use the Consulate General of the Russian Federation to see your visa requirements.