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Student trips

For several years we have organized student trips for thousands of international students from all over the world! This semester we are proud to present the most interesting yet affordable itineraries ever! Welcome aboard!

Check the list of departures and book your tour!

Hot news:

New hostels opened in Moscow and St Petersburg! Now it's possible to stay with a shoe-string budget right in the city center, which saves both time and money! During our trips the hostel premises are usually completely reserved for our groups.
New, simplier way to book your trip. After succesful booking, the reservation system generates you an automatically completed visa application form with your personal information in PDF. All you have to do is to print and sign it, and deliver it according to the intructions given in the confirmation mail.

FAQ (frequently asked questions):

Q: I'm not a student anymore but I'd interested to join one of these trips. Is it possible?

A: Sure it is. Student status, age or nationality is not a requirement. If you're young at heart, feel free to join us!

Q: Can I enroll ESN Tamy trip to St Petersburg even though I'm a student at EVTEK?

A: This is possible too. Student departures, even if they are bearing the name of an ESN group, are available for everyone. Please mind that some departures are from other cities than Helsinki or Tampere. In that case we can arrange you an alternative transportation to St Peterburg by train, boat or express bus.

Q: My friends back in Italy would also like to join this trip. Can you arrange it?

A: No problem at all. If your friends are visiting long enough in Finland before the trip departure, we can apply for your visa in Finland. However, it's recommended to apply for the visa at a local Russian consulate or travel agent. We will provide you all the possible documentation needed for the visa support, if required. Please find out the processing time for the Russian visa, because it may vary by different consulates.

Q: I have a national ID card. Is it valid for getting the Russian visa?

A: Unfortunately not. You will need a traditional passport. If you don't have it, you may be able to get a "instant passport" at your consulate/Embassy in Finland. You may have to appear there in person.

Q: I'm travelling to the Estonia and Baltic states before going to Russia. Do I need my passport there?

A: For Baltic States national European Union ID card is enough. If you don't have it, you must have passport. Therefore think twice before submitting the documents for the Russian visa processing - you can't terminate the process and pick the passport, if the documents are delivered to the Russian Embassy.

Q: How come there be different visa prices for different nationalities. Why Italians pay just 35 € when Danish citizens have to pay 56 €?

A: Unfortunately the consular fees are results of bilateral agreements and foreign politics between governments. Drastic changes in political situations effect visa conditions right away and there's nothing we can do. At least all citizens of Schengen countries share the same fee - 35€.

Q: Is there a possibility, that my visa application is refused?

A: Getting the Russian visa is usually 100 % sure. However, there's a possibility of your visa application to get rejected in following conditions:

Your passport is broken, damaged, torn, gone through washing machine etc.
Passport picture or ID page is detaching
There's no pages left to glue the Russian visa into (a blank double page is required)
Your passport is not valid 6 months after the trip
Your residence permit (if you need one in your passport while staying in Finland) is not valid 6 months after the trip
You have committed something bad in Russia during you previous visits
You delivered the visa documents after the deadline and the consulate couldn't process it in time.

Q: Do I get a refund, if I was unable to get the visa?

A: We refund the trip price in full, in cases 1-5. We try to prevent these things happening by contacting the Russian consulate in all uncertain cases. However, there will not be refund if the documents we delivered us after the deadline and the trip was not cancelled according to the terms and conditions.

Q: How are the hostels like? Are they clean and safe?

A: The accommodations are modest, but cosy, clean and guarded 24/7. The reason we prefer to use hostels is the over priced accommodation prices for hotels. For instance, in Moscow a standard three-star hotel or even a run down two star hotel far away from the city center costs up to 150 $/night/room. We can get a minihotel/hostel with a bit less convenience but much better service and location for three times cheaper! Mind you, just 5 years ago those same hotel rooms cost only 35 $/night. The hotel situation isn't much better in St Petersburg either. New hotels are open frequently, but they are not aimed for budget tourists.

Q: How much money should I prepare for the trip?

A: If you plan to attend all the actitivities, go out every night and eat in restaurants twice a day you would need about 50 €/day to cover your costs. Of course it's possible to survive with less money. Russia is not a very cheap country anymore, dining in average costs the same as it does in Finland, but alchohol and cigarettes are cheap!

Q: My Finnish friends don't understand why I'm going to Russia. Is this normal?

A: We afraid it is. This is actually the reason for our existence, to make people understand that Russia is culturally and historically a very rich country. In the mass media, especially in Finland, you don't hear anything good about Russia, which combined with old beliefs create all kinds of prejudices. (You know, bad news sell better). However, according to the survey we made couple of years ago, 60 % of the first timers had negative attitude towards Russia before the trip. After the trip, this figure dropped below 10 %. We are sure you'll have a lot to tell to your friends after the trip!

Q: How about the safety and security matters?

A: In St Petersburg and Moscow it's not safer or unsafer than in any other European metropolis. As long as you behave and use your common sense, there's nothing to worry about. As for our part, we have made the travelling as safe as possible. We use professional drivers, brand new coaches, trains connection on longer distances and also the boat trip when returning. During the programs local tour leaders are always taking care of the group, also during the night life. Tour leaders are very responsible and well trained for emergency situations. Of course, since all trip participants are +18 we assume people to answer for their behaviour and deeds. Hostel premises are for sleeping and rest - not for partying and making noise. For this purpose there are dozens of bars and night clubs in the neighbourhood.