Information on Border Crossings Between Estonia and Russia
Baltic Shuttle operates daily bus services between Estonia and Russia through the Narva ↔ Ivangorod and Koidula ↔ Kunichina Gora border checkpoints. The Estonian-Russian border can also be crossed via the Luhamaa ↔ Shumilkino road checkpoint. Below is information about the border crossings on the Russian-Estonian border.
➀ Narva ↔ Ivangorod
Location: Ida-Virumaa ↔ Leningrad Oblast
Transport: During the temporary closure of the border checkpoint for vehicle traffic, passengers cross the border on foot and transfer to another bus (travel is operated under a single ticket).
You can find more detailed information about the border crossing procedure via Narva ↔ Ivangorod on our website.
Opening Hours: The border crossing is open daily from 07:00 to 19:00 (for pedestrians only).
Customs and Border Control
- Full customs control (inspection of all baggage) at Estonian border checkpoints has been in effect since August 8, 2024.
- At the "Narva-1" checkpoint, passage through automated border control gates (ABC gates) is available. They can be used by individuals over 12 years of age, with a height of 120–200 cm, holding EU citizenship or third-country citizenship with an Estonian residence permit.
- At the Narva border checkpoint, it is possible to claim a VAT refund under the Tax-Free system — find more details about the refund procedure.
Infrastructure
- On Peetri Square (Petrovskaya Square) in Narva: paid toilet, currency exchange offices, coffee machine.
- Nearby: "Kerese Keskus" shopping mall (P. Kerese 3), which features a supermarket, pizzeria, Asian restaurant, SEB and Swedbank ATMs, and a paid toilet.
- Food: "BRO Grill Cafe & Shawarma" with hot food is also available.
- Hotels: Several hotels are within walking distance of the checkpoint in Narva (useful if you do not manage to cross the border before the checkpoint closes).
Border Zone Regulations
Ivangorod is a border zone, and staying there requires a permit from the Border Guard Service of the FSB of Russia (Russian citizens can apply for a permit via the Gosuslugi portal). Passengers on international bus routes transiting through Ivangorod to cross the border do not need to obtain any permits. To stay overnight in Ivangorod hotels, a stay permit is required.
Pet Transportation
It is possible to transport pets through the Narva ↔ Ivangorod border crossing, including on Baltic Shuttle services.
Bus Services via Narva ↔ Ivangorod
Baltic Shuttle operates daily bus services between Estonia and Russia via Narva. The timetable and detailed information about the bus from Tallinn to St. Petersburg and the bus from St. Petersburg to Tallinn can be found on our website.
Border Queue Monitoring
The queue situation in front of the "Narva-1" checkpoint can be monitored in real-time via a webcam on the Baltic Live Cam service.
Contacts
- Border Guard Service of Narva-1 Checkpoint: ✆ +372 333 1600 | ppa@politsei.ee
- Border Guard Service of Ivangorod: ✆ +7 812 5780312, +7 812 4386194 | pu.spb.lenobl@fsb.ru
- Narva Customs Post: ✆ +372 676 3850, +372 676 3800 | ee5600@emta.ee
- Ivangorod Customs Post: ✆ +7 81375 97428 | spb_odo@sztu.customs.gov.ru
➁ Koidula ↔ Kunichina Gora
Location: Setomaa ↔ Pskov Oblast
Transport: The border crossing is open for both vehicle traffic and pedestrian crossing. Passengers on scheduled bus services have priority when passing through border and customs control.
Opening Hours: From 07:00 to 19:00.
Customs and Border Control
- Full customs control (inspection of all baggage) at Estonian border checkpoints has been in effect since August 8, 2024.
- For people meeting travelers at the Kunichina Gora Border Checkpoint (MAPP), a permit from the border service is not required (unlike in Ivangorod).
Infrastructure
Toilets are available. There are no ATMs, currency exchange offices, shops, or cafes at the border checkpoints themselves. Near the "Kunichina Gora" checkpoint, there is a taxi stand.
Veterinary Control
There is no permanent veterinary control post of Rosselkhoznadzor at the Kunichina Gora checkpoint. Since September 1, 2025, the authority to conduct veterinary and phytosanitary supervision, as well as sanitary-quarantine control, has been assigned to officers of the North-Western Customs Administration. While there are precedents of carrying pets on buses through the Kunichina Gora checkpoint, issuing veterinary certificates for pets and full veterinary control are not carried out here.
Bus Services via Koidula ↔ Kunichina Gora
Baltic Shuttle operates daily bus services on the Tallinn — Pskov — Tallinn route.
Contacts
- Estonian Border Guard Service: ✆ +372 600 1247 | ppa@politsei.ee
- Border Guard Service for Pskov Oblast: ✆ +7 8112 698116
- Koidula Customs Post: ✆ +372 676 4481
- Kunichina Gora Customs Post: ✆ +7 81148 93421
➂ Luhamaa ↔ Shumilkino
Location: Setomaa ↔ Pskov Oblast, on the Riga — Pskov highway (European route E77)
Transport: The Luhamaa ↔ Shumilkino border crossing is open for vehicle traffic and for pedestrian crossing.
Opening Hours: From 07:00 to 19:00.
Pet Transportation
It is possible to transport pets through the Luhamaa ↔ Shumilkino border crossing; there is a permanent veterinary control post of Rosselkhoznadzor here.
Bus Services
Baltic Shuttle does not operate bus routes through the Luhamaa ↔ Shumilkino border crossing. The total number of bus services here is higher than at Koidula ↔ Kunichina Gora, as bus routes from Latvia also run through this checkpoint.