Is it possible to obtain a tourist visa without the help of an agency...possibly by going directly to the Russian Consulate directly?

Are you American? If so, please see www.russianembassy.org for info on how to obtain a visa directly from the consulate in Washington,DC.

You can get the visa directly from the consulate. However, before you can get the visa you will need visa support in the form of an invitation and travel vouchers. You can get these from hotels in Russia, however the simplest way is from an agent who will issue you the documents. I usually use the sevices of gotorussia.net for the support then deal with the consulate directly.

I have recently booked an Insight tour of the Northern capitals and Russia. My travel agent says I need a multiple entry visa, although it seems I am just passing through the country. She suggested I get my visa through an agency that also gives the letter. With all the fees and mailing costs it seems pretty pricey. I usually get my visas through the consulates, should I do the same this time? If anyone has taken the same tour I'd appreciate some help. Thanks

Anncor:

You mention the northern capitols AND Russia, but are not specific. You would only need a multiple entry visa if you are going to leave Russia and then re-enter later during your tour. Perhaps you are flying into Moscow or St. Petersburg, then taking a tour through other countries and flying back home from Russia? I would think they could arrange the tour such that a multiple entry wasn't needed. Check which countries you are visiting and note if you need a visa for that country or not (for instance Ukraine or Belarus, but not for Poland, Finland, or more westerly/northern capitols).

The Russian capitols are Moscow and St. Petersburg, but the original capitol is Kyiv, Ukraine (Kyivan Rus empire). For which you would need a mutiple entry visa to leave Russia for Ukraine, and then re-enter Russia (you would also need a separate visa for Ukraine). Poland also owned/occupied much of Russia for awhile (Katherine the Great), therefore a visit to Warsaw may be in order (but a visa is not required) -- if that is the basis of this capitol tour.

Dealing with the consulate directly is usually cheapest, but multiple entry visas can be a bit tricky as to whether they actually issue to you what is needed -- especially for a tourist visa rather than a business visa.

Why isn't you tour company telling you wat visas you need and the support that you require?

I booked through Affordable tours to take an Insight vacation. It was the agent at Affordable who passed the message from Insight about getting the multiple entrance visa from a visa application company. I've told her I want to do it myself and she's asking Insight for an invoice and letter so I can do this. The circular tour starts and ends in Berlin passing through Copenhagen, Stockhom, Helsinki, St Peterberg, Novgorod, Moscow, Vitebsk, Vilnius and Warsaw in that order. I believe a single entry visa is sufficient. Is that also your opinion?

For Russia a single entry tourist visa is all you require.