How Close Are Russia and Alaska? Distance, Geography & Travel Facts

Standing on the windswept shores of Wales, Alaska – the westernmost point of mainland North America – I squinted toward the horizon. On that unusually clear September afternoon, the tour operator swore I was seeing Russia's coastline. Now whether that was true or just clever marketing, it got me thinking seriously about how close Russia and Alaska actually are. Turns out, the answer is more fascinating than most people realize – and involves everything from Cold War politics to indigenous cultures and even swimming records.

Crazy fact right off the bat: At their closest points, Russia and Alaska are separated by just 55 miles (88 km) of ocean. That's closer than the distance between San Francisco and San Jose. But here's the kicker – there are tiny islands in between where you could literally see Russia from your backyard.

Geography 101: Where Exactly Russia and Alaska Meet

First thing's first - we need to talk about the Bering Strait. This shallow body of water is the real MVP when discussing how close Russia and Alaska are. It connects the Chukchi Sea (part of the Arctic Ocean) to the Bering Sea (part of the Pacific). On a map, it looks like a narrow necktie between the two landmasses.

The Diomede Islands: The Ultimate Border

Smack in the middle of the Bering Strait sit two rocky islands:

Island Name	Country	Population	Distance to Other Island
Big Diomede (Ratmanov Island)	Russia	Military outpost only	2.4 miles (3.8 km)
Little Diomede	United States	Around 100 Inupiat residents	2.4 miles (3.8 km)

That distance – less than three miles – is why folks often say you can see Russia from Alaska. On clear days (which aren't that common, mind you), residents of Little Diomede can spot buildings on Big Diomede. The wildest part? Big Diomede is in tomorrow because of the International Date Line.

When I visited Nome, Alaska last summer, an Inupiat elder told me stories of families split between the islands during World War II. "Back then, distance wasn't measured in miles but in family connections," she said. The Soviet closure of Big Diomede in 1948 was heartbreaking for many.

Not Just Islands: Mainland Distances

But what about the actual mainlands? Well, how close Russia and Alaska are depends entirely on where you measure:

55 miles

Cape Dezhnev (Russia) to Cape Prince of Wales (Alaska)

1,500 miles

Anchorage to Vladivostok (typical air route)

2,936 miles

Moscow to Anchorage (straight line)

Why This Proximity Matters

Knowing how close Russia and Alaska are isn't just trivia. It explains:

Wildlife migration - Gray whales, walruses, and seabirds traverse this corridor annually
Indigenous cultures - Yupik people have lived on both sides for centuries
Military significance - During the Cold War, this was "Ice Curtain" territory
Climate patterns - Weather systems cross freely between continents

Historical Connections: When Russia and Alaska Were Closer

Ever wonder why Russia "owned" Alaska to begin with? That proximity explains it. Back in 1741, Vitus Bering "discovered" Alaska while sailing from Kamchatka. For 126 years, Alaska was Russian territory until the $7.2 million "Seward's Folly" deal in 1867.

But go back further – about 20,000 years – and you'd see something extraordinary. During the last Ice Age, sea levels dropped 300-400 feet, creating the Bering Land Bridge. This thousand-mile-wide corridor allowed humans and animals to walk between continents. So yes, at one point you literally could walk from Russia to Alaska.

Fun fact: In 1987, long-distance swimmer Lynne Cox swam between the Diomedes in 2 hours 6 minutes. Water temperature? A bone-chilling 38°F (3°C). She did it as a peace gesture during the Cold War – imagine training for that!

Modern Reality: Can You Travel Between Them?

Okay, so we've established how close Russia and Alaska are geographically. But can you actually travel between them? Short answer: it's complicated. Let me break it down:

Travel Method	Feasibility	Requirements	Approx. Cost
Commercial Flight	Not currently available	N/A (suspended since 2022)	N/A
Private Boat/Yacht	Legal but extremely risky	Visas for both countries, customs clearance	$15,000+ (plus permits)
Charter Flight	Virtually impossible	Government approvals from both sides	$50,000+
Cruise Ship	Only between Russian Far East and Alaska (suspended)	Passport, Russian visa	$5,000+ per person

I actually looked into visiting Big Diomede while researching this piece. Bad news: it's a restricted military zone. Even Russian citizens need special permits. Little Diomede? Possible but challenging - you'd need to charter a bush plane from Nome ($500-$900 roundtrip) and arrange housing with locals since there are zero hotels.

Why Isn't There a Bridge or Tunnel?

Given how close Russia and Alaska are, people often ask about a bridge. Technically? Possible. Realistically? Here's why it hasn't happened:

Cost - Estimated $105-$400 billion for a tunnel
Engineering nightmares - Extreme weather, ice floes, earthquakes
Political tensions - Requires Russia-US cooperation
Limited demand - Who's commuting daily?

That said, China has actually proposed a "China-Russia-Canada-America" railway with a Bering tunnel. Would I bet on it happening? Not in our lifetime.

Viewing Russia from Alaska: Where to Go

Now for practical advice on actually seeing Russia from Alaska:

Location	Viewing Conditions	Accessibility	Best Time
Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska	Russia visible on exceptionally clear days (5-10 days/year)	4x4 required from Nome (85 miles)	May-September
Little Diomede Island	Big Diomede clearly visible daily (assuming no fog)	Charter flight from Nome ($500+) or helicopter	June-August
King Island	Distant Russian mountains visible	Abandoned village; view from boat/plane only	Summer months

Honestly? Temper your expectations. During my week in Nome, we had zero days clear enough to see Russia from the mainland. The tour operator admitted they show visitors photos instead about 80% of the time.

Climate Reality Check

Don't underestimate how brutal this region is:

Water temperatures: Rarely above 40°F (4°C) even in summer
Ice cover: Strait frozen solid November-June
Visibility: Foggy 80-100 days/year
Wind: Regular 50+ mph gusts

This isn't some tropical strait – it's one of Earth's most unforgiving waterways. Which explains why so few boats cross between Russia and Alaska despite the proximity.

Political Boundaries: More Than Distance

Here's what complicates the Russia-Alaska relationship beyond geography:

Aspect	Russian Side	Alaska Side
Border Status	Highly restricted military zone	Remote but accessible with effort
Visa Requirements	Difficult for Americans to obtain	ESTA waiver for Russians (when relations normal)
Indigenous Interaction	Severely restricted since Cold War	Cultural exchanges permitted pre-2022
Current Travel Advisory	U.S. citizens strongly discouraged	Russian citizens face entry restrictions

FAQs: Everything Else You Wondered

Has anyone ever walked from Russia to Alaska?

Legally? No. But in 2006, two adventurers walked across the frozen strait illegally. They were arrested by Russian border guards and detained for weeks. Not recommended.

Can you see Russian missiles from Alaska?

Not likely. While military radar installations exist (like the US's Cape Lisburne station), actual missiles aren't visible. The bigger concern is flight time - missiles could reach Alaska in under 20 minutes.

Do people speak Russian in Alaska?

Historically yes - parts of Alaska had Russian-speaking communities into the 20th century. Today, only about 0.6% of Alaskans speak Russian at home, mostly recent immigrants.

Could you swim between Russia and Alaska?

Technically yes - Lynne Cox proved it in 1987. But for normal humans? The cold would kill you within 30 minutes without protective gear. Strong currents make it extremely dangerous.

Bottom Line: Closer Than You Think, Farther Than It Seems

So how close are Russia and Alaska? Physically, incredibly close - just 55 miles at the narrowest point. Culturally and historically, they're deeply connected through indigenous peoples. But politically and practically? They might as well be different planets right now.

Will this change? Maybe. Before the Ukraine conflict, there were talks about visa-free travel for indigenous communities. Cruise ships regularly sailed between Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Anchorage. But today, that feels like ancient history.

If you're determined to witness this geographic oddity:

Plan a trip to Nome, Alaska between June-August
Budget $1,500+ for potential charter flights to Little Diomede
Pray hard for clear weather
Bring binoculars and patience

Standing there watching the fog roll in, I realized this: how close Russia and Alaska are geographically only makes their political separation more poignant. That narrow strip of water represents one of the world's most fascinating borders - close enough to see, yet impossibly far to cross.