Planning and the Prefix По-
When you want to talk about future travel plans or intentions, use the reflexive verb собираться (to intend / to plan). It is followed by an infinitive verb.
To express embarking on a journey, Russian adds the prefix по- to verbs of motion. This creates a perfective verb that emphasizes the start of a trip or a single, specific future journey.
- поехать = to set off (by vehicle)
- пойти = to set off (on foot)
In the future tense, these prefixed verbs conjugate just like their base forms (еду becomes поеду, иду becomes пойду) and translate naturally as "will go."
The Preposition По (By Means Of)
The preposition по takes the dative case and has many meanings in Russian. When discussing navigation, communication, or delivery, it translates to "by," "over," or "along" a medium. For example, to check a route along a map (карта becomes по карте).
Setting Off and Reaching Destinations
For a formal or definitive way to say "to depart" or "to head out," use the perfective verb отправиться.
You can use this verb to describe departures by any mode of transport, including setting off by ship (на корабле).
When your trip is by air, use the prefixed verb полететь (to set off flying / will fly).
Finally, when talking about successfully arriving at a destination, use the perfective verb добраться (to reach / to get to). This verb is typically followed by the preposition до plus the genitive case.
Communicating the Plan
Let's return to the preposition по (by means of) paired with the dative case. You will frequently use this construction when sharing information over distances, such as informing (сообщить) someone by phone or radio.