Travel Tips

A traveler’s experience in Russia can be greatly enhanced when a person has realistic expectations and good preparation. With that in mind, we offer the following suggestions and observations.

For tourists coming to Russia, it is a great asset to travel lightly, with the least amount of luggage necessary. As an example, when Steve travels to Russia he takes one soft-sided suitcase that can be taken on the plane as a carry-on, thus no checked bags to go missing and no waiting at baggage carousels. It has built-in shoulder straps and hip belt for carrying as a backpack, and a detachable daypack for use on excursions.

Bring an umbrella and rain coat or jacket, and comfortable walking shoes.

For the fashion conscious, leather jackets or coats for both men and women seem to be ever popular, and for almost any occasion.

The stories about shortages of goods in Russia is old history. The full range of domestic and imported goods is available in Russian stores. Expect to pay the same price in Russia for imported western goods as you would for similar items in the US or Canada. Domestic Russian goods are frequently cheaper than foreign imported brands.

Camera film and photofinishing, including for digital cameras, is readily available in Russian cities.

Internet cafes for email communications are readily available in Russian cities, since most homes do not have internet access.

Calling home - cell phone use has exploded in Russia as it has in most other European countries. However, there are issues of equipment and service compatibility when bringing a cell phone from North America to Russia. You should check with your service provider before leaving home to determine if your cell phone can be used in Russia. Also, rates for long distance calls on cell phones are very high, with some ranging from $3 to $5 US per minute. It is much more economical to use a regular phone, especially for long distance calls.

Public telephones are available at hotels. Also the post office in larger cities has phone booths which can be used to make long distance calls. To use a post office phone you must first pay for the call before making it, and your call will be disconnected when the number of minutes paid for has expired. The best procedure is to have a phone calling card which will give you access to a US or Canadian telephone operator in Moscow. You can obtain the Moscow number from your calling card company. By calling the Moscow number you will then be able to have the US or Canadian operator connect your Moscow-to-North America call and to have the long distance charges billed to your calling card account at home. If you are outside of the local Moscow calling area, then you can pay separately to use a post office or other public phone to make the call to the Moscow operator.

One precaution to watch for is that many public phones still have the rotary-dialing feature. These phones cannot be used to remotely check answering machines, or to do any other function which requires the entry of additional numbers, such as telephone banking. You must use a touch-tone phone for these activities.

Money – Russian law requires that all transactions in Russia be conducted in rubles, the Russian currency, and it is also prohibited to take Russian money out of the country. Russian currency is not traded internationally, so you will not be able to acquire rubles at currency exchange kiosks at airports outside of Russia nor will you be able to exchange any leftover rubles when you get back home.

The exchange rate with the US dollar has been comparatively very stable for the last 3 years or so, at around 30 rubles for each US dollar. The exchange rate seems to be independent of the inflation rate in Russia which is running at about 10-12% per year. Our experience has been that the most efficient and safe method of having money in Russia is through the use of a debit or bank card to withdraw rubles from an ATM (automated teller machine). Many Russian banks now have these at their branch locations, as well as at various public locations, such as railway and subway stations. The ATMs allow the user to choose English for conducting the transaction, and to withdraw rubles. The exchange rate is calculated and automatically included in the charge to your home bank account. The rate is competitive, not exorbitant. With a bank card a person can withdraw cash as needed without the risk of carrying all the money budgeted for the entire trip.

Traveler’s cheques are an option. However there are very few signs to indicate where these are accepted and the exchange rate may not be as competitive as for cash exchanges or bank card withdrawals. In other words it may take more time and planning to use these.

If you will be taking cash to Russia, you should take only crisp, new-condition US bills in denominations of $20, $50, and $100. These bills should not have any marks or creases or bent corners, or show any signs of wear. Otherwise you may have difficulty getting them exchanged in Russia.

You will be asked to declare on a form how much money you are bringing with you when you go through Customs upon your arrival in Russia. You will be given a stamped copy of your form by the Customs agent. Keep this because you will be asked to declare on the same form how much money you are leaving with when you go through Customs again for your departure. The Customs agent may or may not ask to see your form, so you should have it ready in order to avoid any possible delay.

It is not recommended that you exchange money with “street traders” who frequently hang around the entrance to some currency exchanges. We recommend that you not take Canadian dollars to Russia with the intent to have them exchanged there. It is preferable to exchange your Canadian money into US dollars before leaving Canada, and remember to check the condition of all bills for any flaws. Tellers at Canadian banks will usually cooperate with this inspection procedure when the reason for it is explained.

It is advantageous to take a concealed money belt, in which you can put most of your cash and important documents such as your passport and plane ticket, and a spare bank card. It is safer to carry these things with you than to leave them in your room for the day. You should not open your money belt where you can be observed by anyone. Each morning you can take out the amount of cash you think you might need for the day. As in any large city anywhere in the world, where there are crowds of people such as at subway stations there are pick-pocket opportunists who will especially target tourists. Men should not carry their wallet full of cash and credit cards in their hip pocket. Women who carry a purse should have one with secure zippered closures – not just simple snaps, or worse, an open top. If your purse has a shoulder strap, in a crowd you should carry your bag firmly between your side and arm.

Credit cards – these can be used at most major hotels and some restaurants. It is probably best to limit the use of credit cards to only paying for accommodation (and meals) at major hotels. Russia still has a predominantly cash-based economy, and the prudent tourist will adjust to this situation rather than take unnecessary risks trying to use a credit card for all of their purchases. Debit cards are not in wide circulation in Russia, so there are limited opportunities to use one for purchases at shops and stores, but they are a great asset in allowing for easy access to cash at ATMs.

Transportation – all public transit in Russia is very inexpensive, compared to North American prices. Also, now there is no two-tier pricing for foreign tourists compared to Russians on trains, although foreign tourist prices still apply at most historic sites. In the summer of 2003 an overnight express train ride in a four-bunk sleeping compartment from St Petersburg to Moscow (about eight hours) cost about $15 US. A subway token costs about 20 cents. A taxi bus (a van with a fixed route) or a regular city bus costs about the same. A 150 kilometer, three-hour highway bus ride cost 100 rubles – a little over three dollars. These prices reflect the financial condition of many Russians, who do not have their own vehicles and must rely on various means of public transportation to get around.

Trains are generally safe and reliable. Express trains for longer distance trips have an attendant on each coach, and they will supply clean sheets, blanket and pillow if you are located in a sleeping compartment. The Moscow and St Petersburg metros (subways) are fast and efficient, and are the quickest way of getting around in these cities. The Moscow Metro has its own special police who patrol all the stations.

Prices – most of the larger Russian cities now have the full range of imported Japanese, European, and North American products that you would expect to find in any advanced economy. You should expect to pay the same price in Russia as you would at home for these things. However, there are many competitive Russian-made products as well, and these are generally much less expensive than their foreign counterparts. If you are budget-conscious, when in Russia do as the Russians do, to paraphrase an old proverb. Generally, if you go to businesses or restaurants that cater particularly to foreign tourists, you can expect to pay premium prices.

For places to eat there are canteens which resemble a cafeteria, and a meal may cost $3. There are sit-down restaurants with meals in all price ranges, as you would find in any major city. Small cities and towns have much fewer restaurant options, but usually more at the lower cost level.

There are specialty food stores in every city for fresh foods such as bread, fish, meat, sweets, dairy, etc. As well, every city has open-air markets and street venders, with an amazing array of domestic and imported goods and foods. There are now appearing grocery stores with all the variety of products one is accustomed to in North America, except that the stores in Russia are generally not nearly as big as in North America. Domestically produced foods and beverages are considerably cheaper than imported foreign brands of similar products.

Do not be put off by the unfriendly expression on the face of most Russians in public. This is their normal “public” face. Russians are very warm and hospitable people within their own circle of friends and family, and can be especially considerate to foreign tourists on a personal level.