Travel Essentials

Visa

To learn about Russian tourist visa, please visit this page on our website.
 

Getting Around

Taxi

Taxis in Russia can be booked in several ways, but we recommend using the Yandex Go app. Its interface is translated into English, and it is convenient and easy to use.
When ordering a taxi, you can choose a suitable fare, as well as a payment method – by card in the app or in cash to the driver.
Please note that when ordering via the app, you will need to pay exactly the amount that was confirmed by the service. No additional fees are expected.
Most drivers do not speak English, so we recommend that you download a translator app in advance (preferably one that can be used offline) and have your destination address written in Russian.
Only accredited and verified drivers can register in taxi booking apps, which is why we recommend using them. In some regions, it is possible to hail a taxi on the street, but this is not always safe.
You can also always use the taxi-hailing service at your hotel.
 

Public Transport

Public transport is widespread and popular among locals and tourists. We recommend downloading the Yandex Maps and Yandex Metro apps to plan your routes around cities. With these apps, you can find the optimal route, information about the type of transport you need, and its schedule.
In almost all Russian cities, it is possible to pay for fares with a bank card. If your bank card does not work in Russia, you can purchase a ticket in advance with cash at metro ticket offices. If you plan to use public transport actively, it may be beneficial to purchase transport cards: Troika (in Moscow) or Podorozhnik (in St. Petersburg). You can buy such a card at a ticket office or ticket vending machine, and top it up with cash at the time of purchase or later. If you no longer need the transport card, you can return it to a metro ticket office and get back the deposit.
 

Mobile Connection and Wi-Fi

Due to safety reasons mobile internet is blocked for 24 hours for foreign tourists, as well as for Russian tourists arriving from abroad. The block can be lifted in the following way. When a foreign sim card registers on a Russian operator's network, the user will receive an SMS with a link for authorization that requires completing a CAPTCHA. This might involve, for example, assembling a simple puzzle or selecting images containing a specific object. After successful verification, access to mobile internet and SMS messages will be restored within a few minutes.

In large Russian cities, mobile internet speeds are good, and many establishments, hotels, and public places offer free Wi-Fi.

In remote localities, internet outages and low speeds may occur. Please download maps and all the information you need in advance.
 

Electrical Outlets in Russia

In Russia, European standard sockets of types C and F (two round pins) are used. These sockets are designed for a voltage of 220-240V and a frequency of 50 Hz.
If your country uses a different type of socket, please get an adapter in advance.
Regarding power banks: most Russian airlines allow power banks to be carried in carry-on luggage (capacity up to 100 watt-hours, capacity up to 30,000 milliamp-hours, up to two grams of lithium). Transport is permitted exclusively in carry-on luggage.
Please note that requirements may change; you need to check the information additionally before your flight.
 

Drinking Water

The quality of tap water varies in different regions of Russia. You can drink tap water in Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Caucasus, Altai, and Kamchatka.
However, we recommend buying bottled water in stores. Most hotels provide it for free.
 

Safety

Russia is one of the safest countries for tourism, especially when traveling to large cities. Nevertheless, you need to be cautious – do not leave personal belongings unattended, do not carry large amounts of cash, and beware of pickpockets in large crowds.
In case of an emergency, call:
101 – Fire department
102 – Police
103 – Ambulance
104 – Gas emergency service
112 – Single emergency number
 

Insurance

We recommend that you take out medical insurance for the entire period of your stay in Russia. You can do it yourself or ask us for help. If your tour is active or takes place in remote and inaccessible areas, we recommend taking out an extended insurance policy covering additional risks. Your manager will advise you on the choice of insurance options.
 

Payment

Due to the imposed sanctions, cards of international payment systems issued outside of Russia, such as Visa, MasterCard, JCB, Maestro, American Express, do not work on the territory of the Russian Federation. Services such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal also do not work. UnionPay cards issued abroad are functioning intermittently.
Therefore, we offer you two options:
1) You are allowed to bring any amount of cash in rubles or foreign currency, including US dollars and euros, across the Russian border. However, there are two important rules to keep in mind:
- You must declare an amount that exceeds the equivalent of $10,000 USD at the Central Bank exchange rate on the day of travel.
- If you are bringing more than the equivalent of $100,000 USD at the Central Bank exchange rate, in addition to the declaration, you must provide a document proving the origin of the funds (for example, an income statement).
To declare the money, you will need to go through the "red channel" and fill out a customs declaration form.
2) Get a virtual YooMoney card of the MIR payment system for purchases in Russia. You can top up the card from your foreign account and pay for purchases via QR code.
The exchange rate at airports is unfavorable; it is better to exchange currency in the city itself.
 

Useful Apps

To make your trip to Russia comfortable, we recommend downloading several applications:

1. Yandex Maps
   In this app, you can build the optimal route considering traffic jams, and see ways to get to your desired location by car, public transport, or on foot.
   Landmarks, cafes, restaurants, their ratings, and reviews are also marked on the map.
   The app has the option to download city maps to use them offline.

2. Yandex Go
   In this app, you have the option to order a taxi of the desired fare, as well as order delivery from a store or cafe.

3. Yandex Metro
   If you plan to use the metro, this app will help you build routes, see transfers and travel time, as well as the right carriages.

4. Google / Yandex Translate
   A translator is necessary for a trip to Russia, as far from all locals speak English. The apps allow for translation of spoken speech, as well as signs and screenshots.

5. VPN
   Since 2022, many foreign services have been blocked in Russia. If you want to have access to these services during your trip, you need to download a VPN.

Regions with a Permit Access

Some tours take place in the border zone and a pass is required to visit it. As a rule, these are the tours in the Caucasus, Far East and Siberia.
We issue a free border pass for tourists who have purchased a tour from us. Please note that the pass is issued no later than 45 days (in some regions 60-90 days) before the start of the tour. By this time it’s better if you already have a visa to Russia. In case you decide to apply for an e-visa, we will submit your documents for a pass in two stages.