What money can I use in Russia?
You will need Russian Rubles (RUR), but you can only get them in Russia. However, it is simple and convenient to change either Euros or US dollars once you arrive – there are “obmen valuti” booths on nearly every street corner in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Other types of currency can only be changed in a bank. Traveller’s cheques can be changed, but often with difficulty. All major credit cards are generally accepted in Moscow and St. Petersburg, but not in the provinces.

Below we provide information about most recent exchange rate for RUR (May 2008): GBP 1=Roubles 46, USD 1=Roubles 23, Euro 1=Roubles 36.

No more than $10,000 in foreign currency can be brought into Russia. Any sum of money over $1,500 brought into the country (including traveller’s cheques) must be declared at customs.

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What is the standard voltage in Russia?
The standard voltage is 220V, 50Hz AC. Sockets require a Continental or European plug with two round pins. Pack a travel adaptor.

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What luggage should I use?
It would be to your advantage to bring a backpack rather than a suitcase, because they are much less cumbersome to move around with, and in Russia, there are seldom porters to assist with your luggage. Also, once out of the big cities, streets may be grimy, rendering suitcase wheels useless, and the distance to our campsite or desired location may be rather long.

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How can I order a taxi?
Your group leader and the support staff in the hotel will always be able to order a taxi for you within a short period of time. If you want to hire a taxi in the street, it is preferable to use official taxis, which are usually yellow in color and have a “TAXI” (ТАКСИ) sign on the top of the car.

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Is it safe to use the Metro (tube) in Moscow and in St. Petersburg?
During rush hour, the Moscow Metro is the easiest and quickest way to get around. Although we do arrange transportation in the city with our private bus, you might still want to visit the Moscow metro or use it on your own during your free hours in Moscow. Remember, taking the Moscow Metro is a sightseeing excursion in itself! Graffiti-free stations offer an air of elegance with granite and marble-clad surroundings. Many of the stations boast chandeliers and huge mosaic friezes, some of which still present Communist images and symbols. Art Nouveau style lamps illuminate the long escalator arches. The Moscow Metro operates from 5:30am to 1:00am and all metro stations are easily found by the “M” signs.

Meanwhile, although St Petersburg has an equally fine Metro transportation system, as the city is more walker-friendly you’ll be able to get to most inner-city sights often without the need to board the Metro.

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What is permitted by Russian Customs?
You are permitted to bring in regular amounts of anything for personal use, obviously with the exception of illicit drugs, weapons and items of an obscene or subversive nature. Up to 1 litre of alcohol, 200 cigarettes and a reasonable quantity of perfume is permitted. Travellers to Russia must complete a customs declaration form upon arrival, noting items of high value, i.e., unusually expensive photographic or audio-visual/computer equipment. Customs inspection is often cursory for foreign visitors, but spot checks are frequently made. Duty Free upon departure offers shoppers a reasonable range of spirits, cigarettes, perfumes and gifts. Alcohol and cigarettes are cheaper than UK Duty Free prices.

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What is the food like in Russia?
Russia itself is an enormous landscape with a variety of climates, cultures and peoples. As a result of this, the cuisine is dependent on the region. The staples of the diet are root vegetables like turnips, beets, and cabbage, along with meat and potatoes. Traditionally, Russia is known for its remarkable variety of soups. Borsch, of course, remains a perennial favourite, but you might like to try Solyanka, as well. Classic main dishes include beef Stroganoff (invented in Russia, as was chicken Kiev), pelmeny (Siberian-style dumplings) and spicy Georgian cuisine such as shashlyk. Russian rye bread is flavoursome and most often eaten without butter. Fish varieties include omul (similar to salmon and from Lake Baikal) and sturgeon, which is often poached and served with a sauce or mushrooms. The most famous Russian salad is called “Olivje” and is offered in many restaurants and bars. As for dessert, the Russians make excellent ice cream. If you are in St. Petersburg, you should not miss the opportunity to try the ices. Tea with lemon is the traditional Russian beverage.

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What alcohol should I buy in Russia?
Vodka is one of Russia’s most famous exports, available plain or in a variety of infused flavours ranging from pepper to lemon. Supermarket and liquor store prices range from USD$1 for a half litre up to USD$15 for connoisseur brands. Look out for Stolichnaya, Parlament and Russian Standard. Russian beer (pivo) is inexpensive and very good. The market leader is Baltika, who produce no less than 9 excellent brews, fittingly labelled 1 through 9, sold on tap and in bottles. The Russians also produce wine (vino), champagne (shampanskoe) and brandy (konyak). Champagne tends to be a little sweeter than in the West, so opt for very dry (bryut). The best brandy is that which is labelled 5 star.

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Can I easily find vegetarian food?
The traditional Russian diet is based on meat, chicken and potatoes. Today, more establishments are becoming alert to the concept of vegetarianism. A variety of salads and vegetable-based dishes are always available, but expect that you will need to be flexible. Please note that whilst we offer a vegetarian option and every effort is made to accommodate your request, the choice and variety of dishes cannot always be guaranteed. Please advise at time of booking and on our Booking Form if you are a vegetarian.

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What should I bring from Russia and where can I buy it?
Russian souvenirs are authentic, inexpensive and usually well-made. The most recognisable Russian souvenir is, without a doubt, the matryoshka doll: multiple dolls, one inside another, like the layers of an onion. Small black boxes painted with traditional scenes, called palekh, are also very popular. A rather curious leftover from Soviet times is the amount of surplus Red Army and military gear that can be found and which makes great souvenirs, including clothing, badges, and exotic looking hats. You can get a furry hat with ear flaps, just like the Russians wear!

The best shopping locations in Moscow are GUM, the department store on Red Square, Detski Mir (Children’s World), Passazh Shopping Center on Petrovka Street and the recently opened Manezh Shopping Center on Manezh square. Traditional Russian souvenirs such as matryoshka dolls, scarves, tshirts and palekh boxes can be found in GUM and in kiosks around Manezh square, but greater variety is found along the pedestrian Arbat or at Izmailovo Park. All payment is in rubles only.

Grocery stores are open from 8 or 9 am until 8 or 9 pm, and department stores are open from 10 or 11 until 7 or 8. Department stores may be closed on Sundays.

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How much money should I take with me?
Prices are generally about 15% lower in Moscow than in the UK, lower in St. Petersburg, and almost nonexistent in the provinces. A dual-pricing system does exist for most local tourist attractions and museums – Russian residents pay a small percentage of what foreigners do. Typical expenses such as restaurant food, drinks, and entrance fees to clubs are comparable or slightly lower than London or New York. It is also easy to find inexpensive places to eat, drink and shop, and is worthwhile to consult a guidebook. Domestic spirits, beer, snacks, bottled water and cigarettes are inexpensive.

Likewise, transport, postal rates and authentic souvenirs are reasonable. Prices are much lower in provincial Russia and you’ll spend almost nothing there, as most food and activities dictated by our itinerary are included. For Moscow, we suggest a comfortable budget of around £30-£40 a day to cover food, drinks and expenses such as souvenirs.

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What is the weather like and what should I wear?
Summer in Moscow and St Petersburg is similar to that in northern Europe: hot but with frequent showers. Evenings can be cold even in July and August, so don’t forget a warm coverup and a jacket or umbrella. At midsummer in St Petersburg, there is no real darkness. Autumn is brief, and by the end of November winter sets in, bringing with it lots of snow and extremely low temperatures. Spring arrives with a vengeance, heralding the great thaw in late March and April. Pack very warm clothes if arriving in winter, as temperatures between end-November through end-February plummet to well below zero degrees Celsius.

Dress is casual but Russians do make quite an effort when they go out. It is inappropriate to wear clothing which is torn or has holes. In churches you should always wear clothing covering your shoulders, and women are expected to cover their hair. In the winter (November-March) a warm hat, gloves and a scarf are essential as well as a warm coat. It is advisable to wear removable layers as buildings are often very hot inside.

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What is the time difference between the UK and Russia?
There are 11 time zones in Russia. St Petersburg and Moscow are 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. However the further you go to the east, the bigger the time difference will be. For example, it is 9 hours time difference to Irkutsk and 12 hours with Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsk. Air and railway tickets indicate the time of departure and arrival by local time.

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Will I be able to communicate in English?
English is widely spoken in good restaurants, expensive shops and in the busier, tourist areas of Russia. Most hotel staff around the country also speak English. This is, however, not always the case in regular bars, standard shops and amongst most taxi drivers or metro staff. Nevertheless, most people are responsive and will try to help you even without language knowledge.

Cyrillic is the alphabet used in the Russian language. A phrasebook detailing the Cyrillic alphabet is recommended for travel.

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Do I have to leave tips?
Tipping is quite common in Russia. Although you normally will not find any service charge in your restaurant bill, many visitors do leave tips to show appreciation for a job well done and this is certainly acceptable. Such gestures are voluntary and at the sole discretion of the visitor.

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Can I drink the water from the tab?
It is not advisable to drink the water in Russia unless it has been boiled or purified. You can buy bottled drinking and sparkling water at any supermarket or street kiosk in all cities and villages.

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Can I use public mail and telephone services in Russia?
Local calls in most major cities are free from any mainland telephone. Public phones do require phone cards and these can be purchased in most tourist locations. However, please note that the phone cards sold in Moscow may not be useable in other cities. Tourists can also dial directly from their room phone or from special pay phones in the lobby, however, phoning from your hotel room can be very expensive. Mobile phones (GSM 900 + 1800 standard) also work in most cities and regions with good reception.

To make a call from Russia to the UK you should fist dial 8, wait for the tone and then dial 1044 + UK area code (omitting the first 0 of the UK code).

The tariff for postal services and international and local telephone service on the territory of Russia is in roubles. Major hotels have post office facilities.

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Am I allowed to take photographs everywhere?
Using flashes in churches or in performances is usually not allowed. Some churches and museums may ask for an extra fee if you want to take pictures or make a video recording. The fee will be payable at the kiosk before you enter the church or museum. If you do not pay the fee you must hand in your cameras/camcorders into the kiosk and the attendant will give you a numbered ticket to claim your items at the end of your visit. If you take pictures of people, it is recommended to ask them for permission. Film and batteries are available everywhere, but prices differ significantly in various places. If there are a lot of tourists, films and batteries can be rather expensive.

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Are there any medical restrictions to enter Russia?
Currently, there are no medical restrictions for entry into Russia. In case of emergency it is possible to call for an ambulance (phone number 03 from any local phone). First aid is provided free of charge if the tourist does not require a doctor or hospitalization.

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Homestay or hotel?
On some of our tours (for example, Transib trips to Baikal) you may choose to stay with local families. This will broaden the trip experience, as you get a slice of the local life! You will meet Russian people in a genuine setting, enjoy their hospitality and get the chance to sample delicious homemade Russian foods. Homestay accommodation is simple and not luxurious. You‘ll have a bed and use of the homestay’s bathroom facilities and kitchen to have your breakfast or other meals. While you are welcome to come and go as you please, you’ll usually be reliant upon the host letting you in. Should you be interested in the homestay accommodation, please enquire with our staff if this alternative is available on the tour.

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