Travel tips for Russia

Russia is becoming increasingly popular with tourists due to its rich cultural heritage and its popular cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg. If you are planning or going to take a trip to Russia, then we suggest you consider some of the following travel tips.

Get acquainted with Russia

Do some reading about Russia before you visit to get to know a bit about the country. To give you an idea, Russia spans nine time zones and is the largest country in the world, with landscapes ranging from the frozen tundras of Siberia and the endless wheat fields and pine forests of central Russia to the mountains and palm trees of the Caucasus in the south. The population was around 140 million according to the last census, with Central Russia, which includes Moscow, being the most densely populated area.

Health

Be sure to check what to eat and what not to eat before heading to Russia. The country does not present any serious health threat, with cases of food poisoning being the most common problem. Most guidelines suggest avoiding buying kebabs from stalls, especially at train stations, while tourists are also advised to be careful with dairy products. Tap water is safe to drink in Moscow after boiling, but tourists are advised to drink bottled water elsewhere; It is also recommended to avoid ice cubes and use bottled water to brush your teeth.

Money

Russia is a spectacular country and so are its prices. The big cities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg are, like most famous European cities, very expensive. On the outskirts of the larger cities you will find cheaper restaurants and accommodation. Tourists are advised to get their Russian rubles before traveling, but there are ATMs from local banks like Sberbank and international ones like HSBC and Citibank all over Moscow, Saint Petersburg and other Russian cities. When paying for something, retailers in Russia prefer to be paid in cash, but credit cards are generally accepted and travelers can still pay with traveler’s checks.

Manners

Before you fly to Russia, you should know some Russian etiquette rules. If you are on a business trip and arrive late, there is no need to panic, as this is considered normal, often due to terrible traffic in Moscow. If you are offered a drink, it is considered rude not to accept it, especially for men. Some travel guides also say that Russian men often only shake hands with a partner when they meet, so women traveling with their husbands should be prepared to see that their husband’s hand is close and not theirs. Russians also like to dress up almost everywhere they go, so it might be worth packing fancy clothes for your trip.