Useful information

Time

There are 11 time zones in Russia. The difference between Greenwich Mean Time and the time in some Russian cities is:

Air and railway tickets indicate the time of departure and arrival by local time. Summer daylight saving time is effective on most of the territory of Russia

Weather and Climate

Ranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European Russia; sub arctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coast.

In general, the most popular time for visitors is May-September, when the day temperatures are in the 70s-90s F/23-35 °C, and nights are in the 50s-70s F/10-23 °C. Be sure to take waterproof shoes for spring or fall visits - there's a lot of mud. There are some reasons to go during the winter. When the leaves fall form the trees In Moscow and St. Petersburg the striking architecture can be seen much more clearly. It's also the best time to see the Bolshoy and Mariinsky ballets and operas, and there are no crowds at other tourist attractions. Those visiting in winter will want to take along their warmest clothes, boots and hats.

National Holidays

Arts and Folk Festivals

Currency Regulations

The Russian monetary unit is the ruble. There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency allowed to be brought into Russia. However, all money brought into the country (including traveller's checks) must be declared upon entering the country. In Russia tourists can exchange any amount of hard currency for rubles at any of the following locations: authorized Russian banks, special exchange offices or foreign currency offices located in major hotels, international airports and sea ports.
Credit cards are accepted in Russia including American Express, Visa, Diners Club, Eurocard / Mastercard and others.

Tipping

Tipping is not required in Russia and no one should feel obliged to do so. However, you may use tipping as a way 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.

Shopping

The best stores for shopping in Moscow are the GUM State Department Store on Red Square, Detsky Mir (Children's World), Passazh Shopping Center on Petrovka Street and recently opened Manezh Shopping Center on The Manezh Square. Such traditional Russian souvenirs as matryoshka dolls, Palekh boxes and shawls can be bought in numerous shops on Arbat street and Izmailovo Park. All payments are made in rubles.

Russian Cuisine

Russian food is famous for its meat dishes, ukha (fish soup), shchi (cabbage soup), pokhlyobka (thick broth), okroshka (cold vegetable soup), bliny (pancakes) with sour cream or caviar, cabbage pie, and beef a la Stroganoff. Siberia is known for its pelmeni (dumplings). Tea with lemon is the traditional Russian beverage.

Entertainment

Theater, concerts, folklore performances, circus can be visited by tourists in big cities. The Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theatres are famous these ballet and opera performances. Also numerous restaurants, bars, casinos and night clubs are also available. All information of evening entertainments in Moscow and St. Petersburg can be obtained at the travel agency.

Mail and Telephone Services

The tariff for postal services and international and local telephone service on the territory of Russia is in rubles. Major hotels have post office facilities. Automatic dial telephone service is available in most areas of Russia. Tourists can dial directly from their room phone or from special pay phones in the lobby.

Insurance

It is recommended to purchase travel insurance before departing for Russia and the CIS.

Health care and Medical Services

Currently there are no medical restrictions for entry into Russia.

First aid is provided free of charge if the tourist does not require a doctor or hospitalization.

Electric Current

The electric current in Russia is 220V. European type plugs are required.

Transport

The Metro is the most comfortable and fastest public transportation within a city. The fare for metro journey irrespective of distance in any city is flat. In Moscow passengers buy special travel cards for one, two or more trips in the vestibule of the metro station, put in a turnstile and pass through when the light turns green.

There are the Metro (Underground system) in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Samara, Nizhniy Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Kiev, Kharkov, Minsk, Baku.

Tickets are required for bus, trolleybus and train journeys.

One ticket must be validated for each journey. It is best to purchase tickets prior to boarding, but they can also be purchased directly from the driver once you are on board.

If you need to get a taxi you can either order it at your hotel or hail in the street. Taxis are normally yellow.