Things To Know Before Your 1st Trip to Russia
Greetings from Saint Petersburg, Russia! This is a fantastic city; one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Today I’m sharing some tips on things you should know before your Russia vacation. There are many misconceptions about Russia that deter some travelers, but it’s a really wonderful country that you should see.
Russian Visa
You will probably have to get a visa to visit Russia. Check with your Russian Consulate, Embassy or a travel agent. The Russian visa application can take a bit of time – from a few days if you use an agency, or up to a month if you do it on your own. You have to line up invitations and hotel reservations ahead of time, so make sure you start the Russia visa application form as soon as possible in advance of your Russia vacation.
One way to visit Russia without a visa is to visit Saint Petersburg on a cruise ship or a ferry from Helsinki. “Cruise and ferry passengers may stay in Russia for 72 hours without visa if they arrive in Saint-Petersburg on board a vessel as part of a tour group.”
Tip: Using a visa service will save you time and stress!
Language in Russia
You most likely won’t understand the Russian language, or even recognize the letters because they use the Cyrillic alphabet. I recommend at least learning what some of the letters sound like, as pronunciations are phonetic, so it can help. English is not widely spoken in Russia, even in heavily touristed areas like Saint Petersburg, so knowing a couple of Russian phrases is key.
Here are a few Russian phrases that will help you get by:
- Hello = Privyet
- Thank You = Spasibo
- Where is = gde
- Yes / No = da / nyet
- Please = pozhaluysta
The Don’ts of Visiting Russia
Money in Russia
Yes, Russia is expensive to visit. Starting with the Russian visa application, plus hotels and restaurants, Russia can get pretty pricy. Often, museums will have a higher ticket price for foreigners than for locals. Talk to the locals; they can give you recommendations for authentic and cheap local restaurants.
If you are bringing money to Russia to exchange, whether it’s dollars or Euros, make sure you have crisp, new bills. If your bills are wrinkled or torn, the exchange houses won’t accept them. You can use ATM’s in the larger cities, and they are usually located inside of banks. However, outside of the big cities, ATM’s are harder to find, so you’ll need cash to exchange.
Transportation in Russia
Public transportation in Russia is affordable and very effective. In the cities such as Moscow and Saint Petersburg, the metro and bus systems cover the city, so you’ll have no trouble getting around. However, the distances in Russia make for very long trips unless you fly. The Trans-Siberian Railway can take a couple of weeks if you want to get off the train and explore a bit. The key is to have flexibility and good planning.
Tip: If you want to take taxis in Russia, make sure you use a registered taxi. This is one area where tourists tend to get scammed.
Safety in Russia
Yes, there are known tourists scams that happen in Russia, which can be annoying. We did not have any issues with safety or scams on this trip. You just need to pay attention and be aware of the tricks before you set out. In some of the larger Russian cities, you might encounter pickpockets at some tourist spots. Your guides can tell you any areas to avoid, or specific times to avoid certain areas.
The bigger safety issue in Russia is walking around in traffic. Russian drivers don’t always stop for the crosswalks, so always pay attention and make eye contact with drivers before stepping out, even if you think you have the right of way.
When you are out exploring, I recommend avoiding any kind of public protests and just not getting involved or going anywhere near them. LGBTQ travelers to Russia need to exercise more caution, especially when it comes to public displays of affection. Even in the larger cities, just be careful, especially late at night.
Tip: When you are taking pictures of your vacation in Russia, do not take pictures of any police, military or government officials.
Russian Customs and Culture
One of the biggest misconceptions about traveling to Russia is the people. The reputation is that Russians are mean, cold, unfriendly people. This can be true in the service industry, but if you get to know the Russian people, they are very welcoming.
Russian culture is conservative and even somber, so you don’t generally see any public displays of affection. If you are visiting any Orthodox churches in Russia, and you should, make sure you adhere to Russian customs. This generally means dressing conservatively and respectfully. For men, that means removing your hat. For women, that might mean covering your hair with a scarf, and you should always cover your shoulders and knees. Many times, men are also required to cover shoulders and knees.
Tip: Always pack a versatile sarong/scarf that you use to cover up with in case you decide to visit a church.
Best Time to Visit Russia
Russia isn’t always cold, but in the winter, it can be severely cold. I think the best time to visit Russia is between June and August. You’ll have 20 hours of sunlight and you can enjoy the white nights of Saint Petersburg. Winter in Russia is dark and cold, so I recommend Russia in summer.
10 Things That SHOCK Tourists When They Visit Russia
More Russia Travel Tips
A few more things you need to know before you visit Russia:
- Electrical outlets are the same as the rest of Europe, with two round plugs. You just need an adapter for your U.S. electronics.
- Tipping in Russia is not expected, so don’t worry about tipping your servers when eating out.
Places to See in Russia
There are many places to see in Russia, and these are just a few of the highlights:
- Saint Petersburg – the Hermitage and the Winter Palace
- Moscow – the Kremlin, Lenin’s tomb, Saint Basil’s cathedral
- There are Kremlins in a lot of places – it actually refers to the citadel, so there’s more than just the one in Moscow. If you have time, spend time away from the larger cities and see the countryside of Russia.
Don’t let your pre-conceived notions of Russia keep you from visiting! Russia is a gorgeous country, with many wonderful places to see, things to do, and people to meet. For more Russia travel tips, check out our other videos: