Top Tips for Traveling in Russia

Russia is a fascinating country with plenty of attractions both natural and manmade. However. it can be a challenge getting in and around the country thanks to complex rules, the language barrier and confusing public transport. First off, you must get a visa to be able to enter the country, and it can be a complicated process.

Be sure to factor in around a month to get your visa from your local Russian embassy. Once you’re in the air, remember to fill in the migration cards you are given by the flight attendants. You are expected to carry your documents with you in case of random checks by police, which happen fairly regularly.

As you may have been able to tell by now, Russia seems to get a kick out of bureaucracy. To avoid derailing your trip it’s best to follow the basic rules and stay out of trouble. Unless you are a fluent Russian speaker you might have trouble explaining your situation to officious police officers.

In major cities you can count on the presence of ATMs, but they won’t always have cash. Keep a reserve so you can survive for at least a few days in the event ATMs run out of money.

In major cities you can get around on public transport if you learn a little of the Cyrillic alphabet. This is cheaper and often safer than getting cabs everywhere. You are a prime target to be ripped off in a strange city where you don’t speak the language.

When traveling between cities, buses and trains can seem romantic, but if you are pressed for time it’s best to fly. Distances in Russia are vast and you could easily spend days traveling between major cities.

Russia is generally safe, but it is best to avoid the North Caucasus as well as crowded public events. Terrorist groups are active in the region and sometimes target large crowds.