You should be able to plan a trip to Russia easily and without a lot of hassle with the assistance of this travel guide to Russia.
This website is regularly updated with links to useful articles from The Trusted Traveller, information on the many housing options, maps to various areas across the country, and other beneficial links to online resources.
Quick Facts
Capital: Moscow
Language: Russian
A currency unit made up of 100 kopeks is the rouble. Coins come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000, and 5000 kopek denominations, while notes come in 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000, and 5000 kopek denominations.
Electricity: 230 VAC, 50 Hz. Plugs with two round pins are typical. The majority of hotels feature 110 volt outlets for modest electronics.
Travel Tips
Geography
Just to give you an idea of how vast it is, Russia is nearly twice the size of the United States. Russia’s boundaries, which run from Eastern Europe to Central Asia and from Siberia to the Sea of Okhotsk, are shared with 16 other countries.
The country’s diversified landscape includes the Siberian tundra, the Black Sea beaches, the plains of the west, the high peaks of the Ural highlands, and the country’s polar north, which is always covered with snow.
Weather
Again, due to its size, Russia has a diverse climate that changes by location and season. Throughout the year, the temperature can fluctuate, dropping to -30°C in the middle of winter and rising to 40°C in the sweltering heat.
Best Time to Visit
You should plan your trip around the activities you want to participate in because Russia is a popular tourist destination all year long.
The busiest travel seasons to Russia’s two main cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg, are June, July, and August. Despite the large number of attendees, the weather is excellent and sunny.
The shoulder season (April, May, September, and October) may be a better choice if you want to avoid crowds while still enjoying the warm and bright weather.
To experience the best water temperatures, you must endure the throng and visit the Baltic Sea beaches from June to August.
If you want to do winter sports like skiing, you should go between November and March when it is cold and frequently snows in the mountains.
Money
In general, it is advised to carry both cash and bank/credit cards on hand when traveling anywhere in the globe, and this is no different in Russia.
ATMs are available in all of the major towns and cities around the nation. The majority of businesses also accept credit cards (apart from AMEX), however small motels and shops exclusively accept cash.
Getting There
Russia is well-connected by air, with flights arriving in cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg as well as other sites from all around Europe, the UK, Asia, and parts of the US and Middle East. From London to Moscow, the flight will take around three hours and forty-five minutes, while from New York to Moscow, it will take about nine hours.
Another way to go to Russia from adjacent European and Asian countries is by bus or train. You can find out more about rail travel in Europe, including how to purchase tickets, on the Train Europe website, and you can find out more about bus travel on the Eurolines website.
Air
In contrast to the few carriers that are normally accessible in other countries, there are more than 100 regional airlines to choose from in Russia. The bulk of these use Moscow’s Domodedovo, Vnukovo, and Sheremetyevo airports as their primary hub.
All major, minor, and regional cities are serviced by this extensive aircraft network. Prices can vary significantly between carriers.
Also noteworthy is the fact that Russia’s track record for aviation safety is not the best. Despite recent improvements, too many crashes still happen because some carriers continue to fly antiquated aircraft. Check the airline’s and its fleet of aircraft’s safety records before buying a ticket.
Train
Traveling by train in Russia is without a doubt the best option for shorter vacations. Given the volume of traffic on the roads, Russia’s rail system is an essential part of the nation’s infrastructure.
The busiest route, which travels between Moscow and St. Petersburg in about eight hours, is one that operates both during the day and at night.
Tickets can be bought in person at stations all around the country or online at the State Railway website.
The Trans Siberian Railway, which travels to China and Mongolia, begins and ends in Russia and is connected to the country by regular trains. Despite the fact that this journey may be undertaken alone, many people prefer to do so as part of a tour that also includes stops at some of the most distant
Bus
Although buses take longer than trains to get from point A to point B, Eurolines offers bus services all across the country.
Driving
Due to the roads’ low quality and congestion, this is the least pleasant way to travel in Russia. However, things are steadily improving.
By choosing to drive, you shouldn’t underestimate how large Russia is; there may be long distances between villages, cities, and amenities.
When it snows heavily in the east, the highways are typically closed. If at all possible, try to avoid operating a vehicle at night.
