Travel Tips – Russia

Russian tourist visa: provided for a fixed period/dates and the guest has to complete his/her journey (entry and exit) in between the time frame given on the visa. Russian visa is for only a single entry and is not extendable. 

Registration: According to the legislation in force, foreign nationals entering the territory of the Russian Federation must register in the local registration office of the Ministry of the Interior at the point of destination within 72 hours of arrival or one day in case of stay at hotel. 

When you check in at a hotel or hostel, you need to provide your passport with a visa & migration card/ slip so the hotel can register you with the local visa office.

Russian migration card/ slip:  Registration must be made no later than 72 hours from the arrival of the foreign citizen to the place of destination. The foreign citizens can't register on their own, as it is the responsibility of the Russian host party. In no case is it mandatory for the foreign citizen to be present during registration. Upon entering Russia, you will be issued with a migration card/ slip by immigration.

There are two parts of the migration card — arrival & departure. An immigration officer will hold the arrival portion and the departure portion will be handed over to the passenger. Please keep your migration card safe during the period of your stay in Russia. On the base of this migration card hotel will, register you. During your return journey, it is required for immigration and you need to submit it to the border control officer while passing the departure passport control procedure.

Electricity: electricity throughout Russia is 220 volts/50 hz. The plug is the two-pin thin European standard. All hotel rooms are equipped with European sockets (type c or f). Bring the necessary adaptor for electronic devices if needed. 

A. Type f: This socket also works with plugs c and e 

B. Type c: This socket also works with plugs e and f 

Medical care: remember to bring any medications you may need. Check with your health insurer before you depart to ascertain your coverage in the event of an emergency. Many insurance providers offer specialized riders that can cover emergency evacuation. If you take any prescription medication, be sure to bring enough of it for the entire duration of your trip, as some medications are unavailable in Russia. It is also advisable to bring some usual over-the-counter medications with you. These medicines are usually sold in pharmacies; however, the labels are in Russian and most store clerks do not speak English.

Time zone:  time is GMT + 3 in both cities: Moscow & St. Petersburg i.e. two and half hours behind Indian standard time (1st). 

Climate: most of the country has a continental climate, with long cold winters and short summers. Please check below given website for your reference: https://www.accuweather.com/en/ru/russia-weather  or other sources.

The mild summer (Jun–Sep) is peak travel. 

Winter (Dec–Mar) is snowy, with subzero temperatures.

Clothes: For summer, keep a light jacket for morning & evening hours. 

For winter, keep with you warm clothes (like a jacket/ coat/ warmer/ warm cap/ gloves/ inners/ /comfortable and warm shoes, not sandals in winter & light jacket in summer) to protect yourself. 

Tipping: tipping is increasingly expected at restaurants. Tip 10-15% depending on service. 

Punctuality: Please be punctual as per the itinerary. In other cases, the group may not see all required just because of a few guests coming late everywhere. Follow your guides during tours and listen to your guide carefully to understand/ know about the destination, culture, heritage, monuments/ museum’s importance, etc.

Taxi: avoid taking unlicensed cabs, as these drivers generally wait to take advantage of foreigners. Also, note that driving from (or to) the airport is quite expensive. It is safer and cheaper to order airport and train station transfers from the travel agency where you book your stay. You can also use online apps like “Uber Taxi”.

Transport/coaches: please keep your coaches clean. In the coaches, it is prohibited the consumption of any kind of eatable including Haldiram products/ soft drinks/ hard drinks except drinking water. 

— keep garbage only at designated places. There are very heavy penalties for the same (up to USD 400 in case of vomiting). 

— it is recommended to carry small medium size baggage to make your travel smooth and hassle-free. — after returning from the tank venue usually guest’s shoes are full of mud so request all guests to clean their shoes before getting in coach. Otherwise, the coach company will impose a penalty for coach cleaning about 7000 – 12000 rubles per coach. 

Non-smoking areas/ zones: From June 1, 2014, it is prohibited to smoke inside all bars, restaurants, hotels, trains, public areas, airports &, etc, and cigarettes will no longer be on display in shops or sold in kiosks. 

Respect the metro: The incredible subway system in Moscow can truly be an inexpensive and convenient blessing. However, the metro can also be the set of a pickpocket or fight. Do not flash money in the metro. Keep your metro pass separate. Don't speak loudly or make a fool of yourself on the metro. It is considered rude in Russia. 

Watch out for your documents: always keep an official copy of your passport and visa. When going out, leave your original passport in a safe place also keep your hotel kit/card when you walk around the city on your own. 

Please note: there are certain places you need an original passport like during a visit to the Ostankino TV tower, a tank ride AK-47 shooting, etc.

Behavior (the unwritten codes): 

1. Boys should be aware that in Russia, men still pay the bill on dates.

2. If you are wearing gloves, take them off when you shake hands.

Know that most young people have studied English and can help you if you get in a bind.

3. Be polite to the local people.

4. Remove outerwear in restaurants, nightclubs, and museums.

5. Night clubs: Before a visit study the event poster of the place. The musical menu of most clubs is very eclectic and changes depending on the day of the week.

Face control in Russian clubs is strict and unpredictable. Anyone can be refused access without giving reasons. The best way to pass the face control is a stylish and “expensive” appearance and calm and friendly communication with the security. However, it is better to prepare a couple of extra options. Sports shoes are not perishable mostly. Partygoers are sure that branded clothes almost guarantee entrance to a club. However, a stylish mix of non-branded garments may also be helpful – from time to time. Few barmen speak foreign languages.

Don’t drop guard: in the whirl of nightclubs’ thefts sometimes take place.

At clubs and at concerts visitors are used to loudly expressing their emotions and making friends with people they like. Simply let yourself feel the common joy.

Public transport does not work from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. If you leave a club at these hours you will definitely need a taxi to get home.

Emergency no.: 

101 — the fire brigade and rescue team 

102 — police 103 — ambulance 

112 — call for emergency services from a mobile phone (operators                                       

            speak Russian and English) 

8-800-220-0002 — hotlink for foreign tourists 

Please don’t be disrespectful in a church: functional churches are open to everyone but as a visitor, you should take care not to disturb any devotions or offend sensibilities.  Women should cover their heads and bare shoulders when entering a church. In some monasteries and churches, it’s also required for a woman to wear a skirt— wraps are usually available at the door. 

Men should remove their hats/caps in church and not wear shorts. 

Tourists can just enter it like any other working church and see inside, but the guide will not do an excursion inside, or any explanation, as people come to pray there.