Budget
Prices in Russia vary greatly by region. Moscow, for example, is very expensive, even by most European standards. Rural regions, on the other hand, are very cheap.
• Prices for private rooms vary a lot. They start at 16 USD (13 EUR) in Moscow (20 USD (16 EUR) in the city center), and 10 USD (8 EUR) in Saint Petersburg and Kazan.
• Food prices are relatively cheap as long as you focus on local restaurants, street food, and fast food. Tourist restaurants are usually overpriced. Prices for a budget dinner start at around 8 USD (6.5 EUR).
• Transportation costs are low by international standards. Public transportation fares within the cities start at around 0.7 USD (0.6 EUR). Prices for a 9-hour train ride from Moscow to Saint Peterburg start at 12 USD (10 EUR) but can get up to 120 USD (100 EUR), depending on the train, class, and time of day.
To save some more money, check out our Budget cutting tips.
Where to stay
You can find great accommodation options on Booking. Make sure to search for private rooms popular for romance. 😉 On Airbnb you can rent furnished apartments – those are usually cheaper than most hotels and they offer you the real Russian experience.
Best time to go
The most popular time to visit Russia is during the summer (June – August) – the weather is mostly nice, the temperatures are pleasant, but the main tourist destinations may be somewhat crowded. If you want to avoid crowds, you should consider visiting during the spring or fall. Russia can also be magical during the winter months, but you should properly prepare for the freezing temperatures.
Other information
♦ Planning and preparation: check out our planning routine here.
♦ Packing: check out the honeymoon adventurers’ ultimate packing list here.
♦ For other travel tips check out Travel like a pro, Travel for couples, Honeymoon styles, Honeymoon activities, Responsible tourism, and Travel resources.
♦ Language: The official language in Russia is Russian. Check out the typical travel vocabulary (in English) here. Learn useful travel phrases in Russian here.
♦ Currency: Russian ruble (RUB)
♦ Visa or other entry requirements: All visitors to Russia are required to have a valid travel document. Visa requirements depend on the traveler’s nationality. For more information check out their official website.
♦ Electricity standards: The power plug types in Russia are C and F, the standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
♦ Time zones: UTC+02:00 to +UTC+12:00
♦ Immunization recommendations and requirements: There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to Russia. However, it is recommended to get travel vaccines and medicines for tetanus, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, rabies, and Japanese Encephalitis.
♦ Health and safety tips:
You should always make sure to follow the usual travel safety precautions:
- Leave your jewelry and other valuable belongings in the hotel safe.
- Keep your emergency cash apart from the rest of your money.
- Dress comfortably and carry only the items you will need for the day.
- Don’t carry a lot of money.
- Always make sure to lock your room before leaving the hotel.
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
- Stay in well-lit areas.
- Try to maintain a low profile and do your best to fit in.
- Carry a travel wallet/money belt/money pouch for carrying money and documents safely.
- Avoid contact with potential scam artists.
- Avoid showing off valuable belongings (like cameras) in public.
- Don’t count your money in public.
- Keep an eye on your belongings at all times.
For other common safety concerns in Russia, check out Lonely Planet’s safety tips. For common health concerns check out Lonely Planet’s health tips.
To stay healthy while traveling, check out our health travel tips.
• Tap water in Russia is not safe to drink. Drink bottled, boiled or filtered water instead.
* Always make sure to reuse a water bottle to cut down on waste.
♦ Local Customs: Russians are generally reserved in public, but once you get to know them they’re quite friendly and welcoming. When meeting someone in person a friendly firm handshake is customary. Address a person using his or her first name and patronymic/patronym (the name based on the given name of his or her father). Russians appreciate punctuality and direct eye contact. There is no particular dress code required on the streets of Russia. Make sure to dress up for formal occasions.
Check out top things to see and do in Moscow.
