Traveling Tips

The Iron curtain has been raised since 1992 after the fall of Communism and interest to visit and tourism to the Motherland increases daily. But to the average traveler, Russia can be very intimidating and frustrating place. Russia is very bureaucratic, can be quite crooked, and possibly dangerous (in remote areas) to the unsuspecting traveler. Virtually all of Russia is controlled by mafia, or groups of individuals trying to be an organized crime group. So the traveler must be weary, and use their common sense.

Most of the following travel advice is based on the traveler venturing outside the tourist areas, without their tour groups. This web site will still be useful to those on tours, but is intended for those who are more adventurous and like to travel alone in and outside the tourist areas. At all times have your passport and visa with you. Keep them buttoned up, in an inside pocket. Travel with your documents at all times and keep copies elsewhere for insurance should you lose your documents. The police are checking documents in all areas, and you will be fined or may have to pay a bribe to be let on your way. This happened to a friend of mine in Red Square, it cost him $500 Rubles to be able to go on his way. Police are always looking for a little extra cash, at your expense.

Since 1992 Russia has improved in many aspects from the infrastructure to services provided, etc. So traveling to Russia seems to improve daily. All airports, train stations and other forms of public transportation are controlled by organized crime, and it does affect you as a tourist. Taking a taxi from the airport can cost you a small fortune, expect to pay at least $100 US and more to transfer to another airport in Moscow.

Your thinking now, “WHY BOTHER GOING????” I can give you many reasons.

Russia has History, and lots of it. There is so much to see, Moscow alone will take you weeks to truly appreciate what it has to offer. St. Petersburg is even more beautiful and is as time consuming to see. The Black Sea is also magnificent, it is the Baja, Mexico or the French Rivera of Russia, Russians flock there every summer. But if you really want to experience Russia you must get out to the countryside and into the smaller villages. There you will see how Russians really live. Moscow has always been the center of Russia, and Saint Petersburg a main tourist destination. The Russian Political Government always gave and continues to give the best to Moscow and Saint Petersburg, the rest of Russia gets what’s left. The true Russia lies outside Moscow and Saint Petersburg if you’re looking for more than just tourist attractions.

But in these less traveled areas you must be a little more cautious and expect a degraded infrastructure and little, to no services, depending on where you go.

The following list is more for people traveling in Russia without a Tour Company. (Although it will still be useful and informative to you if you are using a tour guide!) All prices will be quoted in American dollars as the Russian Ruble is very unstable and constantly changing. All the following survival tips are from our own personal experiences in Russia.