Traveler Information: Russia
The official currency is the Russian Ruble (RUB).
As of May 2025: 1 INR ≈ 1.05 RUB (subject to change).
- Taxi within city: 300–700 RUB
Major Russian cities have reliable public transport
The metro in Moscow and St. Petersburg is fast, safe,
and inexpensive
Recommended apps: Yandex Go (taxi & maps), Citymobil
- Sapsan high-speed train (Moscow–St. Petersburg):
2000–5000 RUB
Russia is generally safe for travelers. Avoid suspicious taxis,
don’t lose your documents, and follow visa rules
- Tourist hotline (English): +7 (800) 220-00-01
- Guidance to safe exchange offices
- Help with money transfers via local partners
- Support if your card is blocked or payment is declined
Passport is required to activate the SIM card
Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, cafes, malls,
train stations, and trains
Major providers: MTS, Beeline, Megafon, Tele2
Price: 300–700 RUB for a starter pack
with 10–30 GB of data
We recommend buying a Russian SIM card upon arrival
Climate varies by region:
- Summer (May–September): from +15°C to +30°C
- Winter (December–March): from –10°C to –25°C, especially in January–February.
Locals are generally friendly and open to international visitors.
The official language is Russian. In tourist areas (especially in Moscow and St. Petersburg), some English is spoken.
Russia is the largest country in the world, known for its rich culture, grand architecture, history, and natural landscapes.
- Visa/MasterCard issued in India do NOT work
in most places in Russia
- MIR card (Russian system) is widely accepted.
Temporary tourist cards may be available
- UnionPay works in select banks and hotels
- Local apps (YuMoney, SberPay, Tinkoff Pay)
work only inside Russia via local partners
Available payment methods for Indian tourists:
- INR can be exchanged for RUB in licensed currency
exchange offices in Moscow and St. Petersburg
- USD and EUR are also accepted and easier to exchange
- Airport exchange is available but often has a poor rate
- Always keep your exchange receipts
light clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, jacket for evenings
thermal layers, insulated boots, hat, gloves, warm
waterproof coat. Shoes should have non-slip soles —
sidewalks can be icy
General Information
about Russia
Currency
and Payment Options
Mobile Connection &
Internet