After years of dreaming about a trip to Russia, I finally went in Feb, 2020. Read about my 8 day solo trip in Russia's two capitals. Since that post was getting quite long, I am sharing some common questions and travel tips here.
First and foremost make copies of documents
Nowadays everything is digital but it's always nice to keep print outs for your bookings , passport etc. In fact, the immigration lady at Domodedovo aiport asked me the copies of my bookings.
Is Russia Expensive?
I didn’t find it expensive apart from the flight expenses and Visa cost. If you travel in normal way (not budget not luxurious), it’s not expensive. Use hostel, public transport you can manage in reasonable amount. Metro is quite affordable at 57 Rubles in Moscow and 55 Rubles in St Petersburg.
Restaurant chains like Mu-Mu, Stolvaya are quite reasonable and good.
My total expense was near Rs 60-65000 of which a major chunk went to Flights and Visa.
The hostels were quite cheap, about 3000 Rubles for 7 days.
Traffic?
I read a blog where the author had called Russian traffic insane. Like Seriously man!!! Don’t know what he was expecting but I saw little to no traffic there, roads were not empty but there was no traffic also and if you are from India, it’s nothing there believe me. People do follow traffic rules like even if there is no signal and people see you have to cross they will stop, cars do stop at signals, that too almost five feet from the crossing and people cross only when signal is green.
Is Russia Safe?
I won’t speak for all of Russia since I visited only Moscow and St Petersburg and I find them quite safe. True I stayed in city center in Moscow and Petersburg but on my first day I went out for dinner at 1 am, roamed alone on the Moscow and Petersburg streets at night, took night train from Moscow to Petersburg and I didn’t face any problem or scam or someone trying to overcharge me. In Petersburg I went to Peterhof which is located quite outside the city and faced no problem. Only at Kazan Cathedral when I was taking pics, a girl dressed as Catherine or someone came from behind and put her hand on my shoulder, she thought I was taking selfie. Anyway, if you just smile and say no, they will go away and not bother you.
Can I manage with English?
Yes, if you don't speak to anybody for the entire trip and just nod when somebody asks you anything.
People don’t speak English there, in fact even the immigration department was not speaking English (facepalm). Learn some basic words/phrases before going or at least learn the Cyrillic alphabets.
Signup on Duolingo or just search learn Russian, you will find many websites offering free materials.
If you are planning to eat at Burger King or McDonald's, then learning Russian is must since the menu is totally in Russian :D
I have heard the Russian police bothers the tourists. Is it?
Absolutely not if you don’t do something illegal. In all my time there I was not approached by any policeman/woman. In fact, nobody gives you second glance and why would they unless you give them a reason to. The only problem with authority I faced was at the immigration.
Can I take pictures in Metro?
I didn’t try taking pics inside the Metro, but it is allowed to take pictures at the station, there are even marked spots to take pictures. And you should, Moscow metro stations are beautiful.
Are Russian trains good?
Yes and quite punctual. You can buy a ticket online or from the station, tickets are available two days before the journey also (I bought Moscow-Petersburg 4 days before only from the station). If you have to go from Moscow to Petersburg and have time try the Russian overnight train instead of flight or Sapsan, plus it will save money.
How's Russian food?
If you are an Indian then you won't like it for sure. Most of the Russian foods I tried are stuffed with meat (vegetarian options are also available), no spices which I missed really. Tea/Coffee made with milk is almost non-existent, I found milk coffee at one shop only.
Where to stay?
Weather you chose hotel or hostel stay in the city center in both Moscow and Petersburg as most attractions are walk able from there. I stayed near Kitay GOrod in Moscow and Ligovsky Prospekt in Petersburg. Though if you can't don't worry since subway in both the cities are quite extensive and you can easily travel in them.
Get a local SIM card
Trust me, you will save a lot with this. Local SIMs are easily available as soon as you exit from airport. I bought a Megafon SIM card for 500 rubles with unlimited data for 7 days.
Buy a travel adapter/ take power bank
If you are going from India, then you would need to buy a travel adapter for Russian outlets. Also don't forget to carry a power bank.
Ask for help when confused
Russians are portrayed as rude and very cold but I found them quite generous when it comes to helping strangers. On my first day in Moscow subway, I got lost 2-3 times and was helped by Russians. One lady even came to show me the way leaving her children behind. One guy just came and asked me where do you have to go when I was just looking at the signs and my phone GPS was not working.
Layer up in winters
If going in winter, don’t forget cap, gloves and a warm jacket and maybe thermals also. Though Russian winters are getting warm now compared to before they are still cold enough to numb your hand in few minutes. No special hiking boots are required if staying in Moscow and Petersburg only but make sure they are warm enough and carry warm socks.
Please tell in comments about any tips you have or your experience if you have been to Russia? Would you consider visiting there?
