Useful information

Useful information before the trip

CURRENCY

We advise that upon your arrival you immediately exchange some of your money into the local currency. Exchange desks are readily available to you upon your arrival at the airport. All prices are generally quoted in Russian rubles. You may exchange currency at hotels, banks, and currency exchange kiosks. Traveler’s checks are hard to cash. Credit cards are accepted in most places that work with foreign tourists. Some may turn down American Express, Visa and MasterCard.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS

You must keep your passport in a safe place at all times. Do not forget to apply for a Russian Visa at any Russian Embassy of your country before you come to Russia? In each city you visit in Russia, your visa must be validated. The hotel you are staying at will be able to perform this service.  If you come to Russia like a guest, not like a tourist, and stay at Russian home, you need in special paper (form of notification of the foreign citizen’s arrival at the place of sojourn), copies of the passport and the visa, then pick it up to the local department of Federal Migration Service or send it by mail. It is always a good idea to carry a duplicate of your passport, visa and form of notification at all times. Securing replacements of these documents when you travel abroad is much easier when you can provide copies of originals. Acquiring visas are the passengers responsibility. Visa companies are available upon request.

TIME

Both Moscow and St. Petersburg are:
+8 hours Eastern Standard Time (New York City, Washington, D.C., Miami, Boston)
+9 hours Central Standard Time (Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas)
+10 hours Mountain Standard Time (Denver)
+11 hours Pacific Standard Time (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle)

MEDICAL CARE

If you take prescription medication, be sure to bring enough of this for the entire duration of your trip, since some medications are unavailable in Russia. It is also advisable to bring your own over-the-counter medications. These medicines are usually sold in pharmacies, however the labels are in Russian and most stork clerks do not speak English.

Contact your health insurance company beforehand to find out what your insurance plan offers in case of an emergency. Many insurance providers offer specialized riders which can cover emergency evacuation. We do recommend buying a travel insurance.

CRIME

Since the collapse of Communism, crime has increased in Russia. However, it is still safer than many American cities. As a precaution, it is best not to flaunt valuable items. Also, avoid walking alone at night through parks and on outer city streets. Finally, carry currency in a travel money holder. Pick pocketing is not uncommon in crowded markets and in tourist areas. But Vladivostok is sefety city in this.

ELECTRICITY

Electricity in Russia is 220 volts. The European standard 2-prong plug is used. Be sure to bring a converter with you, since it is difficult to purchase in Russia.

WATER

The quality of the water in Russia varies from place to place. It is recommended to drink and brush your teeth with bottled water. Also, try to avoid ice, raw foods and vegetables.

TELEPHONE

Despite the recent rapid improvements in the telecommunications infrastructure, telephone service to the United States is expensive in Russia. Your best options include using your hotel room telephone or AT&T, MCI, or Sprint’s direct USA services.

INTERNET

Most big hotels offer Internet access to guests for a fee. There are also quite cheap internet cafes in the larger cities.

TAXIS

Taxi fares are negotiated before you begin traveling to your destination. Avoid taking unlicensed cabs, as these drivers generally look to take advantage of foreigners. Also note that driving from (or to) airport is quite expensive even for American standards. It is safer and cheaper to order airport and train station transfers in our travel agency.

TIPPING

Tipping is increasingly expected at restaurants. Tips should be between 10 and 15%.

SOUVENIRS

Russian souvenirs reflect the national character and soul of Russian people so exactly and bright that you can enjoy looking at and studying them endlessly. Lively, carved and painted figurines, nesting dolls, birch boxes and accessories, Gzhel and Majolica Ceramics, Mstera, Kholuy, Palekh and Fedoskino wooden boxes, tin soldiers, clocks, wooden figures are to everyone’s liking. These examples of great Russian culture will decorate your house and bring you back memories of Russia. Nesting dolls Matreshkas, or nesting dolls, are the most popular national Russian souvenirs. Matreshka is a descendant of traditional peasant toys that parents used to make for their children.
Birch Boxes       Birch bark items are made of pure birch or can be decorated by cutting through birch and stamping. Stamping on birch is one of the oldest handicrafts. The production of birch bark items was very popular in Russia.
Ceramics      Ceramics – porcelain, faience, majolica, and pottery – are made of fired clay with mineral components. Ceramic items are performed in traditional national style but with artists’ individual vision.
Lacquer boxes    The first lacquer boxes appeared in Japan and China. Starting from the 16th century, the art of making such boxes spread in Western Europe. First Russian lacquer boxes appeared at the beginning of the 18th century.