Tel: +7 (812) 999 98 89
Tel: +7 (812) 931 87 27
e-mail: contrast@petersburgguide.com
Copyright ¿ 2011 "I Travel Spb" Company Ltd.
Tour-operator registration number í÷ô 005578
Tour-operator registration number í÷ô 005578
Q: I have an invitation to visit a certain city in Russia. Will I be allowed to travel to other cities in Russia as well?
Yes, you will.
Q: How can I get a multiple-entry visa?
The best solution for frequent travelers to Russia is to obtain a business visa which allows for unlimited number of entries. Tourist visa can only be issued for a maximum of two entries only in case your tour itinerary requires so.
Q: I will spend several weeks in St. Petersburg. While there, I want to travel to Finland and/or the Baltic States for a few days. Will my Russian visa be sufficient?
No. Russian visa only gets you into Russia. To travel to other countries you will need to follow their respective visa regulations for citizens of your country. In most cases US citizens do not need any visa to travel to these countries for a short time. However, you must make sure that your Russian visa is at least double-entry, as each crossing of the Russian border counts as one entry. So, in case you have a single-entry visa and will leave Russian even for several hours, you will not be able to get back to Russia - another entry is required. Please make sure to plan your trip well ahead and get the right type of visa to avoid any frustration.
Q: How much money can I bring to Russia and take home after my trip?
You can bring any amount with you to Russia, but you must declare any sum over US $3000. This is important because the Russian Law allows you to take home only US $3000 (or equivalent in other currencies) without any paperwork. If you want to take more money back with you, you must present a special certificate (Permission to Export Currency) which can be obtained at any bank in Russia and comes at a price (usually, you have to pay the difference between their buy and sell rate). Please note that these regulations only apply to cash. Travelers' checks can be taken home in unlimited quantity without any extra permissions.
Q: I plan to go back to Russia shortly. Can I keep all the rubles with me for my next trip?
No. Russian customs regulations forbid exporting rubles. Please get all your rubles exchanged back into your home currency before departure.
Q: I heard that one can find a better exchange rate offered in the street by private money changers. If I can get more rubles per dollar, why should I go to a bank and get less rubles for my money?
First of all, it is illegal to exchange money this way. Secondly, you risk losing your money not getting a kopeck back. In many cases street money changers will offer attractive rate just to lure you away from the official exchange place - and will disappear the moment they put their hands on your money. Quite often they stage up a little surprise show to persuade you that, for some reason, they do not want your money anymore, and then they leave you hastily giving you a counterfeit bill. The trouble is when you realize it is counterfeit, it will be too late - the tricksters will disappear.
Q: Are there ATM machines in Russia?
Yes, there are plenty of ATM machines in Russia nowadays. They differ in the amount of commission a local bank (which owns the machine) charges you per withdrawal. ATMs which bear Alfabank logo on them charge 0% commission - you will only pay your home bank's flat ATM withdrawal fee.
Q: Are there any restrictions on travelers' checks or credit cards in Russia?
No, there are no restrictions. You can easily pay with credit cards in most shops and restaurants. Unlike in your home country, travelers' checks cannot be used for payment for goods and services - you must cash them first.
Q:Can I cash personal checks in Russia?
Yes, you can. But it can take up to several weeks, as your check will need to travel back to the issuing bank abroad for verification. So, if you need to get money fast, either use international travelers' checks (American Express, Thomas Cook, Visa, etc.) or ATM machines.
Q: What do I do in emergency when in Russia
In any case of emergency the first thing you should do is to contact your country's Embassy (if you are in Moscow) or the nearest Consulate to inform them that there is a foreigner in danger. Also, you should contact the Russian authorities at the following emergency numbers (calls are free from mobile phones and street phones):
01 - fire brigade. You should say "Pozhar" (fire) and give your address.
02 - police ("Militsiya"). You can speak in English, as they have a phone tracking system and will be able to locate you by your phone number (if you call from stationary phone).
03 - ambulance ("Skoraya!) If you come to Russian for an extended period of time, it is a good idea to get registered with an American Medical Center available in major cities.
04 - gas authority (in case you stay in an old building and can suddenly smell gas from a gas pipe leak).
Yes, you will.
Q: How can I get a multiple-entry visa?
The best solution for frequent travelers to Russia is to obtain a business visa which allows for unlimited number of entries. Tourist visa can only be issued for a maximum of two entries only in case your tour itinerary requires so.
Q: I will spend several weeks in St. Petersburg. While there, I want to travel to Finland and/or the Baltic States for a few days. Will my Russian visa be sufficient?
No. Russian visa only gets you into Russia. To travel to other countries you will need to follow their respective visa regulations for citizens of your country. In most cases US citizens do not need any visa to travel to these countries for a short time. However, you must make sure that your Russian visa is at least double-entry, as each crossing of the Russian border counts as one entry. So, in case you have a single-entry visa and will leave Russian even for several hours, you will not be able to get back to Russia - another entry is required. Please make sure to plan your trip well ahead and get the right type of visa to avoid any frustration.
Q: How much money can I bring to Russia and take home after my trip?
You can bring any amount with you to Russia, but you must declare any sum over US $3000. This is important because the Russian Law allows you to take home only US $3000 (or equivalent in other currencies) without any paperwork. If you want to take more money back with you, you must present a special certificate (Permission to Export Currency) which can be obtained at any bank in Russia and comes at a price (usually, you have to pay the difference between their buy and sell rate). Please note that these regulations only apply to cash. Travelers' checks can be taken home in unlimited quantity without any extra permissions.
Q: I plan to go back to Russia shortly. Can I keep all the rubles with me for my next trip?
No. Russian customs regulations forbid exporting rubles. Please get all your rubles exchanged back into your home currency before departure.
Q: I heard that one can find a better exchange rate offered in the street by private money changers. If I can get more rubles per dollar, why should I go to a bank and get less rubles for my money?
First of all, it is illegal to exchange money this way. Secondly, you risk losing your money not getting a kopeck back. In many cases street money changers will offer attractive rate just to lure you away from the official exchange place - and will disappear the moment they put their hands on your money. Quite often they stage up a little surprise show to persuade you that, for some reason, they do not want your money anymore, and then they leave you hastily giving you a counterfeit bill. The trouble is when you realize it is counterfeit, it will be too late - the tricksters will disappear.
Q: Are there ATM machines in Russia?
Yes, there are plenty of ATM machines in Russia nowadays. They differ in the amount of commission a local bank (which owns the machine) charges you per withdrawal. ATMs which bear Alfabank logo on them charge 0% commission - you will only pay your home bank's flat ATM withdrawal fee.
Q: Are there any restrictions on travelers' checks or credit cards in Russia?
No, there are no restrictions. You can easily pay with credit cards in most shops and restaurants. Unlike in your home country, travelers' checks cannot be used for payment for goods and services - you must cash them first.
Q:Can I cash personal checks in Russia?
Yes, you can. But it can take up to several weeks, as your check will need to travel back to the issuing bank abroad for verification. So, if you need to get money fast, either use international travelers' checks (American Express, Thomas Cook, Visa, etc.) or ATM machines.
Q: What do I do in emergency when in Russia
In any case of emergency the first thing you should do is to contact your country's Embassy (if you are in Moscow) or the nearest Consulate to inform them that there is a foreigner in danger. Also, you should contact the Russian authorities at the following emergency numbers (calls are free from mobile phones and street phones):
01 - fire brigade. You should say "Pozhar" (fire) and give your address.
02 - police ("Militsiya"). You can speak in English, as they have a phone tracking system and will be able to locate you by your phone number (if you call from stationary phone).
03 - ambulance ("Skoraya!) If you come to Russian for an extended period of time, it is a good idea to get registered with an American Medical Center available in major cities.
04 - gas authority (in case you stay in an old building and can suddenly smell gas from a gas pipe leak).
SAINT-PETERSBURG TIME IS
"I TRAVEL SPB"
Tel: +7 (921) 999 98 89
Tel: +7 (921) 931 87 27
Tel: +1 (323) 4432440 Los Angeles, CA
Tefno.: +34 911 231 104 - Madrid
e-mail: contrast@petersburgguide.com
Tel: +7 (921) 999 98 89
Tel: +7 (921) 931 87 27
Tel: +1 (323) 4432440 Los Angeles, CA
Tefno.: +34 911 231 104 - Madrid
e-mail: contrast@petersburgguide.com
Shore Excursions
We Offer
On-Land Tours
| • | Things to Bring |
| • | Time & Business Hours |
| • | National Holidays |
| • | Banks |
| • | Russian Customs |
| • | Museum Rules |
| • | Frequently Asked Questions |
Tips for Tourists
Frequently Asked Questions
| • | 2 Days / 3 Nights |
| • | 3 Days / 4 Nights |
| • | 4 Days / 5 Nights |
| • | 1-Day Tours |
| • | Jewish St. Petersburg |
| • | Citizen's Walk |
Copyright ¿ 2011 "I Travel Spb" Company Ltd.
Tour-operator registration number í÷ô 005578
Tour-operator registration number í÷ô 005578
