Money advice - Moscow

The use of credit cards is not as widespread as in Western Europe, but they are rapidly gaining in popularity. Accepted in hotels, most restaurants and all international stores.

Whereas most Westerners prefer to rely on their flexible friend for payments and feel ill-at-ease with a wallet chock-full of notes, Russians feel quite the opposite. As you will see from the information below, there are a number of ways to carry money in Russia but the surest (if not the safest) is to always have a decent amount of hard cash on you - if not Roubles then American Dollars.

ATMS (Cash Machines)

Excepting the proviso above, ATMs are your best bet in Russia as they are pretty much anywhere in the world. They offer the best exchange rates - all major cards accepted - and fast and safe access to your cash. Use common sense when withdrawing money, especially if you're wearing your branded Western clothes that scream 'come and mug me, I'm a rich tourist'.

Cheques

Leave your chequebook at home!

Bureaux de Change

Varying rates. Avoid the bureaux de change on the tourist trails, and watch out for heavy commission/poor rates.

Comments

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Harold Ruiz
United States

I'm going to Moscow this week with my Colombian passport and we don't need a Visa to enter in Russia.The question is a need to register my passport before the entry or is not necessary ???

Reply Feb 17th, 2014
Alex
Australia

Many rassians have more money then you, dude! And your "branded clothe" are expensive only for you. show-of is only for country men, dude!

Reply Mar 27th, 2011