Okay, I admit it: before a recent excursion to Russia, I could do little more than find it on a map. Having scored an embarrassing four out of ten on Traveler's Worldwise Quiz on Moscow, I was clearly starting from scratch when it came to preparing for this trip. Now that I've been, I know that Russia is incredible and definitely worth a visit, but you ought to be in the know before you leave. Here are a few helpful tips to get you started.
- Apply for your visa early. You need a visa to visit Russia--and to get one you need someone in the country to sponsor you. Usually your hotel or a Russian travel agency will act as your sponsor. Be sure to apply for your visa at least three weeks in advance and make sure all the information on it is correct before you go.
- Keep your papers with you. By the time you leave Russia, you will probably have enough slips of paper to fill a scrapbook--there will be a form for just about everything you do, and yes, people will ask you for them. The first important document you'll receive (besides your visa) is the Migration Card you get upon arrival. You'll give half to the customs official when you enter, and keep the second sheet. Don't lose it! You need this form to exit the country.
- Don't forget to register. Once you've arrived, you have three days to register your visa with the authorities. Most hotels will do this for you for a fee. You have to register at every location you visit in Russia, so if you're seeing multiple cities don't miss this step.
- Bring pretty money. If you plan to change money there, it has to be perfect--no marks, no tears, and please keep the wrinkles to a minimum. If you happen to have substandard US bills, don't be surprised if currency exchanges refuse to accept them. Traveler's checks can be tricky--not everyone takes those, either.
- Learn some Russian. Or, at the very least, make sure your map is in Cyrillic. Russian has a completely different alphabet, so if you don't study ahead of time, pronunciation could be the least of your worries.
- Make Russian friends! Before I left, everyone told me how terrible the food is in Russia. It's not--if it's homemade. If you're invited to someone's home, bring a gift for your hosts. It also might be helpful to stop eating as soon as you get the invite. There will probably be several delicious courses, and you'll want to be hungry.
Places of a Lifetime: Moscow
Places of a Lifetime: St. Petersburg
US Department of State Travel Advisories
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Wow! Pretty useful information regarding Russia! Thanks for sharing! I think Russia is not the place for vegetarians... The food is different! But still for observing the beauty and heritage of Russia, it deserves to be the best destination!