Travelling to Russia now requires a little more practical preparation than it once did. Your usual bank card may not work, mobile internet can be interrupted, and familiar apps may be unavailable. These challenges are manageable, however, if you plan ahead and have a backup.
Here is our practical guide to money, SIM cards, roaming, communication, navigation and taxis — with solutions for both short holidays and longer stays.
Money: bring cash
Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards issued outside Russia do not work at Russian shops or ATMs. Unless you already have a usable local payment method, plan to bring cash for your spending money.
Visitors can exchange major currencies at banks and authorised exchange offices. In larger cities, finding somewhere to exchange money is generally straightforward, although rates, opening hours and accepted currencies vary. Bring clean, undamaged banknotes and your passport, and do not assume every branch accepts every currency. Euros and US dollars are widely accepted for exchange in Russia, but check the rules on taking banknotes out of your departure country before choosing which currency to bring.
Taking cash from the EU: EU sanctions restrict taking euro banknotes and other EU currencies to Russia, with an exception for money necessary for the personal use of travellers and their accompanying immediate family. There is no fixed allowance: you may be asked to explain and substantiate the amount you need. Generally, €300 may be accepted for personal spending. US dollars may be a more straightforward option, particularly for land crossings, but all relevant cash declaration rules still apply. Never conceal cash from customs, as doing so can lead to serious penalties. These rules also matter when flying from the EU to Russia via a third country, such as Türkiye. An indirect route does not remove the restrictions on banknotes intended for use in Russia. Tip: take USD to be on the safe side.
Under Russia’s entry rules, you can bring cash with a combined value of up to the equivalent of US$10,000 without a customs declaration. Above that threshold, a declaration is required. All currencies count towards the total. This is normally well above the spending money needed for a holiday, but also check cash declaration and banknote sanctions rules in your departure and transit countries. Russia’s rules for taking cash out are different; do not assume declaring a large amount on arrival allows you to take it out later.
The drawback of cash is that you need to look after it. Carry only what you expect to spend that day and consider keeping the remainder in your hotel’s safe or secure deposit facility. Keep a small reserve separately.
How much spending money should you budget?
This depends on your destination, travel style and what your tour already includes. As a rough starting point, budget for Moscow or St Petersburg as you would for a visit to the capital of your own country, then adjust for your restaurant choices and planned activities. This is a planning guide, rather than a price comparison: costs differ considerably between countries.
Provincial destinations may be cheaper, although remote locations and specialist excursions can cost more. If your accommodation, transfers and sightseeing are prepaid, your main expenses will usually be meals, personal purchases and optional activities.
A Russian debit card for longer or repeated visits
For a longer stay or regular trips, a local bank account and debit card can make everyday payments much easier. You can exchange cash into roubles and fund the account through the bank’s available deposit facilities, reducing the amount of cash you carry.
Choose a bank that is not subject to the sanctions applicable to you. Eligibility, account procedures and sanctions status can change. Our SIM card and bank account setup guide explains the process, preparation and compliance considerations, as well as our assistance service in Moscow.
Roaming
A foreign SIM card can work in Russia if your operator still provides roaming there. Before departure, check whether calls, SMS and mobile data are supported, what they cost, and whether a Russia-specific data package is available. Do not assume Russia is included in your usual international bundle.
On arrival, a 24-hour cooling-off period can temporarily restrict voice calls, mobile data and SMS services. Russian networks offer a verification process for foreign SIMs: after your SIM registers on the network, you will receive a service SMS with a link asking you to complete a CAPTCHA — a simple check confirming that you are a person rather than an automated device. Completing this check can restore mobile data and SMS access without waiting the full 24 hours. Allow for delays and differences between networks rather than assuming every service will work immediately.
A local SIM card: not a simple airport purchase
A Russian SIM can reduce roaming costs and make local services easier to use. For foreign visitors, however, obtaining one involves identity checks and administrative registration. With the necessary preparation and assistance, the appointments can often be completed in a few hours, although queues and system delays can extend the process. You should not plan on simply buying a tourist SIM at the airport.
The process involves a passport translation, a confirmed government account and biometric registration before the mobile operator issues the SIM. See our guide to arranging a Russian SIM and optional bank account for details.
International travel eSIMs are another possibility, but they are not a guaranteed solution. Availability and reliability vary between providers and networks, and they may still be affected by roaming restrictions. Confirm current Russia coverage with the provider and keep another way to communicate.
If you arrive without a connection
If you need to contact your driver, hotel or family immediately, ask airport staff, your hotel or someone nearby whether they can help. A fellow traveller or a younger person familiar with smartphones may be willing to share a hotspot briefly. Many people are friendly and happy to assist; ask politely, and use your own device to send your message.
Save your hotel address, transfer instructions and important telephone numbers before departure so you can access them without internet.
Internet restrictions: prepare before you leave
Some familiar online services are blocked or restricted in Russia. Facebook and Instagram are blocked, YouTube can be inaccessible or heavily slowed, and messaging services may also be affected. Access can differ between networks and change at short notice.
A VPN, or virtual private network, creates an encrypted connection between your device and a remote server. It can sometimes help you access a service that is unavailable on your current network. Install and set up a reputable VPN before travelling, while you can still access its website and app store listing.
PlanetVPN is one example to investigate; there are other providers. Consider a paid plan if you need a wider choice of servers and support, as free plans may have limitations. Prices vary by provider and subscription length; check the current cost and cancellation terms before signing up. Check recent information about how the service works in Russia and download apps only from official sources. VPN services can themselves be blocked, so no provider should be treated as a guaranteed fix. A VPN also does not exempt you from local laws.
There is a separate issue: authorities can temporarily restrict mobile internet for security reasons, including in parts of central Moscow. A VPN cannot restore a mobile-data connection that has been switched off. Try your hotel’s fixed-line Wi-Fi where available, and keep essential information offline.
Messaging: agree on a backup
Do not rely solely on WhatsApp, Telegram or Facebook Messenger. WhatsApp has been blocked, Telegram faces blocking and restrictions, and access to Meta services is restricted. A VPN may help on a working connection, but messages and calls can still be unreliable.
iMO App is an alternative worth installing before your trip. Its provider currently states that it works in Russia without a VPN. Ask the people you need to contact to install it too, register your accounts and test a message or call before departure. Availability can change, so also agree on email or ordinary telephone calls as a backup.
Before travelling, confirm with your guide or travel consultant which communication channel you will use if your usual messenger stops working.
Finding your way: download maps
Install Yandex Maps and download maps for the cities or regions you will visit. Downloaded maps let you search and plan routes without a live connection, although real-time traffic and transport updates will be unavailable.
Save your hotel’s name and address in Russian, take screenshots of meeting points, and keep a copy of your itinerary offline. Location services can also be inaccurate or disrupted, so check the street name and nearby landmarks rather than following the map dot blindly. Hotel staff can help confirm the best route.
Taxis: use Yandex Go or ask your hotel
Yandex Go is a practical option for booking taxis. Install it before departure and try registering in advance. Registration depends on receiving a verification code; foreign numbers can encounter difficulties. An active Russian number generally makes local registration more straightforward, but still depends on SMS delivery and network access.
Select cash payment when booking if you do not have a working local bank card. Foreign-issued cards will not become usable simply because they are added to the app.
If registration or mobile internet is a problem, ask your hotel to order the taxi and explain that you will pay cash. Confirm the destination, fare and pickup details, and keep smaller rouble notes available. A prebooked airport transfer is also useful when you do not want your arrival arrangements to depend on a phone connection.
The most convenient setup for regular visitors
For longer stays or repeated trips, a Russian SIM and a suitable local debit card can remove much of the everyday inconvenience: simpler payments, less cash to carry, local mobile data and easier access to taxi apps.
They do not eliminate internet restrictions or temporary outages, so keep cash, offline maps and a backup contact method. For a short holiday, prepaid travel services, sensible cash planning and a prepared phone may be all you need.
Contact Go Russia if you would like help with transfers or our Moscow SIM card and bank account assistance service. A little preparation before departure can make a considerable difference once you arrive.
Information checked on 9 October 2026. Payment rules, mobile procedures and access to online services can change; confirm arrangements shortly before travelling.