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Language: Russian is the official language. Some people speak English, French or German.
Currency: The official currency is the Rouble (RUB), which is divided into 100 kopeks. Most major credit cards, like Visa and Mastercard are accepted in the larger hotels and at places that deal with foreign tourists. Currency can be changed at banks, currency exchange booths and hotels. Travelers cheques are difficult and expensive to cash, but if necessary it is advised to take them in US Dollars or Euro. ATMs are widely available in major cities. It is hard to get rubles outside Russia
and travelers are advised to take good condition US dollars or Euro notes to change once there. It is illegal to pay for goods or services in hard currency, though it is often accepted.
Time: Russia is divided into 11 time zones ranging from GMT +2 in the east to GMT +12 in the west. In summer the time is +1 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in September. The local time in Moscow and St Petersburg is GMT +3 (GMT +4 in summer).
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are standard.
Communications: The international access code for Russia is +7. When calling Russia from abroad, the initial zero on the area code must not be omitted. The outgoing code is 8 followed by 10 (a second tone should sound after 8), followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 81044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g. 495 for Moscow and 812 for St. Petersburg. Public phones are good for local and international calls; they take phonecards, which can be bought at newspaper kiosks and post offices. Phone booths in airports and major hotels usually take Amex or Visa cards but are generally much more expensive than street phones. Mobile phones work in most large towns and cities. There are numerous local operators using GSM 900/1800 networks, each covering relatively small areas. Visitors are required to declare mobile phones at customs when entering Russia. Email and Internet access is available at Internet cafes throughout the major towns and cities.
Duty Free: Customs inspections on entering Russia are stringent. Visitors have to declare on a form items such as currency and valuables, which they are bringing in for their own use. Duty free allowances change often and at short notice, but in general travelers can bring 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 cigarillos or 500g tobacco products; 2 liters of alcohol (for those over 21 years of age); perfume for personal use; 250g caviar (provided this is factory packed) and gifts to the value of 65,000 rubles.
Tourist OfficeRussian National Group, Moscow: +7 (0)95 980 8440 or www.russia-travel.com
EmergencyEmergencies: 112
Embassies
Russian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 298 5700.
Russian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7229 2666.
Russian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 235 4341.
Russian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6295 9033.
Russian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 362 1337/8.
Russian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 492 3492 (Consular section)
Russian Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 476 6113.
United States Embassy, Moscow: +7 095 728 5000.
British Embassy, Moscow: +7 095 956 7200.
Canadian Embassy, Moscow: +7 095 105 6000.
Australian Embassy, Moscow: +7 095 956 6070.
South African Embassy, Moscow: +7 095 540 1177.
Irish Embassy, Moscow: +7 095 937 5900.
New Zealand Embassy, Moscow: +7 095 956 3579/956 3580.
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