Overview

• Language: The official language of Russia is Russian; however, many regional dialects exist and are may also be spoken throughout the country. English is not overly common among residents; signs in major cities only just began including English translations within the last few years.
• Useful phrases: Hello (Приве́т, pronounced pree-VYET), Thank you (Спасибо, pronounced spy-SEE-ba).
• Currency: Russian Ruble (see current exchange rates here).
• Payment methods: Credit cards are typically accepted at major hotels and restaurants in large cities, but some smaller restaurants, shops, or taxis may only take cash, so you should have some on hand as well. ATMs are common in cities and the easiest way to get cash upon arrival.
• Electric plugs: Russia uses type C or type F electrical outlet plugs. Additionally, standard voltage is 220V with a standard frequency of 50Hz. If you are coming from the Americas, you will likely need a converter. Check out my favorite converter and adaptor!
• Measurement systems: Like most of the world, Russia uses the Metric System, measuring distances in kilometers and temperature in Celsius.
• Weather: Given how large Russia is, the weather can vary dramatically depending on where you are. In Moscow, a common tourist destination, summers can be warm (averaging around 70°F) and winters can be cold (around 20°F). Saint Petersburg, another common tourist destination, will likely be chillier, as it is technically in the Arctic Circle – meaning it also has very dark winters and very bright summers.
• Bonus tip: This is more of a fun fact than a tip, but we would be remiss if we didn’t take a minute and appreciate the enormity of Russia. It’s the largest country in the world (covering over 1/8 of the world’s inhabitable area), has 11 time zones and borders 16 countries (including Norway on the west and North Korea on the east). The landscapes and cultures across that land mass can vary dramatically – making it well worth a long visit (or two!).

Logistics

• Visa needs: Most travelers will need a formal visa to enter Russia. This visa must be obtained before arriving in the country. For citizens of the US, this visa application is one of the most intensive you will have to complete and requires sending in your actual passport. At a minimum, you should allow several weeks to complete this process. You will also need a minimum of six months validity on your passport. For more information on Russian visa requirements, click here.
• Getting there: Moscow’s Sheremetyevo (SVO) and Domodedovo (DMO) airports and Saint Petersburg’s Pulkovo (IPA) airport are the major international airports within Russia. Saint Petersburg is also a popular port city for Scandinavian cruises (and can be an easy way to visit Russia with a less complicated visa process, as there are exceptions for short-term cruise-related visits).
• Getting around: Given Russia’s size, it will likely take a while to get anywhere within the country. High speed trains or local airlines like Aeroflot are great options for getting around. Within cities, buses or trains are common – particularly, Moscow’s subway system is one of the most efficient (and most ornate) in the world.
• Driving: Residents of Russia drive on the right side of the road. Visitors will need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Russia.

LGBTQ+ Safety

Overall safety ranking: F

Unfortunately, Russia has a poor track record regarding LGBTQ+ rights. Minimal legal protections are in place and many Russian citizens are against the acceptance of queer people. Further, there have been multiple media reports about violence against queer people in recent years, including the torture and killing of gay men in Chechnya as well as attacks to openly gay individuals across the country.

• Are same sex relations illegal? No (however, promoting same-sex relationships to minors is illegal, a loophole that can be used to criminalize queer people)
• Is same sex marriage legal? No
• Are there protections against discrimination? No
• Is there the right to change physical gender? Yes (requires surgery)

Check out this post for more safety tips for queer travelers!