Russia is a beautiful country and it’s not a myth that its people are exceptionally hospitable. In Russia, you can try unique cuisine, visit world famous buildings and spend all nights partying, playing in casinos and entertaining yourself in Europe’s top night clubs. However, is Russia safe enough to visit without taking special precautions?
Criminal Rates in Russia
Despite what many people think, crimes committed annually on the territory of the Russian Federation don’t exceed European or American norms – neither in quantity nor severity. In fact, criminal rates in Moscow tend to be a tad lower than in the capitals of many other European countries. Foreigners should, however, avoid carrying big amounts of money and hanging out alone during night hours in secluded places
Safety Tips for Foreigners in Russia
- Money: paying in dollars is usually not possible; never exchange money on the street, use only banks and other official places. You can use credit cards in hotels, big shopping centers, and many restaurants;
- Hygiene: don’t ever drink tap water – while its quality varies from city to city, overall, it’s very poor. Toilets tend to be dirty, and you will always have to pay for them;
- Communication: take your hotel card with you; in case you need to take a taxi you will be able to show your address to a driver who doesn’t speak English. Taxi courses are very low-cost as compared to Europe and North America. Moscow’s metro is very punctual, fast and very attractive in appearance. It’s worth trying out even if you have a rented car and don’t need it. City transport is very well-organized in Russia, specifically in big cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg, check out also Travelling by Train in Russia;
- Interacting: tourists should be able to communicate in the Russian language– while shop sellers, militia officers and considerable number of local population can communicate in simple English, in case of accidents and sudden problems basic command of Russian can be very useful;
- Safety: even if it’s not a strict requirement, tourists should buy out insurance in case of accidents and sudden conditions. This can facilitate a lot of things. Tourists are obliged to carry their documents everywhere they go; photocopies are, most of the time, not allowed. Tourists should also avoid going out late at night alone. Drinks and food products sold on the streets should be avoided.
All the points listed above should be carefully considered while visiting Russia. Tourists who are unaware of local regulations and can run into a lot of trouble. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions in the consular division where you’ll be applying for your Russian visa. For more information, read Tourist's Obligations in the Russian Federation.
For more precise information on Russia, see Vacation in Russia - Travel Tips, Formalities, and Communication
