It is impossible to present Russia in a few lines. The largest country in the world is so complex that it can hardly be fair to Russia. According to Countryaah, Russia is located in eastern Europe. Two of the most popular travel destinations in Russia are Moscow and St. Petersburg. With over 12 million inhabitants, Moscow is the largest city in Europe. The Kremlin and Red Square are the main attractions, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Novodevichy Convent, the Bolshoi Theater, the Mosaku Metro or the Moscow City business district with its modern architecture are also well worth seeing. St. Petersburg is often referred to as the “Venice of the North”, numerous canals criss-cross the city. The historic city center of St. Petersburg has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. The Hermitage, the boulevard Nevsky Prospect, the ornate bridges, the Catherine Palace with the reconstruction of the Amber Room and the Isaac’s Cathedral – there is a lot to discover in the city on the Neva.
Combinations between these cities are also popular, especially on a river cruise. Since the tourist infrastructure outside the centers in Russia is often still thin, such river cruises – whether on the Volga, Don, Lena or Yenisei – are often the ideal means to discover rural Russia with its many cultural treasures.
Russia’s most famous railway line, the Trans-Siberian Railway (Transsib), is also being discovered by many travelers to Russia, be it as an individual trip or as a comfortable ride in the special “Tsar Gold” train.
Discover the hospitality of the Russians, remote monasteries and churches, pulsating cities and the endless expanse and diversity of Russia!
Entry requirements
German citizens need a valid passport to enter Russia, which is valid for at least six months after departure, as well as a visa to be applied for in advance. A temporary passport is accepted. Children need their own passport (with photo), an entry in the parents’ passport is no longer sufficient.
The Russian visa must be applied for from a competent authority before traveling. The following evidence is required for this:
– a valid health insurance abroad
– a visa reference (invitation)
Since 2013, only online visa applications are accepted.
Currency
In Russia, rubles (RUB) are used to pay.
ATMs are common in the cities. To be able to withdraw money, you need a credit card or an EC card with the “Maestro” symbol. International credit cards are common. But you cannot necessarily pay with it in all hotels or in smaller shops, this is especially difficult in rural areas. It is therefore advisable to always have enough cash with you.
Time Zone
Russia has 11 time zones. As an example we show the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg.
CET + 1 hour (summer)
CET + 2 hours (winter)
Climate
Russia climate is very different depending on the region: From a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters in the center of the country to a temperate, maritime-influenced climate.
Language
The official language is Russian. However, tourism workers often speak and understand English, some even German.
Telephone / Internet
The international prefix of the Russian Federation is +7 according to AllCityCodes.
Cell phone reception is usually good. Of course, there can be dead spots in remote regions. Some hotels offer their guests WiFi – often free of charge.
Electricity & mains voltage
The voltage is 220 to 240 volts, 50 Hz, so that all devices can be used without problems. As a rule, two-pin plugs are used.
Emergency numbers
fire brigade 01
police 02
ambulance 03
ARRIVAL by plane
Moscow has three international airports and St. Petersburg has one international airport, to which almost all well-known airlines such as Aeroflot, Rossija, Lufthansa, Swiss or Eurowings fly. In addition, there are of course many other international airports in Russia.
ARRIVAL overland
Depending on where you want to go, you can theoretically travel overland to Russia. But the distances are enormous! St. Petersburg is just under 1,700 km from Berlin, Moscow 1,800 km.
When traveling by car, the following applies …
The gasoline prices in Russia are relatively cheap by our standards. The fuel names are not necessarily identical to “ours”. It is important to choose the correct octane number, 95 stands for super, 98 for super plus. “Unleaded” means “lead-free”, it is sometimes indicated by the addition of an “E”.
Maximum speed in urban areas: 60 km / h
Maximum
speed highways / national roads: 90 km / h Maximum speed motorway: 110 km / h
Light during the day: all year round
alcohol limit : 0.0
Obligation to carry : first aid kit, fire extinguisher, warning triangle, replacement lamp set
(information without guarantee, please inform yourself about the relevant provisions before departure)
Best travel time
For such a large country with so many different climatic zones, it is hardly possible to specify the best travel time. Of course, the summer months are ideal for a trip, especially since autumn and winter can be quite cold, depending on the region. The White Nights in June in particular are a very popular time in St. Petersburg. Then the days are warm, the nights remain twilight. Even then, the evenings and nights can be quite cool.
But: The transitional seasons are also ideal for a trip, in which case vacationers can benefit from cheap hotel offers. Autumn and spring are usually cooler than here, but this is usually not a problem, especially for those who are interested in culture in Moscow or St. Petersburg. However, the weather can be changeable, an umbrella, a warm jacket and a rain jacket belong in your luggage.
The summer months between June and August are also ideal for the Trans-Siberian Railway and Lake Baikal. A tip for individualists: A trip with the Transsib can also have its charm in winter …
Health Health
care in Russia is not comparable to the Western European standard – especially outside the big cities. There are pharmacies and doctors in the larger towns, and of course there are also hospitals in the cities.
According to information from the Federal Foreign Office, in the past, advance payments in cash or by credit card were required for treatment in a private hospital (where medical care is usually better than in state institutions).
Vacationers who are dependent on medication should stock up on essentials in advance. In addition, good sun protection as well as mosquito and tick protection belong in the first aid kit.
Before traveling, you should get advice about a vaccination against the tick-borne disease TBE (early summer meningoencephalitis).
Even when applying for a visa, holidaymakers are required to provide evidence of a valid health insurance abroad accepted by the Russian Federation.
Holidays and memorial
days In addition to Christmas, New Year, May 1st and Christian holidays with changing dates such as Easter, Pentecost or Ascension Day, the following holidays apply:
January 7th Russian Orthodox Christmas
February 23rd Defender of the Fatherland
Day March 8th International Women’s Day
May 9th Victory Day
June 12th National
Holiday November 4th People’s Day
Embassies & consulates general
German representation
Mosfilmovskaya ulitsa 56
119285 Moscow
Tel: +7 4959379500
Emergency number: +7 4959379500
Austrian representation
Starokonjuschennij pereulok 1
115127 Moscow
Tel: +7 4957806066
Swiss representation
Per. Ogorodnaya Sloboda 2/5
101000 Moscow
Tel: +7 49525838
