(content by Sophie V)
So, you are planning a vacation and want to visit Russia. This destination has gained great popularity in recent years. You can easily find a hotel, buy plane tickets and book a tour. However, traveling to Russia, you should remember about some pitfalls that tourists can get caught up in. Here are tips that help you avoid mistakes on your first trip to Russia.
Russia is not just Moscow and St. Petersburg
Travel agencies mention other Russian cities not so often. However, it is really a huge and incredibly beautiful country. You can go to Sochi, where the 2014 Olympics took place, and ski just a few kilometers from the Black Sea. Tourists who traveled to Siberia say that this is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Urals, Far East, Caucasus, Karelia – there are many amazing places that are worth visiting in Russia. Learn more about this country before planning a vacation.
Don’t take a taxi at the airport
Leaving the airport, you will come across a large number of taxi drivers who will aggressively offer you their services. Don’t agree immediately. They charge about several times more expensive than official taxis. Use the Uber application or its Russian analog Yandex Taxi. They are available in all Russian cities, and the cost of their services is cheaper than hailing a cab.
Very often, tourists, booking private tours, use a transfer from the airport to the hotel. This option is great for travelers with children and lots of luggage. A personal driver will meet you and take you to the hotel.
There are a lot of strange things in Russia
Russians have a different approach to society and culture, and their life is completely different to than of the Western world. Many travelers call Russia the country of the absurd. In summer, water is turned off here, and in winter it can be incredibly hot indoors.
You can buy an electronic ticket in advance but have come to the museum to stand in a long line to print it. It’s the same with transport cards. You can replenish its balance on the web site, but you need to activate it in a special place. Sometimes it seems that the Russians do everything to complicate their lives.
Learn a few Russian phrases
If you want to make your own journey without the help of a guide, learn a few Russian phrases. Even in large cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg, you will not always be able to find a person who speaks a foreign language. It is always useful to know a few Russian words and phrases – they can be of great importance and can even help if an emergency occurs. Russian is one of the most popular foreign languages, so it’s not so difficult to find an English-Russian phrasebook in the bookstore.
It’s not always cold in Russia
For many people, Russia is associated with frost and permanent ice. However, there are many cities where there is no snow at all. Going on a trip in winter, find out the weather forecast. You shouldn’t take a lot of warm clothes. In Moscow, you need just a warm jacket and good waterproof shoes. But if you plan to go to Siberia, for example, to see the lake Baikal, you will need special clothing. In any case, don’t forget that you can buy a warm sweater in Russia.
