• Location Eastern Europe and Northern Asia, bordering the Arctic Ocean, between Europe and the North Pacific Ocean. Largest country in the world in terms of area; Mount Elbrus is Europe's tallest peak in Europe.
• Geographic coordinates
  60 00 N, 100 00 E
• Area
  total: 17,075,200 sq km
  water: 79,400 sq km
  land: 16,995,800 sq km
• Land boundaries
  total: 19,990 km
  border countries: Azerbaijan 284 km, Belarus 959 km, China (southeast) 3,605 km, China (south) 40 km, Estonia 294 km, Finland 1,313 km, Georgia 723 km, Kazakhstan 6,846 km, North Korea 19 km, Latvia 217 km, Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast) 227 km, Mongolia 3,485 km, Norway 196 km, Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast) 206 km, Ukraine 1,576 km
• Coastline
  37,653 km
• Climate
  ranges from humid continental in much of European Russia through steppes in the south; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coast.
• Terrain
  broad plain with low hills west of Urals; vast coniferous forest and tundra in Siberia; uplands and mountains along southern border regions.
• Elevation extremes
  lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Elbrus mountain 5,633 m
• Natural resources
  wide natural resource base including major deposits of oil, natural gas, coal, and many strategic minerals, timber.
• People in Russia
  Population: 144,978,573 (July 2002 est.) Ethnic groups: Russian 81.5%, Tatar 3.8%, Ukrainian 3%, Chuvash 1.2%, Bashkir 0.9%, Belarusian 0.8%, Moldavian 0.7%, other 8.1%
  Religions: Russian Orthodox, Muslim, other.
  Languages: Russian, other.
• Russian Government type
  federation
• Capital
  Moscow
• Administrative divisions
  49 oblasts (, 21 republics*, 10 autonomous okrugs, 6 krays, 2 federal cities, and 1 autonomous oblast)
• National holiday
  Russia Day, 12 June (1990)
• Constitution
  adopted 12 December 1993
• Legal system
  based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts
• Flag description
  three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red
• National Emblem
  double eagle
• Symbol
  a bear
• Economy-overview
  Russia is struggling to establish a modern market economy, modernize its industrial base, and maintain strong economic growth.
• Ports and harbors
  Aleksandrovsk-Sakhalinsky, Arkhangelsk, Astrakhan, De-Kastri, Indigirskiy, Kaliningrad, Kandalaksha, Kazan, Khabarovsk, Kholmsk, Krasnoyarsk, Lazarev, Mago, Mezen', Moscow, Murmansk, Nakhodka, Nevelsk, Novorossiysk, Onega, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, Rostov, Shakhtersk, Saint Petersburg, Sochi, Taganrog, Tuapse, Uglegorsk, Vanino, Vladivostok, Volgograd, Vostochniy, Vyborg
• Airports
  2,743 in total (2001)
• Places of tourist and cultural interest Moscow, Saint Petersburg and suburbs, Golden Ring cities, main centers on Volga river, Black Sea and Caucasus mountains resorts...

Traveling around Russia is perfectly secure for tourists, especially when it comes to large cities. Russia is considered to be even safer than some parts of Europe.

The tense relationships between Russia and other countries never affect tourists. On the contrary, the government is constantly trying to attract foreign tourists (e.g., a new law introduced in January 2021 will facilitate getting an electronic Visa to Russia).

No matter where you go, it is essential to know some trivial safety concerns to protect your health and better practice your security. Here you may find a list of tips.

Be aware of pickpockets

Even if you are a very experienced traveler, you cannot eliminate theft threats, so please practice as much caution as you always when going on vacation. It is pretty standard for the pickpockets to seek victims who are distracted by something or somebody. For example, street vendors outside the museums (e.g., Hermitage) always sell cheap souvenirs, making the museum exits even more crowded. It is a perfect place for pickpockets. As you get distracted by street vendors, you open your wallet (street vendors mainly accept cash) and demonstrate how much money you are carrying with you, making it even easier for pickpockets to choose a victim.

Thefts are likely to happen near top touristy attractions. For example, in St. Petersburg, you can meet them near the Church of the Savior on spilled blood, St Isaac's, the Hermitage, Peterhof Lower Garden, metro, or public transport, especially in the rush hours.

KEEP YOUR WALLET IN FRONT POCKETS
If you keep your wallet in your pocket, do not use your back pocket for this purpose. Forget about your back pocket as if you do not have it at all. The safest of all is the right front pocket.

Whenever you appear in a crowded place, always control your bag or your backpack to secure your belonging. Make sure it will not be easy to grab your bag from your shoulder and then disappear.

KEEP YOUR PASSPORT SEPARATELY
Thieves are more likely to target your wallet. They do not need your passport. However, people tend to keep wallets and passports together, which means they may lose everything.

It would help if you were more than careful with your passport, as in the very unlikely case of pickpocketing and losing your passport, you will have to go to Moscow to get a replacement. Needless to say, how much bureaucracy is usually involved when it comes to documents, especially in Russia.

If this happened to you, before contacting the police try to check the litter bins in the area, as pickpockets often throw passports into them.

Besides, it would be great to have a printed or digital copy of your documents.

Be smart with your cash

It is always a good idea to prepare cash for your upcoming trip. But during the holiday try not to carry all your money with you at the same time. First of all, there is no point in doing that. Restaurants, museums usually take credit cards. In most cases, you may need some cash only to tip or to bargain. Besides, ATMs and banks are almost everywhere in the center of St Petersburg, and it is very safe to use them when you need to withdraw cash.

Leave your valuables at the hotel

If you decide to carry some jewelry or expensive gadgets with you to St Petersburg, make sure you leave them all in the hotel room whenever you do not use them. Theft from the hotel rooms rarely happens in Russia, especially if that is an excellent reputable hotel. It is less likely something will happen to your stuff if you leave it at the hotel. The hotel workers in Russia are always happy to assist you and provide you with the necessary security information.

Ignore the annoying people

Apart from rather annoying street vendors, you may also encounter those dressed as Russian Tsars and Tsarinas or, even worse, the characters from cartoons seeking out some reckless tourists. They want to get some money out of the tourists by nearly forcing them to take pictures together.

How much would they want from you? Up to 50 bucks for a couple of pictures. Crazy, is not it? Just smile at them and keep walking. Best of all is just ignoring them. They will stop following you at some point.

Use reputable taxi apps and taxi companies

Having a private driver with his car is probably the safest option of all. They do often speak English enough for a driver-passenger type of communication. It may not be the cheapest option possible (though, still very affordable).

However, your transport can be more than reasonable, but at the same time provided by a reliable company. We suggest that you download Uber Russia or Yandex Russia and choose at least comfort + class and make sure the driver has a good rating. Always put on your seatbelt, even if you are in the back of the car. Mind that taxi drivers do not speak English.

Hiring a driver would be great for long distances and full-day trips while getting a taxi is a good alternative for short rides within the city center.

Do not drink tap water

We strongly advise you not to drink tap water in Russia. Most hotels usually provide you with a free daily bottle of water. If one is not enough, bottled water is available everywhere: in supermarkets, little shops, in some open markets, newspaper stalls, museums. It is safe to buy bottled water around but make sure it is closed properly. Brushing teeth is OK with tap water, however.

Avoid food or drinks from street vendors

Do not buy food from street vendors. No matter how good it looks and how cheap it is. If talking about traditional Russian drinks and delicacies, purchase only labeled vodka and caviar and only from reliable places. As for caviar, remember, it is never cheap! Trying caviar and vodka from the street may result in severe food poisoning. Eat only in restaurants and cafes.

Trust people: locals always know better

Do not avoid communicating with Russians. Locals can give you lots of valuable tips and recommendations. They are always ready to help, even if they are busy, and your request distracts them and takes them out of what they are doing.

RUSSIAN PEOPLE ARE KIND AND HOSPITABLE
Even though Russians often seem to be unfriendly at first sight, they only seem to be, mainly because they do not smile much (especially without a genuine reason). In fact, they do have charming, warming, and caring personalities.

Youngsters speak English well, so there will not be any issue about it. If you are lost or in trouble and fail to find someone who speaks English well enough to help you, look for the nearest hotel – they all speak English at the reception.

Talk to the hotel staff, your apartment host, your tour guide, or a nice waiter in the restaurant and ask them for advice if you have any doubts about going somewhere or trying something. Remember that one of the main reasons why we travel is to meet other people, after all!

Medicine is mostly paid. If you need medical attention during your holiday, contact your insurance company immediately. The company's phone number is on your insurance policy. The insurance company employee will tell you which medical center or hospital to go to.

• There is a metro in St. Petersburg. Metro operating hours 05:45 - 00:00. Travel is carried out by tickets, costing 50 rubles.
• Tickets for trams, trolleybuses and buses are sold directly in transport. One ticket for one trip, cost 50 rubles.
• An international driver's license and a credit card are required to rent a car.
• You can also always take a taxi. To call, contact the reception of your hotel.

• The monetary unit is the Russian ruble (RUB), 1 ruble = 100 kopecks.
• There are banknotes in circulation: 5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, and 10 rubles. Coins: 10, 5, 2 and 1 ruble; 50, 10, 5, and 1 kopeck.
• Currency exchange can be done in banks, in a hotel (the exchange rate is not very favorable) and at the airport.
• Banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays, and on weekdays they are open from 9:00 to 19:00.
• Currency exchange points are marked with signs "Currency Exchange" and have a more convenient work schedule, but when exchanging, pay attention to the amount of commission charged. Exchange rates are set by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, but the cost may be different, since exchange offices set the amount of the commission charged for currency exchange on their own.
• It is convenient to use credit cards, which are accepted in almost all major stores, gas stations, restaurants, cafes and hotels.

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered by Cover Genius may not be available in your country. In this case, we recommend travel insurance for

Cancellations

Rest easy knowing you're covered for trip cancellations due to illness or injury including eligible COVID-19-related travel cancellations.

Trip Interruptions

Get reimbursed for unused travel if your trip is shortened due to injury or illness sustained by your or your travel companion.

Baggage Loss or Theft

Did your items get stolen, lost or damaged? Not to worry, your travel insurance policy may be able to cover you for that.

Medical and Dental

Get reimbursed for medical and dental treatment due to injury or illness sustained by you or your travel companion.

COVID-19 Alert

Coverage may be provided for illness due to COVID-19 should be you be diagnosed after booking and prevented from travel at the time of your departure.

Delays

Receive compensation for costs associated with trip delays, and if your bags are taking a little longer than usual to arrive.

Entry mode

Citizens coming from foreign countries must have a visa to enter the territory of Russia. The exception is citizens of countries that are part of the CIS, as well as countries that have signed an agreement on a visa-free regime.

The import of Russian and foreign currency into the country is not limited, but amounts exceeding $10,000 are subject to mandatory declaration.

Export of foreign or Russian currency from the country is carried out without additional documents, if the amount is not more than $10,000. The amount of more than $ 3 thousand is subject to mandatory declaration. Exceeding these norms when exporting cash is possible only if the total amount is declared, as well as if there is a permit obtained from the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.

Prohibited for import to Russia :

• Photo, video and printed products containing elements of pornography, as well as containing state and official secrets, propaganda of fascism, religious, national and racial hatred;
• Objects of wild flora and fauna, endangered species, their parts and products derived from them;
• Fruits and vegetables without an appropriate phytosanitary certificate;
• Samples of military-style weapons, ammunition.

It is forbidden to export from Russia:

• Ammunition, weapons, radioactive and explosives;
• Psychotropic and narcotic substances and honey. drugs, potent drugs;
• Poisonous and poisonous substances;
• Antiques and art;
• Products made of precious and non-ferrous metals in an amount that exceeds personal needs;
• Representatives of flora and fauna that are under state protection, all types of sturgeon fish and their caviar, more than 250 grams (you must have the original packaging, as well as a saved store receipt).

Upon arrival at the Russian airport

• Go through passport control (a passport with a visa is presented, sometimes a return ticket and a voucher are requested). The Immigration officer will issue a Immigration card don,t lose it you have submit while going back
• Get your baggage. On the monitors above the conveyor belts, the number of the flight whose baggage will be issued on this belt is indicated.
• After receiving your luggage, go through customs control. If you have items in your luggage that are subject to declaration, go through the red corridor; if there are no such items, use the green corridor.
• At the exit from the customs zone in the arrival hall you will be met by a representative.
• Tell him your last name, the name of the tour (if you are traveling on a sightseeing tour) or the name of the hotel (if you are going on vacation).
• The representative will point you to the meeting place of the group or tell you the number of your bus for transfer.
• The departure of the bus occurs after the collection of all tourists.
• Listen carefully to the information that the escort will provide on the way to the hotel.

Upon arrival at the hotel

• Come to the reception, where you will be given a registration card.
• Fill out the registration card in English (for foreign guests).
• Hand over the completed registration card, voucher (1 copy of the remaining two), Russian or foreign passport (the passport will be returned to you after making a photocopy, check at the reception when you can pick up your passport).
• Expect settlement. Check-in at the hotel takes place at 14:00 - 15:00. If you wish to check in earlier than the indicated time, you must pre-book the room one day before the date of your arrival. In this case, you will be settled in the room as soon as you arrive at the hotel). If necessary, things can be left in the hotel's storage room. In case of problems with accommodation, please contact a company representative. Upon check-in, you will be given the keys to your room.
• After checking into your room, check the information provided by the hotel. Pay attention to what services are paid and how much they cost (as a rule, the information is in a folder and lies on a table or bedside table).

During your stay

• Before using the service, find out how much it costs. In the event of a conflict with the administration of a hotel or restaurant (for example, refusal to pay for services), the administration representative has the right to act in accordance with Russian rules and laws.
• Do not forget to pay in advance the bills for additional services at the hotel: telephone calls, use of the mini-bar, laundry services, dry cleaning, etc.
• Smoking is prohibited in the common areas of the hotels such as the lobby, restaurant and bar. Most hotels have non-smoking rooms.

Arrival at the Russian airport for departure

• During the return transfer from the hotel to the airport, the escort will tell you about the process of check-in for the flight and baggage, passing through passport and customs control.
• Check in for the flight (present your passport and ticket).
• Drop off your luggage at the check-in desk.
• Get your boarding pass. Pay attention to the exit number (GATE) and the time to board the aircraft (TIME).
• Go through passport control (present your passport with visa and boarding pass).
• Go to the departure hall and wait for the boarding announcement.

It is allowed to transport on board the aircraft by crew members and passengers, subject to the required conditions, the following items and substances:

• in checked baggage in the cargo and baggage compartments of an aircraft with isolated passenger access to baggage during the flight:
• crossbows, spearguns, checkers, sabers, cleavers, scimitars, broadswords, swords, swords, bayonets, daggers, knives: hunting knives, knives with ejected blades, with locking locks, imitators of any type of weapon;
• household knives (scissors) with a blade (blade) length over 60 mm; alcoholic beverages containing more than 24%, but not more than 70% alcohol by volume in containers with a capacity of not more than 5 liters, in containers intended for retail trade - not more than 5 liters per passenger;
• liquids and alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of not more than 24% by volume;
• aerosols intended for use for sports or domestic purposes, the outlet valves of which are protected by caps from spontaneous release of contents in containers with a capacity of not more than 0.5 kg or 500 ml - not more than 2 kg or 2 liters per passenger;
• in things carried by passengers:
• medical thermometer - one per passenger;
• mercury blood pressure monitor in a standard case - one per passenger;
• barometer or mercury manometer, packed in a sealed container and sealed with the seal of the sender;
• disposable lighters - one per passenger;
• dry ice for cooling perishable products - no more than 2 kg per passenger;
• 3% hydrogen peroxide - no more than 100 ml per passenger;
• non-hazardous liquids, gels and aerosols: in containers with a capacity of not more than 100 ml (or an equivalent capacity in other volume units), packed in a securely closed transparent plastic bag with a volume of not more than 1 liter - one bag per passenger.
• Liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 100 ml will not be accepted for carriage even if the container is only partially filled. Transportation exceptions are for medicines, baby food and special dietary needs.
• Liquids purchased at duty-free shops at the airport or on board the aircraft must be packed in a securely sealed (sealed) plastic bag that allows identification of the contents of the package during the flight and has reliable confirmation that this purchase was made at airport duty-free shops or on board the aircraft on the day(s) of travel. Keep your proof of purchase. Do not open the package either before boarding the cabin or during the flight.
• The administration of the airport, airline, operator has the right to decide on the introduction of additional measures to ensure aviation security on flights with increased danger, as a result of which it is prohibited to carry the following items in the aircraft cabin:
• corkscrews;
• hypodermic needles (unless medical justification is provided);
• knitting needles;
• scissors with a blade length of less than 60 mm;
• folding (without latch) travel, penknives with a blade length of less than 60 mm.

Useful information

Before the trip, form and take a first aid kit with you, which will help you with minor ailments, save you time looking for medicines and get rid of the problems of communicating in a foreign language, in addition, many medicines can have different names in different countries.

We recommend taking with you:

1. painkillers and cardiovascular drugs;
2. remedies for indigestion;
3. choleretic;
4. drugs against motion sickness in transport;
5. insect bite remedies;
6. dressing;
7. waterproof adhesive plaster;
8. barrier contraceptives;
9. eye drops;
10. sunscreen

Import, as well as international shipment by individuals of medicines, with the exception of narcotic and psychotropic medicines, in accordance with the Agreement of June 18, 2010 "On the procedure for the movement by individuals of goods for personal use across the customs border of the Customs Union and the performance of customs operations related to their release” are carried out without the application of prohibitions and restrictions of a non-economic nature.

The importation of medicines for personal use (for non-commercial purposes) not registered in the territory of the Russian Federation does not require a license from the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade and permission from Roszdravnadzor.

Individuals have the right to import for personal use medicines containing narcotic and psychotropic substances, only in limited quantities and for medical reasons, if they have the relevant documents. As a rule, this is a prescription or a certificate from a doctor, an extract from the medical history. Such drugs are subject to mandatory customs declaration.

To find out if your medicine is subject to restrictions and prohibitions when imported into the territory of the Customs Union, you need to examine the composition of the drug for the content of narcotic and psychotropic substances in it. The list of narcotic and psychotropic substances prohibited for transportation can be found in clause 2.12. A single list of goods subject to import or export bans or restrictions by member states of the Customs Union within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Community in trade with third countries (see on the website of the Customs Union Commission ) .

Tips

The tipping system applies to the services of waiters in bars and restaurants, maids in hotels, taxi drivers and guides and amounts to 5-10% of the order value. Tipping is optional, but if the customer is satisfied with the service, a tip is a sign of good manners.

Phone

• Calls from mobile phones
  Calls to Russia: + 7 - area code - subscriber number.
  Calls from Russia: + country code - subscriber number.
• Calls from landlines
  Calls to Russia: 007 + area code + subscriber number.
  The code of St. Petersburg is 812. From Moscow+7 495 or +7 499
• Calls from Russia: 8 10 + country code + city code + subscriber number.
• Calls in Russia between cities: be sure to dial "8" before the area code and before the mobile phone number.

Useful Phones

• Ministry of Emergency Situations: 112
• Police: 02
• Ambulance: 03

Language

The official language in the country is Russian. However, some regions have their own dialects