| Nevsky Prospect and other downtown streets are very popular places for pickpockets. They like to block the entrances/ exits of public transport and metro entrances (particularly during rush hour). It may be wiser to leave valuables in your hotel’s safe and carry enough cash for the day. Think twice about leaving mobile phones in bags when checking them at the theater or nightclub cloakrooms. |
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| Saint-Petersburg may be ranked high as one. Saint-Petersburg is one of the most expensive cities in the world, although if you look at the Economist’s Big Mac index, it is not that bad (a big Mac costs just around 1.50 euro). For Westerners public transport is cheap, for 800 rubles you can travel to Moscow by train. |
| No shoes in the house! When entering a Russian household, remember to take your shoes off as soon as you get inside. Usually your host will offer you slippers. To greet each other men shake hands on meeting and if you’re woman and you hold your hand out to a man, don’t be surprised if it is not shaken but kissed. For many women this is heaven, although for feminists it may be a hell. It is also seen as very rude to blow your nose loudly in public. |
| The “foreigner price” has been existed since the good old days of Intourist – organized Soviet Travel. At some theaters or museums foreigners are required to pay much more than the Russian price. These institutions insist that Russia tickets are subsidized with foreigners paying the “real price” |
| It is very sad, but Saint-Petersburg is not very friendly for disabled people. You need to look for the special sign. The Hermitage museum, the Russian museum and Church on Spilt Blood have special entrances. The pavement on Nevsky Avenue and other main roads don’t have many holes, but wheelchair users often have a bumpy time. For travelers with visual or hearing difficulties: Russian drivers never stop, so be careful crossing the streets. |
| Stereotypes about Russians as the heavy drinkers are mostly true, so if you somehow find yourself in vodka session with locals, don’t try to keep up. Vodka is cheap and there is wide range of brands. Russian Standard and Diplomat are quite good. Russian beer is good stuff, try locally brewed Nevskoye or Baltika. |
| The good thing about Russia – it is never late to find a place to get food or drink, even in the middle of the night, either it is a small corner shop or expensive nightclub. You will see 24 – sign, it means this place is open around the clock. |
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Travel tips