Travel in RussiaRussia

Planing to visit Russia?

Safety is probably the biggest concern for those considering a visit to Russia. As a native Russian, I would like to share with you several tips that will help reassure you and help keep you safe while traveling in my mother-country. In addition, I have spent several years in Europe and can help you see Russia through the eyes of both a native and an outside traveler. It is my hope that you will find the following information to be very useful.

Before I start I would like to say that Russia is very similar to other European countries, and you will not need to act any differently there than you do in your own hometown. Furthermore and with all due respect, it is much safer than such countries as Brazil, Mexico, or Peru; at least in Russia, taxi drivers have no fear of stopping at a red light during the night. It is also much cleaner than India or Bangladesh, or even Thailand. Plus, it has all of the authentic and exotic local color you seek.

Obviously, you can find troubles any place in the world if you are searching for it, and Russia is no different. However, a little common sense will go a long way toward keeping you safe and just taking standard precaution should be enough!

So, IS IT SAFE TO VISIT RUSSIA?

Following you can find:
  • the list of six very important issues to keep in mind preparing your trip;
  • plus, some good videos and
  • a small phrase-book at the end.

___________________________________

Language barriers
ISSUE NUMBER ONE


First of all, language barriers can be a real problem for travelers. This is because very few Russians speak English (or any other foreign language). This includes shop assistants, cafe personnel, public transport conductors, and people on the streets, etc. Furthermore, shopping in Russian small towns (big cities are full of standard shopping malls) is very different. There are no baskets for you to carry and place your selections in. Instead, there are small, one-counter shops, where you have to ASK for what you need. So, how do you get around this problem?

Learning some basic vocabulary before your trip is one obvious answer. However, if you do find yourself in need of a translator, you can seek out young people between the ages of 16-30 years of age. With this group, you are more likely to find someone who can speak and understand you to some degree.

Carrying a dictionary or pocket translator might also prove useful. Though you might find it easier to communicate in such metropolitan areas as Moscow and St Petersburg, a trip to Siberia or any other regional small town may prove to be a different story. There, a dictionary may be invaluable as you will be able to ask or show in the book what you need.

 Of course, traveling with others who do speak the language is the surest way of avoiding this issue. That is why traveling in a group with a private guide or with a local friend is more preferable for your first trip to Russia. (here you can find professional and certified local guide in the main Russian cities with all contact details provided.)

Keep your valuables in front of you!
ISSUE NUMBER TWO



Secondly, keep your valuables in front of you. I had a friend who visited St Petersburg and Moscow and had taken a lot of beautiful pictures. He still gets extremely excited when he describes how his camera was stolen on the main street by some guy. He says that the thief was so awesome that he didn't feel anything at all; in fact, he says that losing the camera was worth it because the experience was so incredible.

Now, since I doubt that most people would feel the same, please keep your money and wallets only in the front pockets and do not leave your camera or bag behind you. Also, do not take all your money and credit cards (and cell phones) with you; leave some of it in the hotel's safe. As long as you are vigilant, nothing bad will happen.


Keep an eye on your drink!
ISSUE NUMBER THREE


Third, keep an eye on your drink. If you do not know someone well, do not drink from their bottles or glasses. This is true even if they look really trust-worthy! Also, keep your drink in your hands while partying at the night clubs and, of course, do not try to drink more than others around you at the bar! Mickey finn cases are still out there, so just be careful and do not trust people you've just met. If a VERY attractive person begs you for sex (here/ now/ tonight) — think twice! Though it is not a common practice, you do need to be careful. In addition, this is another situation where it is a good idea to bring only cash and to leave your credit cards, iphones and expensive cameras at the hotel. Doing so, you will avoid disappointment in the morning.

Walking alone at night?
ISSUE NUMBER FOUR


Fourth, if you are walking alone at night and a group of people ask you for a cigarette — it is better to run right away (does not matter if you are a girl or a boy)! Basically, living in Russia all of my life, I can honestly say that walking in the evening, even around 12.30 -03.00 am, is usually safe. I have never encountered any troubles (thanks God). Because most grocery shops in Russia (in big cities) are 24/7, traffic in the night is quite busy, and so, there is always life around you. However, always pay attention to your surroundings and never enter dark corners or empty buildings at night.

Be careful at the crosswalk!!!
ISSUE NUMBER FIVE


Fifth, and probably most importantly — be careful at the crosswalk! You might think that you are on the crosswalk and have the RIGHT to go. Well, NOT exactly… PLEASE NOTE: a driver in Russia 'is always right'. Please understand what I am trying to say here — you are a simple human being made of blood and bones, and the driver has a metal car with life protecting belts and airbags. For your safety, do not cross the road (even at crosswalks) if you see that cars are traveling quickly. I know it may sound insane, but some cars will drive even through a red light forcing you out of their way. Just wait! Your life is more valuable than crossing the road before a particular car.

Thankfully, there are polite drivers who will stop and force others to stop as well. Also, in Moscow, the situation is getting better and better, because there are many video cameras on roads. However, in St Petersburg, there are still a lot of traffic violations. So one more time — BE CAREFUL on the roads!



Always have COPIES of 2 documents with you — your passport and your tickets home!
ISSUE NUMBER SIX


Finally, always have COPIES of 2 documents with you — your passport and your tickets home (ONLY COPIES!).

Police officers have a right to ask you for these documents, but you do not have to give them the originals. In fact, it is better not to do so, as they also have a right to hold the documents for some time.

If you do not have the documents, you may be detained to determine your identity. Thus, this rule includes everyone — Russian citizens and our guests.







Welcome To Russia
Dobro Pozhalovat' v Rossiyu


So, to answer the original question — Is it safe to visit Russia? The answer is a resounding YES!
Nowadays you can travel to the main Russian cities and be assured that nothing will happen to you.

Still want to come? Are you even more intrigued?
Then — WELCOME TO RUSSIA! (or 'Dobro Pozhalovat v Rossiyu!')






Some Good Videos:
City view: St Petersburg, Russia
IMHO, it is the best St Petersburg city views video.

The best of Russia — Gzhel, Hohloma, Balalaika, Bears, Matreshka...
Good collection of Russian-culture-well-knowns. All in one show. I like what the did as a country presentation on Eurovision 2009.

And one more — Folk dance and songs


Very small phrase-book
Just in case...

Hello / Hi — Zdrastvuyte / Privet
Good-bye / Bye-bye — Dosvidan'ya / Poka-poka

How are you? — Kak dela?
(I'm) glad to see you! — (Ya) rad vas videt'!
Nice to meet you! — Priyatno poznakomitsa!

Thank you — Spasibo
You are welcome — Pozhalusta

Very well / Good — Ochen horosho / Horosho

Excuse me… — Izvinite
Can you tell me… — Skazhite mne ...

Where? — Gde?
When? — Kogda?
How much/ How many — Skol'ko?

How to get to…? — Kak dobrat'sa do… ?
Which way is it to ...? — Kak proyti… ?
I've lost my way. — Ya zabludilsa.
I stay in (Hotel Name) How to get there? — Ya ostanovilsa v (Hotel Name) Kak tuda dobrat'sa?

Yes — Da
No — Net
I do not know — Ne znayu

Give me please… — Dayte mne pozhalusta ...
I would like to… — Ya bi hotel ...

How much? — Skol'ko stoit?
The price — Tcena

Write it down for me. — Napishite mne.

Sorry, I do not speak Russian. — Prostite, ya ne govoryu po Russki.

To the left/ On the left — Na levo/ Sleva
To the right/ On the right — Na pravo/ Sprava
Straight — Pryamo
Behind you / From the back — Za vami (Za toboy) / Szadi



On the picture:
 1) SUSHKA — is the smallest and the hardest one;
 2) BARANKA — is a bit bigger, thicker and softer;
 3) BUBLIK — is the biggest, the softest and the most delicious.
 4) KREN'DEL' — is cholla; and
 5) BLINI — are Russian pancakes.


This is all for now, hope my advices will help you! Now you know how to travel to Russia safely!
Sincerely yours,
Anastasia Zelesskaya

Keywords (tags), separate by comma: Russia, is Russia safe, Russia travel tips

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