Money

1. Currency Exchange

The official currency used in Moscow is the Russian Ruble made up of hundred kopeks. Notes are available in the denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, and 10 rubles while coins are denominated into 5, 2 and 1 rubles and 50, 10, 5 and 1 kopeks. The American dollars circulate as secondary currency in a few sectors of the economy. It may not be accepted in certain places.

Currency can be exchanged easily at hotels, banks, airports, post offices and official currency exchange offices called ‘Obmen valyuty'. The offices offer legal receipts for the exchange. Exchanging the currency may require a valid passport for legal documentation. Exchange centers offer a 24-hour service and provide better rate of exchange. Do not change your currency with unauthorized individuals outside official exchange centers.

Traveler checks are not as widely accepted in Moscow as credit cards. Well-known travelers' checks such as American Express, Thomas Cook, VISA, Bank of America or Eurocheck can be easily cashed at major banks like All Russian Stock Exchange Bank, Credo Bank, Dialog Bank, Inkombank, Kredit-Moskva, Menatep, Mosbusinessbank and Optimum at an average commission rate of 2% to 3%. Carry your passport with you for exchanging traveler checks.

Credit cards are widely accepted in Moscow at most hotels, restaurants, local stores and retail outlets. International credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club, American Express and Europay are readily accepted.

ATMs (bankomat) are located throughout the city at airports, hotels and stores. Almost all ATMs are linked to international networks such as AmEx, Cirrus, Eurocard, MasterCard and Visa and money can be obtained in rubles or dollars.

2. What a Dollar Will Buy You

Moscow is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Prices may be higher for foreign visitors as against those for locals. A clear example of this variation is the cab fare from Sheremetyevo International Airport to the city. A non-Russian speaking traveler will be charged about $150 upwards where as a local will be charged between $30 to $50.

Meals at middle class restaurants can range from $20 to $40. Meals at fast food joints like McDonalds can cost about $5 to $7. A bottle of water (1 liter) will cost $1. A 33cl bottle of beer costs $3.30. A city center bus ticket costs around $0.15.

3. Telecommunications

The international country code of Russia is +7 and the phone code for Moscow is 495. Phone numbers in Moscow are 7 digits. For dialing an international phone number, dial 8 and wait for a long dial tone, then dial 10 for international access followed by the country code and telephone number. Dial 8 to call another town in Russia followed by the phone number. The same is applicable to mobile phone numbers.

Phone calls can be made from the hotel itself. The cost of the phone call is slightly higher and is charged to the final bill. Public phones are scattered all around the city and requires a phone card available at any metro station's phone ticket office. International phone calls can be made from the public phones but they are very expensive. Another option is to make a collect phone call in which the receiver will pay for the call. The cheapest way of making an international phone call is by using a special telephone card for IP-telephoning. Comstar and Rinotel are some of the companies that sell these cards. A call of one minute to America can cost as low as $0.2 with this service.

Phone cards or calling cards are available at local stores and retail shops or can be purchased online.

For mobile phones, GSM-900 and GSM-1800 are the widely used standards that are principally European standards. Some networks may, however, work on American standards (CDMA). Three major mobile operators in Moscow are MTS, Beeline and Megafon. MTS is considered to have the best network coverage in Moscow but is slightly expensive.

Internet connectivity is available throughout the city at hotels, commercial centers and shopping arcades.

4. Cab Fares

Cabs are clean and reliable and may be cheaper for traveling to some areas in the city. Taxis are usually only available at popular spots and lively areas. A cab usually charges about $0.3 for one kilometer inside Moscow and start the counter at $0.9.

5. Currency Exchange Rates

The official currency of Moscow (Russia) is the Ruble divided into hundred kopeks and donated as RUB (R). One Ruble is equivalent to US $0.03.

Currency Exchange Rates

RUB 1.00 = USD 0.0372147 GBP 0.0201784 CAD 0.0413830 AUD 0.0500480 ZAR 0.264322 EUR 0.0290825 NZD 0.0612413

U.S. Dollar RUB U.S. Dollar RUB

$10 268.709 $200 5,373.33

$20 537.346 $300 8,059.96

$50 1,343.37 $500 13,433.27

$100 2,686.73 $1000 26,866.53

6. Taxes

An airport tax of $10 is applicable along with a departure tax of $12.

7. Tipping

A gratuity of 5% to 10% of the total bill is standard at restaurants. Tipping your tour guide is an accepted practice. A tip of a few dollars a day or small gifts like a box of chocolates is sufficient.