Russia Travel Guide
From the golden domes of Moscow and the imperial palaces of St. Petersburg to the vast Siberian wilderness, Lake Baikal, and the volcanoes of Kamchatka — discover a land of epic scale, profound history, and boundless spirit.
85 Federal Subjects
€35–55 Budget
Daily mid-range budget
June–August
Best travel seasons
Moscow, St. Petersburg & Lake Baikal
Vodka, blini, banya & epic landscapes
Top Highlights in Russia
Travel Budget Guide
Realistic costs for your trip to Russia
Accommodation
Hostel Dorm: €10 – 22 / night
3★ Hotel: €35 – 65 / night
4★ Hotel / Apartment: €70 – 140 / night
Food & Drinks
Blini / Pastry: €1 – 3
Traditional Dinner: €8 – 20
Beer / Vodka shot: €2 – 5
Coffee: €1.5 – 3.5
Transportation
Metro Day Pass: €1.5 – 3
Intercity Train: €15 – 50
Yandex Taxi in city: €3 – 12
Car Rental (per day): €35 – 60
Attractions & Activities
Kremlin / Red Square: €12 – 18
Hermitage Museum: €10 – 16
Lake Baikal Boat Tour: €25 – 45
Winter Palace / Metro Tour: €8 – 15
Best Russia Itineraries
Transport
How to Get to & Around Russia
Best ways to arrive and travel within the country
International Arrival
Moscow (SVO/DME) – main international hub
St. Petersburg (LED), Novosibirsk (OVB), Vladivostok
Direct flights from Europe, Asia & Middle East
Also by train from Europe & China
Trains (RZD)
Moscow → St. Petersburg: €25–60 (4 hrs)
Moscow → Kazan: €20–45 (12 hrs)
Trans-Siberian: Moscow → Irkutsk (4–5 days)
Comfortable & scenic long-distance option
Buses
Good for shorter distances
Moscow → St. Petersburg: €15–30
Moscow → Vladimir/Suzdal: €8–18
Yandex and local operators
Car Rental
€35 – €70 per day
Recommended for Golden Ring,
Altai, Baikal & rural regions
Things to Do in Russia: Top Attractions & Travel Guide
Food & Drink
Hearty, flavorful Russian cuisine and excellent local spirits
Must-Try Dishes
• Pelmeni – Siberian meat dumplings
• Borscht – Beetroot soup with sour cream
• Blini – Pancakes with caviar or jam
• Beef Stroganoff – Creamy beef with mushrooms
• Shashlik – Juicy grilled meat skewers
Drinks to Try
• Russian Vodka (Beluga, Russian Standard, Stolichnaya)
• Kvass – Refreshing fermented rye drink
• Craft beer from local breweries
• Crimean & Kuban wines
• Mors (cranberry drink) & strong black tea
Where to Eat
• Stolovaya (Soviet-style canteens)
• Traditional restaurants & traktirs
• Street food (blini, pirozhki, shashlik)
• Local markets & food halls
Budget Tip: Hearty meals at stolovayas for €6–11
Food Experiences
• Pelmeni & blini cooking classes
• Vodka tasting with traditional zakuski
• Siberian or dacha-style dinner
• Moscow food markets & street food tours
• Russian wine tasting in Krasnodar
Essential Russia Travel Tips
Essential Travel Information for Russia
Everything you need to know before your trip
Need To Know
Currency: Russian Ruble (RUB)
Language: Russian (English common in Moscow & St. Petersburg)
Visa: E-visa available for many nationalities (check current rules)
Tap Water: Safe in major cities (bottled preferred elsewhere)
Daily Budget: €35–55 (budget) / €70–110 (comfortable)
Practical Tips
• Use Yandex Go for taxis & ride-hailing
• Download RZD app for trains
• Learn basic Cyrillic & phrases like “Spasibo” (thank you)
• Pharmacies marked with a green cross
• Tipping: 10% in restaurants is appreciated
When To Go
Best Time: June–August & December–February
Summer: White Nights in St. Petersburg & Lake Baikal
Winter: Magical snow & winter festivals
Top Events:
• Victory Day (May 9)
• White Nights Festival (June)
• Moscow Winter Festival (Dec–Jan)
Getting There & Around
• Fly into Moscow (SVO/DME) or St. Petersburg (LED)
• Major airports: Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Vladivostok
• Trains (RZD) are excellent for long distances
• Domestic flights are fast & affordable
• Car rental best for Golden Ring & rural areas
