Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
308
initials. Most cards provide instructions in
English, though the phones use only Russian
and internationally recognizable symbols.
International calling cards:
Direct
access numbers for AT&T in Moscow are
&
755-5042
and 325-5042; MCI is
&
747-3322;
BT Direct is
&
10-80-01-
10-1044
(dial 8 first and wait for the
tone); Canada Direct is
&
755-5045
or
747-3325.
TIME ZONE
Moscow is 3 hours ahead
of GMT from October to March, and 4
hours ahead during daylight saving time.
That means it's usually 3 hours ahead of
London, 8 hours ahead of New York, and
11 hours ahead of San Francisco. Russia
switches to daylight saving time a week
earlier than Europe and North America, and
reverts to standard time a week earlier, too.
To check the current time from any fixed-
line phone, dial
&
065
(Russian only).
TIPPING
Restaurants generally include
service charges in the bill, though small
tips are welcome. Taxis usually set the rate
before you head out, so no tip is expected.
Baggage handlers and coat-check staffers
should be tipped the equivalent of a dollar
or so.
USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
U.S.
Dept. of State Travel Advisory:
&
202/
647-5225
(staffed 24 hr.)
U.S. Passport Agency:
&
202/647-0518
U.S. Centers for Disease Control Interna-
tional Traveler's Hotline:
&
404/332-4559.
2
FAST FACTS: ST. PETERSBURG
AIRPORT
See “Getting There & Get-
ting Around,” in chapter 3.
AMERICAN EXPRESS
The main local
office is at 23 Malaya Morskaya, Business
Center “Belye Nochi” (
&
812/326-
4500
). It's open from 9am to 6pm and
will cash traveler's checks. In the U.S., call
&
800/221-7282.
BUSINESS HOURS
Businesses gener-
ally operate from 9am to 6pm. A few
stores and businesses still take a lunch
break between 1 and 2pm. Some shops are
closed Sunday, but museums and restau-
rants are generally open. Several restau-
rants and bars are open 24 hours.
CAR RENTALS
See the “Getting
Around” section of chapter 3.
CLIMATE
than in most banks, and they're competi-
tive, so shop around. Most don't charge a
commission. Make sure your U.S. bills or
euros are new and untainted, since crin-
kled or pre-1995 bills will be rejected.
Exchange booths have a sign out front
with four figures: the buy and sell rates for
U.S. dollars, and the buy and sell rates for
euros. To exchange other currencies, try
the bigger banks, or the exchange booths
in the underground walkway at Gostiny
Dvor.
DENTISTS
For international-standard
service, try Dental Palace, Bolshoy Pros-
pekt 79 (
&
812/346-1951;
www.dental-
palace.ru), or
Stoma,
163 Nevsky
Prospekt, (
&
812/717-5770
).
DOCTORS
For Western-standard medi-
cal care and English-speaking staff, try
these private clinics. They'll help you deal
with emergencies, allergy attacks, or gen-
eral health problems. Their services are
expensive and may not be covered by your
insurance company, so be sure to check
with your insurer before you go. See
18
See “When to Go,” in chap-
ter 3.
CURRENCY EXCHANGE
Every St.
Petersburg hotel, many restaurants, and all
major streets have exchange booths
(obmen
valyuty),
many of which are open 24
hours. They're well-guarded, reliable
places to change cash. Rates are better
