Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
STUDENT AND YOUTH DISCOUNTS
“Foreigner prices” at museums and galleries are often steeper than for Russian citizens, though most
museumsofferticketsforforeign students whichcosthalfortwo-thirdsofthefullprice.AnISICcard
is your best bet, though other student cards often work too. Ask for adeen studyencheskiy bilyet (one
student ticket) in your most authentic accent.
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MONEY AND BANKS
Russia's currency is the ruble , divided into 100 kopeks. There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 20 and
50 kopeks and 1, 2, 5 and 10 rubles, and notes of 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 rubles.
Everythingispaidforinrubles,althoughsomehostelsmakeahabitofcitingpricesineither
euros or dollars. At the time of writing £1=R48, €1=R41 and US$1=R31. Only change
money in an official bank or currency exchange. Most exchange offices are open Monday
to Saturday 10am to 8pm or later, and ATMs are plentiful. In general, prices in both cities
range from “New Russian” levels down to what the average local salary will cover, making
many shops, bars and cafés affordable for the budget-conscious traveller.
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OPENING HOURS AND HOLIDAYS
Most shops are open Monday to Saturday 10am to 8pm or later; Sunday hours are slightly
shorter. Museums tend to open 9am to 5pm, with last ticket sales an hour before closing
time,andtheyareinvariablyshutonedayaweek,withadayeachmonthputasideforclean-
ing. Churches are accessible from 8am until the end of evening service. Clubs open late -
many until 6am - or don't close at all, morphing into early-morning cafés.
Russian public holidays fall on the following dates: January 1 (New Year's Day) and 7
(Christmas), February23(DefenderoftheMotherlandDay),March8(Women'sDay),May
1 (Labour Day), May 9 (Victory Day), June 12 (Russia Day) and November 4 (Day of Pop-
ular Unity).
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