Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Safe Travel
You can disregard the horror stories you hear about the mafia in New Russia.
While there has been a problem with crime and corruption since the early
1990s, the criminal elements have no interest in tourists.
A far bigger threat is petty theft, especially the notorious pickpocketing in
the city centre. Take care among the crowds on Nevsky pr and in the metro:
crowded quarters make for rich pickings for the criminally inclined. Be cau-
tious about taking taxis late at night, especially near bars and clubs that are in
isolated areas. Never get into a car that already has two or more people in it.
One far grimmer problem is the rise of the skinhead and neo-Nazi move-
ment in St Petersburg. You are unlikely to encounter these thugs, but you will
undoubtedly read about some disgusting acts of violence that have been com-
mitted against Asian, Caucasian and other darker-skinned or foreign-looking
residents of the city. Non-white travellers should therefore exercise caution
when wandering around the city after dark and at any time of day in the sub-
urbs. While this violence peaked around 2005 and has since declined, it's still
a very real, if unlikely, threat.
Telephone
Russia's international code is 7. The international access code from land-
line phones in Russia is 8 followed by 10 after the second tone, then
the country code and number. From mobile phones, however, just dial
+[country code] to place an international call.
Mobile Phones
Mobile phone numbers start with the country code ( 7), plus three digits
that change according to the service provider, followed by a seven-digit num-
ber. To call a mobile phone from a landline, the line must be enabled to make
paid calls (all local numbers are free from a landline anywhere in Russia). To
find out if this is the case, dial
8, and then if you hear a second tone you
