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European Russia stretches from the borders of Belarus and Ukraine to the Ural mountains, over 1000km east of Moscow; even without the rest of the vast Russian Federation, it constitutes by far the largest country in Europe. Formerly a powerful tsarist empire and a Communist superpower, Russia continues to be a source of fascination for travellers. While access is still made relatively difficult by lingering Soviet-style bureaucracy – visas are obligatory and accommodation usually has to be booked in advance – independent travel is increasing every year, and visitors are doubly rewarded by the cultural riches of the country and the warmth of the Russian people.
Where to go in Russia
Moscow, Russia’s bustling capital, combines the frenetic energy of an Eastern city with the cosmopolitan feel of a Western one. With its show-stopping architecture – from the tsarist palaces of the Kremlin and the onion domes of St Basil’s Cathedral, through the monumental relics of the Communist years, to the massive building projects of today – and the impersonal human tide that packs its streets and subways, the metropolis can feel rather overwhelming. By contrast, St Petersburg, Russia’s second city, is Europe at its most gracious, an attempt by the eighteenth-century tsar Peter the Great to emulate the best of Western European elegance in what was then a far-flung outpost. Its people are more relaxed and friendly, and its position in the delta of the River Neva is unparalleled, giving it endless watery vistas. Visible – often ostentatious – but uneven wealth creation in both cities has made them twin figureheads for Russia’s recent high-speed renaissance.
Top image © Grisha Bruev/Shutterstock
Fact file
Population 142 million
Area 17,075,400 sq km (including six thousand islands)
Language Russian
Currency Ruble (R)
Capital Moscow (population: 10.5 million)
International phone codet 7
Russian for beginners
Russian
Russian
Pronunciation
Yes
да
Da
No
нет
Nyet
Please
пожалуйста
Pazháaloosta
Thank you
спасибо
Spaséeba
Hello/Good day
здравствуйте
Zdrávstweetye
Goodbye
до свидания
Da svidáaneya
Excuse me
извините
Izvinéetye
Sorry
простите
Prostitye
Where?
где?
Gdye?
Good/Bad
хороший/плохой
Khoróshee/Plokhóy
Near/Far
близко/далеко
Bléezki/Dalyekó
Cheap/Expensive
дешевый/дорогой
Deshóvy/Daragóy
Open/Closed
открыто/закрыто
Otkryto/Zakryto
Today
сегодня
Sevódnya
Yesterday
вчера
Vcherá
Tomorrow
завтра
Závtra
How much is…?
сколько стоит…?
Skólka stóyit…?
What time is it?
Который час?
Katóree chass?
I don’t understand
я не понимаю
Ya ne ponimáyou
Do you speak English?
вы говорите по-английски?
Vwee gavoréetye po angliyski?
Where are the toilets?
где туалет?
Gdye tualyét?
My name is…
меня зовут…
Menyá zavóot…
What is your name?
как вас зовут?
Kak vas zavóot?
I don’t speak Russian
я не говорю по-русски
Ya nye gavaryóo pa-róosski
Can I have…
.
можно…
Mózhna…
Tea
чай
Chay
Beer
пиво
Péeva
Juice
сок
Sok
I am a vegetarian
я вегетарианец
Ya vegetariyánets
The bill, please
счeт пожалуйста
Shchyot, pazhálooista
Men’s toilet (often seen as M)
мужчины
moózhshini
Women’s toilet (often seen as Z)
женщины
zhénshini
Breakfast
завтрак
Závtrak
One
один
Adéen
Two
два
Dva
Three
три
Tree
Four
четыре
Chetéeri
Five
пять
Pyat
Six
шесть
Shest
Seven
семь
Syeem
Eight
восемь
Vósyem
Nine
девять
Déyvyat
Ten
десять
Déysyat
Russian red tape
Almost all tourists travelling to Russia require a tourist visa, which entitles visitors to a 30-day stay in the country. In order to obtain a visa, travellers need to be “invited” by a hotel. If booking accommodation in advance, your hotel can easily provide this for you. Should you not wish to book accommodation ahead, you can easily obtain a letter of invitation through a visa agency for a fee, which states that you will be staying at a randomly selected hotel. There is no obligation to actually do so once in Russia. Once you arrive in the country, your hotel will register you. Note that it’s important to register your visa within seven working days of your arrival. The Russian government has outsourced the application process to ru.vfsglobal.co.uk in the UK and www.ils-usa.com in the US. Various agencies also offer specialist help with obtaining Russian visas.
Travel advice for Russia
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Russia