I am traveling to Russia for the first time. What can I expect?

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Curiousity killed the cat

I recommend you get a Lonely Planet guide, 'Russia & Belarus' is a good one. I can't emphasise how helpful it is! It will give you all the information you need to know. I have a few Russian friends, half of which assure me that Moscow and St. Petersburg are as safe as any other European city, half of which tell me its very dangerous.

As with any big city, dangers do exist in St Pete, and there are lots of reports of racially-motivated killings etc, but you have to put these situations in perspective, the media really does play on them too much.

The only thing I disliked about the large Russian cities was the police. I had no dealings with them myself, but from what I hear they're not always your friends and will often call on you to produce random documents, and, should you fail to do so, will issue you with a pointless fine. its just a way to supplement their modest salaries.

They're attitudes to Americans I'm sure are fine. Unless you're acting like a drunken lout, they'll leave you alone, but most are very helpful if you ask for help or directions. Though one of my friends who is a Russian living in Latvia visited Moscow recently, and recieved a bit of verbal abuse when she asked a local where the main street was!

Face control is also common at many nightclubs, where bouncers won't let you in if they don't like the look of you. Its easier for women than men in this situation.

But, really, people do see Russia as this big bad place that will beat you up and rip you off at every opportunity, which is simply not true. The best thing one can do is to go and see it for themselves, which is what you're doing:)

My only tips are:
-Keep your bag close to you (as in any country)
-Should a policeman give you hassle, threaten to call your embassy and they'll leave you alone
-Take down the number of your Embassy, just in case
-Learn a some Russian. Very few signs have English translation, and of course they write in Cyrillic, which makes things a bit more difficult. Lonely Planet guides have a good Russian language section.
-Many people, especially the younger generation, will speak at least some English. But still a lot don't, please refer to my previous tip!

Hope this helped.

Take care, for sure you will have an incredible time, I know I did:)

pbleek

I spent 7 days in St Petersburg recently, its quite likely my favorite large city. Because of the large camera it must have been obvious that I was a tourist. No one bothered me, I walked everywhere, took a taxi to some farther away spots, went on the subway, took the hydrofoil from the winter palace to Petrograd (sp?), went to some street markets off the beaten path. The people that you meet on the street keep to themselves, once you start any kind of interaction they are very friendly. I never felt threatened, or spooked (unlike most N. American cities, and now even London)). The food was a bit of a hit and miss, but mostly good.
The weather will be cool likely a light sweater and a jacket, light gloves, I would bring an umbrella as well.

Tanya

To be blunt with you, their attitude towards Americans is a little rude, but they will in no way attack you physically. Don't expect many people to smile at you. It's not like in in US or Canada. The culture is simply different. But if they see that you make an effort to honor their culture and traditions, you can see them smile more often. About Asians being attacked, it's not true what you all hear. Some Asians don't take precautions and take the metro alone, very late at night. This is inviting trouble. Being attacked is something that can happen in any city. It depends where you go. Don't go to dark, secluded places.

The tips I can give you based on personal experience are : 1) Don't propose to anyone to pay in US dollars when you run out of Russian Rubles. My friends got chased away by several shop keepers. Some may not mind though. 2) Do your best to speak Russian even if your grammar is terrible or so so (I don't know your level in Russian) 3) Act like a local and you'll blend in fine. 4) Always keep an eye on your purse. There's pick pocketing everywhere, but this is always the case all over the world, not only in Russia. 5) Read and research as much as you can about St. Petersburg. Make the most of the 5 days there by visiting the Ermitage, Peterhof, Tsarkoye Selo, Spas no Krovi (Church of the spilled blood), etc. 6) the most important is to learn some survival Russian. If you have not done so, master the Cyrillic Alphabets. All signs, including the metro and buses are written in Cyrillic and not in Latin Alphabets. Please don't expect bus drivers to speak English. They don't.

April is not that cold. You can bring an autumn coat instead of a spring coat to be on the safe side. Very few people (outside of the hotel) speak English and immigration officials were among those who did not speak English. At least the one I had did not speak a word of English.

It's one of the most beautiful and interesting cities I have visited on this planet. I'm a foreigner, even if I have some Russian Origins, I am a woman, I still went out with another girl, we were drunk with vodka, hopping from one bar to another, walking very late at night in well lighted places, and we were fine. Drunken men and policemen we met on the streets were friendly towards us. I had so much fun there and I'm sure you will too if you let go of your " fear".

Alan B

again squeeky got it right.
Traffic is a bloody nightmare in russia with everyone trying to break land speed records driving through city centres.and not botherd about who they drive over in the process
I have spent a lot of time in Ukraine, and just a short time in moscow.
What to expect is this.
great people
nice place just about sums it up.
about crime in russia
well from my experiences of eastern europe.
cities in russia are a lot safer then many western european cities, and one hell of a lot safer than any American city.
saying that you still need to be careful wherever you go.
Survival tips are.
Don't drink too much vodka.
Attitude towards tourists is the same everywhere.like spot the yank.
Lots of people speak English, but they will try to convince you to speak russian ( and dont't forget you are in there country, so do try and learns some basics cos it goes a long way ) then they will try and practice there english on you.
Don't worry about the corruption, the entire country runs on it, and it would cease to function without it.
Crazy place, but you will love it

Dmitry

summer and rita.paloz !

Very funny! I laughed!

You have not written about bears in the streets.
And about the fact that the KGB in the black cloak grab all the Americans and sent to Siberia. Harvest snow.

Do not be afraid.

Good advice can be read here -
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Russia/Gorod_Sankt_Peterburg/Saint_Petersburg-564323/TravelGuide-Saint_Petersburg.html

Squeaky P

The only thing you have to worry about there are cars. You must be careful when stepping onto the street!

Code

I have been in Russia and there are no bears

sesso

Be careful. There are many 3 metre tall fire breathing bears that walk the street.

Justin

You'd better be careful.
And Russia is not safe enough for foreigners to go out late at night.
The Russian mafia or skinheads could mug or kill you.

summer

be careful ! very careful ! watch ur purse , money and passport !!! keep in a very safe place !!!! dont trust and talk a lot !!! )))) r u travelling by uself ??? u don have friends there ??? im from Russia ,i live here in US now, big cities like St.P u have to be very careful ! i hope u r not going there all by uself at least group of tourists ... take care !!!

Also, you need to be ON YOUR GUARD. A Vietnamese student was stabbed to death not long ago and the same with a Tajik girl. ALWAYS be with atleast two Russian adults and have police in sight. Never be alone on the streets without a Russian. EVER. There was a bombing in a Cafe, and the bombers simply said "There are to many Asians here". The victims have been mostly Chinese and Vietnamese.

rita.paloz

Well, Russia is like the worst COLD hell in this world.
So be prepare for this. Take a lots of warm clothes and as someone said before...DO NOT TRUST ANYONE there. You never know when you get into trouble! Also do not go to Russian pubs. They are dangerous. I have been to Russia few times and all I can say is I do not wanna go there never again. Cheers.

Ana Linda

You will see pipes overground, because the ground is too hard and the pipes would freeze underground, and because its easier to check on them that way

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