Russia is the largest country in the world with 11 different time zones. Even after several trips to Russia, it is impossible to cover all the places of interest. So, I shortlisted a few that I can experience during a 3-week trip. After travelling alone in Russia for the first time, here are a few tips that will be helpful while travelling to Russia.
Tourist visa for Indian citizens
Documents needed to apply for the visa
Invitation Letter
The invitation letter should be obtained from an authorized company. There are lots available online. I chose ivisa.com because it had a number of good reviews( though it is a bit expensive than the rest). The cost is 2000 Rubles ( USD 31 as on November 24, 2019). All the visa and master cards are accepted. I received the invitation letter within a few minutes after submission of the form and the payment. Note: Make sure to give the exact date of entry and the departure date since a Russian visa is given only for the period mentioned by you. The maximum number of days should not exceed 30 days. Make sure to double-check your passport number and the spelling of your name.
A recent photograph
Size should be 3.5×4.5cm taken within 6 months from the date of application.
Fill in the application form that can be found here, https://visa.kdmid.ru/
The visa fee is Rs 2130 for a single entry. Processing time is 2-3 working days. The visa can be processed within 1 working day and the fee is Rs 4260.
Schedule an appointment
You can do it through the Russian Visa Application centre https://www.vfsglobal.com/Russia/India/. You will have to pay an extra amount of Rs 1830 towards service fee or visit the nearest Russian Embassy Consular Division or Consulate General of Russia by making a prior appointment https://chennai.mid.ru/web/chennai-eng
I went to the Russian Consulate in Chennai. You have to submit the application form, one photograph with the required dimensions and the invitation letter. They don’t usually ask for further documents but it is advisable to carry proof of accommodation and complete itinerary. I used booking.com where there is an option for free cancellation(just in case you need to ). I booked the hotels that I actually wanted to stay in since the rates tend to go up if you book just a few days before.
Note: From October 2019, Indian passport holders need just an e-visa for travel to St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region including some places in the far east. The e-visa is valid for a month from the date of the issue and the total stay should not exceed 8 days from the date of entry.
Currency exchange
It is better to carry US dollars or Euro and get them exchanged in any of the banks in the city. The exchange rate at the banks seemed to be reasonable. I got US dollars exchanged from VTB bank on Nevsky Avenue in Saint Petersburg.
ATMs
Withdrawing cash using your international debit card is the best option. I used SBI debit card. Smaller stores accept only cash and all the restaurants and other major stores accept credit cards.
Language
Contrary to the general perception of Russians being cold and unfriendly, I found most of them to be very helpful and cordial. Language can be a barrier if you do not know any Russian but google translator has been greatly useful. Many youngsters can often understand English.
In restaurants and cafes, menus are usually in English too. If you know a few words of basic Russian, it can make a lot of difference, especially at the railway stations during security scans. There was an incident at St. Petersburg railway station when a security person was asking me if I had my cell phone in my purse. The security person was saying ” Sotovyy”(it means cell ) and I was standing blank. Finally, another passenger helped me with that.
It will be better if you know some basic words apart from ”Privet” and ”Spasibo” 🙂 (Though Spasibo helped a lot). Those were the only two words I knew but now I know a lot more. Having an idea about the Cyrillic alphabets would be another plus to understand the signs in the malls and streets. Moscow and Saint Petersburg have everything written in English too. So, it wouldn’t be a problem in these two places.
Transportation
Domestic airlines
I used S7 airlines twice and had a wonderful experience. You can book directly using their website https://www.s7-airlines.com/. The flights were on time and their prices are reasonable too. There are other domestic airlines operating within the country.
Russian railways
Travelling by train is a great way to enjoy Russia. If you have the time and enjoy the long train rides, Russian trains are wonderful. For details on how I booked my tickets, I have shared it here Booking train tickets online for travel within Russia
The booking is pretty simple. Domestic airlines can also be an option. I personally had a good experience with S7 Airlines. Some other airlines popular among tourists are Aeroflot, UTair and Ural.
Local SIM
Whether you are planning a short trip or a long one, having a local number is useful especially while booking a taxi or using data for google maps etc. There are a few popular cell phone service providers like MTS, Megafon and Beeline. I went for MTS prepaid sim with a month’s validity and unlimited data and calls within Russia. The total cost was 550 rubles. Their customer service is great. I absolutely had no issues throughout my stay. The network was good in all the cities including the trains.
All you have to do is, visit the nearest MTS store, choose your plan and present your passport. Your new number will be activated. SIM cards can also be purchased from supermarkets, some stores and also at international airports.
Food
Another misconception about Russia is that it is difficult to get vegetarian food. I absolutely disagree since there are options for even vegans in many restaurants. Vegetarian and vegan cafes are in plenty in bigger cities. Georgian, Indian and Italian restaurants have many options for vegetarians. Also, in supermarkets, you can always buy some things that are vegetarian. Even in Russian trains, there are a few vegetarian options marked with a green sign.
Immigration card
Upon arrival, you will be given an immigration card during your passport stamping. This is a very important document and should be kept safe along with the passport until you leave the country.
Shopping
Shopping can be interesting in Russia. In most of the places, you can bargain if you have good negotiating skills. Stores in the malls have fixed prices.
Safety
Follow the safety precautions like you do in your home country or elsewhere and most of all, trust your intuition. Do not venture out in the nights alone in lonely streets and watch out for pickpockets in crowded places especially in bigger cities. With all that said, I felt totally safe and did not experience any problem throughout my stay in Russia.
Packing essential things
Warm clothes
Carrying a warm jacket is a must since it can become cold and windy and you can also expect some occasional rains in St. Petersburg. October/ November is the beginning of winter and the end of fall. It was cold. Carrying a warm snow jacket and a nice pair of gloves is a good idea.
Walking shoes
Comfortable walking shoes are good especially if you have plans to take a walking tour or explore the city on your own. If you plan on visiting the North or the Siberian region, winter boots having a sole with good grip are highly recommended especially if you plan on hiking.
Electric plugs
Russia uses 220-volt electricity which is similar to India but you will need an adapter since Russia uses 2 round European outlets. Universal adapters are easily available on www.amazon.in
I hope these tips can help you plan your trip to Russia.
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