FAQ for tourists


Do I need a visa to Russia?

Most nationals need a visa to travel to Russia. Although starting from January 1, 2021 there are 52 countries that are allowed to enter Russia on electronic visas. The cost of E-visa is 40 USD. Here is the list of the countries which are allowed to entry with e-visa.

Austria
Andorra
Bahrain
Belgium
Bulgaria
Vatican
Hungary
Germany
Greece
Denmark
India
Indonesia
Iran
Ireland
Iceland
Spain
Italy
Qatar
Cyprus
China (including Taiwan)
DPRK
Kuwait
Latvia
Lithuania
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Malta
Mexico
Monaco
Netherlands
Norway
Oman
Poland
Portugal
Romania
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
North Macedonia
Singapore
Slovakia 
Slovenia
Turkey
Philippines
Finland
France
Croatia
Czech
Switzerland
Sweden
Estonia
Japan
Serbia

Note: You don’t need a Russian visa within 72 hours if you are a cruise visitor.


Do you provide Russian visas?

No, we do not. We can only send you an invitation letter. Later on you will use it to apply for visa at a Russian consulate in your country. Good news. We do visa support free of charge when booking the tour with us! If you go to Russia on your own you should get the invitation letter from the hotel you booked for your trip.


How expensive is travel to Russia?

Several years ago Moscow was one of the most expensive cities in the world to visit, you could spend as much money on a trip as if you were traveling to London or New York. Due to the strong collapse of the ruble, at the moment, your trip to Russia will be the most pleasant for the price.

 


Russia is so big! How Much Time Should I Plan For a Trip?

That really depends on how much vacation time you have and what would you like to see. Russia is a big country with a huge territory. And even the majority of locals have not been to all places in our country. For your first visit to Russia, a week-long trip is best decision, you can visit two capitals of Russia - Moscow and St. Petersburg.
If you are lucky and have more time you should experience The Trans-Siberian journey - the longest railway route in the world, passing through the territory of our country from Moscow till Vladivostok.
The distance from Vladivostok to Moscow by train is 9259 km. If you go without long stops in the cities along the route, the whole journey will take 6 days 9 hours.


Which is the best currency to take to Russia?

The national currency in Russia is rubles. Upon arrival in Russia, you will need to exchange money for rubles. The most liquid for exchange are euros and dollars. You can exchange them at any bank branch or currency exchange points. You can also pay in restaurants and shops with credit cards. Before making a purchase or ordering at a restaurant, check if they accept credit cards.


Where is the best place to exchange money?

Currency exchange for rubles in Russia is not a problem. You can do this at any bank branch or currency exchange point.


Where can I get local SIM card?

It is easy to buy a SIM card in Russia from a local operator. You can do it at the airport, at cell phone stores, or at the railway stations. To apply for a SIM card, you need to provide your ID or passport.


Is there wifi in Russia?

In large cities of Russia, such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, free Wi-Fi access is possible at the airport, in the metro, in hotels, restaurants and cafes. The trend of free Internet access began to actively spread to city parks and public places. In small cities of Russia, access to Wi-Fi will also be possible in cafes and hotels. If you are going on a long trip across Russia visiting villages and small towns, then we recommend you to buy a local SIM card.


How will I get around in Russian cities? Should I plan to rent a car or is there a reliable public transport?

As we wrote earlier, Russia is a very large country, traveling by a rented car will not be the best option, because you will spend a lot of time on the road, and there are not good roads everywhere in Russia. The most convenient and budgetary way to explore the regions of Russia is to travel by train.
From large cities of Russia to the nearest settlements can be reached by local shuttle bus.
From St. Petersburg to Moscow, you can buy a ticket for the high-speed train "Sapsan", which takes about 4 hours to travel. Within the city, you can use public transport: metro, bus, tram or trolleybus.
There are also taxi services in cities, you can order a taxi through the application, or stop an official taxi on the road with a "Taxi" sign.


How to use the metro in Russia?

Most large cities in Russia have a subway. This is the fastest and most convenient way to get to your destination and avoid morning or evening traffic jams. The entrance to the metro station is marked with an "M" sign.
For the convenience of using the metro, you can buy a special card that performs the function of an electronic wallet. It is possible to replenish the balance of the card through special terminals located at the station (in Moscow this card is called "Troika", in St. Petersburg - "Podorozhnik")


Accommodations in Russia: What to choose

In Russia, every tourist can find accommodation according to their needs and budget.
There are 3 main types of accommodation for tourists:
Hotels
Russia has world famous hotel chains sach as Park Inn, Holiday Inn, Lotte, Four Seasons and etc. There are also a number of excellent local 3-5-star hotels that do not belong to any hotel chain, which are also popular with tourists.
Tourist Apartments
In most cases, these are apartments that have been completely renovated and equipped with everything necessary for living. This option is suitable for traveling with a family or a large group of friends.
Hostels
For budget travellers, the best accommodation option is a hostel. Usually, the room is equipped with several bunk beds, there is a shared bathroom on the floor and a hall with a kitchen, where you can find all the necessary equipment: kettle, microwave oven, refrigerator. Usually, hostels have a central location and attract tourists with a "price-quality" ratio.


Who should I ask if I get lost in Russia? Do people speak English?

If you realize that you get lost, you can ask people around you or a police officer for help. Don't worry, even if the person doesn't speak English, they will show you the direction you need with signs. Do not forget to take a city map in English at the reception desk at the hotel, you will need it for a walk!


What is the weather like in Russia?

Each region of Russia has its own climate, so it is not so easy for us to determine the best period for a trip! Generally, we believe that the most suitable period for a trip to Russia is from May till October. During this period we have summer in Russia, and even in cold and far regions such as Kamchatka, you won't have time to freeze.


What is the food like in Russia?

Russia is a multinational and multicultural country. As a result, the cuisine depends on the region of the country. In Russia we love potatoes in any types, beets, cabbage, carrots, and eat meat in large quantities. Borscht is the most popular soup, the name of which every foreigner knows. Pelmeni, Olivier salad, pancakes, caviar - all these are iconic dishes of traditional Russian cuisine. And, of course, don't forget about national drinks: Russian vodka, kvass, various types of tinctures, tea with lemon. You can taste all this and not only in any Russian restaurant.


Can I easily find vegetarian food?

Traditionally, locals eat a lot of meat - chicken, pork, beef. However, the trend of vegetarianism has become actively spread throughout Russia. For this reason, many restaurants have revised their menus to include plant-based dishes. In large cities of Russia you can find many vegetarian restaurants, including certain world cuisines, for example, Indian.


Can I drink the water from the tap?

We do not recommend drinking tap water in Russia. You can buy drinking water at any supermarket or kiosk.


Do I have to leave tips?

Tipping is a fairly common thing in Russia. If you want to show your appreciation to the waiter for his service in the restaurant, you can thank him with a tip. Usually tip is 10% of the bill, or at your discretion. It is also common thing to leave a tip 5 EURO/USD per person per day during the excursion tour for guide and driver. But for sure it's up to you.


What is the standard voltage in Russia?

The standard voltage is 220V, 50Hz AC. Sockets require a Continental or European plug with two round pins. If you need pack a travel adaptor.


What should I do in an emergency while on tour?

If you need medical attention, first contact your tour-leader if you are traveling in a group. In case of emergency medical care, you can call the ambulance at 03 or 112. First aid is provided free of charge, unless the tourist requires a doctor or hospitalization.
During planning your trip to Russia, do not forget to make health insurance for the duration of your trip.


What should I bring from Russia and where can I buy it?

During your travel to Russia leave some space in your luggage for gifts and souvenirs. The most popular souvenir from Russia is the Matryoshka: a wooden doll with a few more smaller dolls inside. Also, as a souvenir, you can bring a popular hat with earflaps, which will keep you warm on cold evenings. Don't forget to buy a few bottles of Russian vodka, a bucket of real honey and, of course, a few bars of Russian chocolate.


How can I book a tour?

You can send us an email with all your details (tour name, dates of travel, hotel category, number of people, your passport details, guide’s language and any optional extras) and we will reserve places for you on your chosen tour.
Alternatively you can book online from our website www.nevaseasons.com. Please check that all your details are entered correctly and match your passport data.


How can I make payment for the tour?

Tour payment can be made by bank transfer or credit card. Please note that when paying, a commission is charged, the amount of commission depends on your bank. You will find all the necessary payment details on the invoice that will be sent to you by email.


What are advantages of going with the tour and not on my own?

Best tour operator’s prices which are much cheaper than for individual travelers
Available 24/7 for urgent matters
No line admission to venues
Destination expertise
Professional selected guides
Different ways of payment
Visa support free of charge


If you didn’t find the answer to your question please contact us via welcome@nevaseasons.ru
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