Business hours
Offices:
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Monday-Friday
Banks:
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Monday-Friday
Museums:
10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Most closed Monday
Shops:
9:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.
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Currency
Currency converter by Oanda
The Russian monetary unit is the ruble. There is no limit to the amount of foreign
currency allowed to be brought into Russia.
However, all money brought into the country (including traveller's checks) must be
declared upon entering the country. In Russia, tourists can exchange any amount of hard
currency for rubles at any of the following locations: authorized Russian banks, foreign
currency offices located in major hotels,
international airports, banks and sea ports. In
St.Petersburg the are many exchange offices locates in the city centre.
Exchange rates between the ruble and all hard currencies are set by authorized Russian
banks within Russia and by authorized banks within each of the independent republics. It
is prohibited to take rubles out of Russia.
The following credit cards are accepted in Russia:
American Express, Diners Club,
ETN Card, Eurocard/Mastercard,
Most Card, Optimum Card, Ort Card, STB Card, Unioncard and
Visa International.
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Electric current
The electric current in Russia is 220 V. European tipe plugs are required.
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Handicapped
Mentally or physically handicapped persons are welcome to travel in Russia if
accompanied by a companion to cater to them.
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Holidays
January 1-2: New Year
This is one of the main holidays in many countries of the world. The
date on which New Year is celebrated has undergone frequent changes. In Russia Peter I
made January 1 the start of the year 1699.
January 1: Orthodox Cristmas
On of the main Orthodox holidays.
March 8: International Women's Day
A holiday dedicated to international solidarity between women in their
fight for equal rights in the economic, social, and political spheres.
April-May: Easter
May 1-2: Labour Day, celebration of spring
A day of solidarity between the workers in the whole world. In Russia
Labour Day was first celebrated in 1890.
May 9: Victory Day
For Russians this day of celebration of total victory over fascism is
one of the most important and memorable occasions in the year. Celebrations include
parades and military marches, reunions for veterans of the war, and multi-salvo salute.
June 12: Russia Independence Day
November 7: Day of Concord
December 12: Day of Russian Constitution
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Arts and Folk Festivals:
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Time zone
The difference between Greenwich Mean Time and the time in St.Petersburg & Moscow
is +3 hours (called “Moscow time”).
Summer daylight saving time (GMT +4 hours) is effective till April to October
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Tipping
Tipping is not required in Russia and no one should feel obliged to do so. However,
many visitors use tipping as a way to show appreciation for a job well done and this is
certainly acceptable. Such gestures are voluntary and at the sole discretion of the
visitor.
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Phone
Telephone area code: (+7) 812
CRUCIAL TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
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Russian cuisine
Russian food is famous for its meat dishes, ukha (fish soup), shchi (cabbage soup),
pokhlebka (thick broth), okroshka (cold vegetable soup), bliny (pancakes) with sour cream
or caviar, cabbage pie, and beef a la Strogonoff.
Tea with lemon is the traditional Russian beverage.
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Weights & measures
Conversion tables and tools by Amadeus (Area, Length, Temperature, Volume, Weight)
Temperature
To convert degrees Celsius into degrees Fahrenheit, multiply by 1.8 and add 32
To convert degrees Fahrenheit into degrees Celsius, subtract 32 and multiply by 0.55
Length, distance & area
To convert inches to centimetres, multiply by 2.54
To convert centimetres to inches, multiply by 0.39
Feet to metres, multiply by 0.3
Metres to feet, multiply by 3.28
Yards to metres, multiply by 0.91
Metres to yards, multiply by 1.09
Miles to kilometres, multiply by 1.61
Kilometres to miles, multiply by 0.62
Acres to hectares, multiply by 0.4
Hectares to acres, multiply by 2.47
Weight
To convert ounces to grams, multiply by 28.35
To convert grams to ounces, multiply by 0.035
Pounds to kilograms, multiply by 0.45
Kilograms to pounds, multiply by 2.21
British ton to kilograms, multiply by 1016
US tons to kilograms, multiply by 907
Volume
To convert imperial gallons to litres, multiply by 4.55
To convert litres to imperial gallons, multiply by 0.22
US gallons to litres, multiply by 3.79
Litres to US gallons, multiply by 0.26