First Time In Russia: Car Hire, Customs Rules, Climate, Language

Car Hire

You can hire a car in an airport or a hotel, but then you should not expect it to come cheap. It is better to employ services of car hire companies. You can hire a car with or without a driver.

In Russia they drive on the right hand side. The speed limits are 60 km/h (about 37 mph) in built up areas, outside the city limits - 90 km/h (about 56 mph). Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory!

Driving in Russia is not the simplest of tasks. Large cities have very intense traffic, you can be stuck in a traffic jam for hours, and there are serious parking problems. The road surface quality often leaves much to be desired. Different cities have different driving styles. It may seem somewhat aggressive to a European. We do recommend you hire a car with a driver.

Customs Rules for Individual Persons

You can bring into or out of Russia foreign and (or) Russian cash as well as travellers cheques, foreign and (or) domestic securities in physical certificated form in the sum of up to the equivalent of 3000 US dollars. When the amount is in excess of this sum, the money must be declared to the customs office by submitting a TD-6 customs declaration stating the sum total of money carried.

Climate

One of the most widespread stereotypes is the Russian colds. First of all - it is not always cold. Secondly, even though there is this stereotype, the Russian cold is often underestimated. The fact that Russian territory is so huge makes it virtually impossible to assert anything regarding "Russian climate". The same day may see +20 Celsius (+68.00 Fahrenheit) in Sochi and -20 Celsius (-4.00 Fahrenheit) in the northern regions. In the South the summer heat may exceed +40 Celsius (+104.00 Fahrenheit) while even -50 Celsius (-58.00 Fahrenheit) is usual for the winter in the North. The only thing to advise is watching the weather forecast and not the one for Moscow, but for the city or the region you are planning to visit. The weather there may differ from that in Moscow by 30 degrees. Either up or down.

Language

You may encounter language problems. There are not a lot of people who know English, not even enough for everyday simple communications. Amongst middle-aged and older people - virtually none. This includes those serving you - waiters (with the exception of expensive hotels), taxi drivers, and security guards. The situation is better amongst young people. If you want to find out something - do try asking young people. In every three to four people there would be someone who would understand you. We do strongly advise to spend some money on a professional interpreter.

On the other hand be prepared for a keen interest in your person. Russia is not a country used to a big tourist influx. With the exception of Moscow and St. Petersburg, foreigners are perceived as something exotic here.