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Russia

General Information

Capital City:
Moscow
Population:
143 million
Area:
6,592,735 square miles
Language:
Russian, many local languages
Electricity:
220V AC 50Hz
Direct Dial:
7
Driving:
Driving is on the right. National licence with authorised translation or International Driving Permit required. Self drive car hire is very limited and not recommended for westerners
Currency:
Russian Rouble (RUR)

Business Hours

Bank:
0930-1730 Mon-Fri
Office:
0900-1800 Mon-Fri
Shops:
0900-1900 Mon-Sat (Sun mostly food shops)
Public Holidays:
<b>2012</b> 01 Jan : New year 07 Jan : Russian Orthodox Christmas Day 23 Feb : Day of the Defenders of the Motherland 08 Mar : International Women's Day 01 May : Spring and Labor Day 09 May : Victory in Europe Day 12 Jun : Russia Day 04 Nov : National Unity Day 12 Dec : Constitution Day

Business and social hints

General:
English is widely spoken and German is also a useful language when visiting. Alcohol is available and smoking is widespread
Tipping:
Customary, particularly in international hotels
Clothing:
During winter a hat is essential with scarf, gloves & thick soled waterproof footwear. Lightweight clothing for summer especially in southern regions
Emergency Services:
Police: 02. Fire: 01. Ambulance: 03
Hotel Classification:
Properties are officially classified by the State Tourist Committee using the standard star system from 1 up to 5. However, it appears to be poorly controlled and many properties remain ungraded while others simply choose their own category.

Climate

Winter is cold with heavy snowfall. Snow thaws Mar/Apr and this period can be quite wet. Summer is very similar to British summer in northern regions and more like the Med in southern regions. Autumn is much shorter than in Britain as winter/snows start in late Oct/Nov. Southern regions are generally warmer

Moscow

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum Temperature °C -9 -6 0 10 19 21 23 22 16 9 2 -5
Minimum Temperature °C -16 -14 -8 1 8 11 13 12 7 3 -3 -10
Average Humidity (mornings) % 82 82 82 73 58 62 68 74 78 81 87 85
Average Humidity (afternoons) % 77 66 64 54 43 47 54 55 59 67 79 83
Average Rainfall 39 38 36 37 53 58 88 71 58 45 47 54

Customs

Import Allowances:
For persons of 18 years of age or older: a) 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500gr of tobacco products b) 1 lit of alcoholic beverages (21 years) c) A reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use d) Other goods up to an amount of USD 10,000 for personal use only
Contraband:
Import: photographs and printed matter directed against Russia, live animals (subject to special permit), military arms and ammunition, narcotics, fruit and vegetables. Export: arms, ammunition, precious metals and articles made thereof (except if such articles belong to the imported personal effects of the passenger and have been declared on arrival), antiquities and art objects (subject to duty and special permit from the Ministry of Culture), furs

Health

A reciprocal health agreement for medical treatment including treatment in state hospitals exists with the United Kingdom. In order to obtain treatment a UK passport will be required. Further details are available from www.dh.gov.uk.

Compulsary Vaccinations
Yellow fever certificate required if aged 9 months and over and arriving from an endemic or area with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Recommended Immunisations
Hepatitis A, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Poliomyelitis. <b>In addition:</b> Typhoid, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Rabies, Tick-Borne Encephalitis, Japanese B Encephalitis & Meningococcal Meningitis are also recommended to those travelling to Russia frequently or intending to spend extended time here.
Risks
None. <b>GENERAL INFO FOR ALL TRAVELLERS:</b> Details listed can occasionally change at very short notice and it's recommended that all travellers seek advice from their Practice Nurse, GP or Travel Clinic when planning a visit to Russia. It should be noted that some vaccinations and treatments may require one or more visits and should be planned well in advance of travel. Primary courses and boosters should always be up to date as recommended for life in the UK. This should include vaccines given to special groups due to complications or risk exposure such as Hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly etc.

Immigration and Passport

Passports and passport replacing documents must be valid on arrival. Exempt:- a) Russian nationals may enter Russia on an expired passport however a fine will be levied.

The following DO NOT require a visa: 1) Nationals of the Russian Fed. 2) Nationals of the C.I.S countries except: Nationals of Georgia & Turkmenistan. 3) Nationals of Mongolia provided coming for business purposes and holding proof or tourist visits and holding hotel vouchers or for social visits and holding an invitation from a resident. 4) For stays up to 90 days by:- a) Holders of passports issued by Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Israel, Nicaragua, Peru & Venezuela. b) Nationals of Bosnia Herzegovina & Macedonia (FYROM) for business purposes and holding an original letter of invitation. 5) For stays up to 30 days by:- a) Nationals of Cuba & Turkey. b) Nationals of Thailand providing travelling for touristic purposes. c) Nationals of Serbia holding new red coloured passports. d) Nationals of Montenegro holding biometric passports. e) Nationals of Croatia providing either on business and holding an invitation letter or for touristic purposes and holding a hotel voucher. f) Nationals of Bosnia Herzegovina & Macedonia (FYROM) for touristic purposes and holding original vouchers and confirmation from a Russian Tour Operator. 6) For stays up to 14 days by:- a) Holders of Hong Kong (SAR China passports).

Nationals not referred to the above are advised to contact the embassy or high commission to check visa requirements. Entry requirements may change from time to time and should be checked with the Russian Embassy or Consulate.

Useful Contacts

Embassy

Embassy of Russia 5 Kensington Palace Gardens London, W8 4QS tel: +44 20 7792 8473 / +44 20 3051 1199 / 0845 868 1199 / 0905 889 0149 (visa information) fax:+44 20 7229 5804 e-mail: info@rusemblon.org website: www.rusemblon.org hours: 0900-1130 (Mon-Fri) * calls cost �1 per minute

Airports

  • Moscow Domodedovo
  • Moscow Sheremetyevo International
  • Sochi International
  • St. Petersburg Pulkovo

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Trafalgar Tours

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From exclusive Be My Guest dining experiences to in-depth insights provided by expert local guides, our First Class tours offer an enriching travel experience where you come away with a wealth of local knowledge and a photo album packed with memories.

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On a Premium Class escorted tour you'll be travelling with a smaller, more personal group of like-minded travellers (maximum 40 guests on board) on coaches featuring business-class-like legroom and spacious comfort.
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